Training Update: Passed one hurdle, Trained by climbing, and Beech Mountain on Horrizan.

From Florida Sea Base Pinterest.  We will be sailing on boats like these

Happy New Year everyone!!!

The unseasonably cold weather we have had in Georgia makes me think of warmer places and times.  

The trip to Florida Sea Base is less than 3 months away.  Troop 15 will have 3 teams of 8.  Each team will consist of 6 scouts and 2 adult chaperones.  Each team will be assigned to a sailboat with a seasoned captain.  We will have 6 days on this boat going around the blue waters around the Florida Keys.  It will include fishing, snorkeling, swimming, and adventure seeking.   It will also include responsibilities of sailing like hoisting the sails, keeping the ship running, keeping the ship clean, going, and keeping an anchor watch.  Some time for kayaking and paddle boarding will be available as well.  Sleeping will be on the deck of the ship.    It will not be a bad week at all.  

Brian has cleared one hurdle in terms of qualifying to go.  He has gotten the required doctors sign off.  This is required for all participants of any Boy Scout High Adventure Camp.  I wasn't sure if the doctor would have any objections or not. Doc had no reservations.  Now onto swimming and stamina.  

Swimming:  

With the holidays, snowstorms,  and other things going on in November and December, Brian only had one swim lesson from in November and December. January 7, he will start some private lessons at the Dynamo swim club in Chamblee GA.  This will supplement his group swim time with Blaze Sports America.  The requirements for SeaBase are to strongly pass the BSA swim test. They warn it is not for beginners.  I have no concern that he will pass the swim test.  I'm just not sure how to quantify "strongly" passing it.    I imagine that is in the eye of the person evaluating the swimming test.  That will be done sometime in March before the trip takes place.  That is the main test we are working for.  

Stamina:  Mountain #1 - Stone 

On top of Stone Mountain December 30, 2017

During the school break, Brian and I climbed to the top of Stone Mountain.  Back in summer of 2012, I walked with Brian maybe 5% up.  We sat on a step and saw all the hikers going up and down.  I told him I had a goal for him to climb the Stone Mountain again.  In 2013, he completed the hike up.  Though that was a monumental achievement at the time, it was not without frustration. Brian had to take numerous breaks and the further up we got, the breaks were needed even more often. He needed lots of rewards and motivation.  In 2013, when we climbed to the top, we took the Stone Mountain Summit Skyride down.  We climbed up to the top a time or two since 2013.  Each time was a little easier.  However, we always took the Skyride down.  This time, Brian is the one that wanted to go to the top.  This time, we made it mostly to the top (95%).  It was cold and very windy once you reached the top.  I was under dressed. So we turned around near the top.  Those familiar with the mountain, it was about 1/2 between the top of railings and the top of the mountain visitors center/ concession stand. It was cold.  This time we walked all the way down.  Yes, we took a few breaks going up and coming down - but nothing like in the past.  Also - we saw 3 large deer cross our path about halfway up. Seeing the deer on a hike is a life experience that you should never take for granted.  

The hike was good, and I think it certain worked my muscles and my cardio.  I know it did for Brian also.  

Stamina:  Mountain #2 - Beech

On way to Beech Mountain 2016. 
We thought we were covered with
our GSU Hats.
    

Skiing is clearly a fun way to get a little more in shape as well.
In just over a week, Brian and I will be making a return trip to Beech Mountain NC.  He participated in an adaptive ski clinic sponsored by an organization called Disabled Sports USA in 2016.  He used gliders that time and participated in three lessons in two days.  Since it was his first time skiing, I felt that I needed to go down the mountain with him and his instructors to start off with. I don't think Brian or the instructors wanted me to.  It was cold, and I was very nervous how Brian would do if he fell or just felt like he couldn't do it.  The first time up, I was observing him on the mountain as the 3 instructors were watching out for and coaching him up. They were telling him what to do and how to use the equipment.  Suddenly, I was run over by a careless skier.  Brian had three trainers looking out for him.  I had zero.  I dusted myself off and continued the day.  After the first few trips going down, I left him and the instructors alone.  He was clearly in  good hands with trained volunteers and instructors. He enjoyed the rest of the lessons with me from afar. 

Photo from hotel in 2016. 
Clearly our GSU hats were not enough. 
Ski masks were purchased before actually skiing.

At that event, I witnessed people in wheelchairs, people missing limbs, people that were blind, and others that have over come many things enjoying a day of skiing.  Yes, I knew it was not as large of a mountain as in Colorado or other places.  I knew that most of the snow was man made.   But the courage these people have is real and larger than any mountain range in the world. 

They have a potluck dinner each night at the hotel.  We got to know a few of the other participants and instructors at the dinner.  Brian has a different social standard than most.  Two years ago, I tried to have him  conform with traditional social norms.  I am a different parent now.  I am most likely going to let Brian be Bmoney in this setting. 

Weather in Beech Mountain
 on January 6. 2018. 
Warming up by January 15.

Brian had surgery in 2017, so we could not go to the clinic last year.  This year, he is scheduled for four lessons in two days.  January 16-17.  I didn't take to many pictures last time.  I hope to do so this time.  It is 2 degrees as I type this in Beech Mountain (See Screen shot).  However, long term forecast calls for a little warmer stuff. 

I did not take to many pictures in 2016.  I was nervous to bring my phone or a camera with me.  I can sometimes have a reputation of breaking electronics.  It seemed like a mountain full of snow, a camera, and me as a novice skier was a bad mix.  I will try to this year.  A blog with pictures from this years clinic will be done.  I will enjoy 2018 even more because Brian is stronger, I am more confident in Brian, I am more confident in the trainers, and all this will assist in the goals of getting in better shape for Sea Base.