Float Yer Boat
Published March 7, 2013 | 
It’s that time once again. Canoecopia is now stampeding across the outdoor industry messaging prairie leaving nothing but dust in its wake. Um, Or .. well, Everybody’s talking about Canoecopia March 8th through March 10th. We’ll be there of course… ‘Nuff said.. Now let’s talk about pool sessions, coaching and Sue’s new roll! 
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Don’t Harass The Eagles
Published January 11, 2013 | 
I’m not talking about a wade in the shallows
I’m not living there any more
You can spend your life fighting the river
Or you could look me right in the eyes – shearwater
This time of year, the lakes are the domain of the fisher people and the rivers are a risky proposition as well. I’ll tell you one thing though, every year when I see the Bald Eagles gathering on the Wisconsin river I feel an urge to hop in my kayak and paddle out for a visit. Thing is, that would be a bad idea.
In the winter eagles are already stressed by the cold and scarcity of food. Scaring eagles into flight or away from their food could deprive them of the energy they need to maintain their body temperature. So as much as I like to watch the eagles, I’ll be doing it from shore. Continue reading
Posted in Learning, Nature & Wildlife, Outdoor Recreation, Paddling, Photography, Random Thoughts | 
Leave a commentAstral Buoyancy Sea Wolf
Published January 9, 2013 | 
Hey cowboy I hope you’re fast
‘Cause I’m the baddest gunslinger ever was
Hey outlaw, follow me outside
And keep your fingers on the triggers while we party all night.
Welcome to the gun show
- in this moment
The Astral Buoyancy Sea Wolf is a great new life vest introduced in 2012. The only downside is that strangers may come up and start touching you like this…. (see pic above!) Well, hopefully not, but you know how those old sea wolves are! Well, regardless of the questionable feel-up from Astral’s promo video we decided to buy a new Sea Wolf for Sue. . . Here’s why, Continue reading
Shhhhh, It’s a Secret!
Published January 6, 2013 | 
I’m stepping through the door
And I’m floating
in a most peculiar way
- david bowie
So the deal is.. I have to learn to swing dance, and she has to learn to roll. Well, that’s not really fair, I like to dance, and she likes to kayak.. so it’s all good.
So for our first pool session of the year it was time to take my favorite novice kayaker and teach her how to balance brace & roll. Sadly, I still feel like I’m teaching something dark and mystical among the euros and paddle floats of the C2C crowd. Oh, and the secret… Well, we’ll get to that! Continue reading
Pool Sessions in Baraboo, WI.
Published January 4, 2013 | 
Baraboo might be a small town, but we do have a great pool for winter kayak sessions. Local paddler Jack Burton has organized a series of monthly pool sessions to work on rolling and other skills here at the Baraboo Middle School Pool. Cost is $3 per person ($4 for out-of-towners) and $5 for your kayak. So for about 10 bucks you can kayak the warm waters of the Baraboo Pool. The dates in 2013 are Saturdays; Jan 5, Feb 16, Mar 2, and Apr 13; all sessions from 4-6PM. These sessions are open to all paddlers, and there are some experienced rollers there to help you master your skills. I’ll be there as well of course.. I’ll be the one who rarely comes up for air! For map and other details download the info sheet below.
Back To Center
Published January 3, 2013 | Whenever I want you around, yeah.
All I gotta do,
Is call you on the phone,
And you’ll come running home,
Yeah, that’s all I gotta do.
- beatles
This morning I warmed up the old Victrola… (Um, opened my Itunes.) and felt the urge to listen to Meet The Beatles. Yeah, I go vintage sometimes! Actually as a kid of the late 60s and early 70′s the Beatles were just turning “vintage” by the time I first picked up a guitar. Anyway, the thought that entered my mind as the song, “All I’ve Got To Do” started playing was that sometimes we just need to go back to base, to re-center ourselves. I’ve learned to do that many times in my kayak when the conditions around me started making me feel a bit twitchy. Continue reading
Can’t believe it’s that time again! Here in central Wisconsin Canoecopia is right around the corner. March 8th through the 10th. It’s time once again to see all the gear and hear about all the great adventures folks have had in the great outdoors. It’s also a great time to mention that some of the best adventures happen right outside your front door. Adventure is just a state of mind. Continue reading →