12 New Year’s resolutions for paddlers
If you’ve outgrown your drysuit, go ahead and resolve to lose some weight. Otherwise, try these on for size and choose the ones that fit. In 2012, I resolve to… 1.… read moreHow to become a better paddler
No matter what your passion, there’s a point at which you’re likely to plateau. That may be OK; perhaps you’ve become proficient enough to accomplish everything you desire. But for those who are dedicated to continued improvement and have ambitions as coaches, expeditioners or higher-level paddlers, plateaus aren’t acceptable.…
read moreFeeling like the Maiden of Deception Pass
The Maiden of Deception Pass, after her transformation.
There’s a Salish legend about the Maiden of Deception Pass, who encounters a handsome (though “damp and chilly”) young man who lives in the depths of the ocean.…
read moreBack at Body Boat Blade, Part 1: Deception Pass
We’re back at Body Boat Blade, on Orcas Island, Wash. with our friends Shawna Franklin and Leon Somme. Shawna and Leon recently released a new Sea Kayak Rescues DVD, filmed by Bryan Smith, a dramatic and instructive guide to assisted- and self-rescues in flat, dynamic and rough water.… read more
Complications of cold-weather paddling
Facility closed; lake wide open.
Yesterday, we met our friend Keith Wikle at Portage, Ind. for a paddle along a portion of Indiana’s notorious heavy industrial shoreline. The air was below 20 degrees and the winds were forecast to remain 15 to 20 knots out of the southwest, so we dressed and planned accordingly.…
read moreRough water on Lake Michigan’s Chicago shore
Steady north winds peaking at 50 knots generated huge waves yesterday. The city closed miles of the lakefront bike path, and the park district deployed vans to discourage gawkers from getting too close to the water.… read more
Paddling precautions for colder weather
Lake Michigan waves colliding with Promontory Point.
As the air and water get cooler and the days get shorter, we get more comments of the “you’re so brave” and “be careful” sort as we unload our boats and prepare to paddle on Lake Michigan.…
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KeelEazy revisited: How did it hold up?
Two and a half months ago, we wrote about applying the new KeelEazy strip to one of our boats as well as to the Delphin, a plastic boat in the Geneva Kayak fleet.…
read moreWilderness Advanced First Aid….check!
Alec eating lunch, single-handedly.Alec just returned from a four-day Wilderness Advanced First Aid class, offered by Rutabaga and attended by 20 paddling instructors, guides and other people who work in outdoor recreation, particularly with kids.…
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