<html xmlns:v="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" xmlns:w="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" xmlns:m="http://schemas.microsoft.com/office/2004/12/omml" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40">
<head>
<META HTTP-EQUIV="Content-Type" CONTENT="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1">
<meta name=Generator content="Microsoft Word 12 (filtered medium)">
<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"Cambria Math";
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;}
@font-face
{font-family:Calibri;
panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{margin:0cm;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";}
a:link, span.MsoHyperlink
{mso-style-priority:99;
color:blue;
text-decoration:underline;}
a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed
{mso-style-priority:99;
color:purple;
text-decoration:underline;}
p
{mso-style-priority:99;
mso-margin-top-alt:auto;
margin-right:0cm;
mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;
margin-left:0cm;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";}
span.EstiloCorreo17
{mso-style-type:personal;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:windowtext;}
span.EstiloCorreo19
{mso-style-type:personal-reply;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
font-size:10.0pt;}
@page Section1
{size:612.0pt 792.0pt;
margin:70.85pt 3.0cm 70.85pt 3.0cm;}
div.Section1
{page:Section1;}
-->
</style>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapedefaults v:ext="edit" spidmax="1026" />
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapelayout v:ext="edit">
<o:idmap v:ext="edit" data="1" />
</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]-->
</head>
<body lang=ES link=blue vlink=purple>
<div class=Section1>
<p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US>Gustavo and myself were very lucky to
attend the Symposium. Lucky because it is not easy to make such a long trip,
and then because we were made feel at home.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US>We have to start with the origin of this
which is the initiative and excellent organization of Jen and Jack and all the
team in Aqua Adventures. Friendly, helping and caring people that make you feel
like the only one. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US>Then we were back to see our cherished
friends of CKF with whom we have more conversations than with many friends in
our community, since we get to read from them and respond to them almost every
other day. Putting this in years makes a very sound knowledge that only needs
to be matched to the face. So, no wonder, we get there and arms are open to
welcome us and we got offers of everything, hot water, dinner, lunch, camping
chairs, sun blocking crème, hot coffee, etc.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US>Ken Fry and Barb Tomita invited us for
dinner on Friday evening and we had the nicest chat with them. They had brought
some camping chairs for us knowing that we could not carry them on the plain.
Barb only has thoughts to serve and help. You are very special Barb. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US>There were the Old Farts, with whom we
shared the water in the following days. Thanks to Steve Holtzmann, Mike Bode,
Mark Sanders, Chris Wood and Patrick Martin. Let me tell you that we found
extremely pleasing to see how close a friendship and how well they get along.
Their teasing to each other is sufficient to stay there just listening and
laughing. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US>Henry and Kathy Pilcher introduced
themselves after so long exchange of communications. Such a nice couple. Paula
Chavez so welcoming and full of good wishes. Warm welcome from Wes and Debbie,
who at all moments were discretely watching to see if we needed something.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US>We shared the camping space with Duane
Strosaker. It was so good to meet you again and talk about your projects and
the progress of the Point Bennett that we are building, and so many other
things.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US>There was Mike Brown, strong and energetic
as usual, good to see you Mike.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US>Now if you want to see a happy face, a
smiling comment, a positive assertion, a good inspiration and great fun, then
there is Steve Wilson, whose music brings us happiness and whose good spirit
makes you feel well. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US>Some other friends whose names escape to me
now (still haven’t slept much), were also very kind, and we got the refreshing
wake up with Tom’s coffee. Somebody left a bag full of bananas and apples on
our table. Thanks a lot. For two days we did not know what to do but on the
third we thought that somebody would feel happy if they knew they would not get
spoiled so we used and offered some of them. At first I thought they were
Duane’s until he said they weren’t. So thanks to the anonymous contributor.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US>As far as the Symposium, let me say that
the surfing class with Nigel Foster and Sean Morley was FANTASTIC. Gustavo
really understood what it was all about and went out and did it and now he is
on the other side of the fence. The incident management class with Steve M. was
very good and the experience of entering and exiting the rocks with the waves
pounding on them was new to me, and intimidating at first, but fun at the end.
Mark and Steve are very good paddlers with beautiful style in the roughest
conditions.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US>The braces and edging class with Ronnie and
Marsha was very good and well taught but suddenly Gus and I realized that,
maybe, rating the class, should help in avoiding taking something that you will
not profit a lot from. I used the opportunity to get as much from them as
possible on the high brace technique, which is my weak part. Gustavo was sent
out of the class by Ronnie in a joking fashion, when he did a head under water
high brace. And my previous comment comes in the class of Beyond the Basics,
where we were asked by Russell our instructor, about our expectations and two
girls were just beginners, a guy was with a little experience and then I found
myself out of place. The Beyond the Basics is very ample term and it can be
beyond the very basics or beyond the real basics, and it turned out to be the first.
Anyway I tried my best to do a good technique and to get as much info from the
instructor about the right hands and elbow positions. And with open mind you
always get some good input that otherwise might not come. For example I did a T
rescue on a capsized girl and realized that the Brit boats have a very pointed
nose and therefore bringing it over your kayak is so hard, unless you turn it
upwards. Then you can pull it and turn it over to empty and turn over again. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US>Anyway my suggestion is to give a rating <span
style='color:#1F497D'>(beginner, intermediate, advanced) </span>to a class so
that the span of attendants abilities is less, and they get more out of the
course.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US>Thanks a lot to all specially Jen.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US>Best Regards,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US>Rafael<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US>Mexico. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>No virus found in this outgoing message.<br>
Checked by AVG.<br>
Version: 7.5.519 / Virus Database: 269.22.1/1352 - Release Date: 31/03/2008
10:13</span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
</body>
</html>
<BR>
<P><FONT SIZE=2>No virus found in this outgoing message.<BR>
Checked by AVG.<BR>
Version: 7.5.519 / Virus Database: 269.22.1/1352 - Release Date: 31/03/2008 10:13<BR>
</FONT> </P>