Category Archives: Journeys and Quests

Winds of (Standup Paddle) Fortune

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Elder SUP paddle Bend OregonIt’s a long story (video – see below) but today was one of my last training days before next week’s 11-lap / 31-miler standup paddle in the Deschutes River following the route through the Old Mill District of Bend, OR. I bundled my iPhone in its waterproof case and logged into Nike+ GPS so that I would be certain to log my scheduled 6 mile course. I had left the house just after 7 am in order to miss the wind that had been whipping up white caps up and down the river all week.

Don’t get me wrong, sometimes the wind is my friend, like when my buddy Cristina Acosta and I use her hand-painted sarongs to glide down wind. But when going for mileage up and down a river, with a against some pretty hefty current, the wind is a totally different “friend.”

By the time I got ready to launch my SUP board the wind was more than 15 mph and increasing, but the flag on the stacks showed it was blowing behind me while I trekked up-current (Horray!)

So weirdly, the up current leg seemed really easy.  I got into a rhythm and a glide. The upstream turn at the rapids just past the Healy Bridge seemed to come up more quickly than usual, but it actually hadn’t been as fast as it seemed. Nike+ gave me my splits and I was a bit slower than usual. Mmmm?  The last rock on river right is my turn buoy, so I rounded it ready for the down stream leg #1. Wow! Wind in the face, but it had to be a faster leg since it was down current. Once I passed under the flags at mile 2.4 I wondered if I was going to make any headway. Tucking close to the bank trying to avoid the wind, head down and choked up on the paddle handle I started a fast and steady paddle pace. Exhilarating for sure. Elder SUP at healy bridge bend oregon

Rounding the buoy just before the spillway  Nike+ reported my pace and I had shaved 3 minutes off my last upstream mile – in spite of how the 25mph wind-in-the-face actually felt. This got me thinking. (Scary!)

Life, sometimes when we are in the flow it seems like all of our effort is driving us toward goals and successes. While paddling a rhythmic pace against a pretty strong current, the steady wind at my back made the journey delightful.  The chorus of wind ripples playing under my board as it glided up river was energizing and sweet. Reaching, planting the paddle, executing a smooth catch, stroke and return happened easily. Yet, there was a powerful current working its best against my forward movement. With its effects buried beneath the forward moving wind-powered surface of the river the paddle seemed almost effortless.

Doesn’t life do that for us – at times. Even when it’s an uphill battle something plays the role of “wind at our back” and that makes all the difference.

Similarly, when life is good – a down-wind cruise if we let it – a bit of unexpected “wind in our face” sets us back. Mentally or emotionally, what seems to be the driving force in things, what’s visible and obvious is not always so. Just like my struggle to keep the nose of my board into the wind and churning chop seemed to make that part of the journey slower, in reality the deeper down-river current provided a faster run.

Before I knew it my 6.22 miles was done – maybe it was the endorphins or the insights, but I left that training run fully charged!

Flow-Flow (SUP & Yoga)

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I had just finished the 2011 Bend Paddleboard Challenge and was all jazzed and happy to have completed the five miles in fine form – certainly not for speed, just for fun. (Photo by Jill Rosell) Sitting on the beach a bit later, I was watching the few brave souls in the “style” competition. Suddenly all the crowd on the beach noticed someone climbing down the rocky shore with a paddleboard and hop in the river. The next few minutes were absolutely an amazing mix of balance, style, grace, strength – and flow.  Easily winning the event was Kama Blasing, the surprise entry that sparkled the competition.

After that I paid attention to what Kama was doing.  Throughout the summer I heard quite a bit of buzz about the yoga classes available on the wide grassy area at Riverbend Park – both on land and on the water. Inspired by Kama and Shanan Kelley, this series they call “Flow-Flow” caught on quickly.

Recently, I had the opportunity to talk to Kama and Shanan, partners in the unique Flow-Flow (yoga and SUP) classes. There’s no denying the passion and commitment they have for providing this opportunity to their students in Central Oregon. Looking toward warmer weather, they plan to share their skills with many more people this summer.  Whether you have had a long yoga practice or are just beginning, the experience is customized to meet your interest and abilities. (This season’s session begins June 11, 2012) Flow-Flow is available for private group parties.

Some background: In spring 2011, Kama completed her second 200 hour Yoga Teacher training under the care and guidance of Kat Seltzer. Kama also has RYT 200 Ashtanga from 2004 and second RYT Vinyasa Yoga Spring 2011 at MYC. Participating in the Living Yoga program infused her existing practice with Flow. “True creative exploration of the mind, body and spirit though asana….on the mat and off.” It is her hope to share with others the ability to access, feel, and explore the magic of yoga. Shanan recently took her practice to the next level by traveling to the south of Mexico to study Restorative Alignment under Brigitte Longueville’s guidance, in the process earning her first 200 hour Yoga Alliance teacher certification. Returning stateside with a new view on how this ancient practice can enhance one’s life throughout their life.

clarify that Flow-Flow is offered twice weekly June-October Mon & Thurs 5:30-7:30pm

The power of getting into a “flow” state is explained really well by “the father of flow,” Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi. Understanding the power of “flow” and gaining insights on how to build more flow to life and work, I have read  Csikszentmihalyi’s work many times. According to Csikszentmihalyi, “the flow experience is typically described as involving a sense of control – or, more precisely, as lacking in the sense of worry about losing control that is typical in many situations of normal life. Flow describes well the sense of seemingly effortless movement”

We can all remember a time, usually back in our childhood, when movement, freedom and an absolutely effortless sense of flow was ours. For me, it was often that barefoot walk in summer-soft grass warmed by the sun. When Kama and Shanan described how they begin their Flow-Flow classes I was like, “Sign me up!” Class begins on the uneven grassy earth with a Vinyasa series that unfolds an amazing connection of breath, movement, earth and nature. After 45 minutes of Vinyasa flow on the grass the experienced is enhanced by taking SUP boards to the Deschutes River.  Each person can choose to simply paddle or to explore yoga moves or postures on the paddleboard. No matter what SUP skill level a participant has, this part of the class is based on committing and staying focused.

“Vinyasa yoga teaches us to cultivate an awareness that links each action to the next – on the mat and in our lives” (Photo by Paul Clark, Black and Red Photography)

Shanan Kelley just couldn’t keep a big grin off her face as she described the basic passion she and Kama have for their flow flow classs. From the beginner to the individual with a more advanced practice, they provide training that helps foster a shift in movement that supports change and is a catalyst for openness. As body tissues are gently coaxed toward opening an awareness of how that is a metaphor of the Flow-Flow philosophy.

Yoga done out in nature adds many dimensions to the practice. Grounding feet is far different done on the grass touching warm earth than similar grounding practiced indoors.  Raising up and reaching toward the sky – and being able to actually see the sky – wonderful! I am looking forward to trying this class.  As Kama and Shanan guide us, I am looking forward to being reminded to find the “okay” spot and being present where I am on that given day.

Life offers us many challenges and a culture of more-better-strive-best.  While Flow-Flow encourages exploration and change, there is something more.  According to Kama and Shanan, “Being a beginner is a treasure.”

If you have experienced Flow-Flow (SUP and yoga) in Bend, OR, please share your comments with us.

Summer SUP – Winter Training

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Sitting here in the wintery world of ski-season, quads wonderfully shredded from 3 days finding off-piste fun, I started thinking about some compression tights to wear pre and post exercise. I remembered that Karen Wrenn was wearing something when she visited one of our river races last summer so I took a quick look at her website to determine what brand was good for SUP. Bummer, I can’t tell from this photo.  No problem though. I had the chance to explore Karen’s website and blog – great information right when I need it.

Just in time for paddling season this year I will be turning 63 (for real???) and staying ready to paddle in races and long tours is a priority. I “enter” races but I don’t “race.” While every stroke is the strongest I can muster at the time, and the camaraderie of the race is so much fun, I am usually the last to cross the finish line on my 11’3″ Amundson.  Occasionally I borrow a race board, most recently from Dave and Meg at Kialoa, but my agenda is all about the paddle in the water, the connection between heart/lungs/muscle/sights/sounds and friends on the water. Training for all that is important.

Reading about Karen’s busy life as mother of three and the off-season whether she deals with in Portland was inspiring.  She suggests ways to stay motivated and carving out the 45 minutes or so needed to stay in shape.  Especially interesting is her explanation of her cross-training routine.

On her blog, Karen explains,  “Circuit training is great because you can get your heart rate going, build muscle and muscle endurance. I will first do something that elevates my heart rate followed by a couple exercises that include strength and balance. For example, I might do 20 double jumps (or you could do 100-150 single jumps) with a jump rope and then move right into 20 kettle ball swings (from a squat position swinging the kettle ball to shoulder height coming to a standing position) and repeat. Then I would move into a plank position with elbows on a ball and roll the ball forward and back for 20 reps. I would do this circuit 3 times and then move on to another circuit.

Another idea of a circuit is to do 15 split jumps on each leg (http://www.livestrong.com/video/5310-split-jumps/) and then 20 tri-cep dips then 20 reverse crunches (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vVVlXA0dqGg) and repeat this circuit another two times. Basically, come up with some circuits of three exercises. Have the first exercise of the series be something that will elevate your heart rate ( jump rope, running stairs, sprints on a rowing machine) add a strength exercise ( kettle bells, push ups, tricep dips, pull ups, etc…) then add in a core exercise ( reverse crunch, plank, medicine ball sit up and throws). After you finish one circuit of three then move on to another.

Bye, for now! I am heading to the gym and then to the trail. SUP season will be here before we know it. How do YOU train off-season?

SUP Spectrum: Colors

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A recent post on the Kialoa Paddles Facebook page caught my imagination (and made me really want a new paddle!) Their 2012 line reflects technology and tradition with a SUPer dose of awesome design.

That collage of color reminded me of a shot we took back in the summer of 2009 when the Central Oregon sport of “sarong sailing” was (maybe) invented on Hosmer Lake.  Local artist, Cristina Acosta, had created exuberant designs on silk. It was a sunny day and we had a few of her sarongs with us as we headed out for a paddle/picnic day. As we entered the widest part of the lake, coming into view of Mt. Bachelor we were chatting excitedly about how the snow melt we were paddling on had been sweet spring snow under our skis just a few months before – when suddenly the wind picked up! Ed, the most dedicated sailor among us, wished out loud, “Too bad we don’t have sails to harness this breeze!”

Coming at us from the side it was perfect for a broad reach. Without a moment’s hesitation, Cristina whipped out a few of her sarongs, which immediately caught the breeze and shot us forward in a blaze of color and design.  Greens, blues and yellows filled the sky – along with giggles and woohooos.

During our lunch in the middle of Hosmer Lake we had a chance to hear about the silk-screen process Cristina used to create her variety of silk sarongs. We debated the pros and cons of possibly refining methods for attaching the sarong for more technical “sailing.”  That idea quickly went out the door by the end of the afternoon. The pure casual ability to take a sarong from around our waist and hoist it into the wind for a few minutes of “wind-surfing” won out. Ed crusied toward his favorite ski mountain while Cristina and Judy tried the “catamaran” method. 

Not long after our day at Hosmer, we took a SUP along the Deschutes River at Sunriver and paddled into Spring River, a cold and clear finger of exploration opportunities.  The day was sunny again but as afternoon approached the wind turned brisk. Of course we had our sarongs.

Isabella and Cristina harnessed some breezes – what a picture! We probably took 30 shots of the reflections of color and paddle boards in and below the crystal clear water.  

Jimmy Spithill: Standing up for Standup

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During the Louis Vuitton Junior Trophy, BMW Oracle skipper Jimmy Spithill – who first sailed in the America’s Cup as a teenager – was among the senior sailors encouraging the kids. He said, “We appreciate all the people who come to see us and congratulate us with the Cup. But for us, the exciting thing is meeting the kids. Especially the kids sailing these great little boats. These kids are the future of world sailing. And I wouldn’t be surprised if one day they’re sailing boats like these, but on a bigger scale, in the America’s Cup.”

Next generation – always the key to a great future, whether it’s sailing, SUPing, the environment or any number of challenging causes.  It makes sense that Jimmy would practice balance and core strength on a standup board between his adventures with Oracle Racing. Getting the job done in an ocean race means moving quickly on an unstable platform and maintaining a strong core for the demands of racing.  Sounds like the recipe for a SUP workout – for sure!

Dear to my heart (A few levels behind the passion for standing on water of any kind) is fitness. Jimmy Spithill chats, in the video below, about noticing what consumers are doing for fitness. (bye bye treadmill and crunches).  Not just sailors, but the general public is embracing a new fitness fun in the form of standup paddling.  Right on, Jimmy! he says, “We grabbed people from the shore, people who had never tried SUP and they loved it.  When people are engaged with the ocean they want to protect it.”

Enjoy!

Solid Roots: Ka’ai Bruhn- Traditions and Canoes

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One of the best known beaches in the world, Waikiki was the favorite playground of Hawaiian royalty in the 19th century. At the time, Waikiki was an area of wetlands fed by streams from the valleys above Honolulu.  We spent this week at the Hilton Hawaiian Village eager for a week of stand-up paddling and surfing. It was our third visit but we had never heard how the Waikiki wetlands gave way to the resorts and beaches so popular today. This visit included a true bonus. We met Ka’ai Bruhn in his Duke Kahanamoku Canoe Stand right on the shore of the nearby lagoon.

He didn’t start with the story of his passion for 6-man outrigger canoe racing, but we teased it  out over a conversation around our favorite paddles.  We had shipped our Kialoa SUP paddles over to Hawaii – and coincidentally Ka’ai mentioned that he uses Kialoa paddles when he races. Then the story evolved. His favorite race is the Molokai-Oahu that takes place yearly in October.

In 2004 and 2005 as a member of the Lanikai Canoe Club, Ka’ai’s team won the race. That 42 mile route is always full of wind, swells, uncertain conditions – and according to Ka’ai, an amazing experience! This photo shows the 2004 team after their victory. That’s Ka’ai in the back on the left – pretty happy group.

We connected easily, tied by stories of “the good old days” when shrimp and lobster were abundant in the wetland that is now the lagoon.  Our Florida/Bahamas past paralleled Ka’ai’s – and he found us as an eager audience to some local history.  He respects the strong connection between Duke Kanahnamoku and the exact geographic location of both the resort and the lagoon nearby.

It’s great to hear what Ka’ai loves about running his business throughout the 16 years he’s been at the resort. “The lagoon is a wonderful place and the nearby safe beaches allow people of all ages and all abilities to learn to swim and enjoy watersports in salt water. It’s rare to find a place like this. Visitors can safely learn a respect for the sea while having fun.

The connected-ness between this part of Waikiki and water sports became known worldwide because of Duke Kahanamoku. His family had a four bedroom home nearby and Duke learned to swim right here – like so many others from around the world.  The difference? Duke trained and had both the skill and the drive to become fast enough to break the world record for swimming in several Olympics. Not satisfied just breaking records, Duke gave swimming and surfing exhibitions and popularized both sports – and his Waikiki home.”

As you would expect from a waterman, Ka’ai comes from a family with deep respect for Mother Earth – land and sea.  In the yin and yang of life, mixing water sports and family, the tradition of love and respect is simply part of life. Ka’ai’s grandfather always said, “People say we should be careful so that we don’t ruin Mother Earth. The truth is, in the end, Mother Earth will always win. It’s us, humankind, that should be watchful and caring for our own survival.”  Powerful perspective!

Counting Crows

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A decade or more ago, my teenage kids played a lot of Counting Crows and when I could understand the lyrics (yes, I have trouble with that) I got into a lot of the songs. One, “Nothing but a Child” was a favorite, mainly for this first line,
“Nothing but a Child Glass upon me walking on the ocean
Sun upon me walking on a wave ”

(PS That is NOT me in the photo below!)
Back then it had to have been about 30 years since I’d surfed and quite a few years before SUP became along. But, ocean people (you know who you are) find the sounds and images of the sea resonate and attract. What could be better than walking on the ocean?
Over the past 3 months as summer blew into fall and darker wintry days, I re-connected with my yoga practice. Hot Bikram and some ventures to another studio, “Groove Yoga.”  Over the past year I have been meandering at various goals because, to me, this is a very unique year.  On June 2 (6/2) I turned 62. How cool is that!

All summer I had noticed people enjoying yoga on their SUP boards, in the river and in the ocean. Triangle, Warrior, Headstands and hand stands – and that seemed incredible, strong, balanced and wonderful.  So returning to yoga this Fall I had some goals.  Last night – I gave up those goals. Not in a negative way, but in a manner full of new awareness.

I want to do a head stand on my SUP board – friends, family and ElderSUP readers have been hearing that message. Last night in a packed room at Groove Yoga in a class led by Gerry Lopez I finally heard what I should have already known. In a calm voice that guided our practice, one of the first things Gerry mentioned was that the goal is not the pose.  It is our intent and willingness to listen to our own body and relax, with strength, into what our body can do right now that matters.

How many times have I heard something similar – but for some reason, with my focus on “getting to a head stand” I had forgotten.  During the class breathing, relaxing, focusing, awareness and intent guided my practice. At the same time I continued to mull over the new awareness that the “practice” is everything.  So it went throughout the class. Then as we were winding down Gerry announced that it was time for practicing inversions. Most of the class seemed to immediately hop into a head stand  and handstand, some needed a small tutorial from Gerry or others helping in the class.

I place my hands and head on the floor – oops, a minute later I was sitting up. Whew! That was difficult. Everyone else still inverted, so I gave it another try.  I heard a voice say, “press into the floor, engage your core.” Oh, OK, I thought. Arghhhhh!

I was up and sitting again. “How can you say that doesn’t take strength?” I implored. Several people nearby gave knowing smiles (from their upside-down vantage point).

By then I had attracted the attention of both instructors and Gerry.  With a calm series of guiding instructions I was back into an equilateral triangle made up of my two hands and head on the mat. Listening and working toward pressing into the floor, using my forearms and engaging my core I was sweating and muscles trembled (apparently i was working too hard at it).

“Let go, walk your toes toward your hands and lift your toes off the floor. Knee onto your elbow.”  I gave it a try. Collapse. Again – and one, then the other toe lifted off the floor and for two milli-seconds I was in Crow posture.

And for a milli-second I got how it was supposed to feel.  Now I cannot wait to practice that again – and again. Not for the eventual headstand, but for the awareness of “I am at this stage now but I can move to the next stage.”

What does this have to do with an Elder SUP article? Knowing the self  as a being rather than merely as an athlete or surfer or paddler or racer, is a genuine kind of knowledge.  That sort of knowledge usually gets lost in the rush of activities and push of goals. The value of discovering one’s self and of enjoying one’s self as it is, rather than as it is going to be, is a treasure. Have you had an experience similar to this? Comments or e-mail, we love to hear your story.  Join us on Facebook. for short comments and links to your stories.

Wet Balancing Act

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Natarajasana (Dancer Pose or Lord of the Dance Pose) is a deep backbend that requires patience, focus, and persistence. I’ve always had this yen to do a “Dancer Pose” on my paddleboard. Hey, I am coordinated and have a really strong core. Now that I have been seriously trying to accomplish this before my 76th  birthday in June, (so I can enjoy the SUP dancer this summer)

I realize there’s something that needs more practice, focus and persistence. And something more is crucial – balance. I have passable balance on land – hopefully I can transfer that to more than confident “standing on water.”

Like you, I enjoy balance in my life. It takes awareness and practice to gain actual balance and balance in the body as a metaphor. For even the most grounded and centered person, the body can only stay consistently in that state for a short time. We breathe, we move, life changes. With the movement of the breath comes movement in the body, and in our lives. And with this ever present force keeping us alive and creating movement. Finding balance requires the ability to maintain focus and quickly adapt as situations change . We learn not to focus on one thing only, but on one thing at a time. Staying aware and flexible – Will this help me with that on-water “Dancer Pose?”

To be balanced we need to first be centered, balancing the right and the left and the front and back hemispheres of our body along the centerline axis. In my Bikram and other yoga practice that’s a common routine for every pose.  Each instruction and movement is designed to draw the body parts and energy in to the center of the body.  Wobbly and wiggly – I do give it all my effort and love the outcomes. On land I am one confident “dancer.”

 

Focal points, visual or mental, serve as anchors for the mind and the body. In virtually every balance posture, yoga teachers tell us what to look at as we begin the posture. We use that visual focal point as an anchor to hold our attention in place. Using a mantra, a single word or short phrase that gets repeated over and over either out loud or within the mind, is a form of meditation that serves as an anchor and to eliminate the mind chatter. My mantra? “Breathe breathe breathe.” . Ahhh, intention! There’s the magic.

During the practice of Yoga exercises, we not only relax the muscles but we also build up strength, structure and stability in the right spots. Out on the water, years of practice breathing, balance, strength and flexibility along with reading the water have given me confidence on TWO feet – what about on ONE foot?

As lame as I am in completing Natarajasana today I have the intent and a vision of a clear blue lake or mirrored ocean with me balanced (however precariously) on the foundation of one strong and steady leg and foot.  Reframing the goal of Dancer Pose on the paddleboard into a journey makes the entire process a practice.  So far the journey has been punctuated with a splash and a full on wet ending to the balancing act. No worries! The journey will continue.

What’s your balancing act as you gain the SUP Perspective? Links, blogs, comments and quotes are invited and welcome.

 

 

Waldo Lake, OR: Pristine is just the beginning

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First the facts : The water is clear, nearly equal in purity to distilled, because the inflow comes only from precipitation and snow-melt. Visibility through the water is staggering. Scientists have measured it to depths of 157 feet, a world record. Gas motors were banished in early 2010. Sailboats use small electric motors, but they emit little noise, so the quiet can be intense. Designated wilderness surrounds the lake on three sides. The non-wilderness shore on the east side has 200 developed campsites, tucked discreetly among the trees of the Willamette National Forest, clean, large and beautiful.

Taking the “airplane view” above a map of Oregon it is weird to know how much high desert there is – and how many wonderful lakes. I’ve dropped my SUP board into a good many of them for all-season paddling. By far, the most amazing days have been on Waldo Lake’s water.  The gin-clear shallows give way to varied shades of blues and greens. When we reached the deeper areas – wow! Breath-taking.  the water was the same as the deep blue of the Gulfstream. What a trip down memory lane. Ed and I grew up sailing across the Gulfstream from south Florida to the Bahamas. While we’re solidly addicted to the Oregonian life, there are times when we seriously miss the colors of our 50 years in the tropics.  No more – we know where to get our fix now.

We stayed at the Islet campground on the north end, getting settled in just in time to leap on our boards for the full sunset/full moon experience. Our friend, Pam, and her “coolest dog ever” Sprocket joined us. In one word Pam summed up the evening: Magical! Right on.

Where do you grab the SUP Perspective in your home state? Got a great moonlight shot (I did not) – or sunset?  Send them along  or post them on our Facebook page. YES! We’d love it if you LIKE us  and we love it more when you share pics and video.

Of Smiles and Pipes

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I get this question a lot – “What’s an elder SUP – I am just 43 (or 36, or 51). am I an elder?”

This excellent video story of mom, Heather Baus, accompanying her daughter, Savannah, on an open ocean down-winder provides an answer. In this story, Heather is an “elder SUP.” Her powerful relaxation on her board and grinning cruise-rides on the swells are exquisitely mirrored in Savannah’s adventure.  At a time when getting kids active seems next to impossible, when technology and virtual sports seem to be the choice of the digitari-kids these days, all it takes is a caring, committed, passionate “elder” guiding the way toward exquisite, empowering fun.

Balance, awareness, courage being so far out to sea, trust that companions are nearby for assistance, training, practice and a really beautiful and cool Pipes paddle (great shot at minute 3;30) all add up to experiences Savannah won’tt forget.  Her active life has included a number of SUP race wins – many in line-ups of youth much older.  As described in her blog, she certainly is a sup’r grom. When Savannah settles down at home-school and writes the expected, “What did you do this summer?” essay, words will be hard-pressed to describe it all. When she studies waves, currents, the environment, weather  or phys ed she’ll have a vast store of experience to draw from.

Take a quick look at the home-schooling project posted on Savannah’s blog.  That’s the awareness of nature, resources, caring for the environment that we can always use more of. With Mom, Heather, as the teacher the classroom is expanded from desk to ocean seamlessly.  So, Heather – young as she is – is an “elder SUP.” Are you? If so, please join our discussion and share a video or comment.