EJ Clinics- 2024- Rock Island and More
A major Winter Cold Snap is here in a big way and I am looking forward to spring. This got me thinking about my upcoming whitewater kayaking experiences here at Rock Island and I figured I would share a little about them with you.
I always look for how I can create “mutually beneficial situations”; Ones that benefit myself and others. This is part of what I call “Life Without Compromise”. Also, it was time for me to get back to my roots, especially with a fledgling new kayak company. Teaching kayaking, while offering unique and memorable, often life-changing kayaking experiences is something I have worked hard to develop, and truly enjoy doing.
It occurred to me only after Kristine suggested that I do a clinic here at Rock Island, that I have the perfect “Resort”, affectionately known as the “Jackson Ranch”, and the perfect river here at Rock Island. Funny how that works! Thanks “honey” (Kristine). I have hosted many major events at my house, including dealer summits for my Jackson Kayak dealers, with up to 200 people at a time, as well as World Cups for freestyle, Pan Ams for Kayak Fishing, and World Championships for kayak fishing (2023) right here. We always have big Thanksgiving, Christmas’ etc. here, and it is something we truly enjoy. 
Kristine is the host who assures a great culinary experience and kitchen conversation for everyone, while I tend to focus more on the active games, kayaking, etc. So, it makes sense that this would not only work, but we have prepared ourselves here at the Ranch for 15+ years to ensure a memorable high-end experience for those who make the journey to our home.
Breakfast is served…
While we have already booked the clinics we have on the calendar, we expect to find some other open dates that we can add if there is interest. There are a few other experiences we find to be “bucket list”, and want to share with others that we will add, so stay tuned.
I have had a lot of interest in my “longevity training”, which is simply a combination of a logistical approach to living well, and the tactics needed to achieve your longevity goals. My definition of longevity is: “Owning and maintaining a high-performance mind and body that you use for a worthy purpose of your choosing.” I haven’t opened myself up to this kind of experience beyond my own family and the friends who choose to follow me. Certainly, I have no interest in preaching or pretending that I know it all, however, what I have theorized many years ago and put into practice, have decades of results to show for it (both the good and bad), and I am confidently forging ahead and learning more as I go. I recently wrote a couple of longevity blogs in response to people asking me for more info. My clinics will be a chance to get people actively involved and participating directly in the concepts.
My 50th birthday party on the Nile
Quite a few of the paddlers who have signed up for my clinics have purchased an Apex Ringer or Rebound to use in them. This is certainly a perfect opportunity for me to dial them in with their outfitting, and give them the confidence to paddle and enjoy their new boat. I am excited to see the momentum of my new kayak brand ramping up. I am taking a different approach to funding the growth of the brand this time. A grassroots approach that allows a lot of paddlers to participate at lower amounts versus a single source. It is really fun having paddlers helping to fund the building of a full container of boats and putting their money to work in an area they care about. We have a lot of boats to build this spring, if we are going to stay ahead of the demand I am anticipating.
If anyone wants to be on my waiting list for a clinic, now is a good time. There are two “levels” that I am breaking them into at the moment. Beginner/Intermediate and Intermediate/Advanced. The beginner/intermediate want to learn their roll or get a confident roll, and mostly both of those. They need to get over the hump with confidence on the river, so they can relax and enjoy the experience. Sometimes they are older and are getting back into the sport, other times they are picking it up, but don’t want to waste time being ignorant and not pointed in the direction that they can excel. Intermediate/Advanced paddlers share much of the same general goals, which are to improve skills and their mental game to improve both performance and confidence. They also want to be exposed to something new, but want somebody, like me, to help them push themselves a bit. Under those two banners, there are quite a few specific goals that people come with, from playboating, river running, or general paddling skills. Everyone wants a great roll and brace, and to learn to paddle effectively on the water, it seems.
At Jackson Ranch, which I am using as the home base “resort”, we have some off-water fun and training facilities, of course. I do like my games. Currently, we have a 21-hole disc golf course, hot tub, corn hole, shuffleboard, ping pong, chess, backgammon, a workout room with weights, chin-up bar, dip bar, etc. Yes, we have throwing axes, a new addition this year, thanks to my brother-in-law, Scott. We have great places for hiking, too, and since we live in the middle of nowhere, we can make as much noise as we want. For lodging, we are giving people a survey to fill out which they can rank the place they want to stay. Emily’s room, Dane’s Room, Nick’s Room, Emily and Nick’s Tiny home, or an awesome room at the Happy Yakker. Then, based on first come first serve, I’ll place people in something they are happy with. We also have a varied set of physical levels in any of my clinics and the only thing I try to ensure is that I can outlast everyone else so that I can manage everyone’s activity levels each day, and don’t leave the hardcore athlete hanging with energy to spare and an instructor who is spent. In my decades of teaching, I can say that I haven’t had that happen yet, but I welcome the challenge as it pushes me too.
Kristine has an epic kitchen that she can create wonders in, and I have a sweet grill (made in Alabama) that I know my way around so the meals are going to be all freshly made and we can handle any food restrictions. Kristine has cooked for years for family members with gluten or dairy restrictions, or vegans or vegetarians while not punishing the “I can eat anything” folks, like me. We seem pretty excited talking about what we will make. I know that I have never met a better cook than her, so I am always excited when it is time to dine.
While drinking adult beverages isn’t required or any pressure on anyone to participate, we do enjoy having beer on keg, wine, and a full bar with all of the fixings, not to mention the cheating machine, called a Bartesian. It is pretty cool.
I will be turning 60 years old before my first clinic this year. I have never been 60 before, but looking forward to it. We have USA Team trials again this year and I intend to make the team again for next year’s World Freestyle Championships in Germany. Teaching freestyle doesn’t hurt that training. I may schedule my Ottawa clinics in July this year if team trials are in August for that reason.
Below are some ideas of additional clinic dates I am considering, but haven’t committed to. I would allow you to book one and make it official with deposits from 2 people. The maximum I would sign up would be 6 for one clinic. Prices for these experiences are not cheap, but I have had a lot of requests for this type of clinic, so I felt it was time to provide some.
The price for the 4-Day Rock Island experience is $2800 for non-Apex owners, and $2400 for Apex kayak owners. Deposits are 50% to hold a spot. Inquiries are done by email at eric@apexwatercraft.com.
May 15-18 Rock Island ( Date could be adjusted)
July- Main Salmon River- or Upper Salmon (price TBD)
July/August- Ottawa Kayak School- EJ Week (See Ottawa Kayak School website for prices and dates TBD)
October- Rock Island
November- Zambezi (price TBD)
December- Uganda. (price TBD)