Day 83-85 (Sweetwater Kayak Symposium) 02/28/2010
The last three days have kept me busy from early morning till the wee hours as much as I wanted to get on my computer and share what was going on, I couldn’t keep my eyes open at the end of the day long enough to get anything posted. The 2010 Sweetwater Kayak Symposium was a rousing success. With people coming together from all over the state and country to paddle and have a good time.  I let him sign my boat but he wouldn't let me sign his leg. On Friday people started to arrive from all over the state some were taking classes that day while others simply came in a day early to get settled in. While the coaches and students went out on the water the rest of the staff and volunteers put on the finishing touches for symposium preparations. I came over to help out in whatever way I could be it filling in on a class, moving boats, or hanging banners. I explained to Russell that I was up for anything even washing dishes if that’s what needed to be done. Apparently he took that sentiment to heart when he found me and asked if I’d mind fixing the toilet in the store that picked this busy weekend to give him trouble. A quick run to Lowes for a new flush valve and a few good pulls with a plunger solved the problem. Afterward I helped out with a few more things then found a quiet corner to put the finishing touches on my slide show.  It isn't all kayaking The Bananna Boat Bar next door to the shop was the selected venue for end of the day off the water festivities. We feasted on Lasagna and afterward fired up the projector to share some of our adventures. First up was Kirsten (wife of famous Nigel Foster) who shared her artist’s perspective of many of the exotic paddling destinations she and Nigel have paddled. Afterward I took the stage and told a few of the many stories and showed a bunch of the pictures from the trip so far. Being my first ever slide show I was worried that I’d bore the audience. I did run a bit longer than I’d planned but the show seemed to be well received. What was great for me to see several of the people I’d met and stayed with along the route in attendance at the slide show. It truly is a small community in the paddling world after all.  The weather was a challenge when things got started on Saturday morning with rain and wind pushing people into dry suits and whatever other gear they could find to stay dry and warm. I dodged the rain while working in a storage building trying to diagnose and fix a mystery leak in the rear hatch in a kayak. By the time lunch was laid out the skies parted and it turned into a beautiful sunny day. Having not been on the water for a few days I jumped at the chance to go out for a short jaunt on a stand up board. I’d only ever done standup in San Diego in relatively deep water. Here in the shallow mangrove channels there was a never ending array of fish and bottom features that you can’t see while seated in a kayak but can while standing on a board. It made a quick run through familiar terrain seem like a completely new experience. I also took advantage of a quiet moment to demo a kit built skin on frame kayak that was a fun boat to paddle. My boat repairs on Saturday didn’t solve the problem so on Sunday I took the kayak in question out in the sun where I could take a closer look and I believe I found the source of the problem. While I worked on that boat I took advantage of the warm dry day and laid my Ikkuma out on the kayak stands to do some work on that boat as well. Over the last couple months of travel I’d begun to drag thin spots on the keel strip so I laid on an additional layer to further protect the hull from further damage. Later in the day as things started to wind down we began the process of wrapping things up and saying farewell to friends as they loaded their boats and headed home.  Hey Neil, I traded your truck for a faster ride CommentsLuke Stachovak Mon, 01 Mar 2010 9:07:40 am Hey there Jake! unknown Mon, 01 Mar 2010 10:02:38 am you should be carful you could die on this dangerous trip Thom Underwood Mon, 01 Mar 2010 10:18:54 am With your boat loaded on that Porsche you should now be able to finish your journey much faster. Lyn Stachovak Mon, 01 Mar 2010 10:34:02 am this "unknown" person is a real jerk isn't he/she???? I guess if you're going to do nothing but post garbage on a website it's best not to say who you are, but it sure is a sign of a total coward! tyler Mon, 01 Mar 2010 10:40:26 am why don't u just band unknows ip so he cant comment if you need help doing so just comment me back il be glad to help tyler Mon, 01 Mar 2010 10:42:06 am or maybe its a she but who cares il help make it so he cant comment tyler Mon, 01 Mar 2010 10:51:04 am hey unknown if you are reading this go to www.tylercoumputer.webs.com Mon, 01 Mar 2010 11:39:06 am I suspect this "unknown" person had something to do with earlier theft... Maybe a call to the police in that area is in order. Mon, 01 Mar 2010 11:49:11 am "Unknown" better watch out, he might get hassled by Jakes' new paddling "POSSE"! Jake the Gulfcoast has got your back, Brother!!!! and Yes, you could have signed my leg, if we would have found some white paint. Andy Mon, 01 Mar 2010 12:17:56 pm Lyn, Tootie Mon, 01 Mar 2010 1:01:05 pm Jake, I was thinking along the line of Branden's posting. I sure hope we are wrong. Am glad you had a fun and relaxing weekend with your friends. Also that you got to do some paddling. At any rate, take care and please be careful. Neil B Mon, 01 Mar 2010 4:41:00 pm Thanks for the new wheels. Is there space for my dive gear? Mon, 01 Mar 2010 5:32:16 pm Hey Jake - It was great spending some time with you at the symposium. I just posted some pics, including a few of you testing out the skin kayak. I had to zoom to get your "special stunt", but I got it! It's on Facebook at: unknown Mon, 01 Mar 2010 5:40:48 pm tyler you should keep your mouth shut and i know why you want me to go to that web site im not fallen for it i know that anything to do with webs.com tracks your ip and your proxxy im not dumb tyler Mon, 01 Mar 2010 6:03:31 pm iv been following this blog for a long time and im sick of unknown being a jerk with the comments so unknown if you dont have anything nice to say dont say anything at all and if i were you i would say sorry for everything you wrote. and by the way unkown i could trak your ip right now but im not case i dont invade peoples privicy unless i have to but do it again and you can be sure of me traking your ip Alice Mon, 01 Mar 2010 6:26:50 pm Hi Jake! unknown Mon, 01 Mar 2010 9:04:33 pm im sorry for sayen that kind of stuff and i was just tryen to have some fun it will nerver happen again i promis please forgive me and good luck on the rest of your trip i hope you have fun now i wont be commenting any thing bad any more unknown Mon, 01 Mar 2010 9:08:11 pm by the my name is Frank Tim Bradley Mon, 01 Mar 2010 9:53:32 pm Hi Jake, That pic of the yak on the Tim Bradley Mon, 01 Mar 2010 9:57:38 pm Actually, I think its spelled Cayman, sorry Aunt Patty Tue, 02 Mar 2010 7:37:21 am Some people have a pretty sick sense of humor. Jake, I was worried about you for a while, but you're obviously going to be fine. By the way, Frank, learn to spell. Rae Ann Tue, 02 Mar 2010 1:47:07 pm Hi Jake! It was great meeting and hanging out with you at the Sweetwater Symposium! Hope the rest of your journey is a fun, fabulous adventure in nice, warm weather! Tue, 02 Mar 2010 7:25:00 pm Hey Frank, Why don 't you come down to Florida and meet The Paddling Posse!! I would LOVE to See YOU!! Hey Jake, Hope to meet up with you on the 13th of March. Keep Paddling! Hope you got to see those Manatees on Monday!! Frank Tue, 02 Mar 2010 7:53:47 pm I cant i live in Rice lake wisconsin that is way to long of a drive. And i have a real crappy truck that gets about 12 miles to the gallen Frank Tue, 02 Mar 2010 7:59:08 pm and i cant spell right im not good at typing Aaron Stachovak Tue, 02 Mar 2010 8:39:03 pm Luke, road trip? :) Luke Stachovak Tue, 02 Mar 2010 9:09:22 pm Aaron, Jake Wed, 03 Mar 2010 12:55:22 am I am certainly being exposed to all kinds on this trip. Teresa B Wed, 03 Mar 2010 8:10:26 pm Way to go Jake! We're with you and we're praying for you! I like your attitude - keep on paddlin! Teresa B Wed, 03 Mar 2010 8:11:33 pm I can't spell either! Leave a Reply | Best of the Blog
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