I just got back from the Altantic Paddling Symposium. I can't say how impressed I was with the quality of coaching and presentations at this event.  There were coaches from BC, Saskatchewan, Ontario, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, PEI, Newfoundland, Washington and California.  A truly national (and international event).  It really solidified in my mind, that the gathering of the paddling community, of like minded folks in the Paddle Canada circle, is so important.  The variety of clinic offerings was also fantastic whether you wanted to learn moving water or flatwater canoe skills, sea kayaking surfing or rescues, flatwater SUP or just

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I have just returned from the Toronto Outdoor Adventure Show (OAS) (Feb 24 - 26).  This was the first of 5 national outdoor shows that Paddle Canada is attending this winter!  This is remarkable considering that the CRCA / Paddle Canada has not attended a trade show in well over 10 years! Next up is Vancouver OAS March 3/4, followed by Edmonton Sportsman Show March 15-18 and Ottawa OAS March 17/18, then concludes with Calgary OAS March 24/25.  Visit www.outdooradventureshow.ca/

 

Richard Bowering & Ralph Gardave working the PC Booth

The PC booth was located in the Ontario Tourism Pavllion, who was our funding partner for the booth.  The Ontario Pavilion was a busy hub,  where live camping demos, music and food were happening all weekend.  This attracted major crowds and as a result the PC booth was jammed at times.  The only downside was when there was music going on,  it was very hard to compete with volume, when talking to folks. By Sunday I had lost my voice.  I had to get Dympna Hayes from Learn to Kayak, to mc the Sunday Paddle Canada pool demo session - thanks Dympna!).

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Well I think the proof is in the pudding, as they say. So to try this Klepper sectional kayak out for real, is a must, to make any true commentary. However, upon first looking at it, in the latest issue of Coast&Kayak Magazine, I was skeptical. Then I went to Klepper's website (www.backyak.de),  and after watching the videos I became more and more convinced that this sleek, silver, missle looking like kayak may work ok. It even appears to have optional detachable sponsons, for extra stability.


I was very surprised to find out that not only can you portage the kayak in sections, but it's also designed to be part single, tandem, catamaran sailboat, swimraft, and get this a snow sled!??? Yup check out the videos below:

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A fun, informal, non-certification event that saw many PC sea kayak instructors and skill paddlers in Ontario, in attendance and gathering for one final time this season. Enjoy Good times and a good storm too!

 

They came, they paddled, they rolled, they braced for their lives, they rescued and towed each other and hurled one another off the Snug Harbour dock. These were the 50 or so hearty kayakers who braved the cold grey waters of Georgian Bay for one last time this season. At days end, once all were accounted for, they jumped into hot showers, cozy cabins, hot tubs, drank beverages and ate huge meals. All part of the fun and adventure at the annual Storm Gathering event held at Snug Haven Resort, near Parry Sound, Ontario each year.

Don't You Think?!

October is such a fine month still to get out on the water.  I'm trying to stay in paddling shape after way too many days of office screen time. 

So get out on the water and have fun - the icy gales of November will soon be upon us!

Sugar Island Camping Weekend from Paddle Canada on Vimeo.

A quick look at what canoe camping is like on Sugar Island. We had an awesome weekend family camping with friends including good swimming, hiking, paddling, and relaxing. We were the only ones reserved for the 40 acre plus island in early July. Our own little piece of paradise in the 1000 Islands. Thanks very much to the ACA for extending the camping access to Paddle Canada members.

The social networks are abuzz this week with Outdoor Retailer discussions, like check out this new boat, or a WaveJet propelled SUP, or cool waterproof footwear, and so on....  Our friends at Rapid Media are there in full force handing out gallons of free coffee in their booth, plus trying to find their booth shipping crate, lost is a parking lot, full of other lookalike crates. Rapid is partnering for the first time with OR this year to put together the Paddle Zone section of the show. It’s great to see a Canadian media company leading the way in paddlesports in North America.

Can You Find Rapid Media's Booth Crate?

The best quote of the summer was in the latest issue of Canoe and Kayak Magazine (July 2011).  On the last page (pg 80), Unfiltered... Greg Barton, Champion, Builder and co-owner of Epic Kayaks is interviewed.  There is no online posting of this article sorry.  You'll just have to get your hands on a copy at newstands or subscribe online or in print. 

"Most recreational paddlers don't realize that British-style sea kayaks, which lack a rudder and perform poorly in waves, are as obsolete as the Model T.  The Brits have done a good job of promoting their way of paddling.  But as Oscar (co-founder of Epic Kayaks) says: ' They need 5-Star classes so they can teach people how to paddle poorly designed boats' ."

OUCH!  Now those are fighting words if I ever heard some.  Will be interested to read reactions next issue, in the Letters to the Editor section.....

Photo: Morene Dekker
I laughed when I saw this photo of a weekly Friday night SUP in Amsterdam.  It looks like they are taking a stroll down the street dressed in street wear and not paddling wear, minus the shoes!  The netherlands with 7,700 sq km of relatively calm flatwater makes it a perfect paddling destination. This article published on SUP Connect, explores the best seasons, places and people for Stand Up Paddleboarding in the Netherlands.  

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