Archive for April, 2007

PostHeaderIcon Nudity May Result In Immediate Boarding


Splash – I’m under your power
Splash – I could go for hours
Splash – You could devour me
And I’d only want you more
- prince

Happy Monday! Well, of course you’re going to get another day of me playing with my new kayak!! Nothing better than new toys right? If you’d like to see my "Trak" photo set just go to Here. I’ll post pictures of the new baby in that gallery as time goes on.

So many of you know I keep two blogs. One here and one at Yahoo360.com. I’ve been noticing an interesting difference in the two communities. Here on blogger we have a more "serious" paradigm. Certainly we’re not "Journalists" but blogger lends itself to that sort of presentation. Which is great. Someone commented recently that they check the blog here each day to see what’s up in the Kayak world. I really think that’s wonderful. Of course it’s because so many great paddlers share their news with me. Without their kindness and taking the time to email me all about what’s up, we’d never have this nice opportunity to keep up with everyone. So you can bet as I run around to symposiums this year I’ll be thanking a lot of people for sharing their kayaking lives with us.

Now over on Yahoo’s 360 board, It’s more of a social network. People are posting all day long. Notes flying back and forth, quick hellos are left whenever someone has time to sit down. 360 is an ongoing conversation. Much different. Not better, just different. Of course over there I talk a lot about kayaking as well. Hey, it’s life. But we also talk about life, children, feelings, social concerns, whatever comes up. Certainly a place for both worlds. One thing that has had a great impact for me personally is how the Yahoo blog has put me in daily contact with people from Peurto Rico where I will be paddling in August. Every day PR begins to seem not so much like a distant island, but a nearby town where some of your friends live. Just another way the online world has grown smaller. And another resource for expedition paddlers. A changing world for sure.

Ok, so yesterday was my first real day out paddling in the Ninja as it’s come to be called. I guess because it’s black and hides in small places ready to leap out at any moment. . hmmm, sounds more like "Cato"! Anyway, yesterday we had waves up to 1.5 ft right up tight to the north shore and maybe 8-10 inches on most of the rest of the lake, the wind with a strong southerly wind. The south shore of course was dead calm. I never did manage to try the "skeg" like feature of the hull because I’m so used to using strokes to compensate for wind. Still though, it tracked very well and felt much the same as a fiberglass kayak. The skin of course is quite rigid. So I went and played in and out of the rocks along the western shore of the lake and buzzed around in full circle. In the Romany I would be surfed back even on these tiny waves. The track was much more solid in the water and would not "catch the ride" easily. Not a good or bad thing really. Just a difference.

On the calm of the south shore I played a bit with some of those fiddly moves; bow rudders, draws on the move, and side slips. In both the side slips and bow rudders the little ninja reacted perfectly to commands. It spun right around. The big hard chine did make it resist a bit to draws on the move, but otherwise it reacted well to other maneuvers. I’m still very impressed by how quick I can get it moving. Remember the Trak is about the same length as a Romany. It’s not particularity short. That, and the tight skin let it move through the water well. I put on my drysuit and rolled a few times in the 40f water. Yikes!! I’ve got to pad out the hips a bit. I fit in there a little loose, so I put more into the knees, but that’s a simple issue to resolve. So all in all a good day out. so far I’m still quite impressed. Next comes the big stuff. LOL.

I will probably get to write yet tomorrow. Wednesday I’ve got to get to Chicago early to catch my flight. Security, security, security. Maybe I’ll just go naked and solve the problem! You know what they say, "Nudity May Result In Immediate Boarding" So keep that in mind!!! Then once I’m in the UK , Nigel Dennis was nice enough to offer his office if I need to get online to post and such. So we’ll see you there I’m sure. :)

PostHeaderIcon smoke on the water

We all came out to montreux
On the lake geneva shoreline
To make records with a mobile
We didnt have much time
Frank zappa and the mothers
Were at the best place around
But some stupid with a flare gun
Burned the place to the ground
Smoke on the water, fire in the sky

They burned down the gambling house
It died with an awful sound
Funky claude was running in and out
Pulling kids out the ground
When it all was over
We had to find another place
But swiss time was running out
It seemed that we would lose the race
Smoke on the water, fire in the sky

We ended up at the grand hotel
It was empty cold and bare
But with the rolling truck stones thing just outside
Making our music there
With a few red lights and a few old beds
We make a place to sweat
No matter what we get out of this
I know well never forget
Smoke on the water, fire in the sky
-deep purple

GONE PADDLIN

* photo linked from the Seahouses Lifeboat Station Website – Click Here

PostHeaderIcon BLACK TRAK

The UPS guy came to the door and asked me to sign. . Then he went back to his truck and came back with a big box. Well, big if you did’nt know there was a KAYAK in it. Knowing that it seemed quite small. Yep, today I got my new TRAK thanks to Janna and the gang at Trak Kayaks! So of course I set about doing what they asked me to do. . play!!

So my first thought was to not read the instructions! I mean, does anybody read the instructions?? LOL! So I pulled everthing out of the very fancy black, sliver and orange bag and laid it all out in the yard. I un-folded the outer skin then opened the plastic that contained the two frames. Given that I do sort of know kayaks I could tell easily which was the front and back. Putting each end together was quite simple and obvious. Everything is connected similarly to tent poles with a heavy duty bungie running through the tubes. So you just slid them together and snapped them into the supports. Again it was very obvious where they all went. Within seconds you could see the frame of the boat. Putting the frame together took me a bout 2 or 3 minutes considering I was just figuring it out as I went.

From there I slid the frame inside the outer skin. Then I pulled out the bag with the 3 jacks. These are the levers that give the Trak it’s amazing shape-shifting ability. I fiddled with one for a moment to see how it worked. The leaver extends the frame, then there is a small switch to let the pressure back out. So I put the two side jacks in. Easy. Then the bottom jack was a different story. . for a moment. It would’nt fit! Well, after a moment I had an epiphany. I pumped the side jacks a bit which pushed the frame back and suddenly the bottom jack fit right in. Funny, later looking at the book I found they have a similar suggestion. Nice.

From there it was obvious that the seat pillars just slid right back to connect with the back frame. Then I grabbed the combing which again slides in. It fits nicely into a mold in the front brace and onto the back frame as well. Then you work the skin around the combing grooves frm there. This was different than the one I had tested earlier in the year at Canoecopia. Much nicer in my opinion. Simpler. After putting the combing in, I just zipped up the back. One thing I should have done there was to adjust the knee braces. I didn’t, so I will have to go back and do that. They are similar to some WW boats where you can move them forward or back and screw them in.

Next I slid the seat in. You can see in the moldings exactly where it goes. There there are pins on each side to connect the seat to the pillars. Then there is simple cleat for the seat adjustment. Again it was really obvious where everything went together.

In the front and back of the kayak are buoyancy bags. One had a bit "B" on it so I knew where that went. LOL. The buoyancy bags can be inflated as is, or they zip open to hold gear, then you can top them off afterward. I had to fold the seat down to put the rear one in. Next time I’ll just put it in before I zip up the back. :) Lastly I put the bungies on and I was ready to go. Off to the lake!!

Since I already had the kayak together, I took their advice and just put it on the top rack like any other kayak. The black and white kayak looks great on my black Jeep by the way. :) In about 5 minutes I was at the lake and putting it on the shore line. Oh, yes that is my Novorca paddle. :)

I took a bunch of pictures of the kayak and a few people came over to see what I was doing so I told them about the new kayak. One couple from China took a ton of pictures and were full of questions. They could not believe you could put it in a bag. Now I have to tell you, when I first opened the bag the boat looked gun-metal gray. The pictures show that but out of the bright sun it’s black. A very pretty boat. :) Of course this is the point where you know why I was attracted to the Trak. Folding kayaks are ugly!! Not the Trak. It looks like a kayak. The white hull give an impression of a fiberglass boat at first glance. I’m glad Janna convinced be that a black deck only would look best. She was right.

Here’s me posing my my new Trak. You can see I was not dressed for paddling. So. . . Well, with the water around 40f. . I won’t tell you how I had left the skirt at home. . . but i did have a pfd in the back of the jeep . . . and took it for a spin as the sun began to set. LOL!

Again, I can’t thank TRAK enough for sponsoring me. This is really quite an amazing new design in the kayak world. One I’m very proud to show off. Watch for future posts as I start getting a feel for it on the water and in the "big stuff". I also want to tell you about the nice instruction manuals and the CD soon, but right today I’m just happy to sit back and enjoy the beauty of my Black & White Trak. Be sure to check my ever changing events calendar on KayakQuixotica.com and if you come to any of the events just find me and you can test paddle it. That’s what it’s here for! And don’t worry, I won’t try to sell you. I’ll let the boat do that. :)

PostHeaderIcon eye of terror


It’s the terror of knowing
What the world is about
Watching some good friends
Screaming ‘Let me out’
– bowie
I woke up this morning at realized. . . “OH MY GOD I’M GOING TO WALES!!!” Suddenly it was time to take an anxiety pill! Ok, so like I had said before I had not really thought much of it. I mean sure, I talked to Janna at Trak about my new folding kayak a bit. I’ve talked a little to Justine Curgenven and Axel Schoevers about what to do when I get there. Of course I want to find Simon again. I’ve missed him quite a bit. . (In a big MANLY SORT OF WAY OF COURSE. . ) And I’m looking foreword to seeing Rowland although truth be told he’s one of the last great BCU coaches that scares me. I know I’ll do everything backwards if he’s around LOL! Then I talked to Mike at Rockpool about my dream 3 peice. Not ready yet, but he said I can borrow a Rockpool for the symposium. Good thing I want to be snuggly and safe!! I can’t thank Mike enough for what he’s doing for me! But still, it seemed like “play”. Like something not really real.
Then for some reason this morning It hit me. 5 days! Oh my God!!! Now the thing is, you guys have followed along long enough to know I am NOT the worlds greatest kayaker. I live in Wisconsin for God’s sake. Sure it’s fun to watch all those big wipeouts on Justine’s videos but it’s a whole other deal to contemplate going out in Penrhyn Mawr? You’ve got to be freaking kidding me!??? (you notice that “Mawr” contains the world “MAW” don’t you!!) For some reason I keep thinking . . . I do NOT want to swim there! Hell, I don’t even want to roll. . but I fear it will happen. . . Often. Many of you have not seen the original Nigel Dennis promo video that was the precursor for “This Is The Sea”. In that one Justine goes out into the races for what must have been one of the first times. . You can hear it in her voice. . I think if Justine was nervous???? Yikes, I’ll be needing a new drysuit
Then the idea of 5* training . . First. We have NO tides in Wisconsin. Well not more than 6 inches anyway. So I understand concepts of using the tide to get from here to there, and how water flow and wind and such can effect conditions. But at the same time, without being in those conditions regularly it’s all guess work. Fantasy. What would you do if. . .? How the hell do I know! LOL!
Oh, and navigation!! Ok, so know how to read a chart. Fine. I have some idea how to find my way around, estimate speed and such. But again, all theory. This is why you take the training. Funny how you want to know all the answers before you actually take the class. Oh well, failure makes a good teacher if you’re willing to learn from it.
So what will happen the next two weeks? I don’t know. I’m excited, nervous, and a little scared to be honest. But of course I will tell you all about it. After 4 years of kayaking. . derrick is finally going to Mecca. :)


Oh, did you see the kayak in the picture?

PostHeaderIcon wild ones

kirrion-bigwave.jpg
Gotta break it loose
Gonna keep em movin wild
Gonna keep a swingin baby
Im a real wild child
- iggy pop

By now I bet most of you know that our friend Keirron from the Isle of Man will be joining Jeff Norville to attempt to circumnavigate Vancouver Island in a NDK Triton double kayak in just a couple weeks. I waited posting on this trip until is was close so we all would have their adventure fresh in our minds when they take off. Keirron tells me that he will be flying out on the May 7th. The start date will be around the 10th, but of course they will have to be a bit flexible. :)

Keirron Tastagh is a level 4 BCU Sea Coach (brat) and owns Adventurous Experiences on the Isle of Man. Jeff Norville is an L4 Paddler (that’s more like it!!) and an ACA instuctor in Portland Or.

Now just to prove what records mean amongst the Classy paddlers, Keirron and Jeff will be attempting to break a previous record set by Leon Somme. They will train together right before they take off at. . yep, "Body Boat Blade" on Orcas Island owned by Leon and Shawna Franklin. Total class!

Now you will see sooner or later that the boys will be paddling a Pink Triton. Sure they do like pink and may paddle in soft silky frilly things. . but just so you don’t get any ideas they are kayaking in support of the Komen foundation and in honor of our friend Ginni Callahan who as I’d written about before who had an adventure with breast cancer of last winter. Of course I won’t go into that again. My impression is Ginnie does not take time to "dwell". Suffice to say, "She came, She saw, She kicked it’s Ass!!", and is back to life’s other adventures.

The NDK Triton is probably the fastest double sea kayak on the planet. These guys are going to rip it up! Good luck guys, be safe, have fun!!!

Expedition Website
Trip Blog

Now one thing. Battles for your life are not cheap. They hit you without warning. Ginnie is one tough cookie, but none of us can take on the expense alone. If you can, please donate what you can to help out. As a community I hope we all take care of each other. If we don’t then we’re just like everyone else. I don’t want to believe that.

To help her out with costs make checks payable to Virginia Callahan and mail to:

Chick
PO Box 473
Nehalem, OR 97131

*photos used by permission. Top photo by Mike Wade. Thank you!

PostHeaderIcon Podcast #5 – Parfrey’s Glen

entering the glen
Today I don’t need a replacement
I’ll tell them what the smile on my face meant
My heart going boom boom boom
"Hey" I said "You can keep my things,
they’ve come to take me home."
-gabriel

Ok, let’s take a day away from paddling and go for a walk in the rain. Parfrey’s Glen is one of Wisconsin’s little gems. In 1956 it was designated the very first natural area in the state. Today’s podcast runs about 9 minutes. . so it will be a perfect background while you take a nap!

Play Podcast

Click Here For More Photos

note: If you open the podcast first, you can then click the link
and view the slideshow at the same time.

PostHeaderIcon passing these days

dawnbow042307.jpg

The sun fell behind the trees just as we got back to the car. Another day passed.

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