Reflections on an Incredible Adventure
Reflecting on all Namsos has to offer a sea kayaker
What an incredible experience, both on and off the water.
A jaw dropping range of paddles and experiences
Reflecting from an Irish Perspective
Having had an opportunity to reflect over the last month on the adventure there are a couple of highlights from the planning and execution of the expedition that really stand out. These include, but are not limited to:
Craig Keyworth’s leadership.
The Hosts, in particular Bodil & Asle; Asgeir & Hege; and Vibeke. They were so welcoming and generous.
Stefan and the whole Namdal Kajakklubb in supporting the Irish crew.
The craic - every minute of every day were filled with good humour and fun.
Everyone we met and encountered were really friendly and open. It added to the whole experience.
The organisation. Each day was really carefully considered. In particular Jøa Island, with the planned activities that complemented each other: the steps hike, the lunch and the evening / sunset paddle. The ferry trip added a bit of spice.
DTP: being flexible and working with the weather / conditions / capabilities. In particular the decision to take the ferry on the Friday to Sør Gjæslingan.
The pre-planning: I think everything fell into place.
I thought that the whole experience on Sør Gjæslingan was spectacular. Again, we were so well supported by the Norwegian crew to make the most of the trip. Nothing was left to chance and the mindful consideration/planning of the stocks & supplies was nothing short of a military operation.
I personally enjoyed my 5am exploration of Sør Gjæslingan. There were so many highlights on this trip, but I think that the islands top it by a country mile. Getting the opportunity to meet people from the island / museum was an added benefit.
Getting to see and experience how the Namdal Kajakklubb was set up and their facilities was really interesting and inspiring. The clubhouse was both simple and so brilliantly thought out and outfitted. Perfectly suited to its purposes.
The paddles were just the absolute best paddling (Copper Coast / West Cork aside). It was a wonderful experience and I had to keep pinching myself. The conversations that were had on the water were varied and rich.
The Keyworths! Especially Emily and David, who threw themselves into the adventure.
Drivers for Namdal Kajakklubb’s Success
I think that there are multiple factors that shape Namdal Kajakklubb’s success as a community kayaking club. Some of these include: leadership; competency; funding; and fun.
I aim to get my thoughts straight on this and go into some detail, as there is an opportunity for us to take a leaf from the Norwegians when considering a similar venture here.
To be continued!!!
If you have reached this far in the posts, thank you for visiting and getting to see a snapshot of our kayaking adventure in Norway.