It was funny. I standing with a group of paddlers in Chicago and heard out of the corner of my ear Bonnie Perry say, “Derrick and I are “bi”.” Yep! That was the first time I’d heard someone else say that. I almost blew Aquafina out my nose!
Well, I turn 42 today. So I’m off to enjoy the day. 42 is not a bad number. Remember when “Deep Thought” was asked what the meaning of Life, The Universe, and everything was. . The computer pondered the question for a thousand generations, then when he had finally computed the answer, in his deep ominous computer voice he said. . . . . . 42.
June 4 - “Later I went for a pee on the beach and in my torchlight saw two red eyes in the water watching me. It was a croc. In my diary I wrote “having serious doubts about my ability to finish this expedition. It was one thing seeing a croc slide on the beach this arvo, but I just saw the croc in the water. I am shitting myself about departing the beach tomorrow. . .”
June 5 - “. . .The beach would be a fantastic landing. Then as I paddled in, I heard Dave Winkworth’s voice in my head. It was him talking about the Gulf, “Crocs like calm water”…I paddled a few more strokes and noticed a few mangroves on the inside of the point. The voice in my head, “Shit! Mangroves”. I dismissed them because there were not many and rationalised that it would be ok. Then SLAM! That sound changed everything… A sound like someone had just slammed two bricks together as hard as possible on the stern of my kayak. My heart rate accelerated. Adrenaline poured into my system. My voice in my head knew that it could only be one thing. I forced myself to turn my head to look. I saw a large croc with its head fully out of the water, jaws open and right on the back of my kayak. I think at this point I may have sworn - “F***!”. I certainly never thought to say Crikey!”
She sees shooting stars and comet tails She’s got heaven in her eyes She says I don’t need to be an angel But I’m nothing if Im not this high
But we only stay in orbit For a moment of time And then you’re everybody’s satellite I wish that you were mine -counting crows
Often on those hot summer evenings out at the lake I just put all my paddles up on the deck and move through the water with my hands. Nah, I’m not trying to get anywhere. Like rolling, it’s just another way to touch the liquid world around me. Water we’re coming to learn, is the blood not only of our planet but is probably the blood of the universe as well. Hidden under a surface of ice, or seas beyond the boiling point frozen by immense pressure. Water connects us with the basic elements of life. From our own beginnings to the far reaches of space. Sometimes I feel as if I can sense it as I let my fingers run through the water building little wakes as my kayak slides across the surface.
Such a feelins comin over me There is wonder in most everything I see Not a cloud in the sky Got the sun in my eyes And I wont be surprised if its a dream - carpenters
Here’s Gryphon from our evening at the lake last night. Last year he was not all that into his new kayak. He wanted it, but feared the water too much to really play. But last week when we were up in Lake Superior and I towed him through a bit of surf and through a sea cave, he suddenly saw kayaking in a new light. So last evening he nailed his cowboy recovery, then just stood up to boot.
Oh these little earthquakes Here we go again These little earthquakes Doesn’t take much to rip us into pieces -tori amos
So here’s a picture from Penrhyn Mawr that I don’t think I’ve shown you before. If you look closely I think that’s Justine up by the rocks on the left. The photo was taken by Axel Schoevers and does give you some perspective of the size of everything. Which is really hard to do by the way. But the main reason for showing you this picture today is that I talked to Mike at Rockpool by email and it sounds like my baby was getting chopped into sections and will be ready any day now. I’m sweating bullets waiting to see how it turned out as I really did give poor Mike some funky design ideas. Some could be done, and others could not. But I can’t say enough how much I appreciate the work he’s done for me. I’m totally indebted.
Someone said to me recently that the Alaw Bach is not an expedition boat. Ok. We’ll, I heard once that a Greenland paddle is not an expedition paddle either. Tell that to Greg Stamer who is currently trucking around Iceland with one. Or the thousands of Inuit who used them for centuries. Get real! Some people just love to tell you why what you are doing is wrong, just to show what experts they are. Usually these are they guys who noodle around some swamp somewhere and are the first to duck out when the waves show up.
Tight a$ you can get it Tight a$ got it made Uptight’s alright but if ya can’t stand the heat You better get back in the shade -lennon
CD asked yesterday about dealing with an ocean cockpit. Congrats on the new Nordkapp by the way! Yeah, in the beginning an ocean cockpit can seem a bit strange. Certainly the keyhole was designed by people frustrated with that little hole! But an ocean cockpit has it’s advantages too. What stands out to me of course is the connection you have with your kayak since there not that big air space above your knees. I think you’ll also find that you get a lot less water in the boat when you flip it. Now, how do I deal with getting in and out of it? Well, the first thing is of course that you have to sit on the back deck and slide into it. (at least I do). Which means often it’s just easier to set the boat on the beach, get in, then seal launch into the surf. This is why I have a strip on mine. Yeah, I know that’s not always possible and some of you don’t like scratches on you boats. Well the next choice of course is taking the kayak out into a few inches of water, sitting on the back deck, using your paddle to brace the boat and then slide in feet first. In time, I’ve learned to do this in open calm water much like a paddle float rescue but without the float. I just use the GP. (traditional paddle). It’s something you need to practice. Of course in deep water, the easiest way in, is just to do a reentry and roll. I have video of that on my site. The ocean cockpit will reduce the amount of water as it is, but if you can attach your skirt before rolling up all the better.
When I land, I usually just lean back then slide myself onto the back deck again before I reach the beach, but I can do it quickly too once I hit the sand. Just remember to get out on the side away from the beach so you don’t get a kayak in the ankles when you try to stand up.
When on the water I really love the ocean cockpits, but there is no way around it. . they are a bit more work now and again. Oh, and by the way speaking of ocean cockpits we’ve still got an NDK greenlander for sale. $1100. . .
