The death of Derek

[Casey]

It is with great sadness that we learned of the death of Derek Hutchinson. He will be remembered as one of the "greats" in the sport of kayaking. He was a coach, author, artist and designer of kayaks. He loved this sport.

Farwell my dear friend-Casey

[BuddyHogan]

A poem once recited to me by my coach, Derek Hutchinson, on the ride back to my home from a training. I asked "why do we paddle out on the ocean? "

His reply ......

The Call of the Wild

by Robert W. Service (1907)

Have you gazed on naked grandeur where there's nothing else to gaze on,

Set pieces and drop-curtain scenes galore,

Big mountains heaved to heaven, which the blinding sunsets blazon,

Black canyons where the rapids rip and roar?

Have you swept the visioned valley with the green stream streaking through it,

Searched the Vastness for a something you have lost?

Have you strung your soul to silence? Then for God's sake go and do it;

Hear the challenge, learn the lesson, pay the cost.

Have you wandered in the wilderness, the sagebrush desolation,

The bunch-grass levels where the cattle graze?

Have you whistled bits of rag-time at the end of all creation,

And learned to know the desert's little ways?

Have you camped upon the foothills, have you galloped o'er the ranges,

Have you roamed the arid sun-lands through and through?

Have you chummed up with the mesa? Do you know its moods and changes?

Then listen to the Wild — it's calling you.

Have you known the Great White Silence, not a snow-gemmed twig aquiver?

(Eternal truths that shame our soothing lies).

Have you broken trail on snowshoes? mushed your huskies up the river,

Dared the unknown, led the way, and clutched the prize?

Have you marked the map's void spaces, mingled with the mongrel races,

Felt the savage strength of brute in every thew?

And though grim as hell the worst is, can you round it off with curses?

Then hearken to the Wild — it's wanting you.

Have you suffered, starved and triumphed, groveled down, yet grasped at glory,

Grown bigger in the bigness of the whole?

"Done things" just for the doing, letting babblers tell the story,

Seeing through the nice veneer the naked soul?

Have you seen God in His splendors, heard the text that nature renders?

(You'll never hear it in the family pew).

The simple things, the true things, the silent men who do things —

Then listen to the Wild — it's calling you.

They have cradled you in custom, they have primed you with their preaching,

They have soaked you in convention through and through;

They have put you in a showcase; you're a credit to their teaching —

But can't you hear the Wild? — it's calling you.

Let us probe the silent places, let us seek what luck betide us;

Let us journey to a lonely land I know.

There's a whisper on the night-wind, there's a star agleam to guide us,

And the Wild is calling, calling. . .let us go.

Derek,

As I sit here thinking of you an overwhelming feeling has come over me. The months you spent with Dottie and I were the most productive times in my learning process. It was the times between paddles, the conversations, jokes, and building of a friendship I didn’t understand until after it was made. You more than anyone helped me understand what I was to become within myself as a paddler and in the therapeutic recreation arena. It was you that inspired Dottie and I to develop the programs for the disabled, the returning vets, and the children around Boston and New England. These programs are still ongoing and it is because of you. So my friend, my senior instructor, my mentor, my coach I just want to wish you well on another expedition, I know you will get there.

Dottie and I went out for dinner last night and talked about the times spent together with you over the years. Back at our mountain home as I looked across the valley floor images of friendship drifted through my mind as the scene turned to the sea and you and I were paddling together again. As the sun was setting and the sky drew dark the sea turn to a sea of gold.

Thank you for a sea of gold.

With Love and Admiration

==Buddy Hogan

[leong]

My day with Derek Hutchinson.

It was April 1999, at the Run of the Charles Race in Newton. Bob Burnett (NSPN founder) had brought Derek Hutchinson to see the race. Luckily, in my car was Derek’s book “The Complete Book of Sea Kayaking” and I was racing the Gulfstream, also by the master. Derek signed my book with

To Leon – Great to meet you at the race!

Cheers mate!

Derek Hutchinson 1999

After the race (I came in second), Bob, Derek and I went paddling on the Charles. Somehow I convinced Derek to let me tow him. The towing started to get harder and harder and I finally looked back to see why. Bob and several others had rafted up to Derek’s kayak and were laughing hysterically.

Derek entertained us with his latest yarn after the paddle.

Rest in Peace Dear Mate.

[Lbeale]

My learning experience with Derek was a workshop sponsored by NSPN at Marblehead Harbor. He had about 15 new paddlers who awkwardly tried to show him our skills - we were all so serious. He had us paddling backwards, sideways, in all directions - learning different boat handling strokes. But the best part was when he had us stand on the boat to demonstrate the strength of sea kayaks. Some of us could do it while others who were not stable, got dumped in the water. We all laughed at those who got dumped and at those who barely could balance (including myself). Derek as an instructor could be serious, knowledgeable about the sport. Yet at the same time, embrace and revel in the joy of sea kayaking. That to me was his gift as an instructor.

He will be missed by many of us.

PS - Buddy and Dottie - good to hear from you but miss you both !!

Les

[Pintail]

There is a parallel thread running (started by Rick, whilst Derek was still hanging on) and I have posted there. Lovely to see Casey and Buddy posting! Hello, my dears (and Dottie, of course).

Cheers, Derek! And thank you for everything, mate!

[Gcosloy]

Because of Derek Hutchinson I long ago gave up the use of the cranked paddle shaft and adopted a straight shaft so that I could take advantage of many of Derek's extended paddle strokes. i.e. sweeps, sculls, and rolls. While no longer in vogue, they still come in handy sometimes. Thanks Derek.

[gyork]