Ottawa River

Last week was packed with fun, exciting, and wild adventures with the Keener program

on the Ottawa River. We began by meeting 19 new people from around the world and giving ice breaker speeches. Monday and Tuesday were spent getting to know the Ottawa and our fellow Keeners. Wednesday rolled around and we raced down McCoys and then had a no skirt race down the Lorne, which resulted in quite a few swims. It was insanely awesome. Then, it was Thursday. I was terrified that morning because Thursday is Big Water Beat-down. We ran through Phils (a very large hole/wave on McCoys) and then I went for a couple of surfs in left side (the more mellow side of Phils).

Hand surfing Left Side

Later we ran the boof on the Lorne. To my amazement I did not get chundered in either, and Thursday is now my favorite day of the week! Friday was competition day and half of the Keeners went to S-Bend hole and had a super low key competition in the most encouraging atmosphere on the planet. Over the weekend some of us took first aid and paddled in our free time. Today I participated in a swiftwater rescue course and got some good re-cerc time in the boof on the Lorne. It was actually not scary and felt pretty much like a water/amuesment park ride or a Jacuzzi. I have never been this tired in my life, but rarely in my life have I been this excited for upcomming adventures.

Surfing Big Joe on the St. Lawrence, Lachine rapids