Lorrie and Mary practice assisted rescues in current near some rocks.
Day five of our Ocean Skills Workshop was supposed to be shorter and less intense than the previous days for two reasons: people needed some rest after the Block Island trip, and we wanted to go for a sunset paddle that evening. It was to be a skills day: paddling in current, doing self and assisted rescues in bumpy water, and perhaps working on rolls. But between the opportunities provided by the environment and the determination of the group, it ended up being another full day. The current at the end of the Charlestown Breachway created standing waves and pressure-tested skills in dynamic conditions.
Paddling along the coast as the sun sets.
At some point during the day, the group decided that continuing to work on skills was more important than stopping early in order to go for a sunset paddle. But somehow, both happened.
A spectacular sunset at the end of a long day.
The final day of the workshop included a visit to a tidal race, as well as some more navigation in current on the way there and back.
Sharon and Rebecca in a tidal race.
Looking back, the six days formed an effective introduction to everything we love about the ocean: surf, swell and rocks; navigation in tides and currents; off-shore journeys and tidal races; salt water and sunsets. As we said our good-byes and packed up our salt-crusted gear, we all agreed that we’d be back again next year.
