Rowland Sticks It!
Published June 13, 2012 | 
One of my uber sea kayaking heroes once again earns the kudos. Last Saturday, Rowland Woollven coach and guide in Oban, Scotland completed his circumnavigation of Great Britain by sea kayak. Rowland is the 19th person to have made the journey, but the real stand out for me is that he’s the first person to complete the circumnavigation using a “traditional” or Greenland Paddle. It was not long ago that people were saying that Greenland paddles were not sufficient or ideal for such adventures. Well, we all knew better, didn’t we?! Continue reading
I Wanna be Darren Bush…
Published June 10, 2012 | 
Darren Bush is the owner of Rutabaga Paddlesports shop in Madison, Wisconsin and my occasional employer. And no, I don’t really wanna be Darren. I don’t want the stress. Anyway, while he enjoys taking pictures of Dragronflies, I lean more toward Blackbirds, Grackles and Ravens. Sorry, I’m slipping sideways again! Back to the point, I just read this great blog from THE ART OF MANLINESS called “So You Want My Job: Outdoor Shop Owner” featuring Darren. Great stuff. So here’s to Darren Bush! You’re my hero. (Well, other than that whole canoe thing… LOL!) Continue reading
Any Boat In A Storm
Published June 9, 2012 | 
You know, I’ve been thinking that I need a canoe. Well, no. I don’t. But every time I think I’m going to go paddle, my poor pup gives me the look that says, “You’d really go do something without me?”.. Then the guilt sets in, and I grab the leash instead. Yarg. Between that and my hot, new bike, I’m lucky to get on the water at all. The upside is that it’s all good. Any boat in a storm as they say! The biggest issue these days isn’t how we stay active, it’s just that we find anyway to stay active. Continue reading
Posted in My Paddling, Outdoor Recreation, Paddling, People | 
david johnston, kelly blades | 
6 CommentsThe Ikkatsu Project
Published May 8, 2012 | 
You’ve probably heard by now that debris from last year’s tragic Japanese earthquake & tsunami has begun to arrive along the coastline of North America. It’s fair to say that a ghost ship and a Harley Davidson motorcycle were not on top of the expected debris list! While newsworthy, they are not what has people worried. The scary part is that millions of tons of debris of all sizes, some of it microscopic, was swept into the ocean during the tsunami disaster and an unknown but likely massive amount of this flotsam, is heading straight for some of North America’s most pristine coastline. That’s where the Ikkatsu Project comes in. Continue reading
Posted in Enviroment, Expeditions, Paddling, People, Quixotica | Enviroment, Ikkatsu, Jason Goldstein, Ken Campbell, olympic coast, pollution, Steve Weileman, washington | Leave a commentInto The Wind
Published May 1, 2012 | 
In the spring of 2011 Harry Whelan and Jeff Allen picked up the gauntlet to break a 21-year-old record time in circumnavigating Ireland by sea kayak. They did… by 8 full days. The film, Into The Wind sets out to tell the tale. This is not a video deep with background or grand ideals, it does not set out to teach you or present an Irish travelogue. (Although it does offer its share of scenic landscapes.) Into The Wind feels simply like a raw journal of 2 mens experiences as they set out to break a record. It’s strengths are certainly in the unvarnished moments, on water captures, the sounds of the wind, interviews along the way and so forth. I think the best moments come when the music (Although well-chosen.) is turned off and we are carried along by the adventure itself. Continue reading
Posted in Expeditions, Paddling, People, Reviews | Harry Whelan, Into The Wind, jeff allen, Romany Productions | 2 CommentsWave Warriors
Published February 6, 2012 | 
This last week has marked the passing of two bright lights of the paddling community, Eric Soars and Don Starkell. I won’t list their many accomplishments or legendary stories here.. that is best left to those who knew them well. For thoes of us who only knew them only through instruction and inspiration, we feel the loss as that of a former teacher, knowing that a part of who we’ve become was sparked and molded by their influence. Through their lives and their words they have inspired so many of us to get out there and experience the world in ways many only see on television as Craig Jungers posted recently through Paddlewise. In fact, I think Craig’s comment on the passing of these two men is worth repeating.. “
” We are an uncommon lot with a lot in common. When we go we will most likely go as a result of doing something adventurous and not because we spent too much time on the sofa. RIP both Don Starkell and Eric Soares. The best of a bad bunch. 
”
Ellesmere
Published September 8, 2011 | 
I’ve spent part of my morning reading about Jon Turk & Erik Boomer’s 104 day Ellesmere adventure. (It wasn’t exactly a “circumnavigation.”) Ellsemere Island, one of the last bits of land before reaching the north pole, sits just off the coast of Greenland and is not what anyone would call “inviting”. Grinding ice, insane cold, polar bears, unpredictable weather with occasionally ferociousness winds.. Well, if it’s harsh and uninviting, there’s always a kayaker to say, “That’s where I want to be!”. Continue reading
