Lake Raven Picnic and Stroke Tune Up Day
by Sherri Blifford
John and Cindy Bartos demonstrate freestyle.
Click on image to enlarge.


We met at Huntsville State Park to paddle around Lake Raven in June, coordinated by our Commodore, John Ohrt.
Following the paddle, we had a picnic and demonstrations of various types of paddling, including artistic displays of freestyle by John and Cindy Bartos and Lillian Tiggard, followed by racing and touring demos.
Lillian Tiggard showing freestyle.
Click on image to enlarge.

Some of us went on one last short paddle to the delight of my nine-year-old niece, Kelley Dickey. This was her first time in a canoe and she jumped right in eagerly. As we entered the park, she noted the warning signs about alligators and got a little apprehensive. I assured her they would not be near us and would run away at all our noise.
Anne Olden and John Ohrt demonstrate techniques
Click on image to enlarge.
When the swimmers began to scream about an alligator, Kelley spotted it swimming just ahead of us. The poor, disoriented, three-foot-long alligator went past us straight into the swimming area until a park Ranger chased it back out to the other side of the lake. It was yet another opportunity to be reminded that we were invading the critters’ space and just how unpredictable they can be.
The alligator spotting was a neat way to close a nice, relaxed day of camaraderie.
We watched the demos.
Click on image to enlarge.
In July we have more demos of different strokes taught by certified instructors. Come join us at Stroke Tune Up Day on July 26, coordinated by John Ohrt. Check the trip list for details.