Thinking back on three weeks in Wales
Part 2 in the series, “What a summer it’s been.”
We began the summer with our second annual trip to Wales, a country that offers a wealth of paddling opportunities. Last year, we did a five-day four-star sea kayak training with Phil Clegg, followed by a four-star certification with Peter Jones and some hiking in the hills.…
read moreReflections on a summer well spent
Part 1 in the series, “What a summer it’s been.”
The more you learn, the more you can do. And the more you do, the more you learn. That was the theme of these past three months, during which we traveled to Wales to train; to Rhode Island, New York and Michigan to coach; and to Washington to play (and coach a bit).…
read moreWhat a difference a drysuit makes
We’re accustomed to thinking about drysuits as garments that provide physical comfort. In fact, they also have a strong psychological effect.
We saw this in action during a course this past weekend, when the water was cold and a little bit bumpy.…
read moreBoatless in Bellingham? Nope, thanks to WAKE
Before there was Meetup, before there were symposia, paddlers found one another through local paddling clubs. Early on, these clubs got together to build their own boats, sew their own skirts and teach one another to roll.…
read moreOur appearance on Chicago Tonight
Jay Shefsky, producer and reporter for WTTW Chicago (public television) and host of Jay’s Chicago, recently approached us about doing a story about things you can only see from a small boat on the water.…
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Paddling adventures on screens big and small
A week from tonight, we’re sponsoring the screening in Chicago of two terrific paddling films: Kayaking the Aleutians by Justine Curgenven, and Greenland Bound by James Manke and James Roberts. Not only are local audiences fortunate to see both films on the big screen; they also get to meet Justine and James Roberts, who will be on hand to offer insights and answer questions.…
read moreKokatat Poseidon PFD: Initial impressions
For years, we’ve hunted for the perfect PFD. “Perfect” depends on your size and body shape, of course, as well as the type of paddling you do, so we resigned ourselves to the idea that we might have to own more than one.…
read morePoem of the week
First Winter Sonnet
(Charlie’s Arboretum)
Wearing clothing warm, stocking cap and gloves, left home
Walking snowy streets in wool socks and freshly oiled boots
A storm, a day off work, heading for the arboretum to roam
Arriving at this Paradise white, the first soul here to set foot
A few tiny birds silent fly as the snowflakes abundant in air
Around vacant trees, the deadfall, great and small, shrouded
The snow drapes evergreens, majestic and humble, so fair
Weaves intricate lace-like patterns upon ice of the little pond
As I do explore fingers begin to ache from a frostbitten past
Thoughts turn to men who left home braving the Arctic cold
For nation’s pride, duty, bonus pay, fame, achievement to last
In ships built strong not stronger than that sea of endless ice
Final breath drawn on ice floe, rocky shore and snowy land
The warmth of home in aching heart, frozen hands and eyes
–Mark Hochmuth…
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