‘Helen’s Blog’

Storm Gathering USA – Trinidad, California – March 3, 4 and 5, 2017

Storm Gathering USA 2017 – Event Video.

Produced by Helen Wilson

Storm Gathering events are sea kayak symposiums designed for those wanting to take their skills to the next level. The UK SGS and the SGS USA events are presented by GreenlandorBust.org.

The symposium featured in this video took place in Trinidad, California from March 3 to 5, 2017. The next UK event takes place next March 2018 in Pembrokeshire, Wales. The next USA event takes place March 8 to 10, 2019 in Trinidad, California.

This Blog can be found on Outdoor Research’s Verticulture site. Click HERE for the link. Thanks for reading! – Helen

This Blog can be found on Outdoor Research’s Verticulture site. Click HERE for the link. Thanks for reading! – Helen

8TH UK STORM GATHERING SYMPOSIUM
GREENLAND EXPEDITION • ICE BEARS AND ISLANDS

Happy Holidays! We at Greenland or Bust wish you, your family and your friends a wonderful festive season.

Here in Northern California the ran has been falling, which is great, because we certainly need it. On top of that, the wind has been howling, which has made it really nice to curl up indoors and work on our 2016 schedule, which is filling fast! We don’t have it all up on the website yet, but for a sample of what’s happening in 2016, click HERE

In November, Helen taught Traditional Paddling and Rolling and Simplifying the Roll at Horseshoe Cove in California. Mark ran some BCU and ISKGA programs in Cornwall, England and on Anglesey, in Wales.

In December, we’ve got classes in San Diego, Marina Del Rey and Dana Point (all in California). And then 2016 starts…

In January we’ve got some local programs running, and Helen will be completing her Wilderness First Responder. In February there’s Paddle Golden Gate. It’s an awesome event, and well worth checking out, if you haven’t done so already. After that, Greenland or Bust and Kokatat are bringing Jaime Sharp to Eureka, California for Ice Bears and Islands, a presentation on Svalbard’s world first sea kayak circumnavigation. For more, please see the flyer below, or e-mail info@greenlandorbust.org.

Later in February, we head to the UK for the 8th UK Storm Gathering Symposium, which takes place on Anglesey in Wales from February 20 to 22. The main event will be followed by BCU and ISKGA Week.

Finally, our next Greenland expedition takes place in the Disco Bay/Ilulissat area from July 20 to 31, 2016, and there are only a couple of places left! Contact us at info@greenlandorbust.org for more information.

As usual, visit www.greenlandorbust.org for more information, our current Events calendar and Blog postings. You can also find us on Twitter. For questions, comments or to schedule us in your neighborhood, email info@greenlandorbust.org.

Happy paddling!

Helen and Mark

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Dr. T’s Coaching Corner

Proper Planning And Preparation Will Prevent a Poor Performance – Get to know the area where you will be tested. Paddle it a few times in different weather/tidal conditions, so your chart is there as a backup, not as your primary means of knowing your location.

Fail to Prepare, Prepare to Fail – Set out lots of ‘desk-top’ plans beforehand, so when on the water you can create several ‘deck-top’ plans in your head, at any one time: a five minute plan, a 30 minute plan and a one hour plan. Your aim is to be implementing the 5 minute plan, working towards the 30 minute plan, and keeping the one hour plan in perspective.

Be Brave. Take Risks. Nothing Can Substitute Experience – If you are ‘experienced’ then it stands to reason that you will draw confidence from having built up a breadth of personal knowledge, thus enabling you to make sound judgment calls as and when they are required.

Come Prepared To Take The Helm – If you are not so ‘experienced’ then you need a bombproof game plan or live on your wits, which will be stressful! This is the hardest way of passing; a good examiner will detect a candidate’s lack of flexibility and will try to force judgment calls, potentially then forcing mistakes to be made. After all, they need to see if a candidate is safe in any situation.

To Prepare Is Half The Victory – Be ready to use your safety equipment, especially your towline, more than once and often in quick succession. Sort out an effective roll and be ready with a quick re-entry; this is a set piece and really highlights good paddling skills, or lack of. Make sure the kit you have is functional, accessible but also easily stowed and secured. Stay calm and do what you always do, not what you think someone else wants you to do.

“Be prepared, work hard, and hope for a little luck. Recognize that the harder you work and the better prepared you are, the more luck you might have” – Ed Bradley.

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Program Schedule

Simplifying the Roll
December 12, San Diego, California

Simplifying the Roll
December 19, Dana Point, California

Simplifying the Roll
December 20, Marina Del Rey, California

(Programs running in 2016 will be posted soon.)

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Helen Wilson and Mark Tozer • (707) 834-5501

info@greenlandorbust.org

 

This year’s travel schedule has been non-stop, and the past few weeks have been no exception. We started the month in North Wales, and were thrilled to have a few days of stunning weather. We took advantage of it, and hiked up Tryfan, which is a mountain in the Ogwen Valley in Wales. Clear skies provided wonderful views in every direction.

That weekend we ran some classes on Anglesey, and then we headed to Portmeirion, a village in North Wales, and the location where the hit television show, The Prisoner, was filmed.

The following week we headed to Stonehenge, and were once again blessed with beautiful weather.

After leaving Stonehenge, we headed to Cornwall for the Sea Kayaking Cornwall Symposium. It was my first year at this great event.

Throughout the weekend Mark and I coached two Traditional Paddling and Greenland Rolling Days.

Special thanks to Shaun, Jeff and Simon for taking such good care of us!

GREENLAND EXPEDITION
8TH UK STORM GATHERING SYMPOSIUM • 2016

We’re writing this newsletter from Anglesey, Wales. Here on Anglesey, it’s starting to feel like Autumn. Temperatures are dropping, clouds are filling previously clear blue skies and t-shirts are being replaced by warm hoodies. Despite the weather change, there are lots of kayaks on the water. We hope that this also holds true in your neighborhood.

September began with us traveling home from a busy summer of classes and events in Norway, Sweden and Denmark during our sixth annual, Rebel Kayaks supported Nordic Tour. After a couple of days of rest and relaxation, Helen then headed to Lake Carlos State Park in Minnesota to mentor during The Traditional Paddlers’ Gathering. She then made her way to Whiskeytown, California for a couple of Simplifying the Roll classes, and then traveled down the coast to run private rolling classes during Mendo Madness in Mendocino, California. Meanwhile, Mark ran a BCU 4 Star Sea Training Week, which was then followed by a BCU 4 Star Sea Assessment. Both were in Pembrokeshire, Wales. In addition to all of this, we’ve been working on our 2016 schedule, which is already filling up FAST.

October started with Simplifying the Roll and some private classes on Anglesey, in Wales. This week we head to Cornwall, England for the Sea Kayaking Cornwall Symposium. After that, Helen heads to Pacific City, Oregon, for Lumpy Waters, then to Eureka, California for an Intermediate Sea Kayaking class. She ends the month with a Halloween Campout at Stone Lagoon, an event which she’s hosting for our local club, Explore North Coast. Mark will remain in Cornwall to teach various BCU and ISKGA programs before finishing the month with some sea kayak skills development courses back in North Wales.

Most of our winter programs will then be in California (Horseshoe Cove, Crescent City, San Diego, Marina Del Rey and Dana Point). In February, we head back to Anglesey to run the 8th UK Storm Gathering Symposium. Will you be there???

And finally, are you interested in joining us for a Greenland expedition? Next year’s expedition will take place in the Disco Bay/Ilulissat area from July 20 to 31, 2016, and places are filling fast. Contact us at info@greenlandorbust.org for more information.

As usual, visit www.greenlandorbust.org for more information and our current Events calendar and Blog postings. You can also follow us on Twitter. For questions, comments or to schedule us in your neighborhood, e-mail: info@greenlandorbust.org.

Happy paddling!

Helen and Mark

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Dr T’s Coaching Corner

Over the past few months, we have been looking at the various factors which make up the ‘TTPP model’ (BCU, 2006) as they relate to paddling performance. In December, we introduced the model. In April, we covered the ‘Technical’ element. In June, we addressed the ’Tactical’ aspect and, in August, we talked about the ‘Psychological’ dimension.

This month we finish by looking at how knowledge of the ‘Physiological’ concepts that apply to all paddling disciplines, and the relationship between how our body creates energy
for exercise and our diet, can also help address performance issues.

To recap, this element represents our ability to develop endurance, maintain flexibility, generate strength as well our balance nutritional needs depending on the level and intensity of the activity we are participating in. It also relates to the application of sound training principles and adopting specific fitness strategies.

For example, a lack of muscular endurance, aerobic fitness, or poor nutrition while paddling could undermine our physical ability. These areas can be addressed by scheduled aerobic exercise, circuit training, along with a review of food and fluid intact during activities to see if any useful changes can be made.

Whether training to compete or training for health, everyone has different needs. People vary in height, size, shape and preference. Therefore, even though they have the same goals they may not reach them by the same means. However, the following areas often need addressing in some form or another.

Core Strength: This can be developed through exercises that enhance the muscles required for rotational movements of the trunk and abdominal areas. For example, you can build strength in your lower body by using squats and leg extensions. For abdominal strength and torso rotation try crunches using a balance ball.

Cardiovascular Training: Cardiovascular fitness for kayaking requires some discipline specific training so consider the duration and distance of each trip. For example, plan to kayak for a set distance in one direction and then return to the starting point. Therefore encountering different conditions. On the next outing increase the distance. During the paddle, aim for a consistent cadence of stroke, or pace. Incorporating staged bursts of speed, either for a set time or number of paddle strokes, will also help with improving speed.

Cross Training: As with any activity that requires cardiovascular endurance, cross-training using high-intensity aerobic exercises, such as cycling and running, can improve fitness levels. While the movement patterns for biking or running do not simulate kayaking movements, developing endurance ensures a kayaker won’t be stranded on the water too tired to paddle to safety or back to shore.

Flexibility: This refers to the absolute range of movement in a joint or series of joints that is attainable in a momentary effort with the help of a partner or a piece of equipment. Flexibility in some joints can be increased to a certain degree by stretching. Stretching improves the muscle’s felt elasticity and reaffirms comfortable muscle tone. The result will be a feeling of increased muscle control, flexibility and range of motion.

If you are not training for a particular paddling discipline, then you need to consider your height, weight, gender, body shape, and goals before you choose a suitable fitness program. However, it is worth applying the FITT Principle once a training structure has been set. For each type of exercise during your session, think about the following.

Frequency – How often you do the exercise (be it an individual set or the whole session).

Intensity – The difficulty of the exercise: it could be the amount of weight, or the speed you move.

Time – The duration of the exercise: for fitness, this should be at least 20 minutes a day.

Type – What kind of exercise: vary what you do to keep it interesting, and to work all the different muscles.

Nutrition and Hydration: Optimal nutrition is attained with sound dietary practices that are applied on a continuing basis, not just before a long paddle. Getting into a good eating pattern long term and fueling-up with the right energy sources not only provides a nutritious diet but will help prevent fatigue when out paddling and allow you to continue to perform at your best for longer. One aspect to avoid is dehydration, which is one of the most important factors that can cause early fatigue during exercise. It decreases performance, impairs cardiovascular function and can pose serious health problems. For proper hydration, drink before, during and after exercise and before you feel thirsty.

A balanced training programme develops good cardio fitness and body strength while adding finesse to your paddling efficiency. Effective stroke techniques increase as you put in more time on the water.

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Program Schedule

Simplifying the Roll
October 3, Anglesey, Wales

Combat Rolling
October 4, Anglesey, Wales

Sea Kayaking Cornwall Symposium
October 10 to 11, Cornwall, England

Lumpy Waters
October 16 to 18, Pacific City, Oregon

Intermediate Sea Kayaking (for HBAC)
October 24, Eureka, California

Halloween Campout at Stone Lagoon
(for ENC)
October 31 to November 1,
Stone Lagoon, California

Traditional Paddling and Rolling
November 7, Horseshoe Cove, California

Simplifying the Roll
November 8, Horseshoe Cove, California

Crabbing and Surfing (for ENC)
December 6, Crescent City, California

Simplifying the Roll
December 12 and 13, San Diego, California

Simplifying the Roll
December 19, Dana Point, California

Simplifying the Roll
December 20, Marina Del Rey, California

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Helen Wilson and Mark Tozer • (707) 834-5501

info@greenlandorbust.org

Yesterday I returned home from the Traditional Paddlers Gathering, which takes place on Lake Carlos in Minnesota. This was my sixth year at the event, and I must say, it is one of my favorites. The place is beautiful, the activities are an absolute blast… and the people… well, they totally rock.

Throughout the four-day event I taught informal rolling, The Art of Teaching Rolling, Simplifying the Roll, Skin-on-Frame Rescues and an on-land class focused on a discussion of traditional qajaqing. I also ran two sessions of Yoga for Paddlers and did an evening presentation on The Greenland National Kayaking Championship. Typing this, it seems like a lot, but I had so much fun working with the enthusiastic participants that I could’ve kept going for much longer!

In addition to the stuff that I was teaching, there were lots of other classes and activities going on. These included strokes, a really interesting class on making fire, Greenland Rope Gymnastics, a qajaq building demonstration, a harpoon contest and a hand line fishing contest.

All in all, it was a fantastic event. Thank you to Michelle, Tony, Jeff, Pete, Cindy, Renee and Sipke for taking such good care of the out of town mentors and to all of the participants who came out for the event. It was wonderful to see/meet you all! See you next year!

THE NORDIC TOUR • GREENLAND EXPEDITION •
8TH UK STORM GATHERING SYMPOSIUM

We’re writing this newsletter from a hot and sunny Malmo, Sweden, the second to last stop on this year’s Rebel Kayaks supported Nordic Tour. This year’s Tour ends tomorrow, and we can’t believe that it’s almost over. It has been a wonderful summer! We’ve met lots of great people, seen lots of fantastic places and worked with over 1,000 incredibly awesome people. THANK YOU to everyone that has been part of our summer!

Throughout August we ran Simplifying the Roll and a BCU Coastal Navigation and Tidal Planning class during Värmlands Paddelfestival in Karlstad, Simplifying the Roll and an instructor training day in Helsingborg (both in Sweden), Simplifying the Roll in Rungsted, Simplifying the Roll and technique classes in Frederiksvaerk and Simplifying the Roll during the Gronlandsk Symposium in Svendborg (all in Denmark). This weekend we’ll be running Simplifying the Roll, Simplifying the Rescue, Incident Management and Yoga for Paddlers in Malmo and Simplifying the Roll in Karlshamn (both in Sweden).

Later in September, Helen will be teaching Simplifying the Roll at Big Lagoon, in California, and then heading to Minnesota for the Traditional Paddlers’ Gathering, taking place at Lake Carlos State Park. After that she’ll be teaching Simplifying the Roll and Simplifying the Rescue at Whiskeytown Lake in California, followed by a trip to Mendocino to run private rolling classes during Mendo Madness.

Meanwhile, Mark will be running a BCU 4 Star Sea Training and Assessment in Pembrokeshire, Wales, followed by a BCU 4 Star Sea Assessment on Anglesey, also in Wales.

Later in the year we’ll be teaching Simplifying the Roll and Combat Rolling together on Anglesey, then heading to the Sea Kayaking Cornwall Symposium in Southern England. Helen then heads to Pacific City, Oregon for Lumpy Waters. Most of our winter programs will then be in California, until February, when we head to Anglesey to run the 8th UK Storm Gathering Symposium. Will you be there???

And finally, are you interested in joining us for a Greenland expedition? Next year’s expedition will take place in the Disco Bay/Ilulissat area from July 20 to 31, 2016, and places are filling fast. Contact us at info@greenlandorbust.org for more information.

As usual, visit www.greenlandorbust.org for more information and our current Events calendar and Blog postings. You can also follow us on Twitter. For questions, comments or to schedule us in your neighborhood, e-mail: info@greenlandorbust.org.

Happy paddling!

Helen and Mark

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Q & A with Helen

Front to Front Norsaq Roll
(Norsamik Masikkut)

Question: My forward/forward norsaq roll only works the following way. First, I must open eyes and watch the outward sweep until the point of the “back down and under to touch the hull” part. Secondly, I can’t seem to leave the left hand touching the Qajaq. Only when I touch the back of the sweeping hand with the one that’s supposed to be left touching the gunnel, does it work. Thoughts?

Answer: It sounds like you’re doing a two handed norsaq roll. If that’s the only way this roll is working for you, then you’re using too much “arm” and not enough “body.” When I do this roll I find that the power comes from my abs. From your description, it sounds like you’re recovering on the right side of your qajaq, so I’ll describe it with that recovery:

– Extend directly out to the right side of your qajaq as far as you can.

– Reach up with not only your norsaq, but the top of your head as well. Try to get your eyebrows out of the water. This should put a nice arch in your back.

– Meanwhile your left hand should be doing nothing. I hold the bottom of my qajaq. It’ll slide a bit during your extension, but just try to keep loose contact with the qajaq.

– When you think that your body is in the right position, focus all of your energy on the crunch. Basically, picture every internal organ squeezing into a spot a couple of couple of inches to the right of your belly button. Lift your knee to hit that spot, and slide your hunched upper body over the front deck. Your shoulders should stay square to the sea floor and then to the qajaq deck.

– With the norsaq, from the extended position, and while you’re doing all of the body movements described above, push it through the water to get some lift. Follow through until it hits the bottom of your qajaq. By this time, the rest of you should be up. As with any roll, this really has way more to do with what you do with your body than what you do with whatever object you’re holding.

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Program Schedule
Nordic Tour 2015:

May 23 to August 30, Norway, Denmark and Sweden

May 23 to 24 Asker, Norway

May 29 to 31 Oslo, Norway

June 5 to 7 Fitjar, Norway

June 9 Bergen, Norway

June 10 to 11 Glesvaer, Norway

June 13 to 14 Austevoll, Norway

June 18, Skudeneshavn, Norway

June 20 to 21 Stavanger, Norway

June 26 to 29 Copenhagen, Denmark

July 3 to 4 Grebbestad, Sweden

July 9 to 12 Stockholm, Sweden

July 16 to 18 Mora, Sweden

July 22 to 26 Nynashamn, Sweden

July 28 to 30 Sandhamn, Sweden

August 1 to 3 Karlstad, Sweden

August 8 to 9 Helsingborg, Sweden

August 11 to 12 Rungsted, Denmark

August 15 to 16 Frederiksværk, Denmark

August 22 to 23 Svendborg, Denmark

August 29 Malmo, Sweden

August 30 Karlshamn, Sweden

And The Rest…

Simplifying the Roll
September 5, Big Lagoon, California

Traditional Paddlers’ Gathering
September 10 to 13,
Lake Carlos State Park, Minnesota

BCU 4 Star Training
September 14 to 18, Pembrokeshire, Wales

BCU 4 Star Assessment
September 19 to 20, Pembrokeshire, Wales

Simplifying the Roll
September 19 and 20, Whiskeytown, California

Simplifying the Rescue
September 19, Whiskeytown, California

Private Rolling Classes during Mendo Madness
September 25 to 27, Mendocino, California

BCU 4 Star Assessment
September 26 to 27, Anglesey, Wales

Simplifying the Roll
October 3, Anglesey, Wales

Combat Rolling
October 4, Anglesey, Wales

Sea Kayaking Cornwall Symposium
October 10 to 11, Cornwall, England

Lumpy Waters
October 16 to 18, Pacific City, Oregon

Traditional Skills Paddle (for ENC)
November 1, Stone Lagoon, California

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Helen Wilson and Mark Tozer • (707) 834-5501

info@greenlandorbust.org

Sunday was the last day of this year’s Rebel Kayaks supported Nordic Tour, and I have to say that it felt strange. The tour started in Asker, Norway on May 23, and for over three months we’ve ran classes in Norway, Sweden and Denmark. We’ve seen the weather go from cold and snowy to hot and sunny, and now the autumn rain seems to be settling in. We’ve coached over 1,000 students, and have had an absolute blast the entire summer. This was year six of the tour, and we’re already looking forward to a year seven.

My last BLOG ended with classes in Helsingborg, Sweden, and from there we took a ferry to Denmark and headed to Rungsted for four rolling classes in some incredibly clear water.

After leaving Rungsted, we made our way to Frederiksvaerk, also in Denmark. This was our third year running classes here, and over the years we’ve become good friends with the enthusiastic club members. It was great to be back.

Throughout the two days, I ran four sessions of Simplifying the Roll, while Mark ran technique classes.

After saying our goodbyes in Frederiksvaerk, we headed to Copenhagen for a few days of exploration. For us, a visit to Copenhagen always includes a trip to the Inuit display at the Natural History Museum of Denmark.

Then we headed to Svendborg, Denmark for the Gronlandsk Symposium, organized by Kajak Inn.

After the symposium we took a ferry to Bornholm, an island far off the coast of Denmark.

Our next stop was in Malmo, Sweden.

After a day in Malmo, we headed to Karlshamn, Sweden to run two Simplifying the Roll classes for KajakSyd.

Thanks to Annette and Preben (Rungsted), Jacob, Lene, Gitte and Soren (Frederiksvaerk), Pernille and Jacob (Svendborg), Anders (Malmo) and Goran and Veronica (Karlshamn) for taking such good care of us during this leg of the tour. Thanks also to everyone that took care of us on previous legs, to Johan Wirsen of Rebel Kayaks and, of course, to everyone that came out for the classes. You all made us feel very welcome, and we really enjoyed our summer. THANK YOU, and see you next year!

Photos by Mark, Helen and Anders Kristensson.