Time for exercise ! The usual of course with rubber bands, gym equipment, the Montana Mauler. I've been working on what I believe are rotator cuff balance exercises.

Using wrist grips and walking, the arms are rotated in the usual ex positions, canoe and yak positions, Spangler positions where head is opposite the usual position during arm movements, counter rotating arm movements (leading to the idea nervous enervation for paddle/balance is begun and enhanced), rotating wrist and forearm while constantly gripping, arm movements eg sweeps while crouched or doubled over, super stretch out movements while gripping, careful rep movements when you discover the tendons and ligaments are not moving smoothly over bone surfaces-I have one from throwing curveballs- and off course the most important reach behind the shoulder in various positions with both arms then moving forward as high and low paddling styles. Then bracing....Then….

Graduate to poundage on the wrists with arm weights.

The approach gathers strength and lubricity in the shoulder/arm linkage. Using ear plugs, you may hear the abrading connections. When finding a weak spot, check for solutions in EXRX online.

Water’s up on the Columbia at Skawocoma !

Okay, I'll bite. What is Skawocoma? And what does water's up mean. Do you mean the tide is in at Skamokowa? Nothing new about that, it happens everyday.

http://www.skamokawavistapark.org/

Had to look it up, again.

With spring snow melt, Skamo's 'natural' segment develops class 1-2 rapids. I posted a trip in Destinations.

Rapids on the Columbia River? When the bumps are caused by wind and current I believe the term is "waves." The waves at Vista Park are there any time the wind blows from the west. They just get a little steeper when the tide ebbs. In that regard there is nothing special about Vista Park; there are several places on the Columbia that feature waves when the wind blows.

This past Saturday was one of those days when you didn't want to be on the Columbia in some places. The word "maelstrom" was what came to mind and I'm not a bit ashamed to say that I chose to stay off the river.

‘RAPIDS: Areas of greatly disturbed water across a river. Unlike waterfalls, rapids are the result of a continuous and relatively gentle slope, rather than a sudden vertical drop.’
The Columbia at Skawakama runs into a ridge, cutting a channel below, leaving an inside turn of tide inundated flats.
Above Skawa, water runs down the slope and it does slope there with force, as class one. Class two forms up approaching the Park and below where standing waves may turn up at 5 feet or more.

Fun, for as long as you can see, right ?

Watch many kayakers out at Smallpox Bay who may be happier kayaking the route out of Skama…

The exercise routine ? Standard movements are turned inside out, upside down, counter rotating-using grips. An example, in a forward canoe paddle movement, switch hand positions. In a kayak brace movement, move palms upward, head in opposite direction. Endless variety. Idea is injury occurs with muscle fibers and movements NOT previously exercised and enervated.