Paddling Planet

Gnarlydog News: REVIEW: shoulderless Northern Light Greenland carbon-fibre paddle

gnarlydog — 2013-06-19T13:01:34+00:00

The new Northern Light paddle recently received is different: it's a shoulderless version of the three piece carbon fibre Greenland paddle that Paul produces. The sectional loom is the same as all the other Northern Light paddles (Greenland and Aleut) but this blade is much narrower than my standard Greenland paddle, which I have been using for all my paddling. I have grown to love the

Gnarlydog News: Photo: friends in the Circus

gnarlydog — 2013-06-19T13:01:34+00:00

To shelter from the wind as evening light was fading we all bunched up in the Circus tent. The little fire-in-a-can offered no real heat but warmed our hearts as dinner was cooking on our little camp stoves. The joy of sharing the evening with good friends listening to each others stories is one of my great pleasures in life. As the cold weather brings people closer together, winter camping

Sea kayaking with SeaKayakPhoto.com: A four pointed cross on a two pointed island.

Douglas Wilcox — 2013-06-19T12:00:07+00:00

As we approached the mouth of Campbeltown Loch our eyes were drawn to the NE and the Isle of Arran which lay on the far side of the Kilnrannan Sound. It looked very enticing in ther early evening light. That had been our poor weather alternative route back to Ardrossan but since the weather was fair we turned our eyes south towards the... ...causeway that links the west point of Davaar

Paddle Making (and other canoe stuff): Elpeth Soper's Blog: Visiti to British Museum

Murat — 2013-06-19T10:44:13+00:00

A while back, I responded to a forum post over at SongofthePaddle.co.uk. The poster wanted feedback regarding constructing their own canvas canoe using traditional native methods of construction. I recommended the poster obtain a copy of Garth Taylor's 1980 book Canoe construction in a Cree cultural tradition. It visually documents the building of a traditional Eastern Cree canoe made using canvas as a substitute for birch bark - see my original write-up about it here.

The poster, Elspeth Soper, has a blog documenting the early attempts at construction and includes some of the frustrations with broken gunnels. A recent post showcases a research visit to the British Museum which granted an exclusive tour of the full sized and model bark canoes in their possession. One of models has a decorated Cree paddle with the historical hash marks and dot decoration featured in Garth Taylor's book.

British Museum Model Cree Canoe & Paddle

Lots of more pics of the bark canoes in their collection can be found at the full post here

SimonWillis.net: Raid Pyrenean Cycling Challenge - Article

Simon — 2013-06-19T08:00:29+00:00

If you're thinking of attempting the RaidPyrenean then you might find these notes helpful.

I'm writing them just days after finishing a successful RP with Marmot Tours, but please understand, I am not an expert. These are personal thoughts - stuff I was thinking about while my legs churned out the miles.

I wrote a day-by-day blog while riding, which you'll find here. This article is at the top, so just scroll down.

The RP is one of many 'Raids' devised by local French cycling clubs but it seems to have caught the imagination of cyclists, perhaps because it has such a clear narrative - Atlantic to Mediterranean staying as close as possible to the border with Spain.

There are two versions; one for touring cyclists carrying all their kit and one for supported riders. I was one of the latter when I rode it in June 2013. I am absolutely no expert! These are just my personal thoughts having recently finished.

CAN YOU DO IT?

"Am I good enough to finish?" If you're considering the RP then this is probably the key question you are asking yourself, but unfortunately, there is no simple yes/no reply. "I have seen people of all ages, shapes and sizes successfully complete this raid", said one of our guides over a welcome beer. That's encouraging.

Yet I was later told, in every group of twenty riders, roughly two fail to finish. That's exactly as happened to our group. Apparently knee pain is the most common reason for failure.

I genuinely, honestly did not know whether I could do it. It was not my legs pedalled me to the top of the Col d'Aubisque at the start of day two that I began to allow myself the entertain the possibility that I would succeed.

Even then, I left it to the very, very last night to buy my "I've done the RP" bike shirt.

Perhaps this will help you get your hear around the magnitude of what's involved.

The details and maps are below, but think of this challenge as four, century rides (100miles) on consecutive days over hilly terrain. Just as when training to run a marathon you don't have to run a marathon, when training for the RP you don't have to ride 4 x 100 miles on consecutive days. But you do need to train.

TRAINING

At it's most basic, the training for the RP is about time in the saddle. If the longest you've ridden in training is two hours then you're going to struggle when you're faced with consecutive 100 milers. Work up to it gradually, but in the month before your RP your weekly long ride should be at least eight hours.

I took training very seriously indeed. Probably too seriously, but that's just me!

I had two sessions with Dr Garry Palmer of Sportstest, which I've written about here and here. Garry tested me, deduced my precise heart rate training 'zones', and produced the programme around which all my training was based. I even bought an indoor turbo trainer.

There were physical benefits, in that I lost weight and trained by body to metabolise fat more efficiently.

Yet equally important were the psychological benefits, because I was sure I was doing the right training to succeed. I completely understand this approach is not for everyone. But it worked for me.

SUPPORT

If you're considering the Raid, then you have to give some thought to the how you'll actually do it. During the many, many hours I spent on my bike, I pondered the 'best' way to do this challenge ride. I used to be a keen touring cyclist but I'm not convinced panniers are best suited to this route.

Ultralight road cycling with a tiny rucksack could work, but only if you have a stable weather pattern.

Otherwise you would need so much kit, to cope with the potential extremes of temperature, the tiny rucksack would be of a size which might be a pain.

Probably the best way would be in a group of two or three riders, so you can take turns drafting, supported by two friends in a campervan in which you all could sleep.

The support team would follow your route, providing food, water, kit and sunscreen at the bottom and top of each Col. If they spoke French and were trained masseurs then so much the better! Assembly such a fantasy team in the real world is unlikely, which is why I turned to Marmot Tours.

They say around 350-400 people attempt the RP each year. Of them, around 300 are British (why us???) and around 200 travel with Marmot. I'm sure there are other really good operators out there, and when you're assessing their relative merits, be sure to ask this question - "how many support vans do you use per group".

Marmot use two vehicles, and having seen it in action, this system is clearly more than twice as effective as one, and here's why.

Big cols split groups like nothing else. In the pro peloton a gap of more than forty minutes can open between the front and rear riders, so imagine what happens to a big bunch of amateurs whose shape, size, ability and experience can vary hugely.

Despite re-grouping at cafes and lunch stops, early riders can be at a hotel before 6pm while the slower riders don't show up until well after 8pm. Or later.

One van is effectively a hotel bag transporter. It either whizzes to the hotel, in which case the slow riders are unsupported on their last big climb, or it waits, leaving the fast riders unable to shower, change and eat dinner. If there's an emergency (on our trip a rider was taken to hospital) then, with one van, everyone else is on their own.

The two guides who accompanied our Marmot Tours trip have done this so many times, they know exactly where to park the vans and how to leapfrog each other.

Before a long hot climb there was almost always a van waiting with food, water and sunscreen.

By the time we were on the Col, one of the vans was waiting with more food and warm kit for the descent.

By nature I like to be self-sufficient, and take all my food & gels into a sportive, yet so efficient was this two-van system that I rarely carried more than one gel and two bars and then only for long climbs.

If you're thinking about doing this Raid with a tour operator it really is worth doing your research.

TIME OF YEAR

2013 was a wet spring throughout Europe. The Giro d'Italia cancelled a mountain stage, and Niballi won in a blizzard. "Bring all your winter kit. ALL of it", warned the email which arrived a week before our RP was due to start. Huge levels of rainfall in the Pyrenean valleys meant huge quantities of snow at high level. Winter just didn't want to stop.

Snow on the Tourmalet

A Marmot group which started just one day before us began in torrential rain, so all things considered, we were fantastically lucky. We started on Tuesday 11th June and had just one afternoon of heavy rain (see the day by day blog), sweltering under a baking sun for the rest of the trip.

The high passes were still choked with snow. The road between the Aubisque and Soulor was closed to all traffic and only opened to bikes a couple of days before we arrived. Had it not opened the detour would have been horrendous.

However, the Tourmalet was closed from the side we intended to climb.

As you'll read in the blog, day 2 necessitated a 30km detour, going down one valley, around the bottom via Lourdes, and back up another, so we could climb the Tourmalet from the side which was open. Had both sides been closed, Marmot had negotiated an alternative contingency route with the official organisers. But let's be honest, it wouldn't have felt like a true RP without the Tourmalet.

BIKES AND GEARS

Talk of gear ratios makes my eyes glaze over and I don't claim to understand. So I'll keep this very simple and try to get it right.

My Specialized Roubaix came, like many modern bikes, with a ten-speed compact derailleur and standard Shimano gearing.

The lowest climbing gearing I could achieve was 34 (small chain ring) on the front and 28 (biggest cog) on the back. I rode many of the Pyrenean Cols last year, and while I managed fine, I felt the cumulative punishment on my knees might be too much.

I decided I needed a cassette (the collecting of cogs on the back) in which the lowest gear had at least 30 teeth.

Nevis Cycles, my local bike shop, reckoned they could fit such a cassette but said Shimano warned it might not work too smoothly.

However, if they also fitted a longer, mountain bike derailleur, it would definitely work. What's more, they could fit a cassette with 30 and 32 tooth rings.

I went for this option and didn't regret it once. In fact, my only regret is that Liz now wants the same combination on her bike, so more money.

CLOTHING

After the bike, shorts are the single most important piece of kit. I took two "good" pairs (Assos F1 Mille) and two "normal" pairs (Specialized - half the price) for the easy day. Mistake. There are no easy days.

I used the Assos shorts on each of the first four days, washing them carefully each night in the bath and leaving them to partly dry in the room overnight.

Everyone was doing the same, so the Marmot lads would take the wet kit off us in the morning and hang it out to dry at feed stops.

They even carry a clothes horse for this purpose along with a dehumidifier so they can set up a drying room in a hotel after particularly wet days. Oh, and since one pair of Assos shorts looks much the same as another, name tags are a great idea.

When it's sunny you need very little kit, just arm warmers and a windproof gillet for descents. The moment it starts to rain, or a cold wind blows, then the game changes completely.

I have no intention of giving you a kit list because you can work it out for yourself, but think wet and very, very cold and you won't go far wrong.

FOOD

I was fortunate enough to have been picked for the Science in Sport Winter Academy, giving me access to some free products, some discounted products but most importantly, expert nutrition advice. This really helped my training and you can read more about it here.

However, on the RP you need a mix of sports products and real food.

Our guides emphasised the need to stop regularly, rest the legs, and have a coffee and real food, warning that people who tried to survive on gels and bars usually regretted their decision.

Hotel breakfasts would be supplemented from a box of (very good) cereals carried by the Marmot team.

I'd usually start with GO Hydro in one bottle and GO Electrolyte in the other. I'd top these up during the morning, gradually diluting them. I felt the Go Hydro was more important, so I'd ensure I had a full bottle before each long, hot climb, but I'd deliberately empty the GO Electrolyte, replacing it with plain water so I could pour it down my neck when I started to overheat without everything turning sticky.

I'd have a mix of GO Energy gels and bars for during the day, although I'd not eat more than two of each. I was pleased I took some other brands of bars too, ones I had left in my cupboard, because you quickly get sick of eating exactly the same thing.

Lunches were, in order; mushroom omelette and chips; a cheese filled baguette (wasn't enough); a plate of twelve small sugar/lemon crepes; two cheese and ham sandwiches (first meat in ages) one eaten at the bottom of a col and the other put in the van to eat at the top.

I had a sachet of REGO Rapid Recovery on arrival at every hotel and a sachet of REGO Night Recovery before bed.

The Marmot vans also carried jars of sweets, M&Ms, salted nuts, flapjack bars and fruit.

Each of us remarked how wonderful it was, at times when we were running low on energy, to see the Marmot van hove into view with the guide holding a chopping board of cut cake and cool, sliced melon. We were spoiled!

MY TRIP STATISTICS

On the blog I published a mix of data from my Garmin and from the organisers, all of it in metric. Now I'm back and have downloaded all the data I can offer a little more detail in miles.

Day 1: Hotel Campanille, Hendaye to Hotel Le Bon Coin, Lurbe St Christau

99.7 miles - 6,786 ft ascent - 15.9mph av speed - moving for 6:17:01

Day 1 Raid Pyrenean

Day 2: to Hostellerie d'Aste, Aste, detour via Lourdes

103.3 miles - 11,977 ft ascent - 11.7mph - moving for 8:50:04

Day 2 Raid Pyrenean

Day 3: to Hostellerie des Trois Seigneurs, Massat

107.5 miles - 9,997 ft ascent - 12.2mph - moving for 8:46:58

Day 3 Raid Pyrenean

Day 4: to Hotel Pradotel, Prades

92.8 miles - 11,249 ft ascent - 10.3mph - moving for 9:01:57

Day 4 Raid Pyrenean

Half Day 5: to Hotel La Dorade, Cebrere

58.6 miles - 1,844 ft ascent - 16.6mph - moving for 3:31:10

Day 5 Raid Pyrenean

If you'd like to see more detailed maps of the whole route, elevation profile and more statistics, I've put them all together in a PDF which can be downloaded by clicking here.

THAT'S IT

As things come to mind I'll add them to this article. But please remember, I'm no expert.

I've done this once, slowly, and close to the edge of my ability.

These are just the thoughts that drifted into my mind during those long days in the saddle.

If you have detailed questions, I'd highly recommend talking to the team at Marmot who've built a business around this route and pretty much have it nailed.

Liquid Fusion Kayaking: Tracks to Kayaks

Cate Hawthorne — 2013-06-19T08:59:35+00:00

Good news!!! Soon the Skunk Train is going to be running full steam ahead.

In April, Tunnel Number 1 on the Skunk Train line caved in. The maintenance crew of the Skunk Train have dealt with cave-ins before but this one was massive. The railroad didn't have the resources to move the debris and fix the tunnel. They have been doing fund raising and the most recent development is that the Save the Redwoods League and Skunk Train have made a deal that will finance the tunnel repairs.

We are excited because the Skunk Train is much of the heart of Fort Bragg and Mendocino County. People come from all over the country to ride the historic train. Many bring their children and grandchildren to ride the train that they road as children.

In 2010, we partnered with the Skunk Train to offer a kayaking trip. Our Tracks to Kayaks trip is a great way for people to experience the Noyo River Valley. On the train, passengers ride through the redwoods and learn about the history of the train and logging in Mendocino County. They get to see 22 miles of the Pudding Creek and Noyo River watersheds.

Those taking the kayaking option, get to step off the train into the wilderness that they have been seeing. As the train pulls away, the clicky-clack sound is replaced by bird songs and trickling springs. Participants then get to cruise in our stable tandem kayaks down the Noyo River. Over the 2.5 miles, they are likely to see turtles basking in the sun, birds in the canopy of trees above, tree caves along the river, the flora and fauna of the North Coast Coniferous Forest and Riparian Habitats, and the wildlife that is associated with these habitats.

Sound magical? It really is and we are excited that we are going to be able to start running Tracks to Kayaks Trips again. Here's a link for more information including dates and how to make reservations.

Greenlandorbust.org: A sunny day at the lake and a little time at home

2013-06-19T04:34:58+00:00

A couple of days after returning home from Denmark, where Mark and I were running classes, I hopped in the car to make the three-hour drive over the mountains to Whiskeytown Lake for a couple of weekend rolling classes. At home the weather was cool and foggy, typical weather for a summer day in Humboldt, but when I opened the car door in Redding I was hit by a wave of heat… 111 degrees of heat that is. Throughout the weekend there would be record breaking temperatures and not a cloud in sight.

With weather this hot it felt wonderful to be fully immersed in the cool lake.

Lita works on a first roll.

The water at Whiskeytown Lake was cool, which felt nice under the heat of the sun. Some people worked on first rolls, others on advanced rolls and others wanted to watch demonstrations from shore of some of the more complex rolls. I was happy to oblige, as being under the surface felt wonderful during this incredibly hot weekend.

Tom works on a brick roll.

I demonstrate a double elbow roll.

This was year four of running classes for Just Kayak More, and each year I’m thrilled to see return participants and to see how far they’ve come. Thanks to Jason and Kasumi for hosting me!

A hand spine roll is a great roll for a fun challenge.

After spending the weekend in Redding I had a few days home. During this time my son Alex graduated high school, which was wonderful to see. Congrats Alex, I’m REALLY proud of you!

My parents were in town because of the graduation, and it was good to catch up with them as well.

Before leaving for the summer I also had time to catch up with my good friend Michael Morris. We spent a morning at Trinidad, bouncing around in some choppy water. It was a great day, and a nice way to relax before heading off for the summer.

A morning at Trinidad.

Michael enjoys a day on the water. It was good to catch up with you Michael!

Now Mark and I are in Europe and about to begin our summer tour, which starts tomorrow in Copenhagen. We’re looking forward to a fun summer in Europe!

Photos by Jason Montelongo and Helen.

GURUSAILS: A prueba

Rafa Dominguez — 2013-06-19T00:06:31+00:00

Azul sobre Laser en F4 de SE.
En un principio las velas se testan en seco, es decir se comprueba cada costura y cada terminacion de acabado para confirmar toda la superficie y toda su efectividad. La tela en Nylon es cosida a su vez en hilo de Nylon en maquina industrial, lo que le confiere el acabado totalmente profesional y calidad nautica equiparable a cualquier fabricante de velas de primer orden.

Posteriormente a ser sometida a pruebas de presion en aire para llegar conocer su resistencia a situaciones reales en el mar, estas velas se montan en el kit de desarrollo a bordo del kayak.

Oscar, ingeniero mecanico diseñó esta pieza fabricada en Delrin, un acetato desarrollado por Dupont, para testar directamente las velas en condiciones reales de viento, salitre, sol y todas las posibles que puedan ocurrir en el mar en un dia de navegacion. Todas las velas y sus revisiones posteriores han pasado por aqui y han volcado todo sus resultados en modo de datos tecnicos a traves del gps o a traves de la mera observacion de las tensiones provocadas en el casco del kayak, bien en sus drizas o en sus empuñaduras, en los angulos de ataque o en la propia cavitacion del kayak y la vela.

Todo ha sido revisado y analizado para desarrollar una vela ultraligera, un sistema pivotante de enganche de vela ultrasensible y efectivo, utilizando para ello elementos de ingenieria en sectores punteros de la industria actual.

Cada elemento que compone todo el conjunto tiene su porque en su utilizacion, y ha sido elegido por descarte frente a otros elementos mas nauticos o marineros, lo que le confiere un alto valor añadido a un precio ultrareducido.

Aqui os dejo con el sistema de pruebas de vela y el kit de mastiles y casquillos de pruebas.

GURUSAILS: Montando las piezas

Rafa Dominguez — 2013-06-19T00:05:28+00:00

Azul sobre Prijon Barracuda, esperando a salir.
La vela esta formada por diversas piezas que componen un todo en su diseño, fabricacion y montaje. El numero total de piezas que conforman la vela y su conjunto de soporte son varias y de distintos origenes.

La vela , construida en Nylon Ripstop, se forma uniendo varias piezas cosidas entre ellas mediante hilo de Nylon, y reforzando las zonas de mas tension. Se añade a su acabado, la ventana transparente, imprescindible para la vision en proa en plena navegacion. Practicamente irrompible en condiciones de uso normal, a pesar de sus 40 grm/ metro cuadrado, dispongo de un kit de reparacion en Ripstop adhesivo del mismo color, algo que puede solucionar momentaneamente o definitivamente un pequeño rasguño o corte. Solo pedido bajo demanda.

El conjunto del soporte y mastiles, la base de la vela, es donde se transmiten todas las sensaciones de la vela y el viento, es un completo y sencillo conjunto de piezas que permiten todos y cada uno de los movimientos posibles en la navegacion en kayak bajo la forma de delta inverso. Puede permitir a la vela abatirse 90 grados hacia atras para recoger sobre el casco, puede girar sobre si misma en un angulo de 60 grados a cada banda, y puede pivotar otros 120 grados totales para evitar arrastrar al casco hacia un vuelco seguro.

El aprovechamiento de las lineas de vida ya instaladas en un kayak, permite instalar todo el sistema sin mecanizar absolutamente nada en la embarcacion. Puedes instalar y desinstalar en pocos segundos todo el conjunto y guardarlo en su cilindro semiestanco que se entrega en cada una.

Las 40 piezas empleadas, realizan su funcion en perfecta armonia, sin rozamientos, sin saltos, sin ruidos, sin desgaste. Practicamente para una vida casi ilimitada.

GURUSAILS: En tension bajo un F6

Rafa Dominguez — 2013-06-19T00:04:43+00:00

Blanco-Rojo sobre Wilderness Tsunami 160 entrando en F6.
La nueva vela en rojo y blanco ya ha pasado la prueba del F6. Este Sabado montada en un Wilderness Tsunami 160.Entrada perfecta del SE en popa con olas de 0,5 metros, cortas pero constantes. La proa del kayak metida en el agua surfeando sin descanso.Sin orza ni timon, solo con apoyo de pala en banda, la vela ha realizado su funcion sin hacer cavitar al kayak ni un solo centimetro. Una gozada para los sentidos.

Jersey Kayak Adventures: Our Sea Kayak Safety classes feature on TV news

2013-06-18T23:03:37+00:00

Jersey Kayak Adventures free sea kayak safety classes feature on Channel TV News. Our next Free class is on Friday July 5. Details

GURUSAILS: Bicolor en costura cenital

Rafa Dominguez — 2013-06-19T00:01:45+00:00

Blanco-Azul sobre Wilderness Tsunami 160 navegando en F6.

Reinventando los mismos colores, pero cambiando la tension de las costuras.

Todas las velas siempre han sido pensadas en horizontal y en vertical, y en el fondo, sigue siendo asi, pero la vision del hinchado de la vela en navegacion, me hacia pensar en diagonal. Presentada la propuesta, realizada la variacion sobre blanco y azul. La nueva disposicion de los tramos de nylon hacen que las tensiones superficiales se trasladen ahora a un punto cenital, en la parte central superior, con lo que las tensiones en los bordes se reparten a partes iguales en un tramo de aproximadamente 50 cm a cada banda.

La superficie de la vela no varia, el hecho es que funciona igualmente que las otras, solo cambian las costuras y las transmisiones al nylon , ademas de los colores que la hacen mas llamativa.

Le Kayak de Mer dans le Nouveau Monde: Nouvelles: Le Parc régional Réservoir Kiamika ouvre ses portes

2013-06-18T21:52:00+00:00

La grande famille des parcs du Québec va bientôt compter de nouvelles « naissances ». Trois jours avant l’ouverture du Parc national du Témiscouata, prévue le 21 juin, c’est le tour du Parc régional du Réservoir Kiamika, dans les Hautes Laurentides, de prendre son envol. Entrevue avec Simon Trudeau, le directeur général du parc, quelques minutes avant son inauguration officielle, ce 18 juin. Comment est né le projet de création de ce parc ? Cela remonte à plus de 10 ans, à la fin des années 90. On s’interrogeait sur les moyens de protection des espaces naturels qui ont un grand potentiel récréotouristique. Surtout le réservoir Kiamika, un endroit victime de sa beauté. L’une des solutions pour protéger ces endroits contre l’utilisation abusive passait la création d’un parc régional. Cela s’est fait en plusieurs étapes. D’abord, on a dû poser le cadre organisationnel : la création de la société de développement du Réservoir Kiamika a ...

South West Sea Kayaking - Savage Shores: Failure to launch

2013-06-18T21:33:07+00:00

The one-fingered gesture demonstrated by Richard in this photo is the internationally recognised sea kayaking signal for ‘I would be eternally grateful if you would please switch that camera off and delete the photograph which you just took’.

Between the islands of Bryher and Tresco, Isles of Scilly.

Filed under: Islands, Isles of Scilly, Kayaking

SimonWillis.net: Raid Pyrenean

Simon — 2013-06-18T22:17:46+00:00

Tomorrow I start a cycle trip with twenty strangers, all of us booked with Marmot Tours to attempt the Raid Pyrenean.

I honestly do not know if I can do it.

From Atlantic to Mediterranean coast in 100 hours over a series of cols specified by the Cyclo Club Bernaise. Here's the intended mileage and daily ascent in metric - (100km is 60miles).

Day1: 160km 2200m
Day2: 140km 3530m
Day3: 170km 3110m
Day4: 145km 3400m
Day5 (am only): 98km 620m

Or that would be the plan. Except the Col du Tourmalet is closed with snow. Tonight we'll hear the revised plan, but it won't be shorter or any less steep.

A potential head-cold is niggling and burning the back of my throat, which is not good. A potential show-stopper in fact. Or I might just be getting my excuses in early.

I'll try to write more each night but I might not have the energy!

SimonWillis.net: Day 1 Raid Pyrenean

Simon — 2013-06-18T22:17:30+00:00

A 160 ride with 2200m of ascent, and that was the "easy" day. Oh boy.

The photo was taken just before 9am this morning at Hendaye on the Atlantic coast and show our twenty-strong (strong?) team. Except for the two who didn't want to get sand in their shoes.

There's a real fast group and then... everyone else. On the flat-ish stretches we fall into small groups and work together, drafting, so we canter along at a fair clip.

Liz joined me for lunch in St Jean Pied de Port where we rode last year. She'll tackle some day rides there while we Raiders press on to the Med.

Tomorrow will see the start of the big cols, but some are still closed by snow. As long as we climb the ones specified by the Cyclo Club Bearnais, they don't care what route we take to reach them.

In an hour or so we'll learn what cunning plan our Marmot Tours team have devised so we can complete a successful Raid.

I fear a long detour might be called for. The easy days are over for sure.

SimonWillis.net: Day 2 Raid Pyrenean. Plus!

Simon — 2013-06-18T22:17:19+00:00

"This is possibly the toughest Raid ever", our guide told us when we reached the hotel. 167km (100+ miles) and 3751m of ascent, far more than normal.

The reason is snow. The west side of the Col du Tourmalet is closed, so the direct route from the Col d'Aubisque cannot be ridden. This necessitated a longer detour, via Lourdes to tackle the Tourmalet from the East, going back down the same way.

There was nearly an even longer detour. The short, high road between the Aubisque and the Soulor (essentially the way down the Aubisque) was shut at all traffic... except cycles. Phew!

Oh, and did I say it's hot? I mean brain-boiling hot.

Toughest? Probably not. Tomorrow? Tomorrow is longer, but with less ascent and split over four cols rather than just two monsters. I can't wait.

SimonWillis.net: Day 3 Raid Pyrenean

Simon — 2013-06-18T22:17:07+00:00

Today started and ended in rain, between which we baked. Today's total was 174km with 3180m of ascent.

Low cloud and damp greeted us which was lovely after yesterday's frying experience. Droplets of drizzle stood on my arm and leg hairs (I don't shave them) and kept us cool as we climbed towards the Col d'Aspin.

Then the sun won, punching through the cloud, burning it off, casting flickering beams of light through the trees. Above the temperature inversion, and then no cloud at all. Back in the oven.

Down the other side and back up, up again, the interminable climb of the Col de Peyresourde. Actually, it's a lovely climb, much better than I thought having only driven this side.

Delicious pancakes then down to Bagneres de Luchon.

The advantage of being with a group is the ability to draft in pace-lines and six of us covered the twenty plus kilometres at over 30kph, not bad with a headwind.

Two more cols, the Col d'Ares and the Col d'Burette, although I might have got the last one wrong as it was little more than a bump.

Then Portet d'Aspet. Not excessively high but steep. To give you an idea - 7% and I can almost spin my legs - 9% and I'm mashing pedals - this had sections reported to be 17%.

All done? Not quite. 25km to St Gerons then 25km (slightly uphill) to Massat. In torrential rain.

You know what? It was great. Tomorrow has even more climbing over five, yes five cols.

SimonWillis.net: Day 4 Raid Pyrenean

Simon — 2013-06-18T22:16:56+00:00

150km, five Cols, 3490m ascent.

Glance at an elevation profile for this challenge ride and you'll notice a spike near the end. Until now I've tried to ignore it, leaving it sitting in my peripheral vision like the monsters I was convinced lived in the wardrobe when I was a kid.

Today the monster pounced. It's name is the Col du Pailheres which, according to our guide, "some people think is harder than the Tourmalet." Certainly the distance and elevation gain is comparable.

Our ride began with the lovely Col du Port; wooded, shady and relatively cool. A complete contrast to the building heat of the infernal valley road, tangling with trucks bound for Andorra and Spain.

The original Raid Pyrenean route was changed some time ago when a quiet col was transformed by traffic into a motorised hell, but we still get unpleasant sections.

Food in Ax Les Thermes and then the monster Pailheres. It. Went. On. Forever. The thermometer on the Garmin topped 37c. Tough.

Yet the East side is fantastic, no wonder the Tour will use it, climbing the serpentine road to the sparse summit.

The next two cols were meant to be mere bumps, but with the sun still blazing the Col du Moulls and the Col du Garavel were significant challenges.

All with the knowledge the Col du Jau was still to come. It took me 70mins to ride the 10km col, my legs tiring and my heart rate refusing to rise.

But what a descent. Despite the massive mouhtains of the Catalan Pyrenes still ahead, there was a real sense of leaving the high mountains as we swooped for mile after mile. From 1513m to under 400m in a long, bumpy plummet.

However, the clock is still ticking. We must finish at Cerbere before 1pm or we'll exceed our 100hour time slot. There's 98km to go with 620m of ascent, and a coast road with some steep wee climbs.

I can't wait!

SimonWillis.net: Day 5 Raid Pyrenean

Simon — 2013-06-18T22:16:45+00:00

So that's it. +750kms +11,000m ascent over 18 specified Cols in 100 hours. A successful Raid Pyrenean which, on Monday, I honestly doubted I could finish.

Thanks for all the feedback. I've sent these updates by email so there are no links and the formatting is weird. I'll tidy things up and write a full account with lessons learnt once we're back in the UK in July.

And I have learnt a lot of lessons.

Alongside you'll see I've Tweeted thanks Marmot Tours, Dr Garry Palmer of Sportstest and Science in Sport. This is not me pleasing sponsors (!) - this is genuine, heartfelt gratitude to people who helped me realise an ambition.

An ambition which, only last Monday, I secretly felt might be beyond me.

Next? Next is La Marmotte, one of the world's toughest Sportives. The Raid Pyrenean has been good training.

But right now I'm reminded of the words of the winner of the first Giro d'Italia in 1907. When asked by reporters for his feelings on this momentous occasion, Luiggi Ganna replied, "My arse hurts like Hell".

Le Kayak de Mer dans le Nouveau Monde: Nouvelles: Happy Yak : Vente en ligne de repas déshydratés conçus pour le plein-air.

2013-06-18T21:05:00+00:00

L'entreprise Happy Yak de Sainte-Julie, une division de la compagnie "Les Aliments Activ Inc.", créé depuis juin 2012, permettent depuis mai dernier l'achat en ligne de leurs repas lyophilisés. Il sont livrables partout au Canada. Tous leurs plats sont lyophilisés et séchés à froid et sont disponibles en de généreuses portions, selon Happy Yak. Il est présentement possible de commander 9 de leurs 25 plats principaux sur le site, dont - Porc braisé, sauce aux champignons & vin blanc- Crevettes au cari sur riz- Blanquette de poulet sur nouilles aux oeufs- Délices de la mer- Porc à la méditéranéenne À essayer...

Pratique du kayak en Bretagne: Actus et brèves... juin 2013

arzhela — 2013-06-18T20:30:00+00:00

18 juin 2013

The Red House - Tasiilaq

Robert Peroni est un alpiniste italien installé depuis plus de 30 ans au Groenland Est. Il accueille les visiteurs dans son incontournable "Red House" à Tasiilaq.

L'été dernier, avec mes co équipiers, nous y avons passé notre première soirée au Groenland. Le repas était un peu particulier pour nous, ce fut la 1ère rencontre avec le phoque, en minuscules lanières séchées...

The Red House accueille aussi les locaux et, avec eux, il développe une petite activité touristique.

A voir, cette vidéo en forme d'interview illustrée (12'), il exprime ce qu'il connait de ce peuple, essentiellement la capacité de ces gens à vivre dans le présent.

Les images sont sublimes, le Groenland est infini...

13 juin 2013

Weekend Kayak et Yoga - 2è édition

1er et 2 juin 2013 - Weekend formation CK/Mer

Sur les traces de la 1ère édition qui avait eu lieu il y a 2 ans, nous avons expérimenté encore cette fois avec de nouveaux participants, toujours dans le Golfe du Morbihan.

L'objectif est de faire découvrir la pratique du yoga et en quoi elle peut être complémentaire de la pratique du kayak.

Avant tout, on a commencé par une séance d'échauffement, celle que propose Dominique Calderon du club catalan "Pagaia", tirée de son expérience de kiné.

Jeux d'équilibre

Changer ses habitudes et ses repères commence en changeant de kayak !

On peut former des radeaux et demander aux personnes aux extrémités d'échanger de kayak, et ainsi de suite avec les avants-derniers et enfin ceux du centre. L'avantage c'est qu'à la fin de ce petit jeu, plus personne n'est dans son kayak, ni n'a sa pagaie !

Radeaux et échanges de kayaks

On peut continuer en se mettant 2 à 2, chaque binôme trouve sa méthode pour échanger de kayaks.

Ensuite chacun sur un kayak, qui n'est plus le sien si vous avez tout suivi!, on peut s'essayer à toutes sortes de positions, limitées plus par nos capacités d'équilibre que par notre imagination !

Il ne reste plus qu'à s'entraîner tout l'été quand l'eau sera plus chaude, car de ce côté là on n'a pas été gâtés, 13°c seulement dans le Golfe un 1er juin !

Changements de repères

Après le pique-nique on a poursuivi avec des jeux plus secs, des ateliers "sans les yeux". Je me suis inspirée d'ateliers animés par Jean-Claude Biraud, bien connu des "ckméristes", et non-voyant.

* Guidage
En binôme, l'un guide, l'autre est le non-voyant, il a un bandeau sur les yeux. Après l'avoir aidé à embarquer, il va falloir naviguer en le guidant. Pour cela il est nécessaire de donner le moyen au non-voyant de savoir où est son guide par un signal constamment répété : "hop, hop, hop,..." à peu près à la cadence de la pagaie. Pour aller vers la gauche, dire "gauche", c'est le non-voyant qui gère sa pagaie pour aller à gauche (même chose pour aller vers la droite). Pour le faire s'arrêter : "stop", et en avant tout droit : "hop, hop, hop,..."

* Travail des appuis
A deux en bord de plage : le guide est dans l'eau et tient la pointe avant du kayak du non-voyant. Le non-voyant relâche complètement ses jambes : pieds en dehors des cale-pieds et genoux relâchés. Les bras du non-voyant sont levés au niveau de la poitrine, pagaie dans les mains, les épaules horizontales. Le guide accentue la gîte du kayak et le non-voyant fait un appui : en gardant le haut du corps bien droit et les épaules horizontales. Le guide fait gîter une fois à gauche, une fois à droite,... sans alterner et sans ordre précis.

Finalement le guide secoue le kayak dans tous les sens, en faisant plonger la pointe avant comme une machine à laver : le non-voyant met des appuis à droite ou à gauche pour se rétablir.

Initiation au yoga

Retour à terre et en route vers le camping pour rencontrer le professeur de yoga.

La séance de cette 1ère journée porte sur la découverte d'étirements de tout le corps, et aussi sur quelques éléments préparatoires à l'esquimautage : postures "tête en bas", respiration et rétentions du souffle, poumons vides ou poumons pleins.

Jeux sur l'eau

Le dimanche est ensoleillé et moins venteux, il est plus propice aux jeux dans l'eau.

On commence la matinée tranquillement en naviguant de bac en bac entre les îles de Berder, La Jument et Hent Henn.

Au retour on rejoint les jolies plages Est de Berder pour expérimenter de nouvelles sensations avec l'eau.

Rechercher l'équilibre dans la gîte

S'allonger sur l'eau avec son gilet, puis avec la pagaie (le "sculling").

Fin en yoga

En milieu d'après-midi on a retrouvé notre professeur de yoga pour une 2è séance. Au programme : étirements, postures d'équilibre, respiration...

Chaque séance se termine par un moment de relaxation. Parfaitement "zen", il ne reste plus qu'à rentrer après ce weekend qui visait le bien-être, dans un cadre propice : le camping de la Fontaine du Hallate nous a encore réjouis avec sa nature florissante, le chant des grenouilles et son accueil chaleureux.

Conclusion

Cette année encore nous avons expérimenté de nouveaux jeux, ce programme se construit avec les apprentissages glanés ici et là et avec l'apport de chaque participant. C'est ce partage que j'encourage et qui me motive pour proposer ces weekends.

05 juin 2013

Stage d'esquimautage groenlandais

Fin juin, un stage d'initiation et de perfectionnement à l'esquimautage groenlandais est proposé par le club RKM à Larmor-Baden (56) dans le Golfe du Morbihan.

Ce stage sera animé par les membres de RKM, ainsi que par Kamp Absalonsen.

Du 22 au 30 juin, weekends et soirées : programme et inscription

05 juin 2013

Mon gilet de sécurité

Je souhaitais acquérir un gilet de sécurité (ou "gilet moniteur"), qui réponde à mes exigences à la fois pour la rivière et la mer.

Il a une poche parfaitement adaptée pour ma VHF et une autre poche pour y stocker mon couteau et mon APN :

Une poche arrière pour l'eau :

Il a tout ce que j'attendais d'un gilet de sécu : il est léger, est équipé d'un bon harnais, il a une bonne flottabilité, bref c'est du bon matos Kokatat, le modèle "Gilet Guide".

J'en ai fait l'acquisition sur la nouvelle boutique de Navikayak qui diversifie ses produits pour les kayakistes. Au delà des cartes et topos, ce site nous propose désormais d'autres équipements.

Contrairement à ce que laisse supposer la photo, ce gilet n'est pas particulièrement dessiné pour les femmes, il est mixte.

A visiter : la boutique kayakdiroise.fr, l'équipement du kayakiste

>>> mai 2013 :

L'Armen

Tatiyak: Sun, at last!

Tatiana — 2013-06-18T19:01:25+00:00

Venerdì sera siamo stati invitati dall'amico Raffaele al concerto dell'Ensemble Barocco di Napoli.
Mi è cresciuta la nostalgia per la mia città d'elezione ancora prima di entrare nella sala da concerto: Raffaele mi ha fatto scoprire il kayak da mare e a lui devo le mie prime pagaiate tra Posillipo e Mergellina...
Ogni volta che abbiamo occasione di farlo, ci ritroviamo volentieri negli angoli più improbabili del Bel Paese!
Volere è potere, recita l'adagio, e mantenere viva la fiamma dell'amicizia non è mai stato un problema.
Raggiungere l'Isola di San Giulio sul Lago d'Orta, invece, ci ha riservato qualche sorpresa...

Il molo dell'Isola di San Giulio al centro del Lago d'Orta...

La navigazione di linea cessa alle 18,30. I taxi accettano un minimo di tre passeggeri, noi siamo soltanto in due. Sul cartellone con gli orari c'è un numero di cellulare: la voce gentile che risponde dopo pochi squilli ci conferma che non c'è altro modo di raggiungere l'isolino al centro del lago... E noi che volevamo cenare insieme agli amici musicisti per goderci un po' di quel bell'accento napoletano! Non possiamo far altro che attendere il traghetto prenotato dagli organizzatori della serata per gli amanti della musica barocca. Ma quando abbiamo ormai perso le speranze attracca il battellino del ristorante: siamo salvi (beh, quasi!). Dimentico di soffrire il mal di mare su qualsiasi imbarcazione che non sia un kayak e dopo dieci minuti di sofferenza pura abbraccio finalmente Raffaele... Avessimo saputo che era così complicato, avremmo caricato in auto anche i kayak ed in un batti baleno ci saremmo ritrovati sull'isola: pagaiare è tanto più veloce, economico, ecologico, sano e divertente!

... esercizi di stile...

Ma i laghi non sono soltanto luoghi popolati da orrendi mostri ed infidi gorghi, come può pensare qualcuno. Anzi, riservano ogni volta delle piacevoli sorprese! Talvolta anche degli inaspettati 'fuori-programma'.
Sabato ci siamo goduti il Lago Maggiore in kayak, da sopra e da sotto l'acqua...
Era la giornata perfetta per i corsi di rolling da tempo programmati: il sole ha finalmente fatto capolino tra le montagne e ha rischiato l'intera giornata (beh, quasi!). L'acqua era ancora fredda per una creatura freddolosa come la sottoscritta ma Michele non ha dato il minimo segno di cedimento, neanche quando la pioggia ha ricoperto lo specchio verde del lago di goccioloni pesanti e neri. E' durato solo pochi minuti, ma l'orizzonte si è chiuso dietro una cortina madida di mestizia... Poi Michele ha eseguito un magistrale rolling con le mani ed in cielo è tornato a splendere il sole!

All'ombra dei salici bianchi di Gurée...

La domenica, poi, ci siamo a lungo trastullati in buona compagnia lungo la sponda lombarda del Verbano.
L'unico vero obiettivo della giornata, però, più che pagaiare è stato quello di svuotare boccali di birra in ognuno dei locali rivieraschi: da Cerro in giù abbondano i bar sul lago e hanno funzionato alla bisogna i chioschi degli stabilimenti balneari di Gurée e di Ispra. Ha piovuto ancora, da una nuova inesistente che abbiamo invano cercato nel cielo azzurro e sereno... misteri del lago! Salutati i due nuovi amici di Lesa, con Andrea, Bruno e Anna siamo rientrati alla base solo a sera inoltrata, giusto in tempo per una pizza ed... un'ultima birra!
English translation in a few days... hopefully :-)

PenobscotPaddles: Scenes from the Porcupines - Mount Desert Island

PenobscotPaddles — 2013-06-18T18:16:23+00:00

Out by Burnt Porcupine and Rum Key looking across Frenchman's bay

Sunday was just another glorious day in Maine. Lots of sun, just enough wind. A bright and early start on one of our favorite trips.

We were greeted by a black backed gull and a porpoise at buoy 7. We'd see another pod of porpoise out beyond Long Porcupine.

The cliffs, as always were amazing.

Lots of guillemots on the water, once again, most came out in pictures as blurry black dots. We took a break on the tombolo between Long Porcupine and the Hop.

Out at the Hop lots of new sea bricks had been deposited on shore. Bricks (or stones) were a necessity to sink wooden lobster traps, at least until the laths became soaked. With metal traps, bricks help keep the trap in place, and help it to sink right side up. These bricks have escaped from traps and tumbled across the ocean floor before being tossed up on shore. (Many traps now use concrete bars instead - somewhat less attractive.)

Lots of others out on Frenchman's Bay. We came upon the Margaret Todd by Rum Key. I just love this four masted schooner, so I had a hard time choosing between this shot of the ship on Frenchmen's Bay.

This one, sailing by Sheep Porcupine with Cadillac Mountain in the background.

Or this with Mark positioned between them.

At any rate, there are few places as magnificent for paddling.

Summary Information: Launch Bar at the end of Bridge Street in Bar Harbor. No parking at launch: parking is available on West Street and side streets. No facilities: the information booth on Thompson Island is one options as are public toilets at the town dock.
High about 5:30 AM Launch 9AM Finish Noon. 8 miles

Essex Explorations: Sunset under the solarium [Flickr]

2013-06-18T16:22:04+00:00

Essex Explorations posted a photo:

In less then a week I’ll be calling this my home for 6 days of northbound travel. On this trip I was returning from a paddle in SE Alaska aboard one of the Alaska Marine Highway System’s ‘blue canoes’. This is the solarium on one of the rear upper decks. As you can see, it’s open but heated. Just claim a lounger with your sleeping bag and enjoy the million dollar view.

For me, this has to be the best way to travel. A large part of it, beside just the fact you’re not squeeze in a flying beer can, is that you have a chance to appreciate the distance and wilderness you’re about to submerge yourself in.

And it’s just plain fun!

The Paddling Headquarters Blog: Mountain Equipment Co-op Announces a Complete Rebrand

David H. Johnston — 2013-06-18T15:58:57+00:00

It looks like we are going to be seeing some major changes in the coming months at Canada’s largest outdoor co-operative retailer, Mountain Equipment Co-op (MEC).

CEO, David Labistour announced this morning in the Co-op's blog that they will be undertaking a massive brand revitalization program. The announcement is a little vague but there are a couple clues scattered throughout:

What they said: Starting this summer, we’ll begin to roll out a revitalized brand platform. It begins with a new version of our logo on MEC products released in July. In September, you’ll see a shift in the style of photography and the design of store interiors, elements that will complement the freshness of our product lines.

What it likely means: The familiar mountain logo is gone and replaced with something less "rough and tumble mountainy". This will allow them to cut their ties with the past as the place to get only mountain gear and give them the ability expand into new outdoor sports down the road.

This also means that the old way of how they did things and the decisions behind types of gear they sell is finished. It’s clear at MEC is feeling the competition from big box stores like Bass Pro, Sail and some Canadian Tire stores that they need to change or become quickly irrelevant.

So what does that mean? My guess is that they are going to be making very hard choices to what they will focus on. Hard choices mean that money losing departments like the rock climbing section will probably be cut back drastically (or moved out of the store and available online only) making room for more urban activities like expanded cycling or running departments.

I think we are also going to see a subtle shift in the clothing line-up away from purely wilderness designed clothing (ugly but functional) over to more lightweight “outdoor lifestyle” clothing to compete with the clothing departments found at Sail and Marks (which is owned by Canadian Tire).

Are all these changes bad? Nobody likes change so the knee-jerk reaction is to think the sky is falling but I think this could be a good opportunity for MEC to get themselves out of the corner they have painted themselves into.

As much as we like to think that Canadians actually do stuff in the wilderness; we don’t. We have two weeks of vacation and typically too busy to do anything more than a quick weekend adventure somewhere. Canadians are interested in being active but not interested in being outside for long periods of time and our buying purchases reflect that in everything from yoga pants and running shoes to stand-up paddling and recreational kayaks. The problem is that if you only sell expensive gear aimed at the shrinking market of hard-core adventure kids you will be out of business quickly.

Paddle California: Helmet Safety

Bryant Burkhardt — 2013-06-18T15:40:04+00:00

Let's talk about what makes a good helmet. This is something that I've discussed elsewhere but never in detail here on my blog. The topic comes up time and time again and it always surprises me how little people seem to know (or care) about what they use to protect their head. When I started paddling I did a fair amount of research to educate myself. I'll share my findings and developed beliefs to try to make things easy for folks.

A quick note about design: if you're more worried about how it looks, then maybe you should find another sport. Yes, there's fashion in kayaking. But it should always come after function, especially when the function is safety.

To a certain extent, the most important thing is that the helmet fits. If it doesn't, it won't stay on when it's needed or the owner won't want to wear it in the first place. Make sure it's comfortable. Take your time to outfit it well. Add some fit pads so it comfortably touches in many spots Adjust the chin strap so it's tight - it should make chewing a challenge. When you shake your head no the helmet should move with your head, when you push on the brim it shouldn't lift off your forehead. It should come down low enough to cover your temples and your occipital lobe (lower back of skull).

You can't tell how a helmet will fit and what it will cover without trying it on. Some small looking helmets actually cover the important areas. Some large helmets might still sit too high on the head and leave your forehead exposed. Try it on, look in the mirror, get a friend to tell you how it sits in the back. There's no other way than trying and I often take up to an hour to adjust and pad out a new helmet.

After the fit, the most important thing is the foam. Lots of people want to know what the shell is made out of, but it's not nearly as important as what foam is inside. And most people don't even ask what it is. It's the foam that absorbs the energy of an impact - especially the big ones. There are different types of foam but all kayak helmets are made to absorb multiple impacts. That means the foam takes a hit and absorbs the energy without permanent deformation. (bike helmets, on the other hand, are designed to take a single impact after which they have lost their ability to absorb energy).

Some foams are better than others. The best is EPP (expanded polypropylene). It's got better energy absorption properties than standard minicell (often EPE - Expanded Polyethylene or EVA - Ethylene Vinyl Acetate). And all foams come in different thicknesses and densities. The dense stuff isn't as comfy but it absorbs more energy. Lots of companies either have two layers (a dense outside layer with a thinner, comfier liner) or they have fit pads that are softer to make the fit more comfortable. If you can compress the foam with your hands to touch the shell it is too soft or too thin.

And important thing to note is that even though helmets are designed to handle repeated blows, if the impact is large enough it will deform the foam and limit it's ability to handle more blows in the future. BUT YOU CAN'T SEE IT. You may not notice any difference in the foam but if you take a large hit you should think about retiring your helmet even if it looks fine. Some people talk about 'repairing' their cracked helmet - even if you do repair the glass shell you can't repair foam. It would need to be replaced.

The shell is the least important but the most noticeable thing about a helmet. Carbon fiber is light, stiff and expensive. Does it protect you better than plastic? Maybe. A stiff shell can spread the force of a point impact across more of the foam. That's good if you hit a sharp object. But fiberglass or a stiff plastic will do almost as well as carbon. A soft plastic won't do well at all - you want a helmet, not a piece of tupperware.

Another thing of note is shape. Helmets with a large brim (like the Sweet Strutter) can catch current and exert a tremendous force on your neck pushing the helmet back. Not good for surfing - river or ocean. Full face helmets can protect your teeth (and good looks) but can limit your communication. Some people talk about the danger of snagging the front bar of a full face, but I've never heard of it happening. On the other hand, I personally know several paddlers who have lost teeth and so does everyone else.

So take your time and put some thought into your helmet. You don't need to spend a ton of money - the most expensive is not always the best or necessary. But start with what fits. Pay attention to what it's made of. And keep in mind what you are going to be using it for.

For the record, I use a Shred Ready Shaggy fiberglass helmet for most paddling - teaching, easy whitewater, ocean playing. Good stiff shell, EPP foam, small brim. For class IV/V whitewater I use a Sweet Rocker Full Face - carbon shell, full coverage, lots of EPP foam.

Cape Town Kayak: Hout Bay pictures

Derek — 2013-06-18T12:01:50+00:00

Simply excellent paddle yesterday. Beautiful conditions. We paddled from the harbour out to Seal Island then across to Chapmans Peak, then followed the cliffs back towards Hout Bay returning to the harbour for a few pints and lunch. For those who asked how far it was, Google Earth measured around 15kms

Horisont Kajak: Kamraträddning

2013-06-18T10:08:05+00:00

Kamraträddning är den kanske viktigaste och mest grundläggande säkerhetstekniken vid paddling på öppet vatten. Öva ofta och i de typer av förhållanden du paddlar i så blir du en säker paddlare och en trygg färdkamrat.

1. Håll i utrustningen

När du hamnat i vattnet gäller det att snabbt samla ihop din utrustning. Håll paddeln med ena handen och greppa tag i kajaken så att den inte driver ifrån dig. Vänd gärna den kapsejsade kajaken så att den ligger på rätt köl. Räddaren paddlar sedan fram längs med den kapsejsade kajaken och tar tag i ändöglan.

2. Vänd kajaken på rätt köl

Om den kapsejsade inte haft sinnesnärvaro nog att vända kajaken själv: Den kapsejsade flyttar sig till att istället hålla fast i räddarens för, medan denne tömmer den kapsejsade kajaken. För att ha händerna fria fäster räddaren sin egen paddel under däckslinorna. Hon greppar och lyfter sedan i kajakens handtag med sin vänstra hand, samtidigt som hon vänder runt kajaken genom att trycka mot kölen med den högra.

3. Greppa runt kajaken

Räddaren håller kvar den vänstra handen i handtaget, samtidigt som hon för den andra armen över kajaken och greppar runt kölen.

4. Dra upp kajaken på däcket

Räddaren lyfter och vrider kajaken upp på sida, samtidigt som hon drar upp den framför sig över sittbrunnen. Genom att dra upp kajaken på sidan undviker du att kölen rispar hål på kapellet.

5. Töm kajaken på vatten

Räddaren lägger sin vänstra arm under kajaken och vrider samtidigt runt den ytterligare ett kvarts varv så att den är upp och ner. Hon låter kajaken vila i sitt vänstra armveck medan vattnet rinner ut.

6. Lägg kajakerna åt motsatt håll.

Räddaren lägger upp den tömda kajaken längs sin egen, fast med fören åt motsatt håll. Paddlaren i vattnet tar sig fram och ger räddaren sin paddel som läggs framför henne tvärs över båda kajakerna och kläms fast mellan armarna och kroppen. Räddaren tar ett stadigt grepp med båda händerna om sargkanten på den tömda kajaken. OBS! Notera att inga fingrar sticks under sargkanten på utsidan av sittbrunnssargen. Fingrar under sargen medför risk för allvarliga skador.

7. Häv dig upp på däcket

Den kapsejsade greppar i räddarens däckslinor och simmar sedan upp sina egna ben till ytan. Därefter kan hon sträcka sig ända till sin egen sittbrunnssarg och med ett par kraftiga bensparkar häva sig upp över räddarens däck.

8. Lägg dig längs med kajaken

Den kapsejsade ålar sig över till sin egen kajak, liggandes på mage med huvudet akterut och benen mot sin sittbrunn.

9. Trä ner benen i sittbrunnen

Ett i taget kan den kapsejsade trä ner sina ben i sittbrunnen och om det behövs åla en aning baklänges för att komma i position för nästa manöver.

10. Vrid runt kroppen

Genom att försiktigt vrida sig med ansiktet mot räddaren kommer den kapsejsade ner i sittbrunnen.

11. Kom ner i sittställning

Den kapsejsade ser till att hon sitter bra och räddaren försäkrar sej om att den kapsejsade mår bra och kan paddla vidare.

12. Sätt på kapellet

Fram tills nu har räddaren hela tiden hållit ett stadigt grepp på insidan av sittbrunnssargen. Nu flyttar hon sitt grepp till däckslinorna så att den kapsejsade kan sätta fast sitt kapell.

13. Greppa paddeln och glid isär

Räddaren räcker över den kapsejsades paddel och de kan glida ifrån varandra bakåt. De kan nu fortsätta paddlingen.

TIPS

*För både din egen och andras säkerhet är det viktigt att du övar ofta på kamraträddning. I ett skarpt läge kommer du att vara väldigt stressad och då är det lätt att göra fel om tekniken inte sitter i ryggmärgen.

*Öva gärna kamraträddning under säkra former, men i hög sjö och kraftig vind. Om du bara tränat på slätvatten eller i badbassäng har du ingen garanti för att du klarar det i svårare förhållanden.

*Om du inte kan manövrera din kajak så att du kan positionera dej för att utföra en kamraträddning spelar det ingen roll hur väl du kan tekniken. Lär dej utnyttja vind och vågor så att du snabbt kan paddla fram till din nödställda kamrat. Gå en kurs. Du får många tips och genvägar.

*Det finns många varianter av kamraträddning och alla har sina för- och nackdelar. Det bästa sättet att lära sig är genom att gå en kurs med certifierade instruktörer och att hitta flera typer av räddningar att stoppa i verktygslådan.

Materialet har publicerats i bilagan KAJAK som följer med Utemagasinet och vi tackar Lars Larsson, som fotat och skrivit, för att vi fått använda materialet.

Jimski's Blog: Up the Conwy

Jim Krawiecki — 2013-06-18T07:00:46+00:00

The Conwy Ascent race is a must for racing or touring paddlers diary. This event is well established and is always run in a pleasingly relaxed manner by Dyffryn Conwy Paddlers.

There is always a 'Le Mans' style racing start with all competitors lined up along the top of the beach. When the word is given, everyone dashes down the beach to their kayaks to launch as quickly as possible, and get under way.

The course starts at 'The Beacons' car park and beach at the mouth of the Conwy estuary and uses the flooding tide as it winds its way 15 kilometres upstream to Dolgarrog Bridge.

The combination of a weak neap tide and strong headwinds meant that no course records were in danger of being broken this time.

Freya Hoffmeister: Zu Gast im WDR “Kölner Treff”

2013-06-18T07:00:11+00:00

The Dash Point Pirate: New Video: "Liquid Journey: A Voyage Through Tranquil Channels of Consciousness"

aelizaga — 2013-06-18T00:25:45+00:00

Sometimes sea kayaking is not about playing in ocean rock gardens, surfing awesome tidal races, or mastering esoteric traditional rolls. Sometimes you just go on a trip and you paddle all day long and nothing really happens. That's OK! When I bought my first kayak, I just enjoyed long trips alone on a calm sunny day. There is a sense of space you get from being under the wide open sky and on the water a mile from land that you don't experience living indoors. When the sky and sea are the same gray color there is also a bit of sensory deprivation. There is definitely something meditative about both the environment and the rhythm of paddling that allows you to turn inward.

Some people have asked me how I can not get bored while paddling, if I don't listen to music or something. I don't listen to music on long trips and I think it's sad that people really ask that question. It's like they can't imagine not being constantly stimulated and entertained by music, the internet, TV or whatever. They are afraid to be left alone with their own thoughts.

My original idea was to make a time lapse video showcasing the beauty of the San Juan Islands. It's not easy both paddling and making time lapse videos, because time lapse videos take a lot of time to make! It can also be a challenge keeping your photo gear clean and dry while touring. So I did what I could and came up with this. It turned out to be kinda New Agey, especially when I added music, so I decided to just go with it.

Sea kayaking with SeaKayakPhoto.com: Single ticket to Campbeltown please.

Douglas Wilcox — 2013-06-17T23:53:27+00:00

Calmac recently launched a new service from Ardrossan on the Ayrshire coast to Campbeltown on the distant (by road) Mull of Kintyre. It is a pretty limited service but the ferry that left at 1330 on Sunday and arrived at Campbeltown at 1630 looked interesting and avoided a crack of dawn start. We decided to leave our cars in the manned 24 hr car park at Ardrossan ferry terminal and buy single

Essex Explorations: Last stability/float/pack test. Next time this boat feels water will be in Alaska. #seawardkayaks [Flickr]

2013-06-17T22:12:36+00:00

Essex Explorations posted a photo:

Mountain and Sea Scotland: Equipment review - "The Sprainer"

Ian — 2013-06-17T22:02:28+00:00

I particularly like pieces of kit which are simple, especially if an item can perform more than one function. For cooking in a non-stick pan on camping or bothy trips I wanted a good spoon which wouldn't scratch the pot. Normally I cook and eat with a MSR titanium spoon which doubles as a tool for maintaining one of my stoves, an MSR Dragonfly, but clearly titanium would damage a non-stick pot.

I also wanted something to help when straining vegetables, rice or pasta in the pan. I couldn't find anything which fitted the bill properly on either count, lots of Lexan spoons but none big enough to use as a cooking utensil, and all the strainers were to big to carry easily in a rucsac or a boat. So, I decided to make my own.

A wooden spoon from my local hardware store cost less than a pound. I cut off about half of the handle, measured so that the spoon would fit inside the non-stick pan but still be long enough to use for cooking with. Then I used a drill to make a series of holes in the spoon so that I could use it for straining. The longest row of holes are drilled to follow the profile of the pot rim, though it's not really necessary to be so precise!

So here it is the Spoon-Strainer - or "Sprainer"! I can report that it works rather well, and is a good deal less expensive than some of the alternatives :o)

Le Kayak de Mer dans le Nouveau Monde: Nouvelles: Un kayakiste de Victoria, Jerome Truran, 57 ans, tente d'établir un nouveau record de circumnavigation de l'île de Vancouver

2013-06-17T21:26:00+00:00

Un kayakiste de Victoria, C.B., pagaye présentement contre certaines des mers les plus agitées de la côte Ouest alors qu'il tente de battre le record du monde de la plus rapide circumnavigation de l'île de Vancouver en kayak de mer.Jérôme Truran, 57 ans, s'est lancé dans l'ambitieux parcours de 1150 kilomètres de Port Hardy, près de la pointe nord de l'île à environ 4 h, le mercredi 12 Juin.Le kayakiste, qui pagaie sans aide, doit couvrir environ 75 kilomètres par jour pour atteindre son but.Truran veut battre le record de 15 jours, 11 heures et 47 minutes établi en Juin 2011 par l'aventurier de Comox, Colin Angus, qui a fait le tour de l'île dans une chaloupe à siège à glissière qu'il avait conçu et construit lui même. Angus, qui connait Truran, dit que le fait que son ami veuille voler le titre qu'il a gardé pendant deux ans ne le dérange pas. «Cela est fait dans l'esprit de plaisir et de surpassement», a déclaré Angus avec un éclat de rire. «C'est un pagayeur inc ...

Essex Explorations: Photo of the Week – M/V Columbia

2013-06-17T19:19:06+00:00

For me, this has to be the best way to travel. A large part of it, beside just the fact you’re not squeeze in a flying beer can, is that you have a chance to appreciate the distance and wilderness you’re about to submerge yourself in.

And it’s just plain fun!

The Paddling Headquarters Blog: Funny Video Filled with True Facts about Seahorses

David H. Johnston — 2013-06-17T16:24:10+00:00

I always knew that Seahorses were awesome but the video below puts my love for them over the top.

A whole bunch of Ing's.: Lying around the beach.

Lee — 2013-06-17T17:20:58+00:00

Not a fit day for paddling; however a great day for lying around the beach!

Jersey Kayak Adventures: BCU Foundation Safety & Rescue Training (FSRT) for kayakers

2013-06-17T12:40:52+00:00

Sat 22 June. A very practical kayak safety course. Last 2 places. Details

Océanos de Libertad: Final del campeonato del mundo de kayaksurf (HP) (Bakio-Mundaka 2007)

Jorge López — 2013-06-17T11:45:45+00:00

Edu Etxeberria en el Take Off.

Una pena perder las imágenes que mi amigo Juanma había grabado...hubiera sido un video memorable...

Sean Morley.

Rusty Sage canteando.

San Juan de Gaztelugatxe.

Bueno pues voy a tirar de memoria...llegó el día de las finales, femeninas y masculinas en las diferentes categorias, junior, senior y master. Tanto en las clases IC como HP...en otra ocasión os comento un poco en que consisten ...solo deciros que la HP que es la que tengo aquí, son kayaks con quillas y de una eslora menor de 3 mts, normalmente andan entre los 240 y 216 cm...

El sol por fin hizo acto de presencia, y las olas se pusieron a la altura de un campeonato del mundo...ya no por el tamaño, sino por la fuerza con la que rompían, cosa que pudios comprobar una vez finalizado el mundial...

Sean Morley.

Edu en un aereo.

En la arena de la playa de Bakio con San Juan de Gaztelugatze como telón de fondo, se encontraban
los 4 finalistas: Sean Morley de Irlanda, Chris Harvey de Jersey, Rusty Sage, U.S.A y Edu Etxeberria de Euskadi.

El nivel de la final muy bueno, y los 4 buscaban las mejores olas para poder puntuar. A Edu, el ídolo local y desde mi punto de vista el más completo de todos, le traiciono un poco el intentar agradar a su público y desde luego que fue de los 4 el que más arriesgó con maniobras estratosféricas, pero que no siempre cuajaron.
De él fue el único helix de la final, es una maniobra compleja que para entendernos consiste en una vez surfeamos la pared de la ola, dejarnos caer de espaldas sobre la misma y dar un giro horizontal como una hélice para volver a surfear la ola cabeza arriba (más o menos; podeis ver alguna secuencia de fotos)

Finalmente el ganador merecido fue Rusty Sage, aunque Edu fue el expectáculo de la prueba.

Chris Harvey.

Rusty Sage world Champion 2007.

Video kayak surf Worl championship.

Kayak Surf World Champonship. (Bakio-Mundaka) HP Final. from Jorge on Vimeo.

SandyBottom: We're Movie Stars

SandyBottom — 2013-06-17T08:49:17+00:00

Well, kind of. A 90 minute documentary of this past 2013 March WaterTribeEverglades Challenge just came out on YouTube. My husband Paul, son Alan, and I are all featured somewhat in a few short interviews and pictures. My paddling friend KiwiBird, and many other WaterTribe friends are also featured. The video, 90 minutes, can be found here. If after watching the video you

Mike Jackson's Paddling Journal: June 16th - Harbourfest (#41)

Mike J — 2013-06-17T08:26:08+00:00

I went down to the harbourfest in the afternoon to do a short demonstration of Greenland rolling. I did not get any distance in and didn't use my GPS! :) There were about 50 people watching and I had fun doing some rolls I have not done for a while.I also got to throw the spear that Bill made for me!

Douglas Bain took some great shots (including some showing poor form!) which are posted here: http://bluegiraffephoto.zenfolio.com/harbour/h6e2ff07a#h6a298d5b

what is he looking at!

0 km, YTD 428 km

Arne's kajak blog: Kortenhoefse Plassen (NL)

Arne — 2013-06-17T06:01:36+00:00

Het natuurgebied bij Kortenhoef blijft prachtig. Het is er gelukkig verboden voor motorvaart. Ik ben er al vaak geweest en voer toen meestal de uitgezette route. Nu ben ik een beetje gaan rondkijken op andere plekken. Vaak loopt een kreekje na een tijdje dood en moet je keren. Juist deze plekken zijn bijna 'onaangetast' en erg mooi!

Een van de officiële aanlegplekken.

Frogma: The Gowanus Challenge was SuperFUNd!

bonnie — 2013-06-17T03:06:00+00:00

So about that canoe race on the Gowanus - there was no way I was going to be organized enough to race yesterday -- but even if I could have, I don't know if I could've resisted the chance to go take some pictures of the craziness. The Gowanus Dredgers launch site is at 2nd Street, and there's a bridge at 3rd Street that made the perfect photo perch. OK, the guy with the drone probably got the best shots of all of us, but it was still a ton of fun.

Here a few of my favorite photos from the day. There are lots more pictures over on a Picasa gallery I'll link to at the end -- if you were in the race, you are probably in there, go check it out!

I got to the Gowanus around 10:30, with the race scheduled to start at 11:00. I had actually never been to the Dredgers' launch site before but when I turned a corner and saw the scene below, I figured I was in the right place.

Sam Adams beer was a major sponsor and sent a team. Here is a Brewer-Patriot making devil horns at the drone. "I didn't agree to drones!"

Here is the drone, just in case you thought I was joking:

Here's the starting line - canoes and the one brave haz-mat suited SUP'er awaiting the starter's gun.

GO GO GO! Some people took it very seriously.

Others...eh, not so seriously. Sandy and Danny in their double Greased Lightning cut off the Hazmat Viking.

And then we had the Brewer-Patriots...um, gentlemen, are you aware that the race has begun? :D

Sandy and Danny did eventually win the kayak division - here they are coming back the other way. There were rumours of this Grease-y couple bribing canoes to cut off their closest competitor, "Rising Dolphin"...

But despite the failure of the canoes to impede the progress of the guy in the pink unitard, he was still unable to catch the blazing Greased Lightning. Here he is heading for a 2nd place finish.

More of the pack racing for the finish.

If there'd been an award for best smile I think this lady might have won.

Thanks to the Gowanus Dredgers for a great day! Want to see more of the day's fun? Click here to go to the gallery. Enjoy!

Kayak Yak: New Vancouver Island Circumnavigation Record Attempt

John Herbert — 2013-06-17T02:55:00+00:00

57 year-old Jerome Truran left Port Hardy at the northern tip of Vancouver Island on Wednesday as he began his attempt to set a new Vancouver Island circumnavigation speed record. The current circumnavigation record is 15 days, 11 hours and 27 minutes set in a rowing rig by adventurer Colin Angus in 2011. The speed record for circumnavigating Vancouver Island in a kayak is 16 days, 12 hours and 14 minutes set by Joe O'Blenis in 2010.
Truran has already passed the tricky Brooks Peninsula on the outside of the island as he continues south on his unsupported expedition. You can follow along on his blog.

Kayak Yak: Beaver Lake again!

Paula — 2013-06-17T01:59:00+00:00

It's been a while since I last took a kayak to Beaver Lake or Elk Lake. This kind-of hourglass-shaped lake is a sheltered place to paddle, and it's pretty popular in summer. That makes it a good winter paddle for our group. The other times I come here is on days that I'm volunteering as a naturalist in the Nature Centre. It's nice to show up early with a little inflatable and spend an hour noodling around the lake before opening the Nature Centre.
Today I saw more boats on the lake than ducks -- and that counts the mallard with her nine fuzzy baby ducklings. There were sit-on-top kayaks, Pelicans, a couple of canoes, and some short recreational kayaks, all buzzing around the lake. Most fun of all was seeing a truck in the parking lot with the back full of boat -- two short rec kayaks pointing backwards and one sea kayak pointing forward to the sky over the truck cab.
So it was definitely summer at Beaver Lake: lots of boats, people picnicking, and other people running through the beach area on the jogging trail. Also, the water was green with a bit of an algae bloom.
Before going on the lake, I sent a SPOT ok message while talking about my gear with a jogger. It was a good day! And the Nature Centre has a new exhibit... a river otter, stuffed and mounted. Nice to get a close-up look at an otter.

Greenlandorbust.org: Greenland Weekend: November 2 to 3, Devon, England

2013-06-16T23:22:59+00:00

Date: November 2 to 3

Location: Devon, England

Description: More information soon.

Contact: For more information, course fees or to register, e-mail info@seakayakingsouthwest.co.uk.

Just Yakkin' . . .: Father's Day Paddle, 2013 - A Pictorial

Sean Dawe — 2013-06-16T22:17:14+00:00

Here's a few pictures from the 2013 Father's Day Paddle in Cape Broyle. Wind was a factor but a great time was had by all.

Where: Cape Broyle

When: June 16, 2016

Who: 16 intrepid paddlers.

A whole bunch of Ing's.: They year of 7013...Me and my hero...and other random addling yarns

Lee — 2013-06-16T22:08:00+00:00

Rain and the inability to move my lazy bones. The only way to combat the feeling of not wanting to move....move even further than you normally do. Cellphone in the kayak I headed to the open bay and turned my kayaks nose into the wind. Direction decided.

Much like myself the wind had no idea where it was going or how much steam it was going to apply to the effort. Choppy wind waves turned to flat calm to white caps...typical Trinity bay.

Just outside New Harbour I began to notice how many extremely large golden root plants adorned high on the cliffs. Sizes that expressed years of survival tucked into the cracks of 100 meter heights. I landed on a shoal tying my boat onto a old dead tree and began to free climb. Once I got to where this pic was taken I realised two things... I couldn't reach it and this was a lot higher than it looked from the water! Not to be defeated I desended and took a path upward just to the left and carefully pulled a few pieces off to try to cultivate around my home. Kayak hatch full of ediable plants....off to the next town.

New Harbour was buzzing with Saturday afternoon activity as people tested out their boats spinning about the bay. A couple fishermen were checking their net's; a few more pulling their lobster pots. I was truly enjoying the constant movement and lack of social contact; so I aimed towards Anderson's cove. Andersons cove in New harbour is a designated historical site once inhabitanted by Maritime archaic Indian's. Paddling along this undeveloped coast I couldn't help but wonder what the year 7013 would look like here. 5000 years ago these humans sat here and could not comprehend 2013..... This simple reality we are living in today would have been comprehensible to these people....7013...have a moment to think about that yourself!

Rounding the funnest landpint in Trinity bay.... Dildo head. The wind picked up with the setting sun and I had a absolute blast surfing into the into a equally funny named town of Dildo. Aside from the obvious peculiar name this truly is a breathtaking beauty of a tiny village.

A great paddle. From unable to barely move to travelling 18 km on open ocean. From 2013 to 7013 in a thought process. These are the things that keep me paddling. By the time Megan arrived and we left this beautiful little town I had about 10 conversations with people passing by. Two offers of a night of drinking, a ball cap and a yarn.....and caught up with some family driving through the area.

And to top it all off; to add motivation to this crippling thing we deem lazy....this morning I got a few photo's from a friend.

Seeing people sitting downtown in our nations Capital; appreciating Samuel de Champlain's amazing contributions to our country 400 years ago. Seeing my own photo's painting the scenes of his journey... via pictures I snapped paddling those same beautiful waters in the Ottawa valley. I could go into the million things I am so happy and grateful for....but I think you guys get the point...stoked.

And seeing my name next to one of my life long personal heros.....

Greenlandorbust.org: Have a question?

2013-06-16T19:05:12+00:00

Get in touch with Helen or Mark at info@greenlandorbust.org.

We look forward to any questions and hope you enjoy reading our answers.

Essex Explorations: A couple of snips to the gaskets and bam, one great fitting drysuit! #kokatat [Flickr]

2013-06-16T17:23:23+00:00

Essex Explorations posted a photo:

PAGAYEURS DU LEVANT: Les archipels de Riou et du Frioul

Laurent D. — 2013-06-16T15:26:00+00:00

Une belle navigation de 21 MN entre Riou et Pomègues.

L'île Maïre vue depuis le port des Croisettes.

Riou : sur le chemin du col de la Culatte

L'île Plane vue depuis le col de la Culatte

Nous étions neuf kayakistes...


L'ancien port de Pomègues

Kayakistes : Evelyne, Pierre, Yves, Pascal, Laurent, Gilbert, Didier, Pierre, Christian.

Photgraphies : Laurent D; Pascal Pe.

Cape Town Kayak: Hout Bay paddle Monday 17th

Derek — 2013-06-16T12:49:28+00:00

Weather looks good for this paddle so we are on. Meet at the shop at 8.30am to organise car pooling. If you prefer to meet at Hout Bay then it's 9.15am at NSRI launch site.
Likely route is out to Seal Island then across towards Noordhoek and Chapmans Peak and then back to Hout Bay

kajaknördar - paddling verkar kul: Skogscykling

2013-06-16T11:15:44+00:00

Passade på att ta ett varv runt Rössjön i finvädret (nu tokregnar det). Som vanligt en fin runda. Och som vanligt knappt nån annan ute.

Sea kayaking with SeaKayakPhoto.com: Caught on the wrong foot, retreat to Ardtoe.

Douglas Wilcox — 2013-06-16T08:00:03+00:00

Leaving the north channel of Loch Moidart we ignored the tempting sight of the Small Isles, Eigg and Rum and turned to the north where... ...we entered a turquoise lagoon where we... ...stopped for a well deserved second luncheon. We had intended continuing north and spending the night in a bothy in the Sound of Arisaig but two events changed our mind. The first was a phone call

A solo sea kayak expedition in East Greenland's Ammassalik region: Icelandair

Geoff Murray — 2013-06-16T01:34:58+00:00

Icelandair is the airline that I will be flying with to Reykjavik from Heathrow. The airline is Iceland's main airline and flies from Iceland to 25 destinations in Europe and 10 in the US.

I flew with Icelandair when I went to Iceland last year and their quality of service was excellent.

The company has generously agreed to waive excess baggage costs for my trip, quite a saving :-)

Essex Explorations: I may not get any style points, but this is one mean science/filming platform! #seawardkayaks [Flickr]

2013-06-15T23:18:48+00:00

Essex Explorations posted a photo:

Sea kayaking with SeaKayakPhoto.com: Carbon Fibre sea kayak skeg review and test.

Douglas Wilcox — 2013-06-16T00:16:02+00:00

Paddle sailing is a particularly satisfying aspect of sea kayaking and down wind you can hit speeds of over 20km/hr and frequently overtake the waves in front. Downwind the deployed skeg is very helpful to being able to paddle sail at maximum speed as you are not having to waste energy with steering paddle strokes. Most sea kayaks are fitted with plastic skegs of varying stiffness and form.

have kayaks, will travel: A Father's Day poem for paddlers

bpfamily — 2013-06-15T19:05:38+00:00

To all of you dads

who would rather be paddling

than opening gifts

amid family prattling.

To all of you dads,

be you homely or dashing,

who want to get out

on waves cresting and crashing.

I hear you, I get it.

I feel the same way.

But I think you should hang

with your family today.

(Unless, of course,

your kids paddle, too.

In that case, get out!

This poem’s not for you.)

Think for a moment

of all they have done

to allow you to paddle

and have so much fun.

They put up with your gear

hanging in the back yard.

They tolerate neoprene stink--

and that’s hard!

They squeeze past your kayak

to get to the car.

They don’t laugh aloud

when you say “pub” not “bar.”

They let you buy rescue knives,

tow belts and flares,

and assemble your kits

for first aid and repairs.

They know all the acronyms:

CLAP, PFD

BCU, ACA

VHF, LTPD.

They deal with the sand

and the water and dirt.

They’re even OK

with you wearing a skirt.

So stay home and celebrate

family today.

Hang out with your kids.

Hear what they say.

For despite your addiction

to paddling, it seems,

your children still love you.

You’re the dad of their dreams.

--Sharon

Paddling Planet

Gnarlydog News: REVIEW: shoulderless Northern Light Greenland carbon-fibre paddle

Gnarlydog News: Photo: friends in the Circus

Sea kayaking with SeaKayakPhoto.com: A four pointed cross on a two pointed island.

Paddle Making (and other canoe stuff): Elpeth Soper's Blog: Visiti to British Museum

SimonWillis.net: Raid Pyrenean Cycling Challenge - Article

Liquid Fusion Kayaking: Tracks to Kayaks

Greenlandorbust.org: A sunny day at the lake and a little time at home

GURUSAILS: A prueba

GURUSAILS: Montando las piezas

GURUSAILS: En tension bajo un F6

Jersey Kayak Adventures: Our Sea Kayak Safety classes feature on TV news

GURUSAILS: Bicolor en costura cenital

Le Kayak de Mer dans le Nouveau Monde: Nouvelles: Le Parc régional Réservoir Kiamika ouvre ses portes

South West Sea Kayaking - Savage Shores: Failure to launch

SimonWillis.net: Raid Pyrenean

SimonWillis.net: Day 1 Raid Pyrenean

SimonWillis.net: Day 2 Raid Pyrenean. Plus!

SimonWillis.net: Day 3 Raid Pyrenean

SimonWillis.net: Day 4 Raid Pyrenean

SimonWillis.net: Day 5 Raid Pyrenean

Le Kayak de Mer dans le Nouveau Monde: Nouvelles: Happy Yak : Vente en ligne de repas déshydratés conçus pour le plein-air.

Pratique du kayak en Bretagne: Actus et brèves... juin 2013

The Red House - Tasiilaq

Weekend Kayak et Yoga - 2è édition

Jeux d'équilibre

Changements de repères

Initiation au yoga

Jeux sur l'eau

Fin en yoga

Conclusion

Stage d'esquimautage groenlandais

Mon gilet de sécurité

Tatiyak: Sun, at last!

PenobscotPaddles: Scenes from the Porcupines - Mount Desert Island

Essex Explorations: Sunset under the solarium [Flickr]

The Paddling Headquarters Blog: Mountain Equipment Co-op Announces a Complete Rebrand

Paddle California: Helmet Safety

Cape Town Kayak: Hout Bay pictures

Horisont Kajak: Kamraträddning

Jimski's Blog: Up the Conwy

Freya Hoffmeister: Zu Gast im WDR “Kölner Treff”

The Dash Point Pirate: New Video: "Liquid Journey: A Voyage Through Tranquil Channels of Consciousness"

Sea kayaking with SeaKayakPhoto.com: Single ticket to Campbeltown please.

Essex Explorations: Last stability/float/pack test. Next time this boat feels water will be in Alaska. #seawardkayaks [Flickr]

Mountain and Sea Scotland: Equipment review - "The Sprainer"

Le Kayak de Mer dans le Nouveau Monde: Nouvelles: Un kayakiste de Victoria, Jerome Truran, 57 ans, tente d'établir un nouveau record de circumnavigation de l'île de Vancouver

Essex Explorations: Photo of the Week – M/V Columbia

The Paddling Headquarters Blog: Funny Video Filled with True Facts about Seahorses

A whole bunch of Ing's.: Lying around the beach.

Jersey Kayak Adventures: BCU Foundation Safety & Rescue Training (FSRT) for kayakers

Océanos de Libertad: Final del campeonato del mundo de kayaksurf (HP) (Bakio-Mundaka 2007)

SandyBottom: We're Movie Stars

Mike Jackson's Paddling Journal: June 16th - Harbourfest (#41)

Arne's kajak blog: Kortenhoefse Plassen (NL)

Frogma: The Gowanus Challenge was SuperFUNd!

Kayak Yak: New Vancouver Island Circumnavigation Record Attempt

Kayak Yak: Beaver Lake again!

Greenlandorbust.org: Greenland Weekend: November 2 to 3, Devon, England

Just Yakkin' . . .: Father's Day Paddle, 2013 - A Pictorial

A whole bunch of Ing's.: They year of 7013...Me and my hero...and other random addling yarns

Greenlandorbust.org: Have a question?

Essex Explorations: A couple of snips to the gaskets and bam, one great fitting drysuit! #kokatat [Flickr]

PAGAYEURS DU LEVANT: Les archipels de Riou et du Frioul

Cape Town Kayak: Hout Bay paddle Monday 17th

kajaknördar - paddling verkar kul: Skogscykling

Relaterade:

Sea kayaking with SeaKayakPhoto.com: Caught on the wrong foot, retreat to Ardtoe.

A solo sea kayak expedition in East Greenland's Ammassalik region: Icelandair

Essex Explorations: I may not get any style points, but this is one mean science/filming platform! #seawardkayaks [Flickr]

Sea kayaking with SeaKayakPhoto.com: Carbon Fibre sea kayak skeg review and test.

have kayaks, will travel: A Father's Day poem for paddlers