Mike_Jackson said:
Great show Freya! Doug, your comments say it very well. Nice photos, Richard!
Thanks MJ. And thanks for helping with the presentation.
I've been thinking about Freya all day - no, not the way Darren does. Rather, just how many paddlers and perhaps non paddlers she has inspired with her trip. I know I was - following her blog, reading her interviews in Sea Kayaker magazine, and then the presentation.
I thought it interesting that she was asked what _her_ inspiration was (a particular philosophy, philosopher, some writer, etc.). Freya wasn't too sure how to answer if I recall. While this would be a typical question from folks living in a city where book stores are filled with spiritual titles meandering through every aisle, Victorians were given the impression last night that Freya's inspiration comes from, well, deep within Freya. I rather suspect that is where most driven adventurers derive much of their resolve.
Oh, as for Freya's nudity, the photos were very subdued, given what most Europeans consider normal exposure, shall we say. It was also interesting to hear Freya open up and expose some of her other vulnerabilities which she could have easily left out and thereby detracted from the human side of the story.
I'm not so sure some of the other skin-rash and bug-bite photos were all that photogenically inspiring. I certainly wouldn't consider peeing through Lycra shorts into the cockpit as a good skin therapy. However, incontinent, round-continent racers have to do what they have to do, right?
Rich's Flicker photos showed the intimacy the small crowd afforded in ORS - retail product moved out of the way. There's a picture of me checking out Freya's stern - nice rudder system! Mick is correct; there is progress in the rudder department in the world of sea kayaking, finally. Rich however, didn't get any photo evidence of guys checking out Freya's other stern section, if you know what I mean - just as well.
I did disagree with her a bit when she generalized about Brit boats and paddlers spreading their legs thereby losing efficiency (splayed legs under thigh braces for those asking!). While she is correct that this is often an overlooked concern, there are alternatives like the Rockpool and Tiderace sea kayaks that are all over the issue, allowing a knees-up position to derive optimal paddler performance and output with a vertical stroke.
I did appreciate her not making a big deal about the difficult cliff sections she had to navigate. Unlike Paul C. who, while being a very humble man, emphasized the exposure in his presentation (well, it was a first); Freya was completely understated, allowing the accomplishment to speak for itself. Those who know anything about marine hazards know how truly accomplished a paddler is once these sections have been successfully and safely completed. No, not just anyone could do these sections by just waiting for a perfect window.
Well, whatever way you look at it, Freya is straight forward, down-to-earth paddler with otherworldly determination. She embodies a feminine brawn and boldness - all with exceptional beauty and brains.
While Yoda said it best, Freya lives it best:
"Do or do not do... there is no try."
Doug Lloyd