The fifth annual Traditional Arctic Kayak Symposium was held in Trinidad California over the weekend of October 15-17 this year. Helen Wilson and I were able to convince the organizer, John Peterson, that our area was a perfect venue for such an event. With camping and flat water at Big Lagoon and safe access to the various open coast features around Trinidad it seemed a good match. Many traditional paddling gatherings and symposiums emphasize rolling in calm flat water almost exclusively. The purpose of TAKS as I see it is to display the relevance of “traditional” skills and equipment to everyday paddling.
Gathering for a safety talk before friday mornings paddle
Friday the 15th began with many of us gathering at the campground at Big Lagoon. After the usual greetings and reaquaintances we headed to Trinidad for a paddle. The ocean was moderate and three people decided to launch at State beach. One made it out after a struggle, one was rejected and decided to launch at the protected site instead, and one was rejected but made it out on his second try. All three were surprised at what a difficult beach it was to launch from (yeah, we know). Gathering up at the beach by the boat ramp we all then headed south to explore the rocks and shoreline in the protected waters of Trinidad Harbor. Conditions were superb as the Head cast it’s swell shadow well south. We were able to rock garden with ease and a few folks messed with the pourovers and slots.
messing around at the split rock
As we moved south it was obvious that past the protection of the Head conditions were considerably more challenging with waves exploding on the off-shore rocks and coastline beyond Baker Beach. Most of the group pulled ashore there for a break and snack.
lunch at Baker Beach
roll instruction in the harbor
We meandered our way back to the launch beach where Cheri Perry, Turner Wilson, Dan Segal, and Dubside lead groups in on-water roll instruction. By late afternoon everyone was pretty much ready to relax and head back to the campground to prepare for the pot-luck dinner. After a typically spectacular meal with way too much food we all gathered around the fire for the evening’s presentations. Dan Segal is a founder along with one of our other guest instructors, Turner Wilson, of the Walden Pond Scum, a group of traditional paddling enthusiasts and trainers and is a member of the QAJAQUSA board of directors. He gave a wonderful talk and slideshow chronicling the path kayaking has taken from its Inuit origins to the recreational activity it is today. Mike Livingston, who drove out from Idaho for the event, is a native Alaskan and told of his involvement in the Culture Camps he has helped lead in many of the towns of his homeland. The camps are held to promote and preserve the cultural heritage and skills of the native Alaskans and include workshops on boat-building, food gathering and preparation, dancing, story-telling and more. Mike’s personal involvement in all this made for a wonderful talk.
Rolling Demo
Saturday the 16th the typically relaxed and fluid schedule began at the Trinidad pier with a group participation roll demo. Many of us watched from the excellent vantage of the pier where Turner called out rolls and kept up a patter. The rest of the crowd watched and participated on the water lead by Dan, Cheri , and Dubside. Dan and Andrew Elizaga demonstrated an assisted skinboat rescue which is a little more involved than a typical assisted rescue with higher volume bulk-headed boats.
the gallery on the pier
A group of experienced paddlers looking for a little more adventure traveled north around the Head and played around Green Rock. I led a smaller group out around Flat Iron rock and then in to College Cove. Turner and Cheri, after some more roll instruction in the harbor, would meet us there shortly with more paddlers for lunch and then some instruction on surf technique. The Green Rock group also stopped in.
lunch at College Cove
After the lunch break and before heading into the small surf Cheri and Turner gave a very good explanation of Greenland paddle use and how the technique differs from that of a Euro blade. I saw a number of light bulbs going off over people’s heads. Following some surf play we all headed back to Trinidad and then the campground to clean up and get ready for dinner at the Six River’s Brewery in Mckinleyville. Some idiot (okay, it was me) thought this would be a great venue for the group dinner and evening presentation. Unfortunately, it happened to be the night of the first game of the NLCS between the Giants and Phillies. The place was packed and unbelieveably noisy. Dinner was fine though and thankfully the game ended before Mitch Polling began preparing his talk. Still, the room was loud enough that he had to shout to be heard. About half-way through his talk the band started up with drums and thumping bass. Mitch gamely pressed on. Even with the distraction it was a wonderful presentation and slide show. Mitch grew up in a small Alaskan village where the last of the Baidarka builders still held on to their traditions and skills. It was heartbreaking to then hear how this town and its people, boats, and history were obliterated by the ’64 quake and tsunami. Only one traditional boat survived as it had been loaned out and was elsewhere at the time. Mitch has a wealth of knowledge of the history and boat-building culture of the area and it was a real privilege to have him come down from his home in Washington to speak.
boat building discussion at camp
Sunday morning is usually a matter of winding down, breaking camp, and saying good-byes. The schedule had “boat-building discussion” listed though and this ended up carrying through the morning and into the afternoon. With numerous skin-boats layed out at the campground Dan, Turner, Cheri, Wolfgang Brinck, and John Peterson all took part in an enthusiastic and detailed description of various aspects of these crafts and the paddles used to propel them. I know I learned a few things I will incorporate into my next builds/rebuilds. Once the last holdouts were drinking beer out of martini glasses around the campfire TAKS had pretty much come to an end.
I would like to thank all those who took it on themselves to help out at TAKS in various ways. I know Damon and Mike led some folks up the coast. Georgianna and Bruce did the same. Simeon and Marcia loaned a screen for the presentations. It was a lot of fun showing off our paddling paradise to people and I think everyone was pretty impressed if not envious. My feeling is that TAKS Trinidad was a success with a turnout of over 30 registrants. I think we put on a pretty good show and likewise, it was an honor to have TAKS take place here on our turf.
Michael H. Morris
Explore North Coast is very excited about releasing a sea kayaking paddle guide for north coastal California. In the making for more than three years, Sea Kayaking the Redwood Coast is an insider’s guide to the most popular kayaking areas in this region. Written by club members who love paddling the North Coast, the full color guide describes thirty-five routes in nineteen locales, from the mouth of the Eel River to the spectacular coastal areas of Crescent City. It provides directions to launch areas, descriptions of routes, facilities and potential hazards. Detailed maps show launch locations and facilities, along with prominent landmarks needed to safely explore the region. Sidebars describe the rich cultural history and the abundant wildlife of the North Coast. The paddle guide can be purchased directly from ENC’s website at http://www.explorenorthcoast.net/
