Next week Tuesday will bring the totally re-designed Cackletv.com to the web. Cackle as most of you know is the online home of Justine Curgenven creator of the “This is the Sea” video series. Among many new features one of the most unique will be an Expedition Database where you will be able to search an archive of world-wide sea kayak expeditions, major trips, and crossings. New information is still being added daily. Within the new Expedition Database you will be able to search by paddler name, location, year, etc., or you may just browse by regions of the world. As far as we know, this is the only place where records of sea kayaking expeditions will be available all in one place.

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Ok, so that’s one bit of news for you. . . just because you happened to roam by here today. Actually, Justine and I have been working on this database & the site re-design for some time and I think we’re both keen to get it up and out there. I get to be the one to write about it today since she’s busy zooming over the Anglesey Sea Symposium in an ultra-lite aircraft looking for that perfect shot. Of course this sets up the equally perfect opportunity for a bunch of BCU coaches to work on their kayak headstands and present; “Many Moons Over Anglesey – The Full Monty Part Two”.

The Expedition Database is at a good stage to start out, but clearly we have a long way to go. On the other hand, I feel better about it today than when we first contemplated doing it. In addition to all the back-end work of developing the database, search functions and all that stuff, was the daunting task of collecting information from years of paddling history over a planet which was suddenly seeming very big again. To get started we were sending out emails to everyone we know and complete strangers as well, looking for information about any sea kayak stories any one had been a part of or knew about. Then we’d sleuth our way (if possible) to the actual participants and then try to get all the facts. Luckily for me, when it came to finding and entering information Justine did most of the work.

You would think it’s fairly simple to get many of the “records”. But that is not always the case. Often there are no records being kept. In addition some parts of the world are just harder to get information from, even today. Then some folks just did lots of cool trips but never told anyone. What’s more, many expedition stories seem to remain passed on by oral histories within regions. The Great Lakes is a perfect example. In talking to many people I hear many stories about circs & crossings but it’s hard to nail down facts. Who was it?, the whole lake?, bays included?, was it ’78 or ’79? etc., It can be tough to make the information you have fit right into a rigid list of database “facts”. But more than “firsts” and “world famous” sponsored expeditions, we also want to include any interesting trips, challenging crossings, or unique paddling adventures. This opens up an opportunity to share in some great global kayaking stories as well.

Obviously an Epedition DB is a never ending project and we’re hoping more and more people will submit their trips or what they know of others as time goes on. For my part I know we’re also really lacking in Great Lakes information and I’d like to be sure we’re represented as well. Please feel free to submit information when the site is up to info@cackletv.com or to me directly if you like. Again we are happy to add any “expedition, major crossing, or other noteworthy trip”. (Well, not the weekend paddle in Milwaukee harbor. . .) What we’re looking for is; where (of course), distance, time (how many hrs, days, months. . ), year(s), paddlers involved, and a short description of the journey. We will also be linking out to other information or paddler websites. We can certainly use your help. As far as we know this is the first time this task has been undertaken and it’s actually a bit overwhelming. . . and fun!

What else have we added to Cackle??. . . hmmmm, Well, given the “NEWS of the WORLD” theme you’d probably expect new photos and that sort of thing too wouldn’t you? Ok, that’s a given. But unfortunately not of the “NEWS of the WORLD” variety. .

Sorry boys!