Post by Dan Baumert on Dec 30, 2011 15:57:21 GMT -5
Fellow MaCKRO Members,
The Bangor YMCA has approached MaCKRO to assist on an outing club program that the "Y" is planning on setting up starting in January. The purpose of this club is start a program that includes activities not necessarily offered in the "Y's" existing programs. Some of the activities include paddling, climbing and other outdoor adventure activities. The "Y" has specifically asked MaCKRO if we could assist with the paddle part of the program. Apparently the "Y" has a fleet of canoes, kayaks, paddles, life jackets, helmets, etc. that they would provide. What they are specifically looking for is experienced paddlers to help with the paddling part of the program. The "Y" would do all of the scheduling, provide equipment, life guards, fitness trainers, etc. At this time the goal is to start the program mid to late January in the pools at the "Y". Sunday afternoons both pools can be made available for the paddle part of the program. So the winter pool sessions will probably be Sunday afternoons approximately 2:00 to 5:00. Not all of this time would be formal instruction has there would be a lot of free pool time to practice and play around on their own. Then in the spring as water opened up sessions could be moved outdoors. A logical outdoor start could be associated with the clinics for the St. George, Passy, Kenduskeag, etc. One initial goal could be to get folks ready or better prepared for races like the St. George, Passy, and Kenduskeag. The target audience would probably be more focused on youth but adults will be encouraged to participate especially the paddle portion. Thinking this could be a good promotion for Jr/Sr paddle combinations.
Jeff Owen, Clayton Cole and myself have already attended two meetings with the "Y" and other folks on this outing club idea. We are now getting down to hammering out the details of this effort. So the main purpose of this message to see who might be interested in possibly helping out with the paddle instructional part. Both canoes and kayaks will be offered. Several folks from the white water kayak community seem to already be on board to help out the kayak portion. So from MaCKRO folks we would be looking primarily for canoe instructors although kayak folks would certainly be welcome.
Let me know if you might be interested in helping out in any way. Hopefully we can get enough folks so the full 8 weeks do not fall on just a few folks. The next meeting is scheduled Wednesday Jan. 4th at 5:00 P.M. at the Bangor "Y" where more specific details will be discussed and decided on. Anyone interested is welcome to attend or just let me know your interest, thoughts, ideas, and suggestions, questions, concerns, etc. Also feel free to pass this message on to anyone you think that may be interested that I missed in this message.
Thanks
Dan Baumert
The Bangor YMCA has approached MaCKRO to assist on an outing club program that the "Y" is planning on setting up starting in January. The purpose of this club is start a program that includes activities not necessarily offered in the "Y's" existing programs. Some of the activities include paddling, climbing and other outdoor adventure activities. The "Y" has specifically asked MaCKRO if we could assist with the paddle part of the program. Apparently the "Y" has a fleet of canoes, kayaks, paddles, life jackets, helmets, etc. that they would provide. What they are specifically looking for is experienced paddlers to help with the paddling part of the program. The "Y" would do all of the scheduling, provide equipment, life guards, fitness trainers, etc. At this time the goal is to start the program mid to late January in the pools at the "Y". Sunday afternoons both pools can be made available for the paddle part of the program. So the winter pool sessions will probably be Sunday afternoons approximately 2:00 to 5:00. Not all of this time would be formal instruction has there would be a lot of free pool time to practice and play around on their own. Then in the spring as water opened up sessions could be moved outdoors. A logical outdoor start could be associated with the clinics for the St. George, Passy, Kenduskeag, etc. One initial goal could be to get folks ready or better prepared for races like the St. George, Passy, and Kenduskeag. The target audience would probably be more focused on youth but adults will be encouraged to participate especially the paddle portion. Thinking this could be a good promotion for Jr/Sr paddle combinations.
Jeff Owen, Clayton Cole and myself have already attended two meetings with the "Y" and other folks on this outing club idea. We are now getting down to hammering out the details of this effort. So the main purpose of this message to see who might be interested in possibly helping out with the paddle instructional part. Both canoes and kayaks will be offered. Several folks from the white water kayak community seem to already be on board to help out the kayak portion. So from MaCKRO folks we would be looking primarily for canoe instructors although kayak folks would certainly be welcome.
Let me know if you might be interested in helping out in any way. Hopefully we can get enough folks so the full 8 weeks do not fall on just a few folks. The next meeting is scheduled Wednesday Jan. 4th at 5:00 P.M. at the Bangor "Y" where more specific details will be discussed and decided on. Anyone interested is welcome to attend or just let me know your interest, thoughts, ideas, and suggestions, questions, concerns, etc. Also feel free to pass this message on to anyone you think that may be interested that I missed in this message.
Thanks
Dan Baumert
