We just concluded the sixth week of this year’s Nordic Tour, and things have been very busy. After running classes in Fitjar (for that Blog entry click HERE) we made our way to Bekkjarvik, also on the west coast of Norway. We had two days of classes, with the first day’s participants being primarily teenagers. Teenagers are energetic and great to work with, and we had a wonderful day teaching Fun – Balance – Games and Rolling. The following day we ran the same classes, but with adult participants. Both days had gorgeous weather and warm water. The classes were hosted by the Havstril Padleklubb and partially sponsored by the local bank, Ragnhild H. Bjanesoy. Special thanks to Trond for organizing the classes, and Laila for providing accommodation in her gorgeous summer house.

Balance games can be lots of fun.

Of course swimming around on a hot day can be fun too.

Whoever said that kayaks need to be paddled sitting down?

More balance exercises.

Our next stop took us to the Rungsted Kayak Club in Denmark. I taught Simplifying the Roll, while Mark taught Simplifying the Stroke. We were only at this club for an evening, but we had lots of fun teaching and hanging out with this active group of paddlers. Everyone made us feel very welcome, and it was fun to mingle in the Club’s wonderful facility after the classes. Thanks to Lisbet for hosting us.

After Rungsted, our travels took us to the Kajakhotellet, located in Copenhagen, Denmark. This was our second year teaching there, and it was great to be back. The first day we taught Complicating the Roll and Fun – Balance – Games, and the second and third days we taught two sessions of Simplifying the Roll and two sessions of Complicating the Roll. We got to know Club members at a barbecue on Friday night and a party on Saturday night. Thank you everyone for making us feel so welcome! Special thanks to Anders and Jenny for taking such good care of us.

Yoga is a great way to get in touch with the body and mind before a rolling class.

Mark talks technique with an enthusiastic group of participants.

Dancing is just one thing that you can do in a kayak.

Yet another way to paddle a kayak.

What did these two guys expect putting one foot on each kayak? Of course someone would paddle through the “bridge.”

We’ve been working through lots of rolls with lots of participants. Here, a norsaq roll is born.

Our next stop was Oslo, Norway. We’d had to cancel the four days of classes that we’d previously scheduled there because of a car accident (for that Blog entry click HERE), but it was good to be back for three days. The Oslo Kayaking Club is quite spectacular, and the venue includes kayak storage, a gym and a meeting room, complete with a traditional kayak on the wall. Throughout the three days I ran five sessions of Yoga for Paddlers, and Mark and I ran five Simplifying the Roll classes and one The Art of Teaching Rolling class. We’re really glad that it worked out for the Club to reschedule. Thank you for being so accommodating! Special thanks to Ketil for setting up the classes and Inge and Einar for hosting us.

The Balance Brace is the foundation to most layback rolls.

After the Balance Brace comes the Standard Roll.

The Art of Teaching Rolling Class discusses rolling before launching.

Teaching how to teach.

Our final stop on this part of the tour was in Grebbestad. Grebbestad is a charming town on the west coast of Sweden, and we just love it there. This was the fifth year that the KajakCenter has participated in the Nordic Tour, and over the years many of the staff have become friends. It was great to be back! We ran two full-day Simplifying the Roll classes in crystal clear water amongst Grebbestad’s fantastic archipelago. The participants and staff were wonderful, and it was great to catch up with so many people and to make new friends as well. Thanks to Mats for hosting us.

Now we’re on our way to South Greenland to guide a 12 day expedition and stop in at the Greenland National Kayaking Championship. We’re very excited to be going to Greenland for our fourth time each. The Nordic Tour will resume in Nynashamn, Sweden on July 24 and will continue through August 31.