Ladies of the Lake

What is the BCU? The British Canoe Union (BCU) is the most recognized International governing body for paddlesports for both coaching and individual awarding systems. The BCU trainings and Star awards give paddlers and coaches a sysetamatic approach to develop and assess paddling skill levels. Instructors, outfitters, and symposium organizers use BCU Star Awards to ensure that paddlers have prerequisite skills for outings and classes.

The BCU 2 Star award represents the point at which a paddler can move their boat not just effectively, but efficiently. It’s a multi-discipline award – meaning we’ll spend time in a variety of boats, which may include sea kayaks, white water kayaks, canoes or SUP’s. It’s also an award meant to be fun – and fun we will have! Come ready to play, and in the process learn a ton and get comfortable in and around your boat and other boats in some new ways.

On the first day of the symposium we’ll go through the skills on the 2* syllabus. If participants are at standard, we will assess the 2* award, and spend the next 2 days building on those skills. If participants are not quite at the 2* standard, we’ll spend the next 2 days working towards that standard, and assess on the last day. Emphasis through the three days will be placed on the foundations of paddling – power transfer, posture, connection to the boat and the kinesthetic feel of the boat and paddling; and on improvement in a specific area identified in partnership with the coach on the first day.

Here’s what the 2 Star syllabus says:

“This is an improvement award that helps paddlers develop fundamental paddlesport skills on flat water. The emphasis is on gaining a breadth of experience, creating the desired movement of the boat and developing an understanding into how the paddle, boat and water interact.”

* There is no extra cost for this course; however if students pass the assessment there is a $10 fee for BCU members and a $15 fee for non-members in order to receive the certificate and officially hold the certification.

Our coach Andrea Knepper will be teaching this awesome course for us! Check it out and call Heidi at 906-482-2500 to save a spot.

If you are already registered for Ladies of the Lake or if you register before May 3rd you can participate in our contest. Get a friend or family member to register before May 3rd and you will be entered into a drawing to win a free entry for next years symposium. It is easy as 1,2,3.   1 – You register, 2 – They register, 3 – They tell us you referred them. Let the contest begin. GOOD LUCK!

Beachcomber’s Delight
There’s more to the beach than surf and sand. Shells, colored glass, driftwood and all sorts of natural treasures await your discovery on our Beachcomber’s Delight trip.  This half day trip is all about exploring the shoreline around Drummond Island.  It will entail an easy day of paddling ending with a display of  found “loot” or “booty” / art competition.  Participants will stop at various beaches (1-3) during the trip to walk the beach, look for driftwood, rocks, feathers etc.  In addition, while we paddle, a garbage pick up can be done.

Be sure to bring a Sack lunch picnic, and then we will return to the Brooder House in order to work on various art projects with found “loot”.   The art will then be voted on at Saturday night party. Everything can be dismantled and returned to the beach Sunday.

LOL friend Frida Waara pretty much sums up exactly what Ladies Of The Lake is all about!  Check it out here

Our good friend Lenore Sobota will be making another appearance at this years Ladies of the Lake and will be presenting her topic:  Overcoming Fear: A Work in Progress.  According to many of the ladies that we spoke with at Canoecopia….this WAS the presentation to see!  We are so fortunate to have Lenore bringing us this valuable information.

“Overcoming Fear: A Work in Progress” — Wind. Waves. Wet exits.   Lenore Sobota

Sometimes the biggest challenges in paddling are mental more than physical. We might not be able to eliminate our fears, but we can learn to keep them from paralyzing us. Let’s talk about strategies to help ourselves and others move beyond fear.

Our new Mom and Me program is designed for mom’s (or grandmothers) who want to make their kids a part of their lifestyle. What better way to involve your daughters or granddaughters to the life long sport of kayaking then to bring them along to Ladies of the Lake this year!  A fantastic weekend of bonding, learning, playing and darn right fun will be had at the 10th Annual Ladies of the Lake Sea Kayak Symposium.  Throughout our 10 years several mothers have brought their daughters to our special event

New For 2013 LOL!

When a mother or grandmother registers for the 2013 LOL we will offer their daughters or granddaughters (17 years old and under) a registration fee of  only $99.00

Don’t miss this unique opportunity to share a beautiful weekend of paddling at one the most spectacular settings in the country!  Call 906-482-2500 to register today.

Arggg – you heard it here first- The 10th anniversary of the Ladies Of The Lake Sea Kayak Symposium will take place August 16th-18th 2013 at……….Drummond Island Michigan! Located at the eastern end of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan in a secluded setting, with a beautiful protected harbor, the Drummond Island Resort will be the perfect location for the 2013 LOL!  This will be the largest gathering of female instructors EVER assembled.  Stay tuned for exciting announcements to come!

This past weekend Down Wind Sports hosted the ^9th annual Ladies Of The Lake Sea Kayak Symposium in beautiful Grand Marais Michigan.  This annual gathering of female paddlers was organized to paddle, learn, socialize and celebrate another year of paddling.  Our idea is to provide a quality paddling experience promoting “women kayaking with women for women.” This is also a unique symposium in that it is a “traveling” symposium.  We pick a new location in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula each year that offers diverse paddling opportunities and somewhere new to explore.   This year the event  invaded the small beach town of Grand Marais, Michigan, and nestled on the southern shore of Lake Superior and the eastern end of Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore.  Our headquarters for the long weekend was located in the community center, where our retail location was set up and all off water activities took place.

On Thursday August 16th the symposium kicked off with Bonnie Perry’s BCU 3 Star training program where 8 eager participants hit the cool waters of Lake Superior to gain the  necessary skills to assess for the BCU 3-star award.  Participants were challenged with rainy skies, bumpy water and the opportunity to learn from one of the Midwest’s top coaches!

The community center of Grand Marais was transformed into a paddle sports market place with Down Wind Sports displaying the latest boats, kayaking gear, and clothing.  As the day wore on, participants weary from the road, stopped in to register themselves and gear up for what would prove to be a great, fun filled  weekend.  The symposium drew participants from as far away as New York, Florida, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Washington State, North Carolina, Indiana, and Michigan. Some even traveled internationally from Canada!  We are very proud to say that we have some of the most talented coaches in the country joining us, many of whom reside right here in the Midwest. Our featured coaches/presenter;  Adriene Levknecht and Cindy Scherrer brought their talents from the East and West coast!

On Friday severe weather and a gale storm warning was issued and as a precaution the Pictured Rocks Trips were cancelled (good call),  but morning classes were held in the harbor. Participants were treated to an impromptu surf class both in the morning and afternoon.

From forward strokes to rescues participants learned new and exciting techniques to help improve their paddling.  For the most part the weather held off so ladies could get into the water and practice and develop these skills.

Thankfully the skies cleared and the afternoon classes went off without a hitch and many ladies commented they loved playing in the waves!

After cleaning up and finishing dinner, participants headed on over to the headquarters  and enjoyed participating in The Wheel Of Fortune!  Lots of swag was given out to our lucky contestants and many hilarious moments were provided by “Pat Sajak” and “Vanna White”.

After settling down from the game show participants were treated to a presentation by Adriene Levknecht.  A white water paddler by trade, Adriene focused on overcoming fear and how it relates to sea kayaking.  Amazing photos and crazy videos showed just how talented this woman is.  Great job Adriene!

On Saturday the weather was stellar and participants hit the water for more in depth instruction and fun.  Bracing, rolling, towing and rescues were all fun…..but the one with the most laughs was Becoming One With Your Boat Through Play!  Once again due to extremely high seas the trip to Grand Island had to be cancelled so participants took the opportunity to travel inland to the beautiful Grand Sabel Lake.

Friday and Saturday saw sessions of boat demos.  Many participants used this great opportunity provided by the symposium to test paddle the latest boats from all of the leading manufacturers. We are proud to say that this allowed some people to find the perfect boat for them, finishing up their time with a shiny new kayak and a smile from ear to ear.

After another long day of paddling the ladies got all fixed up in their finest for The Werner Paddles Speakeasy / Roaring 20′s Party!  A password got the ladies into the venue which had the ladies all dolled up in their finest party outfits!  Gambling, smoking (candy cigarettes), drinking and dancing into the night had these classy ladies (and a few loose men), celebrating the night away.  One word….these ladies had STYLE!

The party was also the time where the LOL Awards were handed out included the Werner Paddles most improved paddler.  Congrats to Linda Millunzi-Jones for earning this coveted award and a brand new Werner Paddle!

Sunday was also a great opportunity for participants to hop into one last class and get a little more practice in before packing up for the long drive home.

We have been involved with many sea kayak symposiums around the great lakes and with all honesty this is by far the one that we look forward to every year.  How great is it to see participants so eager to learn, coaches so willing to give so much, and to be surrounded by laughter and smiles all weekend long……how long do we have to wait until next year?