Carpe Diem

Seize the day and it will go your way. Or something like that. I have registered for a rough water symposium occurring in Bar Harbor Maine. I am rather looking forward to it but will a bit of apprehension. They can have some really rough water up there. I have decided to register for the BCU 3 star sea training, which will occur in rough water. I did the training in May but there was hardly any rough water for us to really play in so I wasn't able to assess for it. I did assess for the ACA L3 which I successfully received but is only on flat water. The BCU 3 star is carried out in bigger conditions then the L3 as they are different standards. Going with the BCU 3 star though will push my abilities and hopefully make me a better paddler. I was a little surprised to see that the training was over the course of two days. In May the training was a one day training. Just having the two days will more then push me. I just hope I am not pushed so hard that I am unable to assess the last day of the symposium. It is a four day symposium and will take me one very long day of driving to get there and and another to get back.

While there were other events happening at the symposium that I think might have been better for learning individual skills, I think going through a standardized training module will work better for me. Especially since I will be taking the sea kayaking certification in the fall shortly after the symposium. I wanted to certify at the higher L4 level then just at the L3 level. I will accept what I get but the higher level will go further for me in the long run. Especially if everything pans out.

I am going to have a ton of packing and planning to do for this trip. I have to grab a mix of gear as my helmet is normally only used in whitewater. I will need my helmet, cold water gear, emergency gear, a contact strap (which I don't have), camping equipment (time to break out the massive tent) and the cooler from work. I will need to figure out something for meals, especially since I am not sure we will be coming back to the camping sites (or launch point) for lunch. I also don't know how many meals other then the BBQ that will be available. There was mention of a lobster bake that I think I will have to go to, but otherwise I think the remaining meals I am on my own for. What I learned in May at the 3 star training, was to be prepared for anything and to stay out for the day or even longer if something happens. I am not sure when I will be able to leave the DC area. I was hoping to leave Wednesday after work, but it will depend. I was hoping to stop in RI to catch up with someone, but that might not happen on the way up. So much to plan, so little time.