Participants: Don MacDonald, Pam Peters, Stefanie Miron-Fyfe, Erica Stanley, Pat Crawford, Wendell McDowell, Andy Murphy, Tracy MacDonald, Sheila Marsh, Peter Hamill, Kipp Lemke, Allan Stanley, Pascale, Pat Chan, Anja, John Wade (Swade), Shirley Wright, and myself - Bryon Howard

Experience Level: From beginner to advanced.

Weather: 8 degrees Celsius / light wind / grey skies, rain & threatening clouds - but no thunder!

Animals: Great blue herons, black bellied plover, greater black backed gulls, many immature gulls, other gull species (help me identify these), Great Blue Heron

Personal Thoughts / Reminders / Memories: We met in Rustico Harbour at Outside Expeditions across from the Lighthouse at the Court Brothers between 5:00pm and 6:25pm. All on the water at 6:25. Peter was first on water - and come to think of it, last off!

We were a beautiful sight - 18 single kayaks on the water. I would hazard a guess to say that this was probably the largest fleet of independent kayakers ever sighted on PEI!

When all were on the water, we paddled to the north east of the Barachois Beach Sandspit. There was perfect waves for practicing surfing technique. We rafted-up, and Bryon did a short 10 minute instructional talk on how to surf. He first introduced the low-brace, then the high brace, then the stern rudder. Shirley then displayed her fine side surfing technique while the crowd looked on in amazement!

Everyone tried surfing - even those who probably shouldn't have! (You know who you are … "what's a self-rescue? …what's the problem with wearing cotton?") In any case, we had a number of swimmers - which only gave us all the opportunity to practice our rescues. The water was cool - but swimmers were smiling.

Shortly after 7 pm the group broke up - many paddled East to Robinson Island and beyond, others continued surfing, and others returned to Harbour. Bryon and Peter did 2 min all out paddling intervals followed by 30 seconds rest. (This is much better than 2 min paddling and 2 min rest.)

The rain began about 7:30 … however it was beautiful on the water. The tea was delicious … and everyone was packed up and gone by 9pm. A number of folks went to Amanda's for French Fries and Beer.

Future Plans: Next week I will suggest trying surfing again… followed by a 45 minute out and back paddle. We want to encourage people in the kayak club to be responsible paddlers. You should only be coming to the club if you are comfortable with a self-rescue. Don't know how to do a self-rescue? Take a course (from Outside Expeditions), get a friend to teach you, buy a book/video, … and practice! Remember, in the outdoors - cotton kills. A 100% polyester shirt from Froggies is much better than your cotton T-shirt. (Outside Expeditions also has a full line of quality paddling gear.)

UPCOMING CRCA FLATWATER COURSE - Sat, June 23 - or almost anytime with a minimum of four people! Learn the fundamentals to put you on the water safely. Call us or visit www.getoutside.com for details.

"The Club"

If you own your equipment - come meet other paddlers. If you don't own your own equipment - come paddle every week - very inexpensively. (We only ask that you are able to look after your own safety. A self-excluding requirement should be that you are able to demonstrate a self-rescue.) Cost is $95 for 11 sessions. (Session #1 is May 8-July 17. Session #2 is July 24-Oct 2. Deduct $3 for each session you missed - from May 8). As of June 12, the cost is $80 + taxes.