Do you know the Ropes?

If you've ever tried the TP Low Ropes Course you know it takes focus, teamwork and some trusty sidekicks. To keep the activity fresh, Children's Program Director Gen Morley, along with Chad Tyler, enjoyed a Low Ropes training class a few weeks ago at the Petra Cliffs Group site in Burlington. The program featured acclaimed presenters Mike Anderson, M.Ed, Jim Cain, Ph.D., and Jen Stanchfield, M.S., who’s years of experience in teamwork and teamplay taught our TP twosome a few new tricks of the trade!

Gen & Chad participated in twelve activities. "Everything they did was new to us," says Gen who gained a few fresh strategies for the kids program. From detangling ropes to carry cans on their feet, the class offered strategies for how to promote problem solving exercises and fun positive play, with something for everybody. So check out the newest features of the Low Ropes course this summer. “It’s so fun,” says Gen, “The biggest danger is that you might pee your pants laughing!”

Fung Shui Anyone? By Chad Tyler

It looks like our housekeeping staff are keeping their towel origami skills sharp by creating an Andy Goldsworthy sculpture using the books in the sunroom. We have just touched up the lobby and lounge and this is what I found after Lori (our head of housekeeping) came through to clean. Who knew most book spines came in six basic colors? What would be really interesting is to see if the content is similar as well. Maybe some enterprising couch potato amongst our guests can do the research.

You too can be the Big Kahuna! by Quintin

Last summer, Sean “Captain Sand” Hutchinson (one of our waterfront instructors from South Africa) took a dinged adult kayak paddle and cut one of the blades off. He proceeded to spear on a tennis ball as a handle and started using this newly crafted, extra-long devise in a strange way. Sean would hop on a big windsurfing board without the sail, stand up and paddle all around the resort’s shoreline. We would look at each other, scratch our heads and say: “What is he thinking?” Well we now know. He was doing what has become increasingly popular back home and around the world, stand-up paddleboarding.

Here at the Tyler Place Family Resort, Kingfisher Bay may soon be nicknamed Waikiki Bay. The stand-up paddleboarding craze has hit our shores! Sean, who is coming back this summer, will be glad to know the Tyler Place has purchased a couple of new Liquid Shredder paddle boards. These are large and soft and have a no-slip surface. You can go alone or take your kid along for a ride. A child can even get his or her own small paddle.

Get the feeling of walking on water (and a great work out) as you explore about. Be one with the turtles and ducks as you glide across the surface. The stand-up stance gives you a unique perspective, with a good view of the landscape above, as well as the schools of minnows (and perhaps a northern pike) lurking below in the shallows. On a windy or big wave day, see if you can catch a ride. Being swamped by a huge Mastercraft wake will never be so much fun. Yes, you too can be the Big Kahuna!