BEGINNING KAYAKING
T Brian Thompson, far right, takes his kayaking skills to the Clackamas River. My MAC Experience by Brian Thompson I
n late August 2009, my wife, Mary, announced that a friend of hers had invited our family to go rafting on the McKenzie River. Our two kids, Catherine and Aaron, thought that was a great idea and we decided to go. We spent a beau- tiful day on the river and had a fantastic time. While on the river, we fl oated by a class of beginning kayakers from Lane Community College, out on the river for their fi rst time. They looked to be having a lot of fun, and the fact that each was in control of his or her own destiny, as opposed to being in a
multi-person raft, intrigued me. I remember thinking, “I’m going to look into that next summer,” because at the time, I didn’t know kayaking was a year-round sport. I thought about those kayakers all winter, and when the weather started to get warmer the next spring, I wondered how to go about learning to kayak. My fi rst thought was to contact MAC, because I vaguely remembered something about kayaking and the Outdoor Activities Program from one of the Family Fridays we had been to a few years earlier. I contacted Outdoor Department Manager Chad Failla and he told me that there were kayaking classes in the MAC pool once a month, but the next class was full. Not being a patient person when I get an idea about doing something, I searched the web, contacted a kayak school in the Columbia River Gorge, recruited a friend to go with me, and took a two-day beginner class. At that point I was hooked, but I soon discovered that I was going to need more instruction. Trying to learn to roll a kayak from a video just wasn’t working.
I contacted Chad again and he introduced me to Sam Drevo, MAC’s member
coach for kayaking. Sam’s passion for kayaking of all types is unsurpassed, and his ability to teach kayaking unparalleled. Sam had me rolling in no time and I continue to be amazed at his ability to see small fl aws in technique and point them out in an encouraging manner. I became a regular at the monthly sessions in the 50-meter Pool, with my brother, Bruce, often joining me. Due to the support of the OAP and increased interest, there are now two pool sessions each month, generally on the second and last Wednesdays. At one of the pool sessions, Sam mentioned that he was thinking of getting a kid’s kayaking program going. Having two kids and a desire to spend time on the river with them, I was immediately interested in learning more. The fi rst session, which was held in January, was a huge success in my opinion, and every single kid seemed to have a tremendous time. I even convinced my son, Aaron, who is almost 13, to go. Although he probably won’t admit it because it was my idea, I think he really enjoyed it. Whether you want to run whitewater or fl atwater kayaking is more your style, MAC is the place to learn to kayak, sharpen your skills, meet other MAC kayakers, and plan outings with fellow MAC members. Give it a try and you won’t be disappointed. WM
Wednesday Kayaking
8-9:30 p.m. 50-meter Pool
Every other Wednesday
he MAC Outdoor Activities Program offers members a chance to hone in existing kayaking skills as well as learn new skills in the 50-meter Pool. Member coach and former U.S. Kayak Team member Sam Drevo runs the classes, which are offered every other Wednesday.
Kidz Kayaking Class March 13
11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
For more information, check out
themac.com or contact Outdoor Manager Chad Failla at 503-517-7574 or
cfailla@themac.com.
MARCH 2011 | The Wınged M | 67
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