Archive for the ‘Paddle Gear’ Category

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? Read the rest of this entry »

Now the first thing we have to do is define whether that thing you wear to stay afloat in the water is called a Life Jacket, Life Vest or PFD (Personal Flotation Device.) Well, no we don’t. You can call it whatever you like. One thing is sure, wearing one, whatever it’s called, gives you a much better chance of survival in the water than simply depending on the fates or rescue by human loving dolphins. Read the rest of this entry »

Nothing remains
We could run /  when the rain slows / Look for the cars or signs of life / Where the heat goes
Look for the drifters / We should crawl under the bracken
Look for the shafts of light on the road
Where the heat goes
– bowie

Sometimes when you wake up in the middle of the night you’re not really sure why. Still you get out of your warm cozy bed and begin your day. You have to. If you just lay there, all those worrisome thoughts start creeping into your head like, “Why does my toe suddenly hurt?”, “What if I lose my job tomorrow?”, or “Why doesn’t Valley ever finish their website?”

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I wish I hadn’t bought you dinner
right before you
dumped me on your front porch
– Ben Folds

Have you heard all the stories?  The mill says Johnson Outdoors is looking to unload LENDAL.  Didn’t they just buy them?  The mill also suggests the most likely buyer could be Nigel Dennis of SeaKayakingUK or  possibly EPIC.  Hmmm.  Now the thing is, LENDAL used to be a premiere brand.  Holding a LENDAL in your hand was something akin to holding Excalibur.  Then Johnson took over. Our friendly reps went away and QC went into the dumper as well. Yeah, they got it under control eventually but by then everything the brand had stood for in the eyes of sea kayakers never really came back.  Now I can’t help wonder if LENDAL is about to be saved or on its way to  getting tossed around like a _________ ,  ___________.  (Creatively fill in the blanks.)

And now a road connects the cul-de-sac
To the adjacent development
But there used to be trees stretching back
And there was no way through
- Cymbals Eat Guitars

So a friend noticed by new black Kokatat MSFit.. I actually left it in the box for a few days before I opened it.  I’m giddy as an 8 year old over it and so thankful Kokatat could make it happen.  Ah, now the thing is who do I refer people to who want a black MSfit of their own?  Sorry, but you knew that was  gonna happen! (What with slippery slopes and all that…)

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What’s new pussycat? Woah, Woah
What’s new pussycat? Woah, Woah
Pussycat, Pussycat
You’re so thrilling
And I’m so willing
To care for you.
– tom jones

Oh man.. While we here in the great white north try to squeeze in a few more day paddles before the snow flies and the water freezes,  some shops are already contemplating next year’s orders and manufacturers are crossing the ‘t’s on their new kayaks and kit!  It’s just the way of things.  How many days until Christmas?

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So our friend Gnarlydog, who by the way has a great post about the new Tahe Marine Greenland Kayak, asked why I didn’t mention Reed kayak skirts in the “Respect” post..  The answer is that I was basically ranting about what NOT to do…  However, between you,  me and the wall I do prefer Reed Chill Cheater skirts over anything I’ve tried.  They are well made, snug and yet easy to remove, they actually do keep the water out and best of all, they are not nearly as hot as a standard neoprene skirt.

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