In this week’s “What we Love to Teach”, local paddler and Gales’ coach, Sam Crowley, talks about the venue and what he loves to teach in the Marquette area:

Paddling amongst the rocks in MIddle Bay

What I like to teach is rough water paddling in the Marquette area. The  bends and twists of the shoreline offers a dynamic environment that  allows wave energy to be focused or dissipated offering a selection of  teaching venues for rough water paddling, surfing, navigation and rock  garden playing.  Rarely is the surf break the same at all points on the shoreline.

During  a private surfing/rough water lesson on Middle Bay, we launched into  conditions that was too challenging for the Kelly’s skill level. No  problem, we headed down along the Middle Bay shoreline to where the  break was smaller. On the way back he asked if the waves had dropped, as  they didn’t look so big anymore. They were the same size, what had  increased was his skill.

Another time, Middle Bay was overwhelming. Wanting to take some photos  of towing in rough water Nancy, Don and I launched. As we headed out we  realized the conditions were bigger than what we had planned on. As a  large set came in I watched as Don climbed over the top. Nancy wasn’t so  lucky, as the wave broke on her she was surfed backwards then en

Slots are cool places to take a break an then bust on through!

dered.  When she rolled up she has little choice but to surf the next wave as it  broke on her. Don and I looked at each other and signaled to head in.  But that didn’t end our day, we headed over to the Presque Isle Marina  and headed for the end of the breakwall. With nearby protection and deep  water, we headed out into the same conditions that the reefs in Middle  Bay made too challenging for a shoulder nearly, but not fully recovered  from injury.

Playing in rocks requires boat handling skills and offers a great  teaching venue. With a good part of the shoreline being rock, there are  places along Presque Isle and Partridge Island where the waves get  focused turning waves as small as 6-12 inches into a challenge for  getting into and around rocks. Increase the wave height and the  challenge increases. Waves too big? No problem, head to a place that  dissipate the wave energy and play in the rocks there.

Teaching on water navigation is facilitated by a handful of nearby  islands and a shoreline that twists and bends. This is a playground for  teaching piloting, the use of visual landmarks in navigation. Throw in  conditions which ups the skill level.

I’ve paddled many shorelines and taught in many places. When the north  or east winds blow, Marquette’s shoreline is a great playground and  classroom offering a variety of challenges for a variety of skill levels.

Photo courtesty of http://www.kayarchy.co.uk

From the Sea Kayak Course Offerings Page:

“Night Navigation – This journey will take place on either Saturday or Sunday night, dependent on conditions. We’ll paddle through areas with and without aids to navigation, and participants should have good day navigation skills. Night navigation is an assessment criteria for the BCU 5* Sea Award and the ACA L5 Instructor Certification, so “buckle down” paddlers!”

Night navigation is one of several types of navigation that fall under the category of limited visibility. Both fog and darkness can be disorienting factors, limiting your ability to return “home safely” with your paddling partners. Using aids to navigation, proper equipment, and top notch chart/compass work are all critical to your ability to manage these situations. Having a good head upon your shoulders will allow you to combine these technical skills and make sound decisions.

The Night Navigation course will take place within the context of a journey. Small groups of paddlers (each accompanied by one of the coaches) will be given a challenge to find and navigate to different points along the way.  The group that completes this “treasure hunt” safely and in the quickest time will win a prize worthy of their efforts (how ’bout that for ambiguity). The journey will travel through wilderness (unlit) and into the city of Marquette (lit with bouys and other lights).

Here are the details:

When?  On Saturday evening (if conditions permit, Sunday is the make-up night)) after the Shakedown. We will plan on launching at 10pm and finishing by midnight. Please do not consume more than a drink or two during dinner if you would like to be a part of this. We will let you know earlier in the day if the night navigation exercise is “on” for that evening.

Who? Groups of 3-4 Storm Gathering Participants + 1 Coach (with BCU 5* or ACA L5 Instructor Certification). Participants should be dialed in on day navigation skills including using a chart to plot bearings and paddling on a heading using a deck compass.

What to Bring? Sea Kayak & Normal Kit, Extra Clothes in a Drybag, hot drink in a thermos, Strobe, Flashlight or light to shine on you, other lights you may have, flares,  vhf radio, storm cag, deck compass.