Anyone who has learned canoeing at Camp Ockanickon, Camp Matollionequay, or Lake Stockwell Day Camp over the past 15 years has been influenced by Red Cross Canoeing Instructor, Art Kleinspehn, whether they knew it or not. Art first became involved with our Camps in 1998 when I was sent to the Red Cross Health and Safety Institute at Mt. Misery to become a canoeing instructor. At the time, I was 20 years old, I’d been teaching canoeing at Camp for 3 summers, and I “knew everything.” I told my new boss, Tom Rapine, that this was a waste of my time and Camp’s resources, because I was already an accomplished paddler. He made me go anyway and I was not too happy about it.
When I reached Mt. Misery, it was pouring rain. I was introduced to an older gentleman who would be teaching the class that consisted of me and another young lady that worked for a Girl Scout Camp. Art was 80 years old at that time and since I “knew everything,” I judged a book by its cover and instantly decided this was going to be a long couple of days. My first surprise that day came when Art shook my hand. For a skinny, 80-year old man who wasn’t too sure-footed on land, he had an iron grip. Art began the class by explaining the history of canoeing and different nautical terms. We spent the morning inside because of the rain. We went over many of the different canoeing strokes. They were very different than what I had learned and what I had been teaching. Art explained that these strokes were much more efficient than the “Piney Paddling” that I was used to. He told me that by mastering these strokes, I would use much less energy and time while being able to control my canoe more effectively. I was still not convinced.
In the afternoon, we finally got out in the canoes. Now I was in for a big surprise! This man could do things with a canoe that I had never imagined! He only paddled on one side and could make the boat go in any direction he wanted. He made it look effortless. Over the next two days, I had to re-learn how to paddle a canoe. I learned to replace ruddering with the J-Stroke. I learned the Duffek stroke. I learned how to do an Eskimo roll (Art, at 80 years old demonstrated this and continued to demonstrate Eskimo rolls for many more years). Most importantly, I learned a lesson in humility. I was not the “expert” paddler that I thought I was. I also learned to go into new experiences with an open mind. I did not”know everything” at the age of 20. Finally, I learned the real meaning of the lesson that we are all taught and can recite as a child: You can’t judge a book by it’s cover. Tom may have had these lessons in mind for me, but Art did not. He was just doing what he always did. He taught us how to paddle canoe the right way.
Fast forward to the present day. Art is now 94 years young. He was at Camp yesterday and will be arriving again in less than an hour to finish teaching Camp’s Boating Staff and Ranger Heads how to paddle a canoe the right way. He doesn’t get around on land as well as he did as a young man when I met him (80!), but he was able to get out in a canoe yesterday and demonstrate all of the solo strokes. Let me tell you, he hasn’t lost his touch! At 94 years of age, he is still a much better paddler than I am. If I have half of Art’s energy and gumption when I am half his age, I will be a happy man. Thank you, Art, for teaching me so much more than canoeing.
Brent Birchler
Boys Camp Director