Westwood Outdoors was created by Andrew and Carole Westwood in order to provide a site where people can find information on paddling techniques, tips and ideas all pertaining to kayaking and canoeing. Our River Notes page highlights recent articles, new instructional concepts, and paddling techniques.

Gull River Race 2011

Our only race this year was the Gull River Race during the second weekend of September. Unfortunately I was (and still am) nursing a partial supraspinatus tear (and probably labrum as well) in my shoulder and couldn’t participate. Andrew did and brought home 4 medals – 3 gold and one silver. Steve Senoir, coached by Andrew over the summer, was successful obtaining a top 5 finish! Well done, Steve!!

MKC’s 40th Anniversary!

August was quite memorable especially being at MKC with past and present alumni for 5 days of teaching and ending on the weekend with the Anniversary celebration. Over 300 instructors, and staff with their families attended, some of which worked at MKC from the very first days in 1972. It was for us a truly magical time. For Andrew it was reconnecting with people he had taught with since 1992-93 – so over 20 years! For me, I was in awe

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The Red Deer River, Alberta

The last week of July found us at a dude ranch right beside the Red Deer River for Alberta’s first Paddling Symposium. Hoskins Canoe hosted this 10 day event which had local instructors as well as a crew from the east: Dave Humphries, Paul Mason, Andrew, and yours truly. The Symposium comprised 5-day and 2-day Novice to Advanced technique courses for both tandem and solo.

The instructors never having been on the Red Deer were taken down by local advanced paddler, Ryan on

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Update – Massechusetts July 2011

We were invited to the Deerfield river to teach a course on the Dryway section by Ken Glusman. Having never been on this section, we were quite excited by the prospect! It definitely has some creeking aspects to it and draws in the use of river scouting, and quick manoeuvering to get must moves – a perfect playground for advanced instructing!! We started the 3 day course honing down precision paddling skill and used the Zoar Gap eddies as targets for

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New This Year!

Several people have asked Andrew to start doing personal coaching for canoe slalom. Steve Senoir in particular sparked Andrew’s interested and we have thus started a new endevor of personal coaching! This includes analysis of where the person is in their slalom skills and creating a work plan to improve; nutritional advice and planning better nutritional habits;  helping the athlete in training with skill exercises; and support during races. Steve our “first” coaching client achieved a top 5 finish at the

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Spring 2011 – Tennessee and Paddle Canada

March Tennessee Trip:

Basement floods a week before we leave for paddling in Tennessee. (BTW we are still finishing renos in the basement). Tennessee was amazing as always. Ended up doing some new creeks as there was a good amount of water that week. The best thing about this trip is reconnecting with the crew in the US. Paddling season had begun!

Paddle Canada:

Andrew has been busy most of the year taking part in the Canoe Program Development committee

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Breaking News! Carole finally submits an Update!

I really don’t know how people tweet, blog or spend endless hours in front of a screen. On weekends I’m up at the crack of dawn, usually at the local Home Hardware/Depot by 7am (yep I’m a reno-geek) coffee in hand,  and have half my “to do” list done by 10am. If I can at all help it I’m outside. We don’t watch TV – no time!! So when life gives us the usual challenges (many of which have occurred over

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Calendar of courses and events 2011

Solo Intermediate Skills Course:

   with the YCCC club  Date: Spring – TBA

Must be a member.  For more info go to: www.yccc.ca

 

5 Day Week of Rivers  June 1 to June 5th:

Course based at MKC along with Andy Convery  

Class III level, travelling to different rivers.

For more info go to: www.owl-mkc.ca

Paddle Alberta Paddle Canada Whitewater Symposium July 25th to August 1st

  • 5-day Paul Mason and Andrew Westwood Advanced Solo Canoeing course
  • 5-day Carole Westwood Women’s Intermediate/Advanced  Solo Canoeing

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    Helipress Paddle TV

    Heliconia has added a new form of media in their goody bag!  Paddle TV, which features all kinds of short clips on kayaking, sea kayaking, kayak fishing and, of course, canoeing!

    Check out this link to see instruction clips from our Canoeing video (full video available through Helipress – second icon found on left side bar of this page)

    http://www.youtube.com/user/PaddleTV

    Once there, you can also click on CanoeTV found under the video screen for more clips.

    Enjoy!

    Water Reading – know the language of the River

    Choosing to run whitewater, and doing it successfully, can have a significant impact on your next canoe trip.  Jumping in over your head and running a rapid that results in an overturned boat, or worse, can ruin your trip, or at least your gear.  Often your choice, and success, comes down to your ability to read water, the language of rivers, and understanding all that the river is trying to communicate to you – its’ paddling audience.

     Language:

     The language of rivers is

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