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1st UK Storm Gathering 2006

Posted by Freya on March 31, 2008

Having had two exciting days playing around on the Grey Dogs and on the Falls of Lora, the kayaker’s caravan was moving towards the ferry to the Isle of Mull.

Not only the cars from the last two days were gathering there for getting shipped, but lots of other participants for the symposium, too. I just wonder what the locals thought about that invasion…

I had Axel Schoevers as a guest in my van already driving north from Anglesey, and he enjoyed the 5* private luxury accommodation in my front apartment the next week, too. It was good to not driving and living alone the long time, and we had some good talks. Thanks, Axel!

The two days with Justine’s filming I was hosting even three more guys in my van, Nick, Barry and Greer were "homeless" in the rainy stormy nights without a van to sleep in, and they found space to spread out their sleeping bags, too.

Two on the front bed, two on the floor, and I had my back apartment still just for me :-))

On the ferry there were two American guys asking for a lift to the symposium, and they hurried to throw their gear in my van.

The center of action was around the local community house, wher all the coaches were staying, too, either in a bunk bed or parking their vans outside.

Mark Tozer did a perfect organization job, everything was well prepared to welcome the more than 60 participants on Friday night.

Saturday, Sunday and Monday was teaching time for me, standing in the (not too attractive…) harbour water from morning until late afternoon, getting the people on their first or refined rolls. A rolling demo each morning was the introduction to each days’ rolling class.

Teaching in the harbour water of Fionphort/ Isle of Mull

Two slide shows each night Saturday and Sunday kept the people busy, before most of them joined the local pub…and/ or we had some funny social nights in my van…

Nick and Jeff were enjoying my trolley with all senses

After three days of ard work it was time for me to play…getting the chance to unwrap my brandnew three pieces glittery black ALAW BACH from ROCKPOOL KAYAKS, made by Mike Webb and Aled Williams with an extra portion of love and care :-)))

It’s x-mas time!

For sure I took it out on a trip on Tuesday, joined by Rob and Matthew from Brookbanks. We paddled between the islands a bit, and then headed over to Iona and had a look at the touristic value of that island… For a circumnavigation they felt the promised force 5-7/8 was too much :-))

The virgin BACHE in virgin sand

I love that kayak! It’s a beauty, comfortable, very responsive in rough waves, just enjoyable to paddle. A skeg for proper flat water handling will be added soon.

Thanks for that great job, Aled & Webbie!

When talking one night at the dinner table, I mentioned I could use a second fiberglass rolling kayak for traveling and teaching…and Aled from Rockpool instantly came up with the idea to make me one! We figured the details…and out came a great cooperation for promoting that kayak in future…see my other blog entry.

I’m really looking forward to that new "Rockpool Underground" Greenlandstyle rolling kayak…

I gave some more private rolling classes, and had the enjoyable chance to take my Qaanaaq SS out in the HUGE waters…joined by Axel, who even had some problems in the Explorer to hold his camera upright…this was exciting and challenging fun.

…yes, there IS a kayak under me paddling…a strange combination of using a large Epic wing on that fragile kayak - but just what you are used to in heavy stuff…it was fun.

Surfing back was like "just don’t lean forward", as it would have pitch poled immediately…I didn’t want to risk anything on that precious fragile carbon nutshell.

I enjoyed giving another rolling demo to a bunch of young local guys, showing them some interesting new aspects of their sport.