Denmark and Sweden, the Nordic Tour Continues
We’re now about nine weeks into this year’s Nordic Tour, and so far it has been a wonderful summer. This year’s Rebel Kayaks supported tour began in Norway, where we had classes through the end of June. To read about that part of the tour, click HERE.
After leaving Norway, we made our way to Copenhagen, Denmark for four days of classes at Kajakhotellet. I taught Simplifying the Roll and Complicating the Roll while Mark ran a BCU 3 Star Sea training. We also ran two skills classes for the local kayaking club and a coach development workshop for the local instructors.
It was great to catch up with Anders at Kajakhotellet.
While we were in Copenhagen the weather shifted and summer arrived. We had clear blue skies and calm water, which was perfect for the rolling classes.
Participants worked on lots of different types of rolls.
Mark talks about strokes with the local kayaking club.
We also worked with balance.
Just one way to cool off on a beautiful summer day.
We also played some towing games, which included balance and singing.
There were lots of smiles during the coach development workshop.
While we were in Copenhagen, we took the opportunity to go to the Natural History Museum of Denmark and marvel at their incredible Inuit display.
The traditional Greenland kayaks display is phenomenal.
This well decorated norsaq was one of many.
Of course, there were harpoons as well.
And lots of paddles.
After leaving Copenhagen, we made our way to Sweden for classes in Grebbestad, Stockholm and Mora.
It was great to see Mats at the Kajak Center, located in Grebbestad.
Participants warmed up with Yoga for Paddlers before heading out onto the water for Simplifying the Roll.
Throughout the two days in Grebbestad we worked on all types of rolls. Here a participant cools off with the Balance Brace.
A roll is born.
Grebbestad is an absolutely gorgeous location and well worth a visit if you’re on the west coast of Sweden.
Johan Wirsen, owner of Rebel Kayaks, and Ann Hanbert stopped by for a visit.
Happy rollers.
More happy rollers.
Johan plays around with his new kayak design, the Rebel Husky.
The day after classes, Mark, Johan, Ann and I went for a paddle in the archipelago.
We found a nice island with a great view to land on.
The combination of a relaxing paddle, tasty food, a warm rock and perfect weather created the ideal setting for an afternoon nap.
Grebbestad is known for its shellfish, and we enjoyed lots of it. The local beer wasn’t bad either.
After leaving Grebbestad, we made our way to Svima Sport in Stockholm for the Stockholm Sea Kayak Symposium. It was great to meet Shaun Rodgers of Sea Kayaking Cornwall, who was also there as an out of town instructor. Throughout the four day event I ran Yoga for Paddlers, Simplifying the Roll and a rolling class for instructors, while Mark and Shaun ran an ISKGA incident management class, along with several other local instructors. We also enjoyed an evening paddle around the island where Svima is located.
The ISKGA incident management class chatted in the shop before heading out on the water.
Daniel, owner of Svima, was presented with his ISKGA Advanced Guide certificate, an award that he’s worked incredibly hard for.
We did Yoga for Paddlers before every rolling class.
Participants worked on lots of different types of rolls.
It was fun to teach surrounded by the spectacular city of Stockholm.
Paatip kallua tuermillugu illuinnarmik (the Shotgun Roll) is born.
Shaun looked uber cool in a tuilik and with a Greenland paddle.
The incident management class enjoyed some bumpy water and some great play spots.
The happy incident management class.
Saturday evening we enjoyed a relaxing paddle around downtown Stockholm.
Daniel assured me that this tunnel was tall enough to pass through. He was right.
A gorgeous evening in Stockholm.
After the four days of classes, Mark and I spent some time exploring the city. We enjoyed a cocktail at a bar made entirely of ice.
We also went to Grona Lund, an amusement park in Stockholm. Here Mark plays with optical illusions in the fun house.
After a fun few days in Stockholm, we headed to Mora, a scenic town located on Lake Siljan, where we ran five sessions of Simplifying the Roll and two sessions of Yoga for Paddlers.
Yoga for Paddlers.
Participants work on their rolls using the “Human Kayak Method.” Join us for a class to learn what that is 🙂
Rolling, rolling, rolling.
Happy rollers.
Magnus kept everyone well fed (thanks Magnus).
After three days of classes we stuck around for a couple of extra days to play. Magnus had been organizing an art show that took place throughout the town. We enjoyed walking from one place to the next to see both the art and the charming town of Nusnas.
A lot of the art was displayed on boat houses along the water’s edge.
The area is know for the wooden Dala horse, and we visited two Dala horse factories to watch the horses being made.
This woman makes each horse unique by painting them by hand.
Part of the art show included watching fishermen use nets to attempt to catch a very special fish called the Blikta.
We also visited Orsa Gronklitt, a wonderful bear park, where the bears seem happy, healthy and playful.
Another gorgeous bear.
There were some tigers as well.
We ended our time in Mora by going on a shrimp cruise. It was fun to cruise the lake while eating large quantities of tasty shrimp.
The lake was a great place to enjoy a wonderful sunset.
Special thanks to Anders (Copenhagen), Mats (Grebbestad), Daniel (Stockholm), Magnus and Anders (Mora) for taking such good care of us!
