[Paddlewise] Day #30, Southwest Superimposium

3/29/08

It almost seemes that anybody who's anybody made it to the Aqua Adventures
Southwest Symposium although I'm sorry to miss the few who couldn't attend.
CKF folk were out in force monopolizing a whole section of the campground
which made mixing, meeting and mooching all the more easier. Late from my
surf class Friday, I chowed down some dinner and got my camp together to the
sounds of Steve Wilson amped up in the exhibition tent right next to my
site. Folks with Friday classes staggered in to meet old friends and gab
about the good ol' days.

I had planned to just take the surf class and spend Saturday just hanging
out on the beach taking pictures of the goings on and maybe check out some
of the new boats or tent talks, but after a lazy morning decided to join a
group for a paddle out to the ocean. Henry and Kathy, Duane, Ken and Ben and
I hit the water against a breezy bay. Despite the chilly start we all warmed
up so as we stopped for Kathy and I to take off our jackets, Duane charged
ahead needing to get back to set up for his Greenland Ropes demo later in
the morn. We meandered through the channels, this being my first time
kayaking anywhere past the Campland shore in SD. The longer we paddled the
more we wondered why we hadn't seen Duane on his return trip, but soon
figured out why. As we got close enough to the end of the channel, you could
see the large swells forming outside. Up close to the jetty was Duane using
the swell energy bounding off the rocks to power his way back down the
jetty.

We slipped out of the channel just enough to get a taste of the wind and
large swells in the unprotected waters. Turning gingerly with the steep
swells we headed back and I caught a couple of the rides that served Duane
so well. On the way back, we met a few other folk and lost Ken to his own
devices and decided to paddle home around one of the islands. I was strange
at one point to see a pack of dogs running wild on the shore until we
realized we were paddling next to a dog beach. Several of the water variety
were bounding into the water to retrieve sticks and balls, but I couldn't
entice any to chase me as I paddled close to shore. We put our trust in
Henry to lead us home and though we did make it safely, we had to paddle
through a couple jet ski designated area and portage our boats across a
minor thoroughfare. Along the way we were also treated to sounds of hoof
beats of a couple of horse riders plying the shore, a first for me on a
kayak.

I landed in time to watch the closing of Duane's demo where he got a
middle-aged lady who used to be a gymnast interested enough to give it a
try. Wet though I was, I tried one maneuver on the ropes before heading back
to stow my gear.

The rest of the day was left to socializing, although I'm afraid I forgot
about my plan to immortalize the event photographically. Steve had asked for
guitars to be brought for Nigel and Russell Farrow to use on the night's
bonfire jam session. I just happened to have the only guitar no one was
worried about getting too close to the fire. Around our dinner chatting at
camp, Steve tried to get the guitar in some kind of tune and along with the
chat gave us our own special performance. As an encore, Barb Tomita amazed
us by playing and singing two beautiful Peter, Paul and Mary songs. I can
only imagine it was my brush with death in my surf class that possessed me
to offer my two song repertoire to the group and hands shaking like I leaf,
I proceeded to butcher my two songs. But after downing three margaritas to
settle my nerves, I got to try again an acquitted myself as well as I had
hoped considering my talents.

Soon we were all adjourning to the beachside fire pit for most people
favorite part of the weekend. Last year while jamming around the fire,
Steve's beloved Ovation guitar got a bit singed  and this year as the fire
grew a slight mist began to fall. Steve, not wanting to subject his guitar
to the rain started off the night playing my guitar and I have to say I felt
proud that my guitar that in its life has only know three chords could make
that kind of music come out of it! It was a blast to see Steve go at it with
Brent Reitz blowing the harmonica. After a few songs the weather eased a bit
and Steve brought out his guitar alternating songs with Russell and Nigel
and Duane Strosaker played his didgeridoo and provided a short comedy skit
between songs. The music went on until the mist returned and the guitars
were put away for the night.

It was a great night of music and the real rain waited for most of us to be
safe in our tents and even then took it easy on us. I woke in the morning to
the sound of rain on my tent, but after about half an hour it stopped and we
were able to get up and ingest some bacon and round up our gear. A few
people still had classes on the day, but most pulled up camp and headed
home. Another great weekend of kayaking music and friends.

Mark Sanders
www.sandmarks.net
***************************************************************************
PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed
here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire
responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author.
Submissions:     PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net
Subscriptions:   PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net
Website:         http://www.paddlewise.net/
***************************************************************************