A friend of mine Jarrod recently wrote in a blog post about building a paddling community and it got me thinking.
I have been fortunate to have coached at several international sea kayak symposiums over the past couple of years and it always blows me away the feeling of community that all these event have.
The Ripple effect
When we paddle and coach with others at events we are like a rock being thrown into a large pond. Once we and the participants in our sessions leave the event they take these new ideas and form there own new ideas that in turn they will pass on to their friends who will in turn pass that on to their friends. The learning ripples out into larger and larger rings reaching a much larger community. The more events people attend the more chances they have to be influenced by different coaches and paddlers, all the while these ripples continue to reach further and further into the paddling community. My parents always encouraged me to throw stones and I am honored to be a “rock thrower” at the 2012 Gales event. I am a product of the ripple effect both in the outdoor world as well in the paddling community.
Power of Community
When you arrive at the event that participants welcome you with open arms. The locals are willing to provide you with the insider information regarding everything from where to get the best cup of coffee to where the best surf break will be. The event organizers go out of their way to make you feel welcome (maybe add a quick example of what organizers might do?). Without this sense of community these events would not be as successful as they are. People would not come back the following years and most importantly they would not chat the event up on social media.
This event will be no exception. I am sure David and his crew at Naturally Superior will be great hosts for the 2012 Gales event. I was fortunate enough to spend several days at the location several years ago during an Outward Bound youth program. The river mouth provides a great place to play in surf and often gets lumpy bumpy.
The coaching staff this year is top notch. Andy Stamp a long time friend and my Level 5 mentor as well as a gifted sea kayak coach. Nick Cunliffe and I have worked together in the past and you will enjoy his technical approach to coaching. Shawna Franklin & Leon Somme have plenty to contribute to the event and I look forward to working with the rest of the coaching team and paddlers that attend this event.
Looking forward to meeting you in October.