Archive for November, 2006
Posted by derrick on
November 30, 2006
There’s a picture opposite me
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
By now you know me well enough to know I do my best to never say anything bad about anything. . Well, except the media, marketing, greed, world hunger, racism, stockholders, pollution, propaganda, loss of biodiversity, Britany Spears sudden disdain for underwear, (come on guys, Britany Spears!???) medicine for a profit, reality TV, certain kayaks (which we won’t go into here), political correctness for the sake of itself, telephone pollsters, American auto makers, “let the market decide” justifications for not doing anything about anything . . . and all that other stuff it seems we have very little control of these days.
Posted by derrick on
November 28, 2006
So one day the Loch Ness Monster was feeling a bit peckish.
Slowly he slithered up behind a couple of kayakers standing in the shallows. . .
little did he know what he was in for. . .
Well, how did you expect me to open today’s post with a picture like this?? Now, while I have your attention I’d like to let you know that yesterday we learned that
Freya Hoffmeister will be attending
Canoecopia in Madison, Wisconsin this spring, along with our other famous female sea kayaking glitterarti. Freya will be doing a rolling demo as well as showing off her new
Rockpool Underground. In addition, she will be joining a women’s panel at the show and possibly offering some rolling lessons in the are as well. I’ll certainly post that info when I have it. Now, if you’ve not heard of the new Rockpool “Underground”, it is a 3 piece, very low volume fiberglass rolling boat that her and
Aled Williams have been working very hard on over the last while. It’s really quite a big deal, and something I’m quite excited about. As far as I know this will be the first time any Rockpool kayak will be on display at a paddlesports show in the states. Guys, Just remember that when you tell your partners why you’re hanging around the “Rockpool” table all day. . .
Posted by derrick on
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.
Posted by derrick on
November 28, 2006
On November 26, 1977 a representative of the Ashtar Galactic Command took over the transmitters of Southern Television in the UK for about 5 minutes starting exactly 5:12 pm. In amongst deep static and an overwhelming hum came the voice of Vrillion,
“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.”
Posted by derrick on
November 27, 2006
This poor old white and black Romany covered in grey patches has come to us at here at the
NDK rescue society. The Greenlander is now at
Rutabaga in Madison waiting for a new owner to take it home for just $1100. (you know you want a Greenlander!!) It seems the Romany enjoyed it’s first day lost in the fog on our little lake. We’re glad to welcome it home. Now here’s a bit of Trivia; The Romany was designed by Nigel Dennis and Aled Williams. What you may not know is that
Aled along with Mike Web are the owners of the fast rising
Rockpool Kayaks that we’ve all been watching with quite some joy as of late. So many colors, so many sparkles. . .
Posted by derrick on
November 27, 2006
Other dancers may be on the floor
Dear, but my eyes will see only you
Only you have the magic technique
When we sway I go weak
- dean martin
Ok, I’m sorry Kent. And I do mean that. But I would have never thought of buying “In The Surf - Performance Surf Kayaking” from Performance Video. Thing is, my surfing really sucks too. Well, to be fair a sea kayak has it’s own special way of surfing AND the Great Lakes have their own special kind of surf. Most often a
Kennmore kind of thing. . .Together they make for a different experience than you’d find on the sunny west coast of California. But recently I had an opportunity to get a copy of the VHS version and have to say, I quite enjoyed it. . and learned a bit along the way.
Posted by derrick on
November 26, 2006
“What is the feeling when you’re driving away from people,
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
So here’s a picture of our Canadian kayaking super woman Wendy Killoran. As you can see Wendy is a serious minded kayaker. . . Now we all know Wendy from her amazing circumnavigation of Newfoundland earlier this year. So where’s she going from here? Well, I think we all know now that Wendy will be visiting us in Wisconsin at
Canoecopia in March. From there who knows. . So to keep up with her adventures Wendy has started a brand new blog,
Kayak Wendy. And don’t worry, her “
Round the Rock” blog with stay right where it is if you’ve not had time to read through her story there either.
Photo by Wendy Killoran. Used by permission. Thank you!!
