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We have such a limited time frame in Michigan where night paddling is fun, warm and enjoyable, rather than scary, deadly and cold. So I thought I would start an annual July full moon paddle in South Haven. The idea is to show up for sunset and to paddle until moon rise along the Lake Michigan shore. So come out to howl at the moon a bit and meet some other paddlers.

Where: Dog Beach 13 Ave Put in South Haven

View Larger Map

When: July 7th 2009 8:00 PM.

Distance: Up to you.

What to bring: Some form of Coast Guard Approved lighting to ensure safety on the water. Usual safety gear. (Lifejacket). Libations for afterward on the beach.

Please watch the weather, while July is typically the dullest month in terms of wind and waves, freak storms can blow through. Surfing in the dark is harder than it looks on TV.

Email me with any questions!

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Chip Richards of Grand Rapids is in need of volunteers for the Grand Rapids Water Festival

He forwarded this message along. I will be there on the water.

Please mark your calender for the Grand Rapids Water Festival, Saturday June 20th at Riverside Park.

GRWW will be hosting the valet boat coral. People that want to paddle the Grand River down to the festival can take out at the pond and we will watch their boats and equipment so they can wander around enjoying the live music and learn more about the river and surrounding waters. Forest Hills Foods will be providing sub sandwiches, chips and pop to those willing to help out. Come on down to the event and give us an hour of your time. Maybe in return you’ll get a dandy whitewater river downtown!

Please contact me as soon as you are able. Let me know what time slot you would prefer. We need people from 12 – 8 pm.

Thank you,
Chip Richards
Grand Rapids White Water

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I am more accustomed to the smell of chlorine these last few weeks than the smell of fresh air. The lakes have finally started to freeze over. I am blessed with three pools to visit. Two of which allow kayaks, the third being the YMCA.

The “WMCKA”:http://wmcka.org pool sessions are fun, but crowded. We are planning the 2007 Sea Kayaking Symposium in Grand Rapids. WMCKA is a very family oriented club with a lot of kids in the pool. Some of the kids are getting pretty skilled in their kayaks. I managed the kids program last year at the symposium which was a hoot. I look forward to working with the kids again this year.

I drove up to use the pool and got these shots of the kids in the pool. I also got a video of Margaret Fishback’s roll.

Her mother Barb worked with her in the pool to get her this far. I think it looks pretty solid.

Aidan Van Doren is also making progress on his balance brace as well. He has the same instructor I did for teaching Greenland skills, so I think he should be in fine shape!

Seeing the kids work on skills in the pool is pretty amazing. No telling what they will try. Or what they will be able to do unless they are turned loose. From my experience with Gabriel, some good some bad, I have to say that building their confidence is crucial. Believing you are capable of doing something is key. When they lose interest, you drop it and come back to it later.

This is a full size image of Andy for Paul!