The season started off by hiring a very dynamic group of new instructors. Each person came with unique backgrounds and paddling experiences. My favorite part of training was working on "ninja" moves where we paddled into precarious micro-eddies, popped our skirts, grabbed the wall, climbed up the wall and with a foot, lifted the boat to shore. Intimidating but fun moves. That, and they all picked up giving the thumbs up quickly. Such quick learners!No, I didn't get to go to Beijing to experience the Olympics first hand. I got to do something even better: I got to paddle WITH Olympians. Here's Wayne Dickert and Horace Holdan, former C2 partners from the 1996 Olympic games. We had some Big Boomin' Fun one Friday afternoon ripping it up in some of our play features. These two are just so much fun to paddle that with we sometimes laugh more than we play.
Not only was I focused on spreading the thumbs up; I got my staff involved as well. Chris Wing has been traveling the country to different freestyle competitions and helped spread the good word of the thumbs up with all the pros.
This photo has been my screensaver for the majority of the summer. It cracks me up.
We expanded the flatwater programs this season with our Catawba MicroBrew Kayak Cruise. Each time we have had a different brewery come out to showcase their microbrews. After an early evening paddle, guests return to the River's Edge Restaurant for a tasting paired with foods our chef's have concocted. The food was AMAZING! Here's our Highland Brewing Co. reps getting ready for a feast. These trips have added a certain something to our list of products. It's been fun working with different departments of the Center to create a truly unique experience for our guests.
Kayak Check-In is a whirlwind of fun. The folks working the front desk are always into something new. One of the best things of having younger staff members is that they always keep me on my toes. The summer has been filled with lots of laughter and memories due to this fantastic group.
Thursday nights are the best nights to be at the Center. The Thursday Night Concert Series began in May and is running all the way through October. The music has been really good and there are food and drink specials each week. Best of all, the crowd turnout has been phenomenal. Great times are always created by groups of great people and Thursday nights have been a blast for getting friends together and relaxing.
Last summer I took up surfing and now I feel it in my blood. Although I'm not all that good, I have loved spending days off at the beach. One of the coolest things about Charlotte is how close it is to everything; the beach, the mountains, everything.
I do love all things random and one Saturday in particular presented a truly random moment. An instruction guest wanted to barter his songs for water time. Instead of trying to convince me that this was a good idea he plopped himself in my office and started playing. He sat there and played five songs, all originals. How can you not respect creativity and tenacity. I had a huge crowd gathered at my office door throughout the serenade. It was a really cool summer moment.
Having my picture in Today's Charlotte Woman magazine was very flattering. Not only was it a very well written article but it reached a lot of folks who didn't already know a lot about the Center. I had women from my yoga class and in random shops recognize me from the article saying they were now more interested in trying whitewater kayaking. Yes!As the season continues I know there will be many more moments to enjoy and cherish. Be sure to stop by the Center to create your own lasting memories. Take It Outside.
