Florida Canoe Symposium 2013

[85dragonfly]

If your knowledge of, exposure to, FreeStyle Canoeing is limited to seeing some folks paddling intricate ?routines? set to music, you may not realize that?s just a small (and very optional) part of a much larger picture. FreeStyle instruction is all about learning how to more efficiently handle a canoe and a paddle, about learning some skills that will serve you exceedingly well in your everyday paddling. Several symposia are held each year at various locations in the East to serve as teaching/learning opportunities for all paddlers, and to hang out with an awfully nice bunch of people.

This year's Florida Canoe Symposium will run from March 15 - March 18, 2013 and will be conducted as in previous years on the campus of the Florida State College at Jacksonville (actually in Yulee, a few miles north of the city).

The event format is similar to last year's with one big exception that is highlighted by the name change. We've rebranded the symposiums from "Freestyle Symposiums" (the old) to "Canoe Symposiums". This is more than a name change. It reflects a significant shift in how we teach and in our class offerings. Though certainly all of the basics of FreeStyle paddling will continue to be taught (both solo and tandem), there are a number of new class offerings intended to improve one?s overall skills in real-life paddling back home.

We?ll offer a class called Canoeing Basics for folks either just getting started or who have never had any formal training and would like a solid foundation upon which to build.

Another new offering is Canoeing for Kayakers. This class is designed to build upon the skills that Kayakers have already developed and translate them to single blade technique. Canoeing for Kayakers will begin with a chalk talk on Saturday morning, where we will discuss the differences between the two craft, the pros and cons of each, some terminology, and basic differences between double and single blade technique. We will then move to the water where we will begin developing single blade, canoeing techniques, while building upon skills that the students already have. By the end of the class, students should have a good grasp of flat water canoeing fundamentals, and feel confident that they now have another option for on water travel or recreation. Note: This class will be in solo canoes - a limited number of rental craft are available.

Creekin Freestyle is a class we began a couple of years ago and has been very popular. It's goal is to teach the practical application of freestyle technique in real world settings. It's freestyle, without being showy. Without the fancy stuff. Heel and Pitch are used in moderation. Freestyle maneuvers are used in moderation, to nudge the canoe this way or that around bends in the river. Although we teach in a "flat water" environment, there will be some current and how that current effects the canoe will be utilized to advantage. This will be taught as part of an up and back trip on Lofton Creek, a short distance from the symposium site.

Lodging will be in bunkhouse-style cabins on site, or in your own tent if you prefer. Numerous motels also very nearby. Food is to be catered. You may opt to sign on for the full menu, or pick-and-choose selected meals - or of course bring your own grub and be on your own in that regard. The complete registration and info packet for FCS (Florida Canoe Symposium) 2013 is now posted on the freestyle site http://www.freestylecanoeing.com/ .If you have any questions about any aspects of the symposium, please email Marc Ornstein at mornstein@frontiernet.net or call at 585 698-5773. I hope to see all y'all in March.