Monthly Archives: February 2011

Hearing Seeing Doing

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Ginni’s discussion about how we can use hearing and seeing and doing to aid learning at the recent NSWSKC instructor development weekend put me in a reflective place, thinking back over how I’ve been learning, Greenland-style.

Actually, my journey started with buying – a Tahe Greenland T, a handmade Greenland Paddle and Helen Wilson’s DVD “Simplifying the Roll”. 
I’ve watched the DVD many times, coming back to it again and again after a session on the water.  I’ve listened carefully to Helen’s instructions and pointers.  Then I’ve kept as much as I can in my head, and worked with that while on the water, under the water and moving around the water.  I asked my mate Pete to watch the DVD too, so even though he has never attempted the balance brace, hearing and seeing was enough for him to be a great coach.
I’m taking baby steps, doing more each time I get on the water, challenging myself in a new way each time, practising the skills on both left and right sides.
And I’m loving it!  Doing this is soothing and peaceful.  Floating, I find I close my eyes and relish the sensual feeling.  My body finds pleasure in the moves that are smooth and flowing.  My mind is stretched as I move to new and unfamiliar positions and work with my body to find the next place.  
I hear and I forget
I see and I remember
I do and I understand

Ancient Chinese Proverb

Thrills and Spills of Sydney Harbour

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When a US kayaker turns up in Sydney, how better to show off our city than by a trip around the harbour?  Mike kitted Jim out and we met at Vaucluse Bay on what promised to be a hot and sunny day. 
Jim, all set to paddle

Amazing, and amusing, what can be seen in five hours spent kayaking.  

sandstone formations



As we rounded Bradleys Head we could see THE view that makes this spot a popular wedding venue

not a time to be camera shy



Mike enjoyed the views too

Oh hey! There’s my gorgeous new Tahe Greenland T with the beaut new Greenland paddle I am buying from Tom at Elver Paddles. This whole Greenland thing is proving to be a great pleasure for me.

Time for a morning snack, and more photos.
 

So, this is a popular wedding point – in the sky appears a marriage proposal for Lorraine, or is it Louise?

 

We continued along, passing the Opera House and cruising under the Harbour Bridge, of course taking lots of photos ops as we paddled along.  The northern side of the harbour where we paddled isn’t too crowded though you’ve got to keep a constant watch in all directions.


 
just west of the bridge

 

pasing under the Coathanger as we return to the eastern side

I reckon you can never have too many pics of this building

The number of different vessels on the harbour is fascinating with a Sydney Ferry, the James Craig and a yacht all heading west along the same channel.


We carefully crossed the channel and did a lap around Fort Denison.  This little island has had many reincarnations over the years of white settlement in Sydney.

I guess I let my guard down a bit as I took a few photos….



…cos all of a sudden this ferry appeared and we had to back paddle fast.

The tugs we had spotted earlier leaving the harbour, returned attached to this oil tanker.  Immediately after it let off one very loud, short blast (“I am altering my course to starboard”) the one o’clock cannon fired on Fort Denison and certainly added to the drama of the day!  The cannon was first fired in 1906 and was used to set the chronometers aboard ships.

Skirting the no-go naval zone of Garden Island we cruised past Clark Island.

As the nor’easter strengthened to a 15-20 knot headwind we paddled towards this rather curious ship.  The “Dockside Yacht Transport” was moored off Point Piper (a handy berth for those without a marina close by?)

I did wonder how this fared at sea, but I guess its (mega-milion dollar) cargo should be able to cope with some incoming waves.

We landed for a lunch and leg break on a beach – with yet another gorgeous view down the harbour.


The oddest vessel of the day was this party thing moored near Milk Beach.  It had a faux-straw hut, shade umbrellas and even a shark-safe swimming enclosure out the back, great views down the harbour and that doof-doof music usually heard in cars.


There were a few jet boats on the waters too – but I’d never take a photo of them (hmmm).
Paddling past a very crowded Nielsen Park we returned to Vaucluse Bay (where the antics of cars seeking parking spots were highly amusing).