With the paddling season in high gear, it’s been hard to find a few moments to sit down at the computer to write about what’s been going on here in the Great Lakes.    In late May, Nick Poelking, Larry Fordyce and I guided a group of 14 high school students and two teachers on an 5-day backcountry trip to the Mink and McCoy Islands in Georgian Bay, Ontario.    The area we were paddling in is called the 30,000 Islands region, and the name isn’t hyperbolic.    Cold, clear water, windswept pink granite islands, lonesome pines, and good company all combined to make this a memorable trip.   It also gave me a chance to put the new Cetus to the test on a multi-day trip.    (more…)

With all the glamor and “bling” of a Las Vegas Show Girl… My new CETUS has arrived! (more…)

East Coast Kayak Symposium aka ‘Charleston’  marks the unofficial start to the paddling season here in the south east…..for us that’s about six weeks late, but hey, it’s the south east and nobody’s counting.

Our 7th visit, and unlike Canopia and Jersey Paddler, it’s not about making a sale but more about making  a friend, a strange odd type friend maybe, but thats o.k. People don’t come to Charleston to be sold anything, they come to paddle, talkup, try out and compare every single frickin boat they can.

So what had their neoprene panties in a twist this year ? Well the hot boat on everybodies arse was our very own CETUS. Top coaches as well as a few bottom ones all agreed that the handling characteristics of this boat were outstanding for such a load carrying expedition boat..

Heeling over at 40′ Karen K effortlessly low brace turned across the pond minus the low brace part and we could only imagine what she could do with a better fitting LV Cetus. Bob F’s head was seen to nod. Nigel F came and checked it out… ” Is there a drain plug for the front deck hatch ?” he asked knowingly. Kevin Black said he would be unable to make a final assessment until he sees Freya H attempt downward dog on the rear deck.

A wide variety of shapes and sizes paddled the Cetus and all were impressed. We were impressed that everyone was impressed.

A final note. We saw a lot of people with high end foam core Werners. We also saw a lot of people using their paddle as a support device for entry and exit. It begs the question…’Who’s teaching the teachers and why can’t I have a foam core paddle?’

Later. Nigel & Kristin Sponsored by each other.

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.

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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?  

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Brrrr — We had a great couple of days at the Canoe Sport Expo. Whilst it was cold –1 degree F while we were there — it snowed big after the event.

The numbers of people grew as seen here during a dry rolling session

All of thepret off well and the folks in Iowa have a great paddle season to look forward to.
Jeff and Casey thats for a great event and I hope that you and your customers found it very worth while.
Thanks for a great event.

A relatively mild winter turned wicked a few weeks ago, and I find myself ice-bound and snowed under.   Temperatures haven’t topped freezing in three weeks, and a winter storm just dumped 18 inches of snow on us.  

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This crazy world we live in never seems to slow down. I know most people read the paper in the morning and I think it can set the tone for the entire day. (more…)

After an incredible 2006 racking up mileage in the new Capella 161, thought I’d take a moment to show a few photos and get everyone excited about 2007. Busting Through Wave at Skooks photo copyright Gary Luhm (more…)