Charlie Group Day 15

Today was part two of the practical qualification test. Instead of launching the kayaks from Cherry Beach again, we went to Bluffer’s Park in Scarborough. We also launched the Zodiac as a safety boat. This morning, we went over our formations and also designated jobs—such as rescue/safety, and navigators; everyone had a job to do. Preparation took a bit of time although we already had most of the things organized, and it was noon by the time we reached the launch site.

To maximize paddling time, we immediately set to work unloading and cooking lunch when we arrived. We had a lunch of dumplings while some of us helped to launch the Zodiac. We found that we were missing some important items, such as a lifejacket and even a rudder for one of the K1s. This is said in the knowledge that the seniors in charge will not allow such mistakes to happen again. After lunch, we got changed, acquired our individual kayak’s safety equipment (bilge pumps, throw bags and such), and adjusted our paddles before we launched the kayaks as well.

We went straight out of the launch site and followed a bearing of 150 degrees for the next hour and a half. We had no destination other than that one number, and we followed it in our convoy formation until Billy told us to take a break. After travelling in that direction for 8 kilometres, we turned right back around and followed a bearing of 340 degrees to take us back to the launch site. We were told that if we made it back by 8:00 pm, we would earn a dinner at a restaurant, which we did end up accomplishing. It took us 3 hours and 15 minutes to paddle 16 kilometres, which wasn’t bad at all. However, we will need to travel faster than that for the Lake Ontario crossing.

A few more people were eliminated today, and new formations were drawn up. We are ready for this challenge! ....After a day of rest, that is.

Note: The students wrote their blogs the following morning (August 24^th, 2012) as it was past midnight when we returned.

Calvin

Today I was on land watching over all the equipment for everyone. It gave me a chance to sleep and rest a bit more. Basically I sat there from morning until 8 PM. I felt bad that I made the decision not to go, but I can’t back down from my duties right now. I regret that I passed the chance to cross lake ontario. I hope my sea sickness dissappears in time.

Brian

I wake up in the morning

I brush my teeth

I go to the beach

I go to the van

I eat breakfast

I go to the restarot

I go to sleep

Jason Wong

We woke up the same time as the previous day. We had boiled egg and bread with jam for breakfast. After breakfast we get ready to go to the Scarbourgh bannf Place. We set up the kayaks and had dumpling and veggies for lunch. After lunch we have the people with the kayaks go. Me, Andrew, Andy, and Jonathan were on the boat (Zodiac) because we’re not crossing lake Ontario (kayak). We sticked with the group and help them if they need help for rescue (capsize). After we packed up, dropped off the kayak. trailer, and boat trailer at HQ then we headed to a resturant for dinner.

Andrew

Today was very exciting. I got to see the amazing terrain at Bluffer’s Park. Also, I was lucky enough to ride on Billy’s boat which went up to as high as 60 km per hour. I was also given a telephoto lens to take shoots at longer distances. It’s been established that I would be the main photographer when I cross Lake Ontario. The shoots that I take turned out pretty well, I just hope that they had enough focus. Over all, sitting on Billy’s boat was just an amazing experience.

Jonathan

Today was the most fun day. I was given the chance to observe people in the Zodiac Safety Boat at Scarborough Bluff’s Park. It was great. My job was to be Billy’ Spotter. I used the waterproof binoculars to find out who was the slowest people and the Power Paddlers. After the kayaks, we went back to first Markham Place to eat at United Brothers Café. The food was delicious. For tomorrow, we are going shopping… again at different places. I learned how to become spotter and hold the binoculars.

Ryan

Yesterday we went kayaking again. This time however we kayaked even longer and it took us 3 hour and 15 minutes to get back. When we got their however we did the usual preparation but instead of Cherry Beach we did it in Scarborough buff park. After we were done kayaking we had a great lunch of Dim sum and lettuce. We then got ready and set off. During our paddling however my front partner got tired but we made it in good time at the end.

Jason Wang

Today was day 2 of the kayak training. We woke up and cleaned up the HQ then we ate breakfast. After breakfast we packed up and loaded up all the gear for the day and then we were off. When we got to the launch paint we parked the sprinters and set up base. Once everything was set up we unloaded the kayaks and had lunch. During that time everyone was eating lunch, my sister, Jacky and I unloaded and docked the zodiac boat. After lunch we launched the kayaks and were off. We kayaked into the middle of nowhere for 8 km and kayaked back another 8 km. The fibreglass is so much more tippy than the K1 kayaks

Matthew

Yesterday we came back late because we were at Scarborough Buffers Park kayaking. We kayaked 16 km including going back to the launch site. We started kayaking at about 4:30 and ended 7:45. This time I was on a two seated kayak, K2 with Edwin. Edwin was pretty cooperative when we were out on the water. When we were out in the water we had about two break/ stop points. The breaks were kind of helpful to me. But I wasn’t really that tired or sore. It is because I was using my body instead of my arms strength. We also had a challenge near the end of the kayak. If we could get back to the launch before 8 we could go out for dinner. Well since you know the end time I guess you know we went out for dinner. Today is just rest day. Gathering and preparing equipment and watching movies like “Black Hawk down” and “Saving Private Ryan”.

Lemuel

Day 16. It’s the second day of kayak training. We arrived at Bluffer’s Park in Scarborough at around 12. We then ate lunch and readjusted our individual kayaks. We also had to unloads Billy’s boat into the water. By the time we were close it was already 4. Putting all the kayaks in the water took another 30 mins. We finally started paddling at 4:30. We travelled 16 km total and it took about 3 hrs 15 mins. Back on shore, we had to load up all the kayaks and back to HQ to drop it off. We then went to 九龍 for dinner again. We’re gonna be relaxing tomorrow.

Justin

We trained for crossing Lake Ontario yesterday at Scarborough Buffer’s park and I don’t know if it went really well. As we did on Wednesday, we set up our kayaks and head to the our training area. At first, I was on the K1 which was very easy to handle and I was able to keep up without putting much effort. However when I switched to the G3 with Kanice, it was very hard for me to keep up and it took  lot of effort to keep going as well I eventually made it back with Kanice about ten to twenty minutes after the convoy arrived. It was really frusterating and disappointing on the way back. I think I did okay on the first eight kilometres. After putting back the kayaks back on and cleaning up everything, we headed back to Monticle. After everything was finished, we headed to a restaurant for dinner.

Jordan

Today, we were headed to Scarborough Bluffs Park to kayak out into Lake Ontario. We spent the morning packing ad preparing for kayak training. When we arrived, we ate lunch and made minor adjustments to our kayaks. This took awhile as many things didn’t go as planned. We set off in our kayaks at around 4:30 pm and had to paddle 8 km out into the lake, and 8 km back to the dock. This was a tiring experience at first as I had never paddled so long before. However, after some time, I got used to the feeling and adjusted myself. We returned to the docks at 7:45 p.m. , which was just over 3 hours for 16 km in total. In conclusion, I feel confident on approaching this upcoming challenge after tomorrow day of relaxation and rest.

Roman

Kayaking in fun, but sort of tiring. Today we kayaked for 18 km which is around one third of the length of Lake Ontario. I used a different kayak and paired up with a different partener. Kenny an I used a G3 which is a faster and fiber glass version of the K2 I used yesterday. I really like the way Kenny and I cooperate. First of all, we don’t scream at each other. Seconde of all We respect each other, because he is my senior and he is more experienced. During the 3 hours, we took turns resting, drinking water and other things… Kenny taught me a lot of skills, such as how to peddle the fastest and least tiring, and how to relaxe. I enjoyed paddling with Kenny, I hope I will cross Lake Ontario with him.

Andy

                Day two of kayak training was different as it was different as it was only for those who were actually going to cross Lake Ontario in the kayaks. There were a select few, including me, who got to ride with Billy on the Zodiac boat we would use for rescues.

                This time we went to Bluffers Park in Scarborough, where after a rather simple lunch we launched the Zodiac and then the kayaks, one by one, and let them go out for awhile before we caught up with them.

                Sometimes we got close to the kayakers, who were paddling an easy stroke while trying to maintain their bearings. We were fortunate to have the GPS on board to lead the convoy out into apparently nowhere in sight. It was to make everyone get used to the environment, obviously.

                Eight kilometres out, we had a rest and then turned back. The return was faster as we were heading in the direction of the wind. Aside from the master cameraman, every one of us had an opportunity to steer the Zodiac on course. I was not as terrible as the other two guys, but I have to remember good skills always come with practice.

                By the way, some of us left the park a bit earlier than those who stayed behind to finish loading the kayaks onto the trailer.

William

We trained to cross Lake Ontario today. The Lake Ontario challenge was to test our endurance of mind, so we would never give up. In the morning, everything was already packed so we didn’t have prepare anything in the morning. In the morning, we had chocolate milk and eggs, a nutritious breakfast to have more energy. We went to Scarborough Buff Park where we would be kayaking today. We kayaked 16 km for 3 hours and 30 mins. I think returning to the shore was harder because I didn’t think we were going anywhere. I think I learned a lot about kayaking skills and I have improved my power through paddling. Tomorrow, we will relax to prepare for the crossing.

Edwin Cheung

Today is Augest, 24, 2012. I bush my teeth and get ready for day. We went to Scourbugo both park. We have a indrution, for our lake Ontario challenge. We went 16/ for back and fourth. Matt and Me was parter on the K2. We run on our high speed, it should be average. Me and Matt team work Work ready Well. I Just need to a just the speed.

Jacky

Yet another long day. We started up eating and preparing to load the trailer. luckily we did that 2 days ago so all the kayaks were basically strapped. We then left of to Scarborough buff park to launch the zodiac and thee kayaks. I came a little bit late because Billy and I needed to recover some lost items. When we arrived we unloaded the Zodiac and launched the kayaks. We paddled at 150 for approx. 7 hours and traveled 16 KM. It wasn’t so bad but trying to maintain a normal speed is very hard on the Q3. Once we returned we needed to strap the kayaks to the rack as soon as possible and leave for dinner The dinner was very nice and the sleep was too. I hope we get more rest soon.

Jennifer

I started off on the G3 with Kannis this morning. Having to paddle in a straight line with very little deviation from the bearing while trying to sync your motions to a partner who stops to take photos every so often, watching out for inexperienced paddlers who crash into you, steering back on course after the collision, having to speed to the front again after the collision with this heavy kayak while your partner is taking a break because you’re the navigator and have to be up there is (as you may have already guessed) not easy. I was tired out by the time I requested that I switch to a K1 for navigating. What was even better was that the K1 I switched to was the one with no rudder because it had been forgotten back at HQ.

I had some problems with paddling in a precise line because my left side was stronger than my right, but the zig-zagging motion became better after I switched to the K1 from the G3. Towards the end, when I was getting tired, I was getting very discouraged by some people’s words and their implications that I would not be able to make it. I would’ve thought that the knowledge of their doubt of me as well as their disdain would serve to motivate me, but in fact, it did the exact opposite. It was the fact that my brother and Jacky kept paddling alongside me and rarely left my side, and Roman directly behind me cheerfully calling out encouragement that I was able to keep up my speed. Since I am the navigator, the convoy must travel behind me, so in the end, when we were told that we had to reach the shore by 8:00 in order to get food, that really motivated me as well, because I definitely would not let my team down and keep them from satiating their (scary) hunger.

Tomorrow is our day of rest, and I hope that after sleeping it off, I’ll be ready to keep going!