Last weekend Mark and I headed to Tanumstrand, Sweden to instruct at the West Coast Water Festival. It is one of three symposiums that Outside Magazine organizes. This was the first year of this symposium and it was a fantastic weekend! The sunny weather, enthusiastic paddlers and superb location all added to the fun.

A superb location for a kayaking event.

Throughout the three-day event I ran two Yoga for Paddlers sessions, and Mark and I instructed several rolling classes together. Mark also made his way around part of the archipelago during his Coastal Navigation class. Sunday afternoon we joined in the fun in Nigel Foster and Kristin Nelson’s “Fun with Foster” class, then we headed out for a paddle around the islands.

Yoga for Paddlers.

One of five rolling classes.

Mark helps a participant work through the steps to get her first roll (she got it)!

James Stevenson discusses incident management before heading out on the water.

Nigel talks about wind and its effects on a kayak.

The event had demo boats to try out, as well as several vendor booths.

Guido from Outdoor Research and Mats from Teva enjoy the sunny day.

There was a full schedule, which included an on-water show.

Nigel demonstrates boat handling skills during the on-water show.

After Nigel’s act I rolled a Hobie kayak.

Then Nicolai Ilcus demonstrated some incredible balance.

The on-water show ended with Nigel, Nicolai, me and Adam Hanson rolling a four-person kayak.

There were evening presentations as well, which included an informative presentation by Adam Hanson of Greenland on the Greenland National Kayaking Championship.

Adam talks about the championships.

Thanks to Glenn Mattsing and Ulrika Larsson for keeping us fed and watered and taking such good care of us!

Glenn, me, Kristin and Nigel.

Pictures by Helen and Mark.