Saturday, April 26, 2014

The Youts are taking off.

This year the Youth group gathers paddlers of various skill levels.  The most advanced paddlers have been working on their strength and stamina while our greener kayakers have been developing their attaining skills, boat control and polishing their roll. 

Overall, everybody made some great progress.  Over time, the less experienced Youts have started to make some more tricky attainments, brave the hairy ferry below MD chute and even conquer the river right attainment move of MD chute, which guards the so coveted Mather Gorge.  All are showing great perseverance and even a touch of stubbornness that definitely paid off --right Alex and Reed? :)--  



Austin, psyched after a nice combat roll.


A good day for Christian, after making the Hairy Ferry below MD chute.  Way to go!



Even if the Potomac can sometimes be intimidating for some of the Youts, everybody is trying very hard to work on their skills.

That is that is the Youts attitude!





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Friday, March 28, 2014

Time With The New Team is Flying By!!

It has already been over three weeks since we started our new season of Cheat Training and the Youts are already showing some progress.  The new comers are starting to get used to their long boats and everybody is getting in shape.

Our third Thursday of training was the most memorable so far.  The weather was nice, Daylight Savings Time was finally over and the Youts brought their A-game.

Ready to rock!

 After a few edging drills coached by Pablo, everybody paddled really hard in two relay races.  The competition between the two teams was fierce but friendly and the Youts showed both competitive spirit and sportsmanship.  Later on, we attained and worked around Maryland Chute.  The most advanced boaters paddled up river, listening to the call of the glossy Rocky Island waves.  Everybody else pushed their limits and took on the many challenges the river offers below the chute.




I saw Reed working as hard as he could to make a pretty difficult attainment move and I was pleased to see his effort rewarded. 
Alex tried that same move so hard and so many times, I thought his arms were going to fall off.  He only missed it by the skin of a tooth and I have no doubt that he will get it next time. 


Christian made the hard ferry below the chute and Austin came very close to making it too. 
  
Christian and Alex
Austin after his MD chute breakthrough


 Everybody showed some great spirit and perseverance and at the end of the day, the Youts were all smiles, and I was thrilled to see that everybody in the team showed a great attitude. 

 
Stephanie, the "Rolling Queen" in action

"TRY AND FAIL BUT NEVER FAIL TO TRY"