I can remember being a kid and seeing “Creature from the Black Lagoon” for the first time. Many people do not realize that “Creature” was one of the first movies to attempt serious underwater footage. At the time of it’s release it was state-of-the-art. Far from being afraid of the “monster”, I wanted to jump in and swim around in the crystal clear, warm water and explore the weed beds at the bottom of this lost liquid world. No, I never learned to dive. But I did manage to learn to roll.

Rolling is not just a “hot doggin” thang. But I’m sure you know that. There is always someone more than willing to tell you that rolling is the principal recovery move. When you can roll, all other “self-recoveries” become, well to be honest. . . too much work! Do you need a roll? Well, that always struck me as an odd question. Is “need” really the point? I question the motivation of the “no roll” subscribers. I’ve never understood the concept of arguing against learning something. Seems a daft position to take on any subject. Even more daft is arguing with someone who takes a position that they need not learn something. You may as well teach a paddle to sing. Do you need a roll? Maybe, maybe not. But learning something new is food for the soul.

For me rolling is also part of exploring. I’m often rolling over and just hanging there looking around. With little effort you can just slide through that thin line between the Nitrogen/Oxygen world above and the Hydrogen/Oxygen world below. It’s like space travel. It’s Jacques Cousteau. It’s escape and fantasy. It’s falling into Eden.

Tiberias thinks me unpredictable. I am unpredictable. – kingdom of heaven

So Geoff’s been waiting a long time, but his new Rockpool Alaw Bach finally arrived! If you don’t know Geoff, he’s a very talented photographer based in Tasmania. (www.Geoffmurray.com) Now you have to admit, it’s a pretty boat. And as Geoff said, pictures can’t do it real justice.

The Alaw Bach is a 17 feet long, 21 inch wide high performance touring kayak made in Wales. One that we here in the US cannot get our hands on, yet, anyway. The “Bach” is basically the same kayak as the Rockpool Alaw but designed for smaller paddlers. Rockpool get’s a lot of credit for their approach. They recognized right off that smaller paddlers still carry gear. So instead of lowering the deck and creating a “low volume” kayak as so many other companies do, the designers at Rockpool just lowered the cockpit. (2 inches in front & 1.5 in the rear). A wise idea if you ask me.

The end result is, not only do you have a great touring boat for smaller paddlers, but you also have a great touring kayak for people want a lower cockpit or are into traditional paddling. It certainly has my interest. . . but again us poor Americans, Tasmanians, Australians. . . either have to go to the UK or just sit solemnly and pine for a test paddle. . .

I have to admit. . I’m just a little jealous of Geoff. I want a glittery kayak!

If I had an Alaw Bach I would have a black one covered in a rainbow of glitter and grey and silver stars.

I would name it Aria (could there be any other name for an Alaw Bach??), and have the name in big scrolling script along the side.

Our first day on the water would be under grey skies on turbulent waters. In howling wind we’d charge the waves while in my mind the William & Mary Botetourt Chamber Singers sing “Jesu, meine Freude”.

The second day we would float outside the Memorial Union and listen to Reggae.

I would keep it in my living room and together we would watch kayak videos long into the night. We’d lower our gaze in respect when Gemma Rawlings came on. . .

I would cover it with a blanket at night so it wouldn’t get cold.

And then on one crisp autumn morning, way before the dawn, we would go off into the darkness. We’d enter the water under a full moon and black, clear skies. Then, lost in the gaudy, glittery confusion of the kayak, the water, and the stars, we would disappear. We would become one with the universe.

Now wouldn’t that be cool?

Congradulations Geoff!!

* photos by Geoff Murray. Thanks!

The television screen is the retina of the mind’s eye. Therefore, the television screen is part of the physical structure of the brain. Therefore, whatever appears on the television screen emerges as raw experience for those who watch it. Therefore, television is reality, and reality is less than television. – videodrome

So when I awoke from the dangers of space
I looked and i saw a familiar face
The time warp in space made a change in me
For I was the captain and the Captain was me

Yes its so true
as we went warp factor 2
The changes I have been through
As Captain Kirk
I’m captain Kirk
-r.e.m

Yeah, a picture of me trying to be a fancy pants is not really a worthy day’s post, so you get another one as well.

You know that bit in Star Trek where you can name any coordinates and see an image of that spot? (Well, within a light year or so anyway.) Well, I had one of those installed in my Explorer. So now I can just pick a spot anywhere on the planet and see it. Well I could do, if I had installed a monitor as well.

Today’s pictures are of our famous regular commenter & sea kayak master Rowland Woolven, taken in Anglesey in June. You can tell it’s Anglesey by the nice sunny weather and calm seas. I figure since he’s gone now on his trip we need a little dose of Rowland pictures to remember him by. . . Plus it helped that Rob Gibbert from Gig Harbor, WA sent them to me. Thanks Rob! I have to say it’s really cool when someone sends me kayaking photos from all over our little planet. I’m happy to post them.

And before I forget I’ll be posting some new rolling videos this week. Maybe today If I can find time. I’ll be adding: Reverse Sweep Roll, Behind the head roll, a “hitchhiker Roll” from Roy Martin, and updating the shot gun roll with one where I actually DO keep my head down.

. . . and lastly here is a picture of Rowland & Gabrielle Gibbert. . .
hmmm, I wonder what kind of Nigel Dennis Kayak that can be. . .
Sure doesn’t look like an Explorer. . .
(online sarcasm alert!!)

Well, you just have to give it a try now don’t you!??
I wonder if the Acuta is a cheat??
Certainly doesn’t FEEL like a cheat!

I got a nice email from Greenland last night. Email is a great thing. I wonder how long it would take to send a letter? Freya Hoffmeister got a chance to sit down at a computer and send out some emails and post a nice in depth report of her experiences at the 2006 Greenland National Qajaq Championships on her blog. It looks like Freya came away with 8 wins! So for today, let’s head over there and let Freya tell her story. Congratulations to the woman in black!

hmmm, interesting picture. . . I wonder. . .

* photo of Freya at Coastbusters in NZ by Rick Gould. Used by permission. Visit his blog here.

Ok, so what are you doing August 11-13th? Well you could sit home and watch “Flipper’s New Adventure” on DVD while eating a bag of brown sugar with a table spoon, or (if you’re somewhere in the Midwest) you could join Mary and I at Kayak Weekend in Two Rivers, Wisconsin on the western shore of Lake Michigan. Two Rivers is a 3 hour drive for us, and we try to head out quite early on Friday. Usually we arrive just in time to set up our tent and then run to join the annual Kayak Parade. Everyone with a boat gathers together at the newly renamed “Paddlers’ Park” to launch. Once on the water, the psychedelic mob is assembled into some sort of order and then we take off en mass, down the river to perform a rolling demonstration along the boardwalk at the Historic Roger’s Street Fishing Village. (and of course make a general specticle of ourselves.) The event and parade are annual features for the local press and your best pirate costume will only make you a better target for the cameras!! Last year I think we had live radio coverage as well. Yikes!! Then Saturday we are either out tripping on Lake Michigan or heading to Paddlers’ Park to practice our skills in a warmer water enviroment. This is a perfect time for those of you just coming into the sport to get personal skills assistance from experienced and talented area kayakers. Trips up to see the Point Beach light house are always a good time as well. Sunday often sees us crawling out of bed a bit late. (Long nights by the campfire . . .) So the Annual Gear Swap is held from 11-2pm. (bring your wallet & your stuff!) Camping will either be at Paddler’s Park itself or at Seagull Marina on the shore of Lake Michigan, depending on water conditions. (we always prefer Seagull). Some community meals are provided and donations readily accepted.

Mary and I have been heading up to Two Rivers for each of their kayaking events now for about 3 years and watched as the events grow. We are always telling people who are just getting into kayaking that this is a great place to get together with other kayakers, learn new skills, and just have a great time on and off the water. If you’re going to join us on Lake Michigan your kayak should be “sea-worthy” of course. Otherwise everything is pretty laid back. Don’t fret, you don’t need reservations for camping so just drive on up. The August event is sort of the last big “hurrah” for summer kayaking events in Wisconsin. It’s a great opportunity to come together and review where we’ve been over the last summer, share what we’ve learned, and talk about our plans for the future. Very cool. We hope to see some of you there. Oh, and as always thanks to Phil for the invitation!

For More Information & Updates Go Here

Past Two Rivers Events Pictures in our Gallery

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Oh, then there is this?? “epitaphe per commune“. Happy Monday!