[Paddlewise] Corpus Christi Kayak Fest.

Kayakers,

 

On the 6-8 November weekend we had a big gathering in Corpus Christi, Texas.
Ken Johnson organized it almost by himself, and turned out to be quite a
success.

 

>From up North we had a New Jersey visitor (Kathy) and from South of the
Border 6 Mexican kayakers from the high planes and Veracruz. From the East
guys from Louisiana and from the State kayakers from Austin, Houston,
Forthworth and of course Corpus Christi. On the biggest show up there were
about 35 paddlers.

 

Camping was arranged in the Govmt run  facilities at Port Aransas with 1 USD
per day per person on a 3 car, and 8 persons per group. This included
bathrooms 24/7, the building terrace and rooms for conferences and
gatherings and a good amount of wood for the night fire.

 

On Friday and Saturday we had great weather and enjoyed paddling in Laguna
Madre (between Padre Island and Land), across the Port Aransas Channel to
see the Old historical Light House turned into a research Center and on
Shamrock Cove again for roll lessons.

 

Pictures taken mostly by the Mexican team can be seen at:

http://community.webshots.com/user/cayucochief

 

there are one of two donated by Ken.

 

Ken's pictures are at:

 <http://outdoors.webshots.com/album/574451343cetFNS>
http://outdoors.webshots.com/album/574451343cetFNS

 

Highlights.

1.- Ken Johnson received a new kayak named "Ken Johnson". This is the old
design we had some 10 years ago that he loved and we thought  unstable. With
time we grew to appreciate its virtues, and since Ken defended it and we had
only one piece, and no mold or plug, and we got a new mold and new pieces
from that almost extinguished species, and we won races with it and use it
so much for surfing and lessons and demos. So he deserved to give that boat
his name. You can see him rolling it in the first group of pictures.

 

2.- We brought to test a new kayak called NUUK which means big in Mayan
Language. This is for people with ample seating area. Turned out to be very
fast, very nimble in spite being 18 footer, with large cargo volume but
still so the fastest in our fleet. Nothing to do with Greenland style
kayaks, nothing to do with computer runs, or with other models similarities.
Only common sense and extrapolation from other of our designs behavior. The
first big fellow that tried it, our friend Charlie West kept it for himself.
And with some side hip support I will make it my favorite for trips and
tours.

 

3.- There were some evening talks. One about the Veracruz kayaking
facilities and Kayakemia, and the other about Texas kayaking and camping
sites, with extraordinary maps and pictures. 

 

4.- On Friday night the fire was a real community experience with chance to
talk to acquaintances of several years. What a great night, accompanied with
a big quarter moon climbing over the sea.

 

5.- The only short come was the tide, expected to be maximum by 9 PM, but
cheated and was still rising by 10 PM reaching just few inches below our
tents all around. ON Saturday it grew beyond expectations and we had to
evacuate the site.

 

6.- The Saturday evening meal was superb. Ken had to drive to the channel,
take a Ferry, get the bags, take the ferry back and bring the food still hot
and delicious. Ken is amazing. 

 

7.- On Sunday most of the 35 paddlers left due to an anticipated storm that
flooded the camping place and stayed all night. Still so some of us paddled
along the Nueces river, with compassionate rain that let us enjoy the
paddle.

 

It was a great Weekend. We really felt at home with so many dear friends
showing their appreciation and helping each other.

 

Thanks Ken, thanks Gualo, Manuel, Juan, Donovan, Winnie, Kathy, Charlie,
Pat, Scott, John and all others whose names I don't try to put down because
I will always leave somebody very appreciated unnamed.

 

We are ready for the next one. 

 

Best Regards,

 

Rafael

El cayucochief

Mexico.

[demime 1.01e removed an attachment of type image/jpeg which had a name of Friday Group.jpg]
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