This just in - - I can't control the weather.

With Yak For A Stack approaching fast it has been a busy week for me. As co-organizer and VP Communications of this prestigious event, know commonly to the international paddling community as the real World Cup #1, there are a whole list of jobs to get done. This year’s event is shaping up to be the biggest, with an excepted participation of over 200 athletes, and the best ever. Who would accept less for the 5th anniversary? Luckily, the last week was an easy week on the schedule for both Cuthbert and I, so when I could pull him away from his new true love, we managed to get a lot done. I have been a bit frustrated with this wind. It has now been windy for approximately two weeks strait, and most of the time not gentle gusts; Big howling winds. You know what they are like, just close your eyes and imagine Lake Banook. Its about 20 minutes before the start of the midget 6km, a boat number is flying off the dock where an unsuspecting Dad put it down, to help his son empty his boat, C-1’s filling with water as kids try to warm up, the flags on top of Mic Mac whipping in the wind, the Sr. paddlers sitting on the sea wall smiling in sympathy and glad they aren’t out there. Well that’s how windy it can get down here, good training for CCA. Last night when I woke up at 2 a.m. the wind was so strong I was fairly certain our whole boat rack was flying out towards the Bahamas. Hopefully, we can get some calm waters next week as we ramp the training back up. I will try to let it go. I used to stress about weather. The wind, why is there no snow, why can’t it be cold enough to freeze the canal, please don't let it rain on Canada Day. Then I realized about the middle of last winter, when it still had not really snowed, that I never will be able to control the weather and stopped worrying about it. It’s much less stressful this way. So I will just try to enjoy whatever weather we get. My shoulder is holding up well and I have been feeling stronger and stronger in my C-1. In C-2 I feel 100%. Kyle and I have been able to build on the work we did in the fall in these first 4 weeks of the season, and have been having a blast out there trying to make the C-2 move faster and faster. The C-2 level is really high and we are looking forward to so very intense session in the coming weeks. One thing is certain, who ever ends up going for the continental qualification spots in Montreal, will be ready to rock. The C4C squad got out in C4 last night, despite the wind and a bad set up (i.e. our floorboard didn’t fit us very well and we were off balance) we had a good spin. It is a thrill to get in the boat and have it feel so solid and be able to crank up the rate right away. As our favorite ex-pat, head USA coach would say, “THESE GUYS!, these guys are good man.” My mom is dropping down here this week so she can get her training camp in; look out Masters B! So we will be having some family fun this week. We will hopefully get a bunch of good pics up after Yak For A Stack and I will write up a good summary after the big event. Ian