Archive for the ‘Traditional Paddling’ Category

He say “I know you, you know me”
One thing I can tell you is you got to be free
Come together right now
over me
– the beatles

Our friend Dominique was kind enough to share with us some of his pictures from this year’s Delmarva Paddler’s Retreat. Delmarva was founded in 1988 by Charlie and Cindy Cole and is the unrivaled Mecca of Greenland style paddling. (This side of Greenland of course!!) The annual event held in Lewes, Delaware is considered the place where Greenland style really kicked off here in the states. Attendees learn traditional paddling skills, attend lectures & workshops, and of course spend a lot of time rolling! Most paddlers with a passion for G-Style make it a goal to at least once be able to attend Delmarva.

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Words are flowing out like endless rain into a paper cup,
They slither while they pass, they slip away across the universe
- lennon

No need to pontificate. Well other than to fill a bit of space and to satisfy the RSS feeds that ignore pictures.  Did I say there was no need to pontificate? Oh, ok then. Sorry.  Well, here’s the thing that there is no need to rabbit on about, but which can be addressed with 2 pictures.  If you’re new to a Greenland paddle and you are trying to learn that whole sculling thing there is one common mistake you should avoid right off. It’s where you put your inside (my left, your right in the picture above.) hand.  You should grip the paddle around the blade and not…

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Tom Sharp had told me some time ago that he and Corey Freedman would be hosting Maliqiaq Padilla this spring and setting up a qajaq (or “kayak” if you prefer)  building class.  If you’ve been following along on Twitter you know I promised you the details today.  So without further distraction…

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This afternoon I head back to Canoecopia for my second day hanging out at the Door County Symposium booth. Yesterday was funny in that it seemed everyone that I had hoped to find later in the day seemed to all arrive at the booth instead. That was quite nice actually. Less walking for an old geezer like me!! Read the rest of this entry »

It ain’t no use to sit and wonder why, babe
It don’t matter, anyhow
An’ it ain’t no use to sit and wonder why, babe
If you don’t know by now
– dylan

It’s no use to show you a picture of Bill Valentine.  Bill is simply a good guy who makes yokes for portaging canoes over the trails and through the swamps.  His booth is sort of  hidden on a back wall far removed from the Glam-Rock rad gear and sea kayak sections of the floor.  Yet walking on the way to somewhere else something caught my eye.

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This is our friend Robin demonstrating the chubbilicious quality of her Tuilik.  A Tuilik for those uninitiated, is a bit of traditional paddling gear that keeps you warm and cozy while rolling around in cold water.  It also provides a lot of flotation which makes moves like a static brace almost a cake walk.  By the way, did she say “Toileek”???

I know what you’re asking yourself. You’re asking, “Where can I find a high quality Tuilik Hanger that will let my hood dry out properly?”. Yup, it’s one of life’s big questions surely. Well, the answer is called “The Skinny” and it’s made by Bug Head Tuiliks of Cambridge Massachusetts. Oh, and by the way they make Tuiliks as well. . . even ones with big scary spiders on ‘em!