Pictures

Great class. I'm a newbie. Jenn's class took me from sorta looking like
I was paddling to a few moments of really feeling the power from
rotation. (I came with what looked like 'good rotation' but I couldn't
quite figure out what I was actually supposed to do with it.) By the
end of Jenn's class I had a few good strokes where I really felt the
power transferring to the water. Now I know what I need to work on, how
the different elements work together and where the various parts of my
body should be when I'm doing it correctly.

The class started at 9am, There was a lunch break and then it continued
until about 2:30pm My GPS said that we did about 9 miles of paddling.
Jenn videotaped us at the beginning of the class and then just before
lunch applying some of what we learned. The difference was striking
even for some of the experienced paddlers.

As a newbie I got a lot of questions answered. Jenn saved me at least a
day's labor making a conventional back support. She said that Nigel
Foster uses a padded 'pillar' for his backrest so he can pivot better.
After lunch I folded a peice of minicell and tied it with string so
that I had a 4" x 4" by about 9" high pillar. I stuffed it behind my
back and it worked great. My back no longer hurt, it improved my
pivoting and that's when I really felt the transfer of power. I also
have to raise my foot pegs, but at least I understand why they should
be higher.
She took a few minutes to show me where knees should go and told me the
leg positions most kayakers use in what conditions.

I do it again in a month if I could.

And the CKFers are a great bunch.

Will

Carol Fallon Adds:

Hi Everyone,
The Power Strokes class today, taught by Jen, was a great experience for me.
At one point, Jen mentioned that she didn't know how to make the class more
interesting but I found it to be "extremely" interesting. I felt like a sponge,
taking in her every word of instruction and "tried" to imitate all she
demonstrated in her kayak.

Jen is a patient instructor. Her true passion for the sport, which comes
through in her teaching, encourages me to become a better paddler. Also, the fact
that the more advanced paddlers are still taking classes like this, hits home
that there is never an end to learning.

Thank you CKF for supporting Jen's classes. I intend to keep taking them.
Carol

Barb Tomita Adds:

Will, it was so nice to meet at our class at Alamitos Bay. Jenn really is a great instructor. Her technique of breaking down the components of the stroke really helps. Additionally, the "before" and "after" videos were a wonderful learning experience.

We had a huge range of experience within the group with folks like Patrick Martin and Mike Brown with years of experience to Will who had only started a couple of weeks ago. Despite the differences in experience, I think everyone learned a lot.

By the end of the day, I was tuckered out. I felt as tired as I did when I paddled to Anacapa last weekend and we never left our little section of the bay.

Thanks, CKF and Jenn, for another great kayaking experience.

Patrick Martin Adds:

Although I have been paddling a kayak for more years than I can keep track of, I had been remiss in not taking a power strokes class until yesterday. I've taken lots of classes about getting paddlers in and out of boats, rolling, getting through the surf, appreciating British "humor", etc., but never a class about paddling efficiently. After all, what could be so hard about
making a boat go in a straight line? Well, yesterday's Power Strokes class taught me so much that I wish that I had taken it 6 years ago. It is going to take some real effort to overcome some of my paddling habits and burn-in the techniques that Jenn taught us.

I've really got to compliment Jenn Kleck. Not only did she have a lot to offer, but she's a really great instructor. She knows her stuff, and just as importantly, she knows how to get her ideas across in such a variety of ways that it makes her very effective teacher. As an example, she saw that verbal communication with me was not as effective as physically showing me where my
hand, arm, and elbow needed to go. Standing beside me in the water she guided my arm through the correct motions. What I missed verbally suddenly became apparent when I felt it. Jenn was able to relate to each of us as individuals. Jenn also knew how to pace the class and spread things out so that we were not as likely to get overwhelmed. I also appreciated the way she
took the time to explain why the new techniques have advantages. I'm more likely to remember something if I understand the mechanics of how it works, why is it more efficient, and why one method is safer than another.

The before and after video session was a fantastic learning tool. There is nothing like seeing yourself in slow motion to get a better understanding of what you are doing and what you need to concentrate on.

Another element of the class that made the day special for me was the opportunity to see Mike Brown, Carroll Fallon, Sherry Nanthroup, Barbara Tomita and Ken Fry. Seeing my southern friends again has convinced me that it will really be worth my time to travel down south more frequently. It was also nice meeting Will Nettles, Meri Rathburn and Chip Dever. And, as usual, sharing laughs with Mike Body was a lot of fun. I came to this class with the intention of learning some new skills. The bonus was that I got to enjoy the company of so many wonderful people.

Thank's Jenn and my CKF friends. It was a day to remember.

Patrick Martin

Mike Bode Adds:

Power Strokes: No Kidding!

Another great instruction day on the water!

We all gathered at Alamitos Beach in Long Beach at the appointed hour.
Patrick Martin actually showed up so early that he was not only rewarded with
a choice, ring-side parking spot, but had enough time for a few laps around
the marina before class.

Although there were a few adds and deletions to the sign-up sheet in the weeks
prior to this long-anticipated event, the final attendees were:

1.. Barbara Tomita
2.. Carol Fallon
3.. Chip Dever
4.. Ken Fry
5.. Meri Rathbun
6.. Mike Bode
7.. Mike Brown
8.. Patrick Martin
9.. Sherry Nantroup
10.. Will Nettles

Drew Townsend and Ann Berkery were unable to attend, but we hope to see them
next time. As others have mentioned, our final assembly of motley innocents
included a full range of paddlers from novices to seasoned veterans of the
high seas.

The water was relatively clear, compared to the last class Jen conducted here.
No red tide this time, but we did spot an occasional jelly fish. We couldn't
have had better weather, although the wind kicked up a little now and again.
But after moving our theater of operations to a section of water that was
somewhat protected by the waterfront homes (and less popular with the sailboat
and kayak rental folk), we were fine. As Jen commented though, we were
constantly being buzzed by annoyingly noisy aircraft of varying
configurations. We could only conclude that our little convoy was so
fascinating that it merited continual aerial observation throughout the day.

The class itself fully lived up to its reputation. The day was divided into
five main activities: evaluation, fundamentals, review, practice, and
individual fine-tuning. After Jen's usual warm-up exercises and getting out
on the water in the morning, Jen had us parade in review while she video-taped
each of us demonstrating our native stroke over a hundred yard dog-leg. This
was the evaluation phase and I think we all thought we did quite well. Jen
then went over the fundamentals, correcting each of us on familiar themes as
body rotation and paddle grip and placement. The morning session culminated
in another parade in review, this time implementing the techniques Jen had
taught us. After the parade, we broke for lunch.

We regrouped on the little pier behind the boat house and munched on our
noon-day repasts. While we all chatted, Barb treated us to some home made
cookies (yummmm!). Missing from the group was Sherry, who, due to a
miscommunication, ended up spending the lunch hour sitting in her car. She
missed Barb's cookies and the video review. Bummer!

After lunch, we all gathered in the Blue Boat House for the video review.
What an eye-opener! This was definitely one of the highlights of the class.
We all got to see our own "before-and-after" techniques, while Jen provided
running analysis and commentary on each of our strokes, complete with slo-mo
and stop action. It was definitely an audience-participation kind of thing
enjoyed by all. Enthusiastically repairing to our vessels, we were all intent
on applying the lessons we'd learned and eliminating the last little flaws
remaining in our strokes.

Jen's focus for the afternoon was "The Take": the paddle stroke point of
entry. After gathering together back out on the water, Jen explained and
demonstrated the details of a properly executed take. We headed back to our
practice area, the adjoining beach now studded with sun-bathers, frolicking
rug-rats, and kayak groupies. For their entertainment, we practiced our new
strokes while moving in a large rectangle, now clockwise, now
counter-clockwise, in the middle of the channel, all the while under the
watchful eye of Jen as she called out comments to each of us as we passed.
Occasionally, as she stood in the shallows, she would call one of us over for
some personal attention. This was great fine-tuning on a one-on-one basis.

The day ended much too soon. As I was rinsing off my boat at the launch area,
I decided to sign up for the Bracing class coming up toward the end of the
month. These opportunities are too valuable and too fun to let go by.

Thanks to a great group! And welcome to the new members for whom this was the
first CKF event. Most of all thanks to Jen Kleck for another fantastic
session. See you all next time

William Nettles Adds:

I just can't imagine how long it would have taken me to come even this
far without all the advice and support from everyone in CKF and Jenn's
terrific class.

I've known a few coaches and I think she is definitely among the best.
Jenn took the time to make sure each of us understood what we needed.
Her tips like 'look at your watch' seem to burn the key points of each
part of the stroke in my memory. Can't wait to get out and practice.

Will

Meri Rathbun Adds:

I think everone has caught the day wonderfully in prose.  As a Long Beachite though, I have to say that was the worst air traffic ever.  Or so I'd like to think!

Jenn really is a superb instructor and an easy going, fun person to spend most of a day learning from.   Our classmates were a fun bunch too---I'm signed up for 8/28!  I'd take more classes too, given a chance.   :) to the enth.