Day 111-119 (Symposium week in review)

I’m currently back in Fort Lauderdale Florida babysitting my friend Neil’s kids.  With all three of them passed out in bed I’m taking advantage of the first quiet moment I’ve had in over a week to finally catch up on my blog. Symposium week is the busiest week of the year around Aqua Adventures and this year was no exception. The hectic lead up and execution of the event and traditional coach trip to Baja leaves little time for sleep much less blogging. Consequently I have fallen behind in my reports of what I‘ve been up to.

Greg Stamer leads a Greenland skills class

The symposium brings together kayakers from all over Southern California to take part in lessons and to share in the camaraderie of the sport. I’ve always enjoyed the chance to see my old paddling buddies from LA, Ventura, and Orange counties together in San Diego. This year, after being away for several months, it was also a chance for me to reconnect and visit with my friends from San Diego as well. The focus of the weekend is on water kayaking lessons ranging from two hour entry level skills classes to all day rough water training on the open ocean. For some folks the social component of the event is the most important aspect. This year more than one person drove several hours and set up elaborate camps only to hang out and visit with their paddling buddies. To them the lessons play second fiddle to a relaxing weekend near the water and a chance to tell stories of their past paddling adventures.

Dave takes us for a ride on his suped up golf cart

The rain and rough weather that has been hitting the area all winter held off for the weekend leaving us with conditions perfect for the event. While the first of the students and coaches hit the water on Friday morning for all day lessons we scrambled to set up our base of operations at “Campland” which is the campground about three miles from the store where the event is held. With lots of volunteer help the setup went smoothly as we moved four trailer loads of kayaks to the beach at the campground and transformed a campsite into an on-site kayak store and registration tent. Later in the evening we had the official opening ceremonies which included a slide show and telling of the adventures I’ve had on the trip so far. Much to my relief, I didn’t bore the crowd to tears and even managed to get a laugh or two from some of the stories of my travels.

The next morning the symposium started in full swing as people took to the water at Campland for lessons and boat demos or just to play around. After a full day of lessons and lectures the coaches and staff were treated to dinner by the California Kayak Friends club. Afterward we sat around talking as we waited for the magic hour when the bonfire would be lit on the beach and guitars and musicians would appear to entertain the crowd.

Mark Sanders came prepared to sing his shark song

After a late night of music and socializing folks turned in and caught a few winks before getting back on the water for lessons by 9:00 AM the next day. Later in the day, after the noon lessons got on the water, we began the long process of wrapping up and moving everything back to Aqua Adventures. Once again our many volunteers stepped up and we had all the kayaks back on the dock and the U-Haul truck unloaded before too long. Afterward it was on to the Underwood’s house where every year Lynn and Thom treat the entire coach and much of the volunteer staff to a home cooked gourmet meal.

You can view many more photos from the symposium on my friend Mike Franklin's web site.
http://www.mpfranklin.com/symposium2010/

Part of the crew posing with the big truck on our way to Baja

The next morning, with the work and stress of the symposium behind us, we loaded up the trucks with camping gear and trailer with kayaks and headed south across the border to a town called La Bufadora in Baja Mexico.

Rob contemplates the ocean during a quiet start to an eventful day

We don’t know if it was the full moon that was responsible, but by the time the weekend was over (in separate incidents) our group had experienced the following; two severely broken boats (one brand new), gel-coat damage on a third that steps a bit beyond simple cosmetic damage, a dislocated finger, two severely skinned up knuckles, a flat tire, and a broken rear window on a brand new truck. We had planned on paddling on the morning of the third day but with the wind and swell even bigger than we’d already seen, and many of the crew feeling the effects of too much “fun” the night before, the decision was made to cut our losses and stay on land. 

I guess it wasn't as bad as it looks if I had time to take pictures

Two broken boats and only three hurt fingers. It could have been worse.

After returning from Baja my last couple days in San Diego were spent washing and putting away Baja camp gear and helping to put the kayak store back to normal after relocating it for the symposium. We did manage to sneak out a couple times to get a couple quick surf sessions in on the large swell that was hitting the coast. The last two days also brought with it many good bys to the number of friends stopping by Aqua Adventures.

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The last three weeks back in San Diego gave me time enough to slip right back into my old groove almost to the point where it felt like I’d never left. That familiar feeling made it especially hard to say good by, all over again, to my girlfriend Jen Kleck. It was hard enough the first time when I drove out of town early last November and even more difficult this time when she dropped me off at the airport last night.

Not only was she one of very few people to not call me crazy for my idea to do this trip, Jen was the first person to say she could help me with it. That first offer of support was the boost I needed to help me believe that I could turn a dream into reality. Jen personally, and through her store Aqua Adventures, has been my number one supporter at a financial, logistical, and emotional level. Without her helping me believe in myself and providing the support she has, this expedition would have remained just a dream instead of the reality and adventure it has become. 

Jen thank you for believing in me just as I believe in you,
I love you and always will