Hatteras by Impex
Published March 16, 2010 | 
Sittin’ with the fat man
Tryin’ to get a loan
Talkin’ about horses
And the women that we’ve known
– randy newman
The Hatteras by Impex is 16 foot long and 22.5 inches wide. It looks wider. According to the website it is designed to be “playful” while not sacrificing tracking, and at the same time accommodate larger paddlers who may or may not know what they are doing in big conditions, while making them feel confident wherever they happen to be in their own personal “ability spectrum”. I think that’s the gist. Continue reading
Shoes
Published March 15, 2010 | 
She said you’ve taken me for granted
Because I please you
Wearing these diamonds,
– paul simon
It’s Monday. It’s the day after Canoecopia. Justine Curgenven is down in Chicago paddling Lake Michigan’s Gold Coast, Darren Bush, owner of Rutabaga, benevolent ruler of all things Canoecopia, is also off for a well deserved paddle. I on the other hand, like so many other attendees have get back at the millstone to pay for my 3 days of irresponsibility and personal spending. What to say? Well, do you know one of those people who just keeps talking and talking, mixing sentences without spaces and never taking a moment to breathe? I could be that guy… Continue reading
Dawn Chorus
Published March 14, 2010 | 
So this is what it looks like at 5am, no, 6am here in Madison, Wisconsin. You are looking across the street from our motel at the Alliant Energy Center where in just a few hours Canoecopia will be opening it’s doors for the last day of the 2010 show. Reports are that visitor numbers have nearly doubled this year over last which made for a lot of warm fuzzy feelings in among the regulars.
And this just in from the rumors department… It seems the owner of Boreal Shores Kayaks in Bayfield ran amok over the winter and bashed out a wall of his shop… (I’m sure Chris will like me describing it that way. 
Now everywhere he goes people will be talking about him… “There goes Chris,” they’ll say, “Running Amok.”) Continue reading
Posted in Events & Symposia, Learn To Roll, Paddling | 
canoecopia, justine curgenven, steve scherrergone, gone, gone
Published March 13, 2010 | 
I saw her bus come down a little subway street
She played a gypsy song with a 3/4 beat
And when I heard her voice
She gave me vertigo
– fastball
Time to head out to the “big city” and join the party! It’s almost 6 am and I’ve wrapped up what bits of work I still needed to get done before we head off to Madison for the big show. We’ll be exploring the show floor most of the day today (and sneaking off to the bike show next door). I have to take back that bit about not needing anything.. other than a kayak.. I also need to find some new paddling shoes since mine seem to have disappeared. Always something… Oh, and if you’re wondering why Wenonah got the big feature pic today even though I don’t even own a canoe… I have no idea.. things were just going that way.
One day I fell under her spell
She showed me both heaven and hell
She made it shine, she made it rain
Now she’s gone, gone, gone, gone
Gone just like a train
Now wait.. no there’s more..
KayakQuixotica Declares today
“Wenonah Canoe” Love Day!
(I mean, come’on only 8 followers on their new twitter?? Let’s show ‘em some love
Today the World, Tomorrow Canoecopia
Published March 12, 2010 | 
Pewitt’s Nest – Baraboo, Wisconsin.
Now here’s the thing. Spring is coming on here in Wisconsin in a mad rush. I should of course have my heart all a-flutter about spending the next 2 days at Canoecopia, the world’s largest paddle-sports expo. Yet, what I find myself thinking is that I’m going to spend most of my time indoors pining for the rain, the trails, and the rivers outdoors. What the hell is wrong with me eh? Continue reading
Canoecopia This Weekend
Published March 8, 2010 | 
Reposted from The Skillet Creek Journal - Outdoor lovers from all over the mid-west will be gathering in Madison, Wisconsin this weekend, March 12 – 14, 2010, for Canoecopia, the world’s largest paddle sports expo. Hosted by Rutabaga of Madison, Canoecopia features hundreds of vendors from the outdoor industry and 3 days of presentations by some of the world’s foremost paddling experts and instructors. In addition, many outfitters and guides from around the country will be on hand to promote their 2010 trips from Great Lakes excursions to full-on world class expeditions. Did we mention the sales, promotions & discounts? Continue reading
Busy day at Canoecopia. I’ll have more pictures for you tomorrow. Foolishly I took all today’s event photos in a format I can’t open on my laptop! (You can bet I’ve taken care of that now.) Well, with the couple hours I have available until the premiere of Justine Curgenven’s DVD, ” This is Canoeing“ I thought I’d take a moment to ask you to ponder this… Continue reading →