(Ed. Note: The 2023 Wisconsin Canoe Symposium seemed special, in various ways. What fun! We’re looking forward to next year’s event…)
Charles Burchill offers his perspective on WCS:
2023 was the third time I attended at the WCS – the first year I took some fundamentals of freestyle, the second time I added some more specific custom freestyle lessons, and then this year I added some additional fine tuning and a session on nailing the rail with every kind of post. Every year has more than met my hopes and expectations for learning, linking, and networking. I have met some phenomenal people and had an incredible opportunity to grow my paddling skills.
I offered to give some tips and insight into Canadian Style paddling for a few of the people attending the first morning. The second day I had the chance to give some thoughts to stopping the canoe (quickly, smoothly, and without yaw or side slip), and a bit I called magic paddles (appearing to initiate and control the canoe without use of a paddle – but pretending). Finally the last morning took me back to my roots and I provided some ideas on obedience training for two phenomenal developing canoeists. I was impressed with the instructors ability to provide input into new skills and fine tuning, but also answer questions and go beyond the basics, and even accept some input and suggestions from their students.
The slalom on Friday night included more tandem paddlers than past symposia – including a tandem run with the 29 foot Clipper big canoe (Clipper 29 Slalom – Wisconsin Canoe Symposium 2023 – YouTube) and eight of the staff (CowNue) bringing in the last run (Clipper 19 Slalom Camp Staff – Wisconsin Canoe Symposium 2023 – YouTube). Everyone was engaged and supportive of everyone running the course – as a novice or experienced paddler.
Evenings were filled with networking and music. This carried through to the exhibition on Saturday evening where there were many inspirational and emotional routines to music by both instructors and participants.
The camp staff provided excellent support through grounds, lodging, and meals.
I felt blessed and honoured to be included in the weekend. I hope to return to continue my learning path but also continue building friendships with others in the paddling community.
(Ed. Note: As some may remember, WCS 2022 almost didn’t happen, as a tornado hit the vicinity of camp the day before we arrived, leaving fallen trees and limbs everywhere. Only one building had actual damage, and nobody was hurt, which was good. Camp Director Nick Coenan mobilized a small army of people with chain saws and large vehicles to clear the damage. By the time we arrived, there was still a lot of debris everywhere, but roads, walking paths, the campground, and the camp area were cleared enough to get where you wanted to go; the crews worked throughout the weekend, continuing to remove all the debris, yet somehow managing to not interfere with any activities. After the event, first time attendee Carol Obertubessing wrote the following poem, and shared it with us at this year’s event.)
TRANSFORMATION
By Carol Obertubbesing, written after visiting Pine Lake, Wisconsin, June 2022
©2022
Rain falls and thunder shakes the ground
The wind howls through the tall trees
Suddenly one branch breaks, then another
Whole trees fall and block the paths
Death and destruction claim this land.
This scene of physical devastation
Mirrors our own inner turmoil, storms rage inside us
They blockade our hopes and dreams
As we lose people, places, beliefs we held so dear
Our lives in pieces like the downed trees.
Morning comes and all is quiet
The storm has passed
Now the road must be cleared
The wood can be used to warm us this winter
Life can and must go on.
We sit by the peaceful lake
Circular like our lives
Where endings and beginnings meet each other
The never-ending cycle of life
Where death is followed by rebirth.
Gentle ripples lap the shore
Like the people who quietly touch our lives
Their love washing over us for a fleeting moment
Until the next ripple touches us
Washing away the hurt, healing our heart.
The paddlers too gently cross the water
There are no loud noises to break our reverie
Only the sound of the instructor’s voice
Patiently teaching, encouraging and challenging,
Student and teacher giving each other what they need.
The tall green pines reach for the blue sky
The green and blue each more brilliant where they meet
How can our differences enrich each other’s beauty?
Allowing each person to reach their own height
Yet forming a circle of life.
The treetop leaves whisper to each other
Sharing the secrets of life and love
Their trunks rooted in earth, but dreaming of a time to fly
We treasure this earth, but look toward the freedom of the heavens
The spirit of the wind unites heaven and earth.
At the height of day
Sun drops dance on the water
Can we learn to dance as lightly?
Each distinct yet whirling together
Giving light in our dance of life.
The child catches a dragonfly
Meaning to play and keep it, but shortening its already fleeting life
How do we hold on to others without harming them?
Showing grace and love with a spirit of freedom
Living fully for the time we are given with each other.
Today we dream that we are dragonflies
Moving from dark to light, from nymph to agile flyer
Learning the lessons of the dragonfly
Opening ourselves to change and the magic of shifting colors
Until we reach the ultimate transformation.
The sun begins to set and the water stills
A duck and a dragon appear between the boats
Are they children’s toys or part of our imagination?
The once-brown tree trunks now appear golden
Nature nourishing our bodies and our minds.
On the lake, there is the peaceful solitude of the lone paddler
On shore, the family gathers for post-supper fun
Old friends join in fellowship and conversation
Shared history creating a special bond
As the sun sets and a banjo calls in the distance.
The tree line has a gentle unevenness
The tall pines around us recall simpler times
Their longevity giving hope of immortality
We have survived the storm
And our lives have been transformed.