CanoeSport goes on Spring Break!

The long but beautiful drive through Glen Canyon Recreational Area. 

Spring break normally doesn't mean anything to those of us at the store just another week selling boats and bikes. This year spring break meant Jeff and Shireen taking 11 University of Iowa students kayaking at Lake Powell. Jeff led the trip in 2014 and Shireen joined this year as the Wilderness First Responder. (required for all University trips). After 2 Monday nights of preparation with the students we packed up at 5am on Saturday and raced the sun west toward Utah all day and night. Sunday we woke early to frost on our tents eager to finish our drive to Powell winding through Glen Canyon Recreational Area.

Scenic stop at a stone arch.

Learning about safety before heading out!

Monday

We all awoke early with adrenaline pumping, eager to officially start the trip. After learning about wet exits and rescues from the dock everyone had the opportunity to jump in the frigid water (42 degrees) to practice on their own. Sunbathing on the boat ramp warmed everyone up as we proceeded to packing up 13 people's worth of gear for 5 days. Needless to say it looked like a bomb went off in our gear room. There was stuff everywhere! Finally on the water we paddled up Hall's Creek Bay to a sandbar to spend the next 2 nights. Supper was decided and made while watching the sunset behind our campsite.

All fitted and ready to pack

The garage sale we could have held loading up 13 people!

Enjoying the first sunset of the trip

Tuesday

Waking to the sounds of a group of mallard ducks everyone enjoyed the solitude the canyon had to offer. We opted to continue paddling up Hall's Creek Bay to explore more of the red sand and high cliff walls. A few people tried their hand at fishing but no luck. We spent the afternoon enjoying the sun on a large cliff face reading, doing yoga, exploring, and sleeping the hours away. During the nights the star gazing was amazing! With the nearest town over 100 miles away there was no light pollution and everyone remarked at how packed the sky was with stars. 

Campsite in Halls Creek Bay.

Wednesday 

We packed up early and headed back towards Halls Crossing for a brief stop at the boat ramp to drop off extra gear and use the glorious facilities we had not seen for 2 days. After enjoying lunch we hit the water again paddling towards Moki Canyon. The lazy warm sun lulled us all into slowing down and chatting the afternoon away on the water. Thanks to prompting from the guides and a small threat of rain we picked up the pace heading into one of the most spectacular canyons I think any of us has ever seen. 100'+ cliff walls on either side, narrow cuts, shallow 'sea caves,' and crystal clear water made the 20 minute paddle into Moki feel like the world was sliding in on you. The only direct sun we got was from 10am-4pm. At the end of the canyon we made camp on a large sandbar.

Big cliffs and bigger skies. 

Campsite in Moki Canyon

Sunset Adventure

During the day the wind had remained calm but was predicted to pick up 10-15mph toward evening. Being in a narrow, high wall canyon, when the wind blows up top the wind focuses its power through the canyon and can be magnified greatly. The wind picked up and we began to realize the small tent stakes in soft sand were no match for the wind gusts we were experiencing. Not to mention the fine red dust that kicked up and infiltrated every surface possible including inside our tents and sleeping bags. It felt that by morning mother nature would have us all buried alive. We almost lost a tent into the water but a quick sprint down the beach saved the tent and gear. Thankfully after only a few hours the wind died down and we could rest in peace. 

The breathtaking views and endless skies

Thursday

Paddling up Moki Canyon

Instead of paddling, we hiked further into Moki Canyon. The canyon used to be full of water but due to the slow draining of the lake the rest of the canyon is now a very small creek that we walked back into. We slowly gained elevation (maybe just a few feet) but enough to finally see trees, shrubs, and grass again after only seeing rocks and sand for the past few days. Although we didn't see the Indian ruins that we were told where up the creek we did find the motherland of a sand bar. Literally over 100' tall and easily 200' long the channels of the canyon line up just right to dump sand directly into this corner of the canyon. 

Learning about group safety on the water. 

Friday

Packing up everyone remarked at having a great time and wanting to 'fail' the test so they could re-take the trip for the experience! We packed up camp one last time and paddled back out of Moki to Bullfrog Bay. The lure of hamburgers and facilities motivated us all to put the paddle in the water and hoof it back to the boat ramp. Cleaning up and packing gear was bittersweet as we read of threatening snowstorms back home. Tired, sunburnt, and happy, we piled into the University Suburbans for a very long ride home reliving memories of sun filled days and star packed nights on Lake Powell.

Thank you Lake Powell for a great paddling trip!

Getting My Level 2 ACA Kayak Instructor Certification

By Casey Holmes

On February 21st 2015, CanoeSport paddlers Jennifer Hurst and Casey Holmes (me) traveled down south in search of softer waters and a chance to earn their ACA Level 2 Coastal Kayak Instructor certifications.

Leaving the cold was ok!

Leaving the sub zero temperatures was tough, but once we hit the 70 degree weather, we both decided we would just have to live with this heat wave.  We pulled into the parking lot of Sweetwater Kayaks located in Saint Petersburg Florida.  Once the paperwork was all filled out and all our i's dotted and t's crossed, we drove to our hotel in Clear Beach.

The combination Instructor Development Workshop and Instructor Certification Exam started bright and early on Sunday February 22nd.  We had over 20 perspective instructor candidates in the class.  About half of the candidates were testing for their Level 3 Instructor Certification.  Our group consisted of a wide range of paddlers and skill levels.  We had everything from a college librarian to ex-military that were getting their certification so they could teach kayaking to their local girl scout troops.  

The first part of the class on Sunday, mainly consisted of going over paperwork and learning more about the American Canoe Association (ACA).  We learned about what the ACA is all about and what would be expected of us as new instructors.  Later after lunch, we got to get out on the water.  Previous to us getting down to Florida, each canidate had to prepare a 10 minute presentation that they would have to present to their class some time during the class.  I had the pleasure of trying to discuss and teach about weather.  Let me tell you, trying to squeez the basics of weather and how it effects kayakers in 10 minutes is not a simple feat!  I ended up taking the full 10 minutes and only got to discuss pressure systems and fronts.  The class then critiqued the presentation, and feedback was given.

After a few more presentations were given, we got to go out on the water.  Our large group was broken down into 2 groups.  Level 3 canidates went with one set of instructors, and level 2 went with another.  In our level 2 group, we still had 12 people, so our group was split into 2 more groups.  We learned the proper way to model forward strokes, reverse strokes, sweeps, draws with in water recovery, and sculling draws.  We also got to play around with stern rudders while edging.  After multiple tips, tricks, and capsizes, we were done for the day.

The following morning, we were going to cover rescues.  We broke down into our 2 groups and started working on rescues.  Some of our instructor candidates had never done rescues before so it was interesting to say the least.  We practiced T-rescues, paddlefloat rescues, scoops, and hands of god rescues.  Having not practiced the hands of god rescue for a while, this was a much needed refresher.  I learned many tips and tricks to get paddlers back in their kayaks with minimum time in the water, and minimum effort.  In the afternoon of the second day, we were video taped modeling of all the strokes.  Later that night we all met back up at Sweetwater Kayaks and watched the videos, and critiqued ourselves and our fellow paddlers.

For the 3rd and final day, we met at a different beach.  Heavy fog had rolled in and it made for some interesting scenarios.  Our goal for this day was to lead our group on a journey.  During this journey, certain paddlers would have an issue and the person leading the group would have to control the situation and keep the group safe.  Of course during my scenario, the instructors decided it would be fun to not only have half of my group paddle out of range, but also 2 capsizes.  One of the swimmers in the water had a shoulder injury, so a modified scoop had to be performed.  During this rescue another paddler went in the water.  All in all the rescues were quick and efficient, and no paddler was in the water for more than a minute.  I had passed with flying colors.

After the day on the water was over, we went back to Sweetwater for our debrief, and to discuss if we had passed.  I volunteered to go first.  I had passed my level 2 and the instructors wanted me to stay for the level 3.  Having previous certifications, I politely passed stating that I had some snorkeling to do the following day.  The 3 days went by quickly.  I learned a lot of things to incorporate into my classes, and well as things to avoid.

New ACA Kayak Instructors!

Product Review: Misty PFD by Stohlquist

 Stohlquist Misty PFD

New for 2015 is the women specific Misty PFD.

During March ALL Misty PFD's are 15% off! 

This PFD offers Graded Sizing.  This a new feature that currently only Stohlquist is offering.  Graded sizing offers the best possible fit, with the lowest footprint possible, for the widest range of body types.  Each individual size of jacket is proportionately sized for the paddler.  Stohlquist has sculpted the foam footprint, and foam thickness to provide a betting fitting, and more comfortable PFD.  This allows them to fit young, smaller framed paddlers up to larger adults in the same style vest, while offering identical mobility and a low profile fit across the size range.


The Misty has thinner back floatation which makes this PFD extremely comfortable with boats with a higher seat back like a recreational kayak or even a backrest in a canoe.  Large pockets allow the paddler to carry all sorts of items.  It even has a built in beverage holder!

Front pocket has mesh attachment to hold a small beverage.

2 front pockets have ample room to carry a snack, sunscreen, phone, camera, and car keys!

Here are the key features of the Misty:

» Thin back design works with all seat styles
» Graded Sizing provides the best possible fit
» Open sides for ventilation
» Cross-chest cinch harness for zero ride-up
» Mesh shoulders & interior panels for maximum ventilation
» Adjustable shoulders, and dual forward pulls for a custom fit
» Zippered front pockets offer organization
» Built-in beverage holder and neoprene sunglasses sleeve
» Entry grip tab at zipper base
» #10 YKK zipper with non-corroding slider
» Lightweight PE Foam
» Type III PFD with sea level buoyancy:
    •    SM: 16 lbs
    •    MD: 16 lbs, 8oz
    •    LG: 17 lbs
» USCG Approved

Construction
» Mini Ripstop nylon outer shell
» 200 denier oxford liner

Sizing
SIZE     CHEST
SM     28” - 34”
MD     34” - 40”
LG     40” - 46”

Available in these great colors!