Kudos for Stephen Wright by Will Richardson | Apr 6, 2006 | Whitewater | 0 comments April 6, 2006 Thank you for making the 2006 WW Clinic a huge success. Stephen was AMAZING! I learned more in the day that I paddled with him than I have the entire six years I have been in a boat. What a truly gifted instructor. He knows what to teach, how to teach, and how to fix it when it does not go right. This is not even mentioning what a wonderful person he is. It warms my heart to have such great support. This sport has changed my life and I know that this weekend, because of Jackson’s commitment to the paddlers, kayaking will soon change several others lives as well. I cannot thank Jackson Kayak and Stephen Wright enough. I hope this is the beginning of what is to materialize into a long lasting presence at our annual event. With 60 + students and 100+ participants, this event is arguably the largest in the area. This is in large part, due to the continued support from our vendors. Jackson Kayak is making a statement in the Kayaking arena. It is so clear when they send one of the best paddlers in the world to come out and help this little shop sponsor a whitewater clinic, this is a company that is dedicated to you and I, the paddlers. Thank you Jackson. Sincerely, James Mattox. Dynamic Earth Equipment Co. This is what some members had to say about the clinic: Greetings OMP! For those of you who missed the annual Spring Whitewater Clinic 06, you missed something truly phenomenal! Every year I wonder how we could possibly top the last Clinic and every year we manage to do just that! This year was no exception! For the most part, no one really has any idea what it takes to bring this thing about and how involved it is. This year I was involved on a more intimate level than years past and I am amazed at what we have to do to pull this thing off. Mr. Austin (Clinic Director) is nothing short of amazing and his ability to put this thing out there, get the necessary combination of rain and good weather, and get everyone doing their thing is, quite simply, mind boggling! How he does it without snapping and killing everyone with an axe is beyond me! Our Sponsors Rock! They support us in our Endeavor unconditionally and every year they give us their love! For years I have tried to bring business their way, support them in their Endeavor, and do as much as possible to return the favor. To me, that is the least we can do for them. As you all know, again this year we have had something unprecedented happen. We had two Professional Kayakers come and teach our two advanced K1 classes. This phenomenon has quite possibly changed my boating life! Mr. Stephen Wright & Mr. Jimmy Blakeney are two of the best and most recognized kayakers in the entire world and OMP had them with us for the whole show! They are truly professional, are professional instructors, and are (somewhat to my surprise!) two of the nicest guys you would ever hope to meet. They came to us in the Spirit of Boating and touched us in ways that will forever change OMP’s Clinic. They Believe and they gave us their Hearts! And just so everyone will know? I had the opportunity to talk to them at length over the weekend, and both of them told me that they have never seen anything that equals OMP’s Clinic! Now these guys do this for a living and they have seen it all! They were stoked that we do this with and for each other and I think they will remember us always and forever! They couldn’t say enough how much they loved the Recipe Juan tied on for us! The Galley Crew Shined! OMP has, for all years remembered, fed its Clinic! Just this fact alone blows me away and I can’t remember when I have enjoyed it so much! Who among us can and will whomp up that quality of grub for 150+ hungry boaters? No wonder I have been trying to get into the Galley Crew for years! Next year, Juan, I promise! I would like everyone to keep in mind that this Clinic is entirely a Volunteer effort! All of the shore based personnel, instructors, galley crew, etc. does this because they love it and because they can. They bring to the table their special skills, knowledge, and their VOLUNTEER time! If that doesn’t say something about this Organization, I don’t know what could. Lastly, and possibly most importantly, (since I am running into overtime!) I would like to personally thank our Students. You are the sole reason this thing happens. When you think about it, all of these people do what they do to bring you into something that they believe in and love. They know what it means and they will go out of their way to give it to you. It is their way of giving you something you would never have the chance to have otherwise, and most people will never have the chance to have. In exchange? You give your very best efforts, push yourself, give yourself, and hopefully find a little of something that you are looking for. I have never seen such a collection of River Grins plastered all over so many people at one time! You are an Inspiration to us all and never a Clinic goes by that I don’t envy you this opportunity! Right On! Well done, and thank you for joining the Circle! As for me? I have no idea what I have ever done to be lucky enough to be a part. I am unable to express in words what it means to me to be here with you guys and my Heart soars! You have given me your Friendship, Love, and the chance to give you mine! You have my Undying Gratitude Always and Forever! Right On! Keep Your Stick In The Water! -Terry- Yes I would have to say this years clinic was one of the best weekends out paddling I have had. Like Terry said Jimmy and Stephen were phenomenal paddlers and great teachers, not to mention they were also great people. They both taught me techniques and drills to progress my paddling abilities. I hope that I get the privilege to paddle with them again in the future, maybe a little bigger water next time. 🙂 And to the gallery crew, thank you very much for the wonderful meal saturday night. You know its good when you have a line of people waiting when it is pouring down rain. I would have to say I ate better this weekend than I do when I am at home. As for Dynamic Earth, thanks for all the gear you guys brought down for everyone to try out. Theres not to many opportunities to be able to try out just about every new boat from 3 different companies, all in one weekend. Also want to say thanks to Adam and Renee(spelling?) for bringing the liquid logic boats, wavesport boats, and AT paddles to the clinic for everyone to paddle. I heard alot of praise given to these boats by people who had a chance to paddle these boats. And thanks to everyone in OMP ,especially Randy, for getting this whole thing to come together as well as it did. We are not talking about a group of 30 or 40, but 100+ people. Also Randy hang on to that buckeye I think they really are good luck. 🙂 Thanks again to everyone who made this possible. Jay Submit a Comment Cancel replyYour email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *Comment * Name * Email * Website Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Δ