Kayak Rolling and the Crystal Pool

October 24, 2009 (Victoria, BC)
Driving the 6 wheel Dodge 3500 with a trailer full of kayaks through town was a lot of fun -- we were heading to the Crystal Pool for a kayak rolling class – its diesel engine sounded like a real truck – making our company vans – Misty and the Silver Bullet – light weights – for those who remember -- it was in a way reminiscent of Max – that crappy old but tough truck was on its last legs back in 2001 when I drove it to Tofino on a warm summers evening to teach a surfing class – but the truck made you feel like a man! Although I don't think I will be moving to Alberta to work in the oil patch anytime soon...

Eight students signed up for the class at the Crystal tonight – the pool that once seems so vast and mysterious to me…as a child my brothers and I would shimmy our way around the edge – unable to swim but venturing into the deep end…and then staring up through the huge domes, we would look up at the sky as the light flickered in the water.

Me and Gary were determined to get all 8 students rolling and after a few hours of practice...everyone had at least rolled once on their own.

Adventure Therapy with Families

October 24, 2009 (Mt. McGuire, BC)
Worked with Dave and Katy on an adventure therapy hike for 4 families in East Sooke Park – focusing on the theme of substance use, we hiked up Mt. McGuire and did the experiential activities along the way. It was a sunny warm day – the wet forest floor was rich in plant life especially fall mushrooms of all kinds – the day before the winds were up to 40knots and the day after it rained like crazy so we were really lucky. We did a variety of activities making links between nature, challenges and families using systems theory, the nature spot exercise to heighten self awareness, and various other adventure based activities including one trust activity using a rope web to lift a participant off the ground. It was totally fun and great to work with such skills helpers. Atop Mt. McGuire we could see the centeral Juan de Fuca Strait with the bold Olympic Mountains, visible through the clouds.

Surf and Surge Sea Kayak Course

October 16-18, 2009 (Port Renfrew, BC)
Spent the weekend teaching 5 students how to paddle into sea caves, along surge channels, through sea arches and into surf. Gary and Brian helped out – a strong team! We were able to teach a wide variety of strokes and practical exercises in the San Jaun and Gordon River Estuaries while the evenings were spent at the Coastal Kitchen – they're Bison Burgers are so earthy! And the hot tub at the Trail Head Resort was very soothing – surrounded by native plants and was a real joyful soaking in the west coast rain. You can check out last fall's class at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ILpyeHcOjA

Tofino Surf

Thanks Giving Weekend 2009
We arrived at Zoe's North Beach residence in the night after driving through the long twisty road to the junction between Ucluelet and Tofino. As we drove past Long Beach the sound of surf was drowned out by our laughter and music. We arrived late but the house was full of warm greetings and beautiful people.

The next day we discovered someone had broken into our cars to lighten our earthly load of material things -- the frustrations and disbelief soon transformed into gratitude and concern for their well being.

Early Morning Dawn Patrol -- the sky was fiery red as it rose up from behind Cox's Bay. The waves crashing in along this beautiful beach-- giving up many long rides and reminding us how precious life it is -- you know, live each day fully.

Air is cooler now as leaves fall and the hot tub at Zoe's became even more welcoming then the day before. Not able to stay away from the beach we went to North Chesterman's after a well deserved nap -- even Luna the dog welcomed the sleep. The waves at Chesterman were long and steep -- I was in a Valley surf boat taking some videos of the whole experience.

Throughout the day the big bird patiently waited in her warm den and when it came time to eat, we shared a meal of pure abundance -- all raised a toast to our families -- expressing gratitude for their generosity. Despite our turkey comas and drink, the lure of glassy wave rolling in in neatly spaced periods for some adventures called us back the next day...