By Tracy Hunt, with Paul Klonowski
Photos: Deb Gohr
Lara Smetana submitted these thoughts on the recent Solo FreeStyle Canoe Clinic, in the Chicago area:
The freestyle workshop was a fantastic way to spend the day. The location was an ideal low-wind space for playing around with new techniques. Tracy and Deb are expert paddlers and instructors, and catered to our differing ability levels with patience and a great sense of humor too. I am new to solo and my paddling skills increased tremendously in one day! – Lara Smetana
So what is this about? Several years ago, I proposed we set up a one-day local FreeStyle Clinic. The rationale was simple: try to generate some interest in FreeStyle, convince people of how functional it is for their everyday paddling, and who knows, maybe interest some people enough to come out to one (or more?) of the Symposia. What could possibly go wrong? Well, nothing, so far, anyway.
Paul Klonowski had previously found a nice quiet site at Lake Atwood, in The Hollows Conservation Area, in Cary, IL. The lake is pretty well sheltered from the wind, no gas motors are allowed, there’s public access to the boat launch, it has pit toilets, a hand-pumped water well, and a parking lot… what more is required?
Advertising was done by as many venues as we could find… local paddling clubs and organizations, and word of mouth, seemed the most effective means. With two local instructors, we had a maximum of ten participants, which we divided into two groups, based on existing skill levels.
Since mid-March of this crazy 2020 year, paddle sport gatherings, group trips and training symposiums have pretty much been non-existent. Larger gatherings in our FreeStyle community that have been cancelled (due to Covid-19 restrictions) include the Western PA Solo Canoe Rendezvous, Wisconsin Canoe Symposium, Adirondack Canoe Symposium, Midwest Canoe Symposium, and Pine Barrens FUNctional FreeStyle Workshop. But the nature of a one-day event, such as the Solo FreeStyle Canoe Clinic, is different: the small group, coupled with the lack of group housing, organized meals, and evening social gatherings, meant it was possible to hold the event, even within COVID-19 guidelines.
So, on August 1 we gathered with Lara and six other enthusiastic students for a small class at Lake Atwood. This year Deb Gohr provided able assistance in Paul’s absence. Covid-19 restrictions limited the group size, and everyone was compliant with face coverings on land, social distancing on breaks and lunch, etc. The weather was perfect for improving skills and having an enjoyable time.
So in 2020, the year of a global pandemic, we pulled it off!
Afterward, the question was raised as to how long have Paul and I been conducting this “event”? I never really considered it an “event”, perhaps it was. So after a little researching of records, we discovered that 2020 was the tenth year of this clinic, held consecutive years at the same venue.
So… How does this happen? What does it take to start an event like this in your area? There are requirements, of course:
- A lake with adequate protection from the wind (it’s easier to learn skills when you can’t blame the wind!)
- Safe, legal access to the lake, for small boats
- Adequate parking
- Restrooms
Other things that are nice to have, but not required, are a water supply, picnic shelter, and restrictions on motorboats.
Once you have these lined up, contact your nearest instructor: https://freestylecanoeing.com/find-a-freestyle-instructor/
…and see what you might be able to arrange. Timing is, of course, critical… If you select a weekend that conflicts with any of our other events, instructors may be hard to come by… but then, just attend the larger event! You will learn things, and you will have fun…
