NIL instructor
October 8, 2010
Blekinge Nytäppet 100917-19 In mid-September, the certification of instructors in Hällaryd archipelago in the western Blekinge. The weather forecast the week before was pretty grim with rain and proficient with the wind, but it calmed down, luckily something over the weekend. Gale was true in itself but the rain fell the most when we were putting up the tents on Friday night ..
Examiners and candidates gathered Friday evening at Nytäppet and paddled out to the East Bokö just before the sun went down. Since I was a little late so it was dark when I came out and also started to rain quite a bit. On arrival we gathered in Martin's tent for information and a preliminary examination. When we were done, then held it up and I could look up my tent fairly dry. Decent timing .. Finally a little supper while the moon peeked out from time to time between the rushing clouds.
Mats, Martin, Gunnar, Mari and Ulrika
Windy Boköfjärden
Saturday morning began, however, much better. Still gale and a bit drafty in open water, but more variable cloud cover and really nice when the sun was warming. We paddled in and picked up the rest of the participants from Malmö Canoe Club, which would act pupils, inside at Nytäppet. Split into two groups and then we drove up and running.
First, we had planned to camp at Bockö second night but it did not feel quite realistic under the circumstances. So we decided on lunch and tent camp on the southern Gulf of Eastern Bokö, for a change ..
Heating
Practice edging
Headwind
Counter / aft depth styrtag
Low support
The strong wind made the course that there really was time for a longer paddling without day was devoted largely to instruction sessions. It was exercised on the edging, sweeping and paddling against the wind in the morning and then continue with the support, counter stern and rudder in the afternoon. When the groups were relatively small, the instructions could be more personal and detailed.
A little lee
Saturday evening
big picture
A few small splashes during the day but mostly cloudy. Towards evening the wind abated somewhat and we found decent shelter tents near the mountain. Had first examiners and candidates an overview of how the day had gone, what had worked well, any difficulties and tips and thoughts of the morrow.
Some of us lyxade then with a refreshing swim, it was still Saturday .. Then food and common uppesittarkväll. The discussion went from pretty kayak-related topics, equipment, security, right of public access to almost everything.
Since everyone was pretty tired after the day so it was time for bed already shortly after ten sometime ..
Sunday morning
Mats instructs
Sunday gave us even better weather, still some wind but more sun. The morning was devoted first to a quick review of yesterday's exercises, and then medsjöpaddling back to Nytäppet. Lunch in the sun at the beach and then a little wet behind the exercises in the Gulf. High support, sculling and role, and at the end kayak litter ..
Collection out on the bay
Practice sculling
Mats, Ulrika & Martin
Some of us had a long way home, we decided to terminate already at three. It takes also a few more hours of packing, joint review and evaluation and farewell ..
Although the circumstances were quite tough with unusually severe weather might be candidates make the best of the situation and get to a really successful weekend for all participants. Welcome Gunnar , Mats , Martin , Mari and Ulrika , new instructors in the NIL ! In addition, many thanks to Andi and Arvid , and Malmö Canoe Club .
Examinations tend to be very intensive weekends, a lot of talk, but incredibly interesting and rewarding. Want to learn more about people in general and canoeing in particular, you should try to instruct others. It feels like you develop and get out as much as the students ..
/ Ulf
