Archive for December, 2004

Well, my boat is still in the shop so I don’t get to tell any amazingly cold paddling stories today. So if I’m going to keep this blog active I had better think of something. So with that in mind,

. . . All I want for Christmas

This was a funny year “Christmas Shopping” wise. In our world like many others we came from extremely poor backgrounds. As life began to turn around Christmas tended to reflect our subconscious need to over compensate. ( Before that creates too big of a picture in your mind, over compensation meant getting a $100 gift instead of a $4.00 gift.) This year we found that we had plateaued. There is nothing anyone really wanted. (Well maybe a new whitewater boat but no ones springing for that!) It’s like asking if you want a 3rd piece of pie after thanksgiving dinner. I can remember thinking “Man, am I going to pig out today” yet now staring at that pie I’m thinking I will never eat again. And that’s ok. No one needs more than one slice of pie anyway. (How’s that for a down-home metaphor?. . . ) So this year gift giving had to become more personal and more creative. Interestingly, much less expensive as well. Funny how that works out.

So what are you going to get that kayaker friend or family member for Christmas? I know many non-kayakers have no idea where to start. Well I have a suggestion. Let’s not spend money this year on T-shirts and Santa Kayak ornaments. Let’s get them something that they will use when the whole world seems to be crashing down around them. Here are my low cost kayaker Christmas present suggestions:

1. Paddle Float – These are the things kayakers use to get back into their boat if they don’t know how to roll. There are two kinds. Inflatable and Foam. The inflatable take more time to deploy in the water, but are more buoyant. This means if you need more support the inflatable ones are the best choice. However, if the person you are buying it for is a pretty strong person and paddles in cold water the foam might work out well. The thing about the paddle float is that it won’t do much good unless the person takes a class or reads up and PRACTICES how to use it. See: Rutabaga, REI, NRS

2. A hand pump – So what do you do when you boat’s full of water? Pump it out. . A hand held pump runs around $30 bucks. See: Rutabaga, REI, NRS

3. Emergency Mirror & Whistle – I know a guy who actually flagged down a plane and was rescued because he had an emergency mirror. Cool Beans! Again this costs under $15 and could save a life! See: Rutabaga, REI, NRS

4. Emergency Strobe Light – Again, what a useful inexpensive gift. Cost from $10 to $35 bucks. These little lights attach to the kayakers PFD (life jacket) and can be seen from up to 3 miles. There are a few different brands. Personally we have had some issues with ACR brand lights, but that could just be us. Hard to tell. See: Rutabaga, REI, NRS

5. River Knife – This is a short little knife that attaches again to the PFD and most of the time is used to spread cream cheese on something. However, If a kayaker gets tangled up in a paddle leash, towing gear or whatever that little knife could be a life-saver. Costs range from $35 for something like a “Gerber River Shorty” to $150 or more. But even a cheap knife is better than none when you need it. See: Rutabaga, REI, NRS

6. Flairs – If your kayaker person is of the “sea” kayaking variety and spends time out on the great lakes or Oceans. They can always use a flair gun or hand held flairs. No they’re not expensive. You can go to Wal-mart actually. What a Christmas present that would be to help them be rescued if the ever did get in trouble out there! Cost? $20 – $100 depending on brand, type etc.

7. A Book – If the person you are buying for has been kayaking for years they will/may/should have all this stuff already. In that case I would suggest a book “SeaKayker’s DEEP TROUBLE”. You could order this from Amazon. This is a book that basically tells true stories about kayakers who got into dangerous situations in one way or another and then analyzes how they may have avoided the situation or gotten out of it. I think this book really can really open the mind to more critical analysis of each trip as well as provide tips and concepts we may not have thought about before.

That’s my list of 7. It’s not that a kayaker wouldn’t enjoy kayak refrigerator magnet, but my thought is that you get them a gift that keeps them safe so they can buy their own silly magnet. – Happy Christmas

Under the “Everything Needs A Disclaimer These Days” category

* For the Uber-Kayakers out there there will be a lot of different concepts about brands, types, colors, etc., and that’s great. This list is meant really just to help non-kayakers get a useful gift for beginner or intermediate kayakers who may not have all the gear they should/could have.

None of this stuff will help anyone if they don’t know how to use them. (including the book I may add). People who are going to take an itty-bity boat into a great big sea or lake should have some lessons. Really.

Since I like going out in nasty weather it becomes part of the task to get a grip on just HOW nasty it actually is. Besides checking the weather and Noaa Marine Forcast I spend some time just stareing out over the water to just get the “feel” of things. If it “just doesn’t feel right” I will stay off the water or at the least stay in and play in the surf. One of the best tips I received early on is to watch the horizon line. Often what’s happening in the surf zone is not telling the whole story.  If the horizon line is sharp the waves may not be too bad beyond the beach, if however the horizon line appears wiggly and jumpy you may not want to go out.

Took advantage of the insane wind today to go out to Devil’s Lake and play a bit. Wind today is pretty consistent at about 30mph with gusts near 50. Temp was hovering at 33 f. Waves were around 1 to 2 foot white caps and very choppy. You certainly wouldn’t want to be in 4 to 6 or more in this wind. I really had to keep the paddle very low or risk losing it.

On the south east end of the lake the water was pretty soupy and waves were coming from both the west and north. This is a good place to practice some rolls. I was very aware that even rolling I wanted to keep the paddle low in the water to avoid losing it when it came out of the water. Let alone be careful not to be blown right back over when I came up! You know it’s windy when you have to drive around branches all over the road when you leave the lake for the day. Fun, fun!

Today I was able to get out and paddle for a couple hours on Devils Lake (www.devilslakewisconsin.com) . The wind was out of the north between 20 & 30 mph and we had about 1ft chop. I had to paddle Mary’s boat today since mine is down at Rutabaga (www.rutabaga.com) having repairs done after last sundays adventure. It’s suprising how different another persons boat can be to paddle. We both have NDK explorers but mine is a 99 version and her’s is a 2002. Since her boat is lighter and the seat is a bit higher it feels much more “bouncy” than mine. Our plan is to cut the seat out of both boats and replace them with foam to lower the center of gravity a bit.

It was great to get out in the wind and rain today. It’s that sensual experince that really got me hooked on the sport in the first place. It’s hard to describe to folks who don’t paddle exactly what it’s like to be out there jumping waves while wind, spray, rain, and bit’s of ice fly across your face. It’s wonderful!!!

In the end I got about 3.5 miles in on the water. Rock On!

Greetings & Salutations!

I have been meaning to start this “blog” for sometime. My thought is that it will be a hybrid version of my paddling log as well as a place to keep in touch with some of the folks we have paddled with across the state and the country.

So now I have to hit that submit button and see if it all works.

- Derrick

http://www.kayakwisconsin.net