darkness
Published November 30, 2006 | 
Of my primitive ancestry
Which stood on rocky shores and kept the beaches shipwreck free
Though I respect that a lot
I’d be fired if that were my job
After killing Jason off and countless screaming Argonauts
-they might be giants
One thing I can control is my paddling gear. And I can tell you one thing. . I’m never going to buy another ARC light again. I think I’ve now been paddling almost 5 years and went through more of these silly things than I care to think about. Frankly, I’d be just as likely, wait, no, MORE likely to put my life in the hands of a disposable Bic lighter. Even that would probobly last longer. You know how that is. . . you can find an old Bic lighter that’s been laying on the side of a road for 3 years and 4 winters and you just blow the top out and, “poof” it lights! Bic after all is the Official lighter of Nigel The Dragon! On the other hand, these ARC lights. . . . yikes!
Yeah, it could just be my dumb luck. While writing this I’m thinking 2767 people are going to tell me they’ve never had an issue with them. Granted. Maybe I live in some sort of ARC light energy sucking vortex. And certainly I may be rough on my gear. But wait, rough on my gear. . . Abso-freaking-lutely!! If some bit of emergency gear is supposed to work, I want it to work when it’s been particularly abused. I suppose that’s too much to ask. I’m sorry. I’m ranting. Point is, I’ve had very few problems with kayak gear over the years and I’m a “benefit of the doubt” sort of person. But, jeepers creepers anyway! Would someone just light me up!
just share the joy . . .
Published November 28, 2006 | 
Slowly he slithered up behind a couple of kayakers standing in the shallows. . .
little did he know what he was in for. . .
the clouds, the sands and the sea
Published November 28, 2006 | 
These seconds when I’m shaking
leave me shuddering for days
- counting crows
Why? Funny question that. One inevitable question we are all asked as we begin a new adventure is, “Why?”. Why do kayakers dream of heading off to unknown lands? Why do they choose to leave the safety of land with nothing but their kayak, a bit of gear, and their wits? Be it a mile or a thousand someone will always ask why. Well, I don’t know. You were looking for wisdom weren’t you!?? Sorry, I have so little. It seems each person has there own goal, their own reasons to head off into the distance. Maybe, “Why” is a question that can’t quite be answered. Often I think we go for the easy response or something quick that makes a good quote. Maybe “why” is just too complicated.
Most of use have all read stories of the many ages of exploration. We can envision such towering names as Marco Polo, Erik the Red, Amundsen, Shackleton, James Cook, Francis Drake, and so many others throughout history. Their stories fire the mind. Even today we can follow along as modern sea kayakers take us places most of us could only dream of. I think of Franz Romer, Paul Caffyn, Chris Duff, Rotem Ron, Pete Bray, Ann Linnea, or Jon Turk just to name a few. Each one an inspiration and a wonder. Does each modern adventurer do it because they were inspired?
Many sea kayakers I think are just romantics at heart. They stand on the beach and are called into the horizon. It’s as if they have no will of their own. When the sea beckons you must go. Romantics see no goal in destinations. The goal is in the journey, the destination is just and excuse to take another stroke. Yet all the while they will be lost in the sounds of the ocean, the glint of the waves, the flickering shadow as a bird glides low over head. In a way they are lost in a dream state and yet, they are hypersensitive to the sea and her tremblings. How much this is like the first time you feel the warm, moist breath of a lover across your face. Something so subtle and yet so deep that it crushes you. To a romantic this is something sacred. Something that fills the soul. Are we longing to feel such deep emotion?
Why am I now bustling around planning my first real journey? I think it’s all these things. I dream of far off lands. I take comfort at times by living on my wits. There is something so alive in knarly sea. I am inspired by those who have done great things. In all honesty, and maybe more than some, I’ve been so close to others great journeys and somehow felt left behind. Maybe I feel like I must earn my way. Grow up in the sport if you will. Silly I suppose. Maybe this is a training mission. Maybe it will be my only real journey. I can’t say I know that now. I’m here today and that’s all I can focus on. But most importantly, and maybe sadly, I am an idealist, a sensualist and a romantic at heart. I do so much want be lost in that sacred place. Since I was a child I have longed for an emotion I believed in but could not feel. I have always longed for the sea. I cannot think of how or why and maybe there are no real answers. Need there be? I only know that on the water I feel part of something bigger than our modern world. Something timeless. Something wonderful.
So I chose an island. A place I know almost nothing about. To me, it could be the New World. I chose a place that would keep me warm. Where the sun could bath my skin and the sea could hold me in her arms without the frosty sting of northern climes. A place were I could engulf myself in a land far different from my home and yet not so far that I could not reach out to those left behind. Puerto Rico is land of deep history and holds a blending of many rich cultures. I only hope as I write I can do it justice. I know as we move forward we will talk of cities, people, numbers, gear, technology and so much that is part of our modern world, and in many ways a blessing. And good fun at that! Yet let’s not forget that this is a tree grown from a very small seed. A passing thought. An emotion becoming a longing. A need to touch something that has sung to the heart of man since the dawn of creation. Why do we do it? Maybe it’s just the clouds, the sands and the sea. What more does there need to be?
Voice of Vrillon
Published November 28, 2006 | 
“This is the voice of Vrilon, a representative of the Ashtar Galactic Command, speaking to you. For many years you have seen us as lights in the skies. We speak to you now in peace and wisdom as we have done to your brothers and sisters all over this, your planet Earth.”
On November 26, 2006 the average number of UK visitors to KayakWisconsin.net overtook the average number of Canadians visiting our little blogger planet. Equally as monumental I’m sure. A leaning toward British boats maybe?? Can I infer that I’m not saying enough nice things about Current Designs?? No wait, they’re American now aren’t they!? Oh, never mind. . .
“The time of conflict is now past. The race of which you are a part may proceed to the highest planes of evolution if you show yourselves worthy to do this. You have but a short time to learn to live together in peace and goodwill.” – Vrillon
- paddle in peace. . .
welcome to your new home. . .
Published November 27, 2006 | 
in the surf
Published November 27, 2006 | 
Dear, but my eyes will see only you
Only you have the magic technique
When we sway I go weak
- dean martin
Here’s what Performance Video has to say;
“This instructional video is targeted at sea kayakers, whitewater kayakers, and surfers: No matter what their paddling background, we will show how to play the ocean swells in a kayak.
Learn about the specialized boat designs… advantages and limitations. Learn about the dynamic ocean environment… including wave evaluation and selection, and rudder techniques. Maneuvers in the green, and in the whitewater are explained and demonstrated. Includes exclusive interview with famed big wave surfer Richard Schmidt on surf zone etiquette. “
And that’s about right really. Certainly this is a fast overview and you can’t watch a video and go out on the water and suddenly be great at anything. Paddling techniques, posture, and blade presentation are covered quickly which is not really a surprise as you really should know how to control your kayak before you ever attempt surfing big waves. 
Basic maneuvers are covered but fly by and you’ll find yourself pausing and going back a bunch of times to get the gist of them. My favorite bit was where they set up a funky model of a wave using poster board, cello tape, an old bench and shaving cream!! Honestly that had me giggling all night! What “In The Surf” does an especially good job of is helping viewers visualize waves, find the great wave and the perfect spot. I got a lot of out this section. I was also impressed that they took a moment to address fear a bit. Hey, big waves are scary for all of us!! There are certainly bits in the video that feel a bit out of date but nothing too drastic. For the most part the good information is still good information. Boat types come and go, avoid that high brace as much as possible. . . If you’re new to kayaking and want an introduction to surf this is a good video for you. The DVD version will make it much easier to examine those maneuvers. Sure, it’s got that twinkling eye, Dean Martin, whiskey finger, happy instructor thing going on, but if you can get past that you’ll learn quite a bit.
Kayak Wendy
Published November 26, 2006 | 
and they recede on the plain till you see their specks dispersing?
-it’s the too huge world vaulting us, and it’s good-bye.
But we lean forward to the next crazy venture beneath the skies.” – Jack Keroac
Photo by Wendy Killoran. Used by permission. Thank you!!
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