“We want Lumpy, we want Lumpy, we want Lumpy…” This group chant has become very familiar at the Lumpy Waters Symposium, which took place in Pacific City, Oregon last weekend. This was my second year coaching at the event, and I had an absolute blast.

The event started mid-day Friday, and I showed up a couple of hours early. Sea kayaking symposia usually feel like a big family reunion, and it was great to spend some time catching up with old friends and making new ones before classes began.

The Fun-Balance-Games class competes in a singing competition.

Throughout the weekend I ran three sessions of Simplifying the Roll and one session of Fun-Balance-Games. It was great to work with coaches from all over the country, and fantastic to see so many repeat and new participants.

There were races as well.

Taking balance to another level.

There were some very creative thinkers in this class.

The social aspect of Lumpy Waters is one of the things that makes it special. Event sponsors, Thule and Kokatat, provided the beer, and Werner provided some REALLY nice stainless steel pint glasses to enjoy the tasty beverages out of. The campfire was always running strong, and evening social activities included presentations by Matt Nelson and Nick Cunliffe, as well as the legendary “Pub Quiz,” which is difficult to describe… guess you’ll have to go next year to experience it for yourself.

Thank you to Paul Kuthe, Suzi Elle and Dave Slover who all do an amazing job of putting this symposium together. You all rock!