Happy 2008 to all of my fellow paddlers! Sorry I have been a little absent on the Blog this winter and it appears that my fellow bloggers have been as well. I have been on the water just as much as always (3 to 5 days a week) and I’ve had my hands full with opening another Kayak Store in Rocklin, CA. Penguin Paddlers Pro Shop - Rocklin
I am very excited for 2008 and I think this will be the best year for the kayaker & kayak industry ever. (more…)
It’s a little less streamlined than the rest of the P&H fleet, but according to Ben Lawry, the Kelly Blades Inflatable Man-Yak is “fun to paddle, responsive, and surprisingly gentle.” (more…)
On the way home from a long weekend of instructing at the Door County Sea Kayak Symposium, I took a detour up to Lake Superior to meet up with friends and paddle Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, 40+ miles of sandstone cliffs, dunes, sea caves, arches and waterfalls.
It always seems that no matter how much preparation you do beforehand, the last few days before a big (or even little) trip are filled with more lists, last minute purchases and some anxious moments when you fear you must’ve forgotten something.
Winter seems to have finally relaxed its grip, and I managed to get out for a little spring surfing yesterday. The water is still quite cold (36F / 2C) and despite a sunny, 55F / 13C day, a steady 20kn onshore wind made temps feel downright frigid. (more…)
I recently followed a lengthy debate on a popular paddling forum regarding the pros and cons of rescue stirrups (aka rescue slings). A rescue sling is a device used to help a swimmer who can’t seem to pull themselves up onto their boat during a rescue. Although I’d definitely consider a stirrup to be a last resort, there are times as a guide that a stirrup has proven a quick and effective way of getting a cold and tired paddler back in their boat.
One of the attractions of kayaking is that it is a low-impact way of exploring the wilderness. And that’s true…to an extent. Once we’re in the water, we’re totally zero emissions. But what about getting there?