Canoe Guru at Willow Creek

June 8 - 10 2012
Canoe class with Eli Helbert, the Canoe Guru

Pat and I signed on to get instruction from Eli Helbert, five time World Champion Canoe Rodeo. Eli flew up here from North Carolina and is spending about three weeks teaching advanced, intermediate, and beginner white water canoe skills.

Eli surfing

We had a great time and I came away with a LOT of things to work on. I need to rotate more, lead with my head, do cross strokes, and I need lots of practice on a cross bow pry which is still really awkward.

We had water level issues, too much water, for most of us to feel comfortable doing the Guard Rail section, so after half a day on a lake the rest of the class took place on the Red Gate section. While the water was up this section had a little bit of push to it. It was fun and had some challenging moves on it. By the third day the water had come down some and most of the push was gone which was a little disappointing because pushy water is where I have the most trouble and need the most practice.

Pat through gate 3 headed for gate 4.

The slalom gates were still up from the Willow Fest a couple of weeks ago so every Red Gate run started with making the gates. With the higher water level the course was a little more challenging! Especially gate number four which necessitated boofing off of a rock and trying to make it over the hole below.

We camped at Susitna Sled and Kayak and they also cooked breakfast and dinner for us each day. This was great, we didn't have to cook and clean before paddling and we could paddle later since we didn't have to cook and clean up afterwards either.

I forgot I had the camera on me for most of the class so the pictures are limited.

Analyzing Pat's surfing technique.