Posted Previously Under Rockpool
Posted by derrick on
April 26, 2008
They say the sun is sometimes eclipsed by a moon
You know I don’t see you when she walks in the room
-u2
Well in my world I’ve been lost in work. Spring is that way around here. This is one of the largest tourism areas in the Mid-west and of course my living is driven in a large part by tourism. I’ll tell you one thing though, I’m sick of staring at code. It’s got me so befuddled that I’m still up at 2:30am! Each time I tried to close my eyes I’d suddenly see PHP coding spinning around my head like Winnie the Pooh’s nightmare of Heffalumps and Woozles! . . .
They’re black they’re brown they’re up their down
They’re in they’re out they’re all about
They’re far they’re near they’re gone they’re here
They’re quick and slick and insincere
Beware Beware Beware Beware Beware ….
Posted by derrick on
April 7, 2008
Having the mail person come to your door with your magic decoder ring is nice. Having her come to your door with purple dye & glitter is extacy! Funny, the last time I kept anything in a film vial it had more of a greenish tint. . .
Posted by derrick on
April 6, 2008
Out of a black and white world
Past a shooting star
The beauty of speed
See the colors changing
- tori amos
When I took my ACA Coach Training a few years back, I remember walking to the set up area behind Rutabaga and seeing one lone kayak waiting. It’s finish was gone. It was scratched, dinged, cracked and dull. In fact, it was a message that whoever owned that poor thing was. . . a “real” kayaker. At least that was my perception at that time. Being new to the sport I’d already built up the idea in my head that a “real” kayaker was someone who went everywhere and did everything, and their kayak would look like it had been to hell and back. I had a perception that a “pretty” boat was just a toy. The kayak I saw on that lawn was not pretty, it was experienced and tough. It was owned by Sam Crowley.
Posted by derrick on
April 4, 2008
Man, I hate it when I get scooped! LOL! Not really! As I always say, "We’re all in this together!" I had talked to Mike Web via email awhile ago when he was working out a deal with Chris Mitchell to bring production of Rockpool Kayaks to the states but at the time it was not set in stone. Chris is also the distributer for Reed here in the states as well. At the time it was not quite a done deal. Well Stan at Kayak Dreamin’ got the news and posted it a couple days ago. According to Chris the prices will come in between $3100-$3400. Read More Here. By the way, the new fancy website is up as well. Oh, and happy birthday Stan!
Posted by derrick on
November 20, 2007
As soon as
I wake up
I dream about my tub
I like the water deep
so it covers up my butt
- 50 cent
Well, for those days when the water outside is frozen solid and the local pool is closed here’s an option, the bath tub. I have 2 toy kayaks and another couple models that are always willing to have a day in the warm, tropical waters of my bathtub. The one above got a custom paint job and was a gift from Gryphon earlier this year. He was pretty excited. I knew something was up when the house was completely quiet for a day. Somewhere behind a closed door their was a secret painting party going on. Of course if you’re kayak is getting a hands on customization, chances are it’s going to have stars.
Posted by derrick on
October 20, 2007
A sea kayaker a thousand miles from the sea is very pleased when the hometown river is in flood! Since the water level was up quite a bit i took my Alaw Bach out. As you know the Alaw Bach is really just a stretch white water kayak anyway! I was able to find a few nice rides on tiny surf waves and get in the middle of a little wave train and feel pretty good just staying upright. As you can see, the waves are not all that big, but combined with the speed of the current it makes for a good time.
Posted by derrick on
October 4, 2007
Guess what?
I’d like to go back to Paris someday and visit the Louvre Museum
Get a good running start and hurl myself at the wall
‘Cause I’d rather feel pain than feel nothing at all
And it ain’t that pretty at all
Ain’t that pretty at all
- warren zevon
Did I ever show you this? This is what happens when a heavy kayak comes down on a fast wave and crashes into you! Mike at
Rockpool is helping me figure out how to repair glittery gelcoat! Obviously it’s not the same as just mixing some colors and slapping it on!
Now here’s a quick thought about coming in on the surf. First of all you really should never be so close to another kayaker and you don’t want to ever get behind someone on the same wave. They are going to slow down or turn and you will be right on top of them. Ok then, what if you already made that mistake and are racing toward them? Well, my best advice is . . . Roll! Putting your upper body in the water will slow you down fast and if you make the choice fast enough you should drop off the wave.
In Penrhyn Mawr I had my first experience using that slick one hand defection. I saw the kayak coming straight for my head and instinctively just put the palm of my hand out and defected the oncoming kayak away from my ear. As an afterthought it was pretty cool, but on the otherhand I don’t fancy getting speared in the head either……. or in this case……crushed!
