The first day of summer camp, at least for most of us, was spend paddling the Isel. For some of us our first experience on the rivers we paddle on Summercamp. Here Marlene will tell her story about her first Summercamp experience and first whitewater roll:

After having arrived the day before, all the Okawanians rose to tackle the first day of paddling – in my case my first day of a summercamp ever. I was simultaneously excited and a little bit nervous to what I was going to encounter. The Erft was nothing compared to the Isel which was rushing right next to our campsite. The plan was: paddle down to Lienz where the trailer was waiting. We split ourselves in groups of experienced people, all followed by a few newbies – or ducklings as we were told. Which made sense in hindsight since we really were a bit like ducklings, following the experienced people on the river. The starting point was right behind the campsite and the boats were easily carried there. I was in a group with Luke, and was following Elisa or Meike most of the time. A last check that I had everything and off we went.

Today, the first day of Ardennen weekend 2023. We woke up early and almost managed to leave at the time we planned. We as Okawanians felt proud. As we arrived in Sauerland (Germany) we got told that the place where we would enter the water is actually a protected area. We would be fined if we would enter, but somehow this man gave us a free pass as we weren't able to find this online.

We all thought it would we very cold, but most of us actually felt quite comfortable. Nobody had to swim! We paddled over some weirs that were cool. Sometimes we (or some of us) had to walk alongside the river to get in after a big tree blocked the way or the passage was a bit to difficult.