Archive for the ‘Kayaks’ Category

Let me fill your heart with joy and laughter
Togetherness, well that’s all I’m after
Whenever you need me, I’ll be there – jackson 5

This is what enthusiasm looks like.  This is what it is.  When you show up for class and the weather is foul you simply put on your biggest smile and say, “let’s go!”.  Truth be told, enthusiasm is the only way you’ll ever be a really good kayaker.  If you’re not into it, if you don’t enjoy it so much that you find yourself paddling constantly  regardless of weather, regardless of climate.. you’ll never reach the point where managing your boat becomes second nature.  As we like to say, it’s all about “butt in boat” time.  Read the rest of this entry »

Yes, i’m your angel,
I’ll give you ev’rything
In my magic power.
So make a wish and i’ll let it come true for you.
Tra-la-la-la-la.
– yoko ono

It’s just silly to leave some great kayaks sitting in the shed when someone else would love them, and when what I really need is a solid roller.

What a sad, sorry state of affairs this is.  How many kayakers know this story.  I have lots of kayaks.  Still I’m not really happy. Usually that results in someone saying you just need one more boat…. Well.. No.  Not now anyway. What I need is about 3 less kayaks and one good roller.  However it happened, I’m a guy who lives “rolling” and yet I find myself without a low volume rolling kayak.. Duh.  This has to change.   Only, like many of us I can’t simply run out and drop three grand on a new Anas Acuta or Tahe Marine either.  It seems it’s time to cull the herd.    Read the rest of this entry »

“I would be horrified if one of my boats cracked in a stand on test” – Lawrence Geoghegan. Nadgee Kayaks

Happy Monday.  Let’s take a break from our rolling series today and have a look at Nadgee Kayaks Australia.  Nadgee is owned by Lawrence Geoghegan. Lawrence has completed many trips and expedition’s in his day including;  Antarctica in 2006 with Andrew McAuley and Stuart Trueman (Featured in Justine Curgenven’s “This is the Sea 3“), the Bass Strait crossing, Mattsuyker Island and more.  Just the guy who should know what it takes to build a decent expedition kayak. Read the rest of this entry »

Over the last couple days I took a bit of time to fashion out a new back support for my the Romany I’ve been working on recently. You may remember I was just about ready to give it away.  Well, after repairing a hole & going after all the weird grey gelcoat patches, and now adding a nice comfortable back support it’s starting to turn into a boat worth owning.  Read the rest of this entry »

My neighbor… wants what he sees
My neighbor!! My neighbor!!
My neighbor… thinks he wants to be me
But he’ll never be – gnarls barkley

When I recently wrote a quick overview of SeakayakingUK’s Romany, someone (who shall remain nameless to protect the innocent) shared with me the thought that the Romany was at least in part based the Shore Line kayak produced by another UK company called North Shore.  North Shore was founded in 1982. According to informants, the Shore Line (Now the Atlantic LV) was in production pre-Romany.  Read the rest of this entry »

Clothed in new costumes
That weather your new found storms
Staring through reason
Content with your new found decor
– collective soul

I’ve always been conflicted when it comes to companies like Wilderness Systems.  I don’t think of them as “sea kayak” companies. They seem to put more weight into their recreational and fishing boats and come to sea kayaking as an afterthought.  It’s hard to imagine the company that makes the infamous Pungo could produce a decent sea kayak.  Still there have been a lot of good things said about the Tempest since it came out.  Given that, and that I had Cindy Scherrer (partner of co-designer Steve Scherrer) paddling right beside me while I was out test paddling boats in Grand Marais, it seems like as good a time as any to take one for a spin.

Read the rest of this entry »

Who are you?
Who, who, who, who?
Who are you?
Who, who, who, who? – the who

A Facebook page is a free, no brainer way to market your company.  Not having a Facebook page today suggests either a  unique marketing mindset or lack of it… Some companies see social media is a way to really connect with their customers, provide better customer support and as a way to reach out to the next generation as well. Some companies simply feel they don’t need or have the time to deal with social marketing.  I’m in the first group in that I think some companies will be regretting their lack of connection now in about 10 years or so.. but that’s my opinion and I could certainly be daft as brush…   Read the rest of this entry »