BOW event doubles in size from last year

THOMPSON FALLS – The Beyond Becoming an Outdoor Woman Event saw more than twice as many participants as last year at the annual Learn to Kayak event, more than doubling the amount of attendees.

Starting off at the Thompson Falls State Park, 30 gals signed up for the first day on Saturday and 27 signed up for Sunday, expanding the originally one day event to an all weekend escapade.

Last year the event totaled 22 women in all and one of the organizers of the event, Sandy True, credits word of mouth and other advertising efforts for the increased participation level.

“It was just super. Everybody had a good time,” said True.

Although some of the participants had kayak experience, about three-fourths of the crowd that gathered both Saturday and Sunday were new to the sport, some finally crossing off the bucket list item.

True said an 86-year-old woman took to the adventure on Sunday to help complete her bucket list goals. Locals also participated in the event although many others came from all over Montana to take part in the event including Helena, Montana City, Florence and Polson.

This year the trip mapped out by Sissel Robertson was estimated to take 2 ? to 4 hours depending on the experience each person had.

Before the ladies took to the water Robertson measured life jackets and made sure everyone was properly prepared for the trip.

The BOW program provided goodie bags filled with water, granola bars, crystal light flavoring among other surprises.

As the ladies matched up with their kayaks, Robertson provided a quick but thorough tutorial of the tricks involved in having a successful kayak trip.

Robertson explained the kayaks involved in the event were all sit-on-top kayaks, a kayak that involved balance and coordination to keep afloat.

She recommended everyone to keep a balanced and centered weight in the floatation device at all times to avoid tipping and also said that the legs should be slightly bent and the knees placed to the side for added stability.

Robertson stated that there is a chance that one may tip in the kayak if not used to the requirements for a proper balance.

“Tipping is optional, the key is to stay in the boat,” said Robertson on the topic of falling into the water. “No one is grading you on being graceful. You get an A+ if you get back into your boat.”

She explained that for the most effective paddle methods, one must place their elbows at a 90 degree angle from their body to the paddle. An easy way to check this method is to put the paddle on the center of your head and look to see if a 90-degree angle is obtained.

“Try to memorize that position. You want your hand there always,” said Robertson.

She also explained that the writing on the paddle should be facing the person in charge of paddling, the writing reading upright, kind of like reading a morning newspaper.

“If it’s facing you and it’s not upside than you’re looking good,” said Robertson.

Another tip handed out by the pro kayaker was to push the paddle instead of pull, making the paddler more effective.

“In order to do this on the water, you have to open your hand a little bit. If you have a closed fist on the water, you are not doing it correctly,” explained Robertson. “It’s counterintuitive at first.”

Fighting their initial instincts, the ladies conquered the task of pushing instead of pulling – a method that Robertson explained was gentler on the shoulders and allowed for a longer distance of paddling.

After the quick rundown of kayaking, the group took off into the water, beginning their float, which would end with a delicious lunch prepared by “real Montana women.”

Lunch ended the event and was served at Finley Flats, consisting of a sweet and sour meatball, twice-baked potatoes and an Apple Blackberry Cobbler.

The next BOW event will take place on September 14 at the Hiawatha Trial – an event that BOW does not charge for.

“It is not an instruction day. It’s just kind of a fun get-together for anyone who wants to come,” explained True.

The group plans to hit the trail around 8 or 8:30 a.m. and although no cost is incurred from BOW, the Hiawatha Trail has its own fees for renting bikes, helmets and headlights.