I helped lead a level one kayaking trip on the “Tashkent Sea” this weekend. We started our RIVERS strand of the TIS Adventure Program and completed the first two rounds of our beginning kayaking instruction trips. I drove up Saturday morning, and my colleague Irina and I were the instructors for a group of nine grade 11 students. It was my first time teaching the course after becoming an instructor last spring, and thankfully, Irina was there to help me.
The students loved the experience! Many of them had never been in a canoe or kayak and I love watching them develop confidence and comfort while acquiring kayaking skills. Besides learning the set of basic paddle strokes, they also learned how to get back on the kayak in case they capsize. This is nerve wracking for some people, but with calm encouragement and support, all the students were able to capsize and make it back to shore. Our students are very kind and respectful and we just had a great time with them. I love campfires and prepping meals and it was a cool mid-September night alongside the reservoir.
The “Tashkent Sea” is actually the Tuyabuguz reservoir and is a popular recreational area about an hour’s drive from the school. I thank the Uzbekistan Rowing and Canoe Association for allowing us to camp on their grounds and use their facilities. After learning the fundamentals in the morning, we did a tour of three islands in the reservoir and had a photo opportunity at Kindik Tepa (which means “navel or center” and “hill or mound”).
I want to give a special shoutout to the TIS faculty and staff to went above and beyond to give all of the students over the past four days a great experience. These include Victor, the Adventure Program Coordinator, Irina, Margot, Batir, Sartor, Ramon, Kim, and Felix! Thank you!!!!
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