so good you’ll wet yourself. . .
Published October 10, 2007 | 
Scanning at the blue bended headlands
White flurry scudded, a dark silhouette flashes by, in the wet
It is glistening flesh
In the deep marine, in the deep marine
There is room for make believe out in the ocean
- midnight oil
Thanks of course to my distant friend Dee for sending the copy of AG up to me. In it was a detailed overview of Andrew McCauley’s trip that sort of ended with the same questions we’ve had for some time. Great Pictures of Vicki & Finlay!! Nice to see the smiles.
Oh, and by the way, if you’re in a southern waters kinda mood check out the New South Wales Sea Kayak Club’s website. There are some great pictures and wonderful trip reports which we may want to bookmark for when the water here begins to turn to ice.
just me out on a hike
Published October 9, 2007 | 
AY, thou art welcome, heaven’s delicious breath!
When woods begin to wear the crimson leaf,
And suns grow meek, and the meek suns grow brief
And the year smiles as it draws near its death.
Wind of the sunny south! oh, still delay
In the gay woods and in the golden air,
Like to a good old age released from care,
Journeying, in long serenity, away.
In such a bright, late quiet, would that I
Might wear out life like thee, ‘mid bowers and brooks
And dearer yet, the sunshine of kind looks,
And music of kind voices ever nigh;
And when my last sand twinkled in the glass,
Pass silently from men, as thou dost pass.
-bryant
sumac
Leaves on a wet trail
just me out on a hike
Madagascar
Published October 8, 2007 | 
Madagascar is divided into two distinct ecosystems by a tall but fairly flat mountain steppes in the center. One side of this high plateau is tropical rain forest and the other is punctuated with dry tropical forests, thorn forests and even desert. This diversity in ecosystems is one reason why Madagascar contains 5% of the world’s animal and plant species. Not surprisingly, however all are under threat. Many of Madagascar’s unique animals are endangered due to lost of habitat. The environment faces many issues including; “soil erosion from deforestation and overgrazing; desertification; surface water contaminated with raw sewage and other organic wastes”(ref: CIA Fact Book). These days of course we realize that loss of bio-diversity on this scale impacts all of us in ways we often never find out before it’s gone.
Now if you’ve never thought much about Madagascar other than as an animated film, then this points out something positive that expedition sea kayaking can do. Raise Awareness.
Madagascar has not yet been circumnavigated by Sea Kayak. The island has been lingering out there in the fantasy land of expeditions. Many paddlers have had the thought cross their mind. Of course for a variety of reasons the idea soon leaves and they choose something more reasonable like, I don’t know. . Greenland!! The logistics of a Madagascar circumnavigation are daunting. Just the size of the island and the time demand are enough to put most people off. (Madagascar has 4,828 km of coastline). In addition there are long stretches where fresh water & resupply are just not available. Paddlers would have to rely on their own desalination equipment and be wholly self-sufficent. Paddlers would also face issues with transportation, communication, language barriers and more.
So who’s up to the task? Well, I learned over the weekend that Simon Osborne of Sea Kayaking Cornwall and Phil Clegg of Sea Kayaking UK are planing to make the attempt beginning next month. They are going with 90 day visas and may have to do it in two legs. Certainly these guys are capable and it will be interesting to listen to the stories they have to tell. Good Luck guys!
river play
Published October 7, 2007 | 
The old gray mare,
She ain’t what she used to be
Many long years ago.
everthing for free. . .
Published October 7, 2007 | 
Don’t tell me you don’t use money in the 23rd Century. . .
Now of course most coaches like myself spend more hours than we can count helping, coaching and answering questions outside of our more “official” situations. Heck even when we are getting paid, we are lucky if the stipend we get covers fuel. No one is getting rich here. Really, no one wants to either. Most coaches just enjoy sharing their joy of paddling with you. But do you really expect THEM to pay for your instruction? Either the organization pays the coach, or the shop, or you. If none of those happen, we as coaches take on the expenses ourselves. Most active coaches will happily tell you the kind of expenses they actually take on for their own love of helping others enjoy the sport.
Look at it this way. For the average symposium coaches may or may not get a small stipend for attending. (small meaning. . small. . LOL!) They may or may not get food or lodging covered. Whatever costs you take on beyond that for travel, food lodging and such are your own. Of course if you are going to bring your family since you are gone a few days. There is more cost. Or you leave them home which has a cost of it’s own! LOL! Last summer for the average symposium where I taught, I still spent about $300 (each) of my own money when all was said and done.
For our investment we arrive a day or two early, run to meetings before and after classes, teach our classes, haul gear, drive shuttles, skip meals (and sometimes showers!), and all the other bits that go into making an event run smoothly. Frankly we LOVE it. Still though, when someone questions having to pay anything for instruction. . I keep hearing Captain Kirk telling Scotty to “beam him up!”.
the screaming girl
Published October 6, 2007 | 
Slow down
Baby, now you’re moving way too fast
You gotta gimme little loving
gimme little loving
Ow, if you want our love to last
- the beatles
eightysixed. . .
Published October 6, 2007 | 
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