RE: [Paddlewise] Talking to Kids about Paddling

Craig,

Back a few years ago (okay, many many moons ago when I was attending an
Evangelical Church) some of us younger dudes were asked to give Sunday
summer afternoon talks to various organizations. With child-like faith, I
signed up.

My talk happened to be at the William Head penitentiary. This was a place
I'd kayaked by many a time (usually giving it a wide berth), making the run
in from Race Rocks to the cliffs of Metchosin in the big SW gales.

Getting dressed up in partial gear only, I was soon sweating in the
afternoon heat - but mostly from the stern appearing, not-so-amused
correction officers I rather think who had confiscated my knife, smokies,
and flares. The prisoners, a fine bummed-out crop were necessarily a captive
audience, to say the least, and were paying attention earning points for
their attendance. 

I regaled them with talk of kayaking adventures, my perception of God in
nature, and other powerful themes of redemption in the face of adversity.
Okay, a few yawns.

Well, inmates are sponges for substantive information - especially how to
escape. I innocently was sharing an analogy between drowning men and their
need for salvation, comparing Christ to the salvific work of the Coast
Guard. No power point presentation needed either. The swirling waters off
the Head are well known for hypothermic inducement to any prisoner foolish
enough to make a swim for it.

It was at that point I pulled out my SeaSeat (inflatable cushion that gets
you out of the water). I forget the exact analogy at that minute, because at
that point the guards moved in (oops); the talk was over. Our church wasn't
asked back. One prisoner said he'd pray for me. 

I still paddle by William Head. I still give it a wide berth. I still need
prayer. And a little saving now and again.

Doug Lloyd

     
Again this year I made a short presentation to the new kindergarten students
at Royal City's Red Rock Elementary. Getting dressed up in my drysuit, PFD
and helmet in the summer (ok, fall) heat (record heat, I might add) was ok
for a while but by the time it was over I had worked up quite a sweat.

Five-year-old kids are sponges for information and these were no exceptions.
About 125 of them (a bumper crop, you might say) gathered around me to hear
my talk. No Powerpoint presentation needed, thank you very much. When asked
which of the two kayaks (an SOF and a kevlar Mariner) they liked the best
they all liked the "white one" (the Mariner II) but after Sue and I carried
the SOF F-1 around so that each of them could pound it like a drum they
changed their minds. Nothing like a drum to get a kid's attention.

These kids are about 80% Latino and kayaking in general is not part of their
culture (Rafael is trying to change this, I bet). They all know what boats
are though and when presented with a boat that looks like it fits their size
and can be used as a drum too... well.... it's hard not to be excited.

Everyone had a good time. Sue is now known as the lady who is married to
"the kayak man" (she is a parapro teacher at the elementary school and a bus
driver for the District). I love having kids around and this was one time I
could get my fill.

More on the story at my blog... www.nwkayaking.net .

Craig Jungers
Moses Lake, WA
www.nwkayaking.net
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