Stoke Magazine

Wood Surfboards from Hood River, Oregon

2012-02-01T21:12:00.000-08:00

A few years ago, I looked up a guy I knew in college at Washington State, and found out he was making beautiful wood surfboards in Hood River, Oregon. Lars Bergstrom has made a living shaping not only pretty, but functional wood boards.

Check out his site.. http://42surfboards.blogspot.com/

Suction Cup Light for SUPs & Kayaks

2012-01-30T21:23:00.000-08:00

I do a lot of night paddling in an urban area where other boating traffic is common. In a lot of cases, boats aren't using a light thus you have to really look for them and listen for a boat motor. One way to increase your visibility is to have a waterproof light on you. What you don't want to do is blind yourself with your own light thus reducing your night vision. I put a light on the back of my Type 3 PFD. Friends use headlamps which are great if you're paddling solo, but if you turn to your friend next to you - they'll get blinded, not cool.

The product below sticks on your board or kayak with a suction cup and has two light settings - strobe and a continous light. In many boatin areas, small watercraft such as boards and kayaks are required by the Coast Guard to use a continous, not blinking light. Check yor local regs just in case.

The Hydrostar light is made by Seattle Sports.

Light SUP Boards

2012-01-29T13:42:00.000-08:00

A few weeks ago, a woman contacted me to ask about which boards would be easy to carry. So often, SUP boards are really heavy and often the deck width is too wide for some folks to reach across for carries other than using the deck handle.

Issues with large boards for some people..

- Too wide to reach across for non deck grab carries.
- Too wide to straddle, or rather sit with both legs over the sides.
- Too wide for prone paddling.
- Too heavy to carry.
- Being heavy and/or wide is difficult to carry in windy conditions where a board acts as a sail.
- Give all of the above, thus becomes difficult to load solo on a car.

If you already have a board that has some of the above issues and don't have the budget to get a lighter board, consider using SUP and kayak wheel systems (see my 1/24 blog posting on wheels), a SUP shoulder strap, or have a friend help you carry it. You can use stick on handle products such as these from North Shore Inc.

Below, I've listed a bunch of light boards some of which are designed specifically for women.

- Naish Mana 10’, 23lbs

-The Tahoe Bliss is made for women, is very light, and has a narrow section in the mid area for easier carrying.

- Starboards are generally light, the 10.5’x30” Drive is 23lbs,

- Surftech Marisa Miller, designed for women at 22lbs x 10’.

Also consider inflatable boards which are very light and are great for storage and travel. Good brands are Naish, Uli, C4, NRS, and BoardWorks. A good inflatable board can surf quite well, run rivers, and are also great for flat water.

10 Tips for Dealing with Large Ships & Powerboats.

2012-01-27T10:10:00.000-08:00

Last week, I spoke to a woman who mentioned her husband doesn't want to paddle in Puget Sound as he was spooked by the large ships. I assured her that unless her husband was paddling 3 miles out in the shipping lanes when a large freighter or tanker happened to be passing by, then there's nothing to worry about. That said, if he was out there when a ship is passing there's a few things to keep in mind..

- Freighters, tankers and similarly large fast moving ships take several miles to stop. They can't stop for you, thus you simply need to stay out of their way.

- Rules of the road in most waterways are the bigger and faster moving boats have right of way. Boats don't have breaks, thus don't even think of crossing in front of one if you don't think you can make it across. If you're not sure, hang out, chill, and wait for it to pass. In my neck of the woods, a local surf shop generally doesn't give good direction to their renters and we've seen some very sketchy close calls when SUPs have paddled directly in front of fast powerboats. In one instance, the shop's instructor led a group of 10 or so students directly into the path of a bunch of fast moving power boats which had to swerve out the way to not only avoid the students but also a shallow shoal on their port side. Coming back, they did it again, wtf?

8 More Tips on Paddling with Boats...

- When crossing a busy boating channel, look both ways, just like crossing a street. Remember the video game Frogger?

- At night look for moving lights and listen for boat motors prior to crossing.

- If you have a large group, bunch everyone into a small group (not line) and paddle across at the same time. A single line takes longer to cross and slower paddlers may fall in and not cross before the next boat comes.

- If you're crossing a shipping lane you can check your local waterway channel on a VHF to listen for reports of any boats coming your way. Given some freighters can go 24 kts, which is pretty fast, you could possibly start your crossing with no boat in sight and to have one appear rather quickly as soon as you're in the middle. If one comes upon you, paddle perpendiculiarly out of the way asap. Not used to big waves? I'd recommend taking a surfing class.

- There's a few websites that let you see what boating traffic is doing globally in real time. We use one for spotting freighters for local surfing. You can use this to check positions before leaving and/or take a waterproofed smart phone along. I use the following most often, http://www.marinetraffic.com/ais/ Here's another I don't use as often, http://www.sailwx.info/shiptrack/index.html Specific regions have their own such as this one for the Bay Area, http://www.boatingsf.com/ais_map.php

- There are a few handy methods to determining whether a boat is on a collision course with you. Check my SUP book for 2, as well as David Burch's 'Kayaking Navigation' guide by Globe Pequot.

- If you do plan on paddling in shipping lanes, note that many coastal tugs and large container ships can put off big waves. We've experienced up to 15' rolling green swell which on a rare occasion will break thus creating surf. Quite the ride if you like that sort of thing. In Seattle we have two reliable locations of which to surf such waves as they arrive on shore. Tidal levels, wind speed and boat type and speed all factor whether we get waves.

- Also learn to paddle over small power boat waves. These are also great practice to get your skills up prior to paddling in the ocean. Rule of thumb is to stay relaxed and keep paddling over the wave. Folks who stop paddling will swim.

10 Wheels for SUPs

2012-01-24T15:00:00.000-08:00

One of the biggest issues with owning a SUP is carrying it. Last summer those renting boards from a surf shop by my house in Seattle had a 300 yard carry to the beach which included having to scurry across a busy two lane arterial with no crosswalk. I still remember the expressions on the faces of the renters as they got to the beach and realized if it was a minus tide day, their trek just got 100 yards longer. The shop rarely instructed their customers how to carry boards a long distance and provided none of the many wheeled options for SUPs. Boards were often dragged by their rails across the ground or dropped by the exhausted customers. Many would walk 25 yards, take a break, sigh, then move on again. Bummer.

Aside from the above example, most SUPs are heavy, too wide for many to reach across, and can be a nightmare in windy conditions. Walking with the board overhead or on your shoulders on a crowded sidewalk can be stressful as you swing the board around hoping to not take out a few folks.

There's a few wheeled options which will make any length of carry to be a lot easier. An issue of any wheeled device is the question of where to store it while on the water. Wheeled options allow you to keep the board out of the wind (lower profile), see pedestrians around you, and of course save a lot of angst getting your gear to the beach, or back to the car.

Imagine Surf owned by long time kayaker and surfer Corran Addison has two innnovative options. The Wheelie is a single compact wheel that snaps into any longboard finbox. The Duelie is a two wheeled option more stable than the single wheel Wheelie which also snaps into your finbox. If you have deck tie-downs or a backpack on you, both products can be carried on your board.

The Sticky Wheel is essentially two wheels on a bar with a suction cup in the middle. The company website has a good video showing it's use. Much like any wheeled device, there's the issue of where to put it if you don't have something to lock it to, or a car nearby to store it in.

SUP Wheels is a similar device to the Sticky Wheel with two wheels, but in this case there's two padded bars for the tail or your board to slip in between. Straps wrap around your fin to secure the device. The wheels do break down flat for storage on your board.

Water Brands 'SurfStow' is a product similiar to the SUP Carrier.

Another one I've seen while visiting Santa Cruz and other locations with strong surf culture - are the guys riding bikes with a surfboard attached. Somewhere I also saw an image of a guy using a kids trailer thing behind a bike, but with a board stuffed in the tent. Here's an option of a bicycle SUP carrier by Mule Transport Systems called the Surfboard/SUP Carrier/Trailer. See Pic Here. Their site has a few hand carry options as well - the Surfboard Transport System.

More specific to a particuliar board, Starboard has a wheel for their K-15 touring board, Here.

If none of these options work for you or you also have a kayak to carry, consider the many kayak wheels on the market. In the following link the Ouzel Cart and Washburne's Midwheels might work. Check these out at Northwest Outdoor Center in Seattle.

Follow My Blog to My 2nd Book "60 Trips Kayaking Puget Sound & the San Juans"

2012-01-23T21:41:00.000-08:00

In June, my second book, "60 Trips, Kayaking Puget Sound, the San Juans, and Gulf Islands" will be released by Mountaineers Books. A 3rd edition full revision of Randel Washburne's classic book of a similar title, (50 Trips..), we added 10 new trips, all new photos, and updated all driving, paddling, and other travel info. Note: Text has been updated to also include SUPs, canoes, and other human powered watercraft.

Check out my 60 Trips Blog where I'm posting info and photos for each trip in the new book. You can get ahead of the book release by reading about trip updates, changes, and current travel info to each location. Here's the url: http://60tripskayakpugetsound.blogspot.com/

Pre-order the book here on Amazon. Click Here.

6 Break Down Paddles for SUPs

2012-01-23T14:24:00.000-08:00

There's nothing worse than travelling to a holiday vacation spot to find out the only rental options are those heavy plastic or aluminum paddles with nearly straight angled blades.

Break down paddles are also a wise choice to carry with you on an expedition. You can tuck them under your deck tie-downs or stuff them in a backpack. Carrying two piece kayak paddles is also a good idea if you get tired of standing and/or need to sit for a long upwind paddle. I've interviewed several expedition paddlers who have broken paddles on trips. It does happen.

There's several companies that make 2 piece break down SUP paddles, but few make a 3 piece paddle. Here's a few (not all) options...

Naish's Kaholo.

Werner's Fuse, Carve, Advantage, and Nitro.

Imagine Surf's Rapier Paddle.

Note: The above image is a size comparison showing the Werner Carve 3 pc, a 2 pc kayak paddle and a one pc Werner Nitro paddle.

Gear Tie-Downs for SUPs

2012-01-22T17:24:00.000-08:00

As the sport of SUP grows, more folks are wanting to explore on long day trips, simple overnights and in come case on long expeditions. Most SUPs come with no way to tie or secure any gear to your board. Some have deck leash plugs on the nose and a few have waterproof hatches to put gear inside.

Here's 5 few options for solving the problem of where to put your gear..

Most secure and less obstrustive - Leash Plugs
Leash plugs are glassed in to your board thus are the most secure. Even with rope or bungy tied to the plugs, the plugs are less obstrusive if you stand on them. The only issue is that thicker rope or bungy may not slide under the metal bars of the plug. Leash plugs can be glassed into your deck.

Other Options -

EZ Plugs - these plastic plugs stick to your board but much like leash plugs, have a limited space rope or bungy can go through. I've had issues with the plugs staying on the board, so instead used epoxy to attach them. Not recommended for soft tops.

NSI Plugs - NSI has tons of great innovative products such as their Deck Mount Attachment System. I now use these exclusively. The stickiness of these is very good. I have been using one as a leash plug for a homemade SUP - so far in a few downwinders, the plug hasn't come off. The rope loop allows for any size rope or bungy to pass through.

Raft Plugs - These are great as well as the surface material is large and thus sticks well to your board. These are also great for inflatable SUPs.

Rope or Bungy?
Both work fine but bungy stretches and your load can shift in wind or waves throwing off your balance. Narrow width cam straps are also a great choice as they can be cinched down and the toughness of the straps is more reliable from breakage than most rope or bungy. I'd recommend stringing a border of rope around all points of your tie-downs so you can secure addtional rope, bungy or cam straps to it.

Expedition Photo by http://mountainsurfadventures.com

Jack O'Neil, (Book) It's Always Summer on the Inside, by Drew Kampion

2012-01-22T10:31:00.000-08:00

Drew Kampion's much anticipated book about Jack O'Neil, the founder of the modern surfing wetsuit is now available..

"No one has done more to expand the world of surfing than Jack O Neill. In the middle of the twentieth century, surfing was overwhelmingly confined to warm-water latitudes and summer seasons. By the end of the century, surfers were riding waves in some of the most remote coldwater corners of the world places like Scotland, Tasmania, and Canada in the dead of winter. Jack O Neill made it all possible with his invention of the wet suit. This is his story, lushly illustrated with archival photos and classic surfing images and brought vividly to life through quotes from some of the most famous surfers of the past 50 years."

Ordering Info - only available below:
O'Neil Surf Shop, Santa Cruz, CA (only)
$40 plus shipping.
OSS* at 831-475-4151 Ask to do a mail order.
Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or Discover accepted.

Drew Kampion's Bio..
Drew Kampion is a former editor of SURFER (1968-72), SURFING (1973-82), WIND SURF (1982-89), and WIND TRACKS (1996-99) magazines. He was Editorial Director for the Patagonia clothing company (1990-91) and Associate Editor for NEW AGE JOURNAL (1992). He founded, published, and edited the ISLAND INDEPENDENT (1993-96), an award-winning "bioregional magazine in newsprint," serving the "maritime rainshadow" islands of Washington State. For his work with the INDEPENDENT, he received first prize for editing a periodical with a circulation under 50,000.

More recently, Kampion was the American Editor of the international periodical, THE SURFER'S PATH, world's first "green" surf magazine from 2002-2009. His episodic parody, THE TEACHINGS OF DON REDONDO: A SURFER'S WAY OF KNOWLEDGE (as illustrated by artist Tom Threinen) was a regular feature of the magazine.

More on Drew's site, http://www.drewkampion.com/Homebase.html

360 Degree Flat River Spins with Dan Gavere

2012-01-20T15:55:00.000-08:00

Here's a fun video of Dan Gavere doing 360 degree flat spins on the river...

Click Here.

4 Paddling Booties for River, Surf, and Flat Water

2012-01-20T15:50:00.000-08:00

With temperatures in the teens setting in this past week in Seattle and snow on the ground, I realized my usually bombproof 7mm Xcel DryLocks aren't so bomber after all. Surfing style booties are designed to have a thin sole with no or little grip so you can feel the board. That's great once you're on the board, but walking or standing on frozen slippery ground is a fail. I live a few minutes from the water so in winter I put on my wetsuit in the house. Walking with the booties on to the car carrying gear is like being on an ice rink.

A few weeks ago, I was on Maui living it up in 80 degrees and stoked to paddle and surf in the few clothes I was wearing. I choose to surf knee high waves south of Lahiana but realized I had a long walk out at low tide over spiny sharp coral. I was barefoot and thinking - bummer, if I had remembered to bring my 5 finger shoes from home I'd be good to go. Not today, the 25 kt cross winds weren't helping.

Other options?

The kayaking and rafting industry has for years had booties with thick soles for insulation and grip for portages, walking to the put-in, and for climbing over rocks. Sea kayaking in the NW requires walking on gravel beaches with barnacled rocks. The Hood Canal west of Seattle has full on razor sharp oysters covering most beaches. River kayakers routinely are surrounded by moss covered rocks and wet boulders.

Tips on Booties for Paddling -

River - Most river paddlers want a shoe with with ankle support for climbing over boulders, mossy rocks, etc. There's several wet bootie/shoe products that offer support and drain water as well. Dan Gavere prefers his Teva Gnarkosi shoes. NRS has the NRS Attach Shoe, as well some hard core boots such as the NRS Workboot Wetshoe.

Reef and Warm Weather Options -
Popular destinations such as Hawaii have tons of SUP, surfing, and dive shop rentals. Pick up a rental pair of 'Reef Walkers.' Vibram's 5 Finger Shoes are cool too. They offer just enough protection under you feet with minimum thickness on top, yet less clunky on your board like a sandal.

General Cold Water Paddling & Surfing -
If you need warmth and tread for rocky beaches, check out NRS's Paddle Wetshoe which is also fleece lined inside, or their Sasquatch Water Shoe. Kokatat's Scout is another option. If you don't need tread or a thick sole for warmth, then any neoprenee surf bootie will work. I prefer 5mm or greater for 45F water.

Shin High Booties -
These have been popular options in kayaking for years. The booties reach up just below your knees allowing you to launch in shallow water without getting wet. They also provide extra warmth on frigid days. A few options, the Nomad by Kokatat, and Chota's Mukluk.

Surfing Storm Wind Swell in Puget Sound 1/12

2012-01-19T08:22:00.000-08:00

When it snows once a year in Seattle we always get a strong northerly 20+ knots which after several hours of going builds a good fetch, thus surfable waves 5 minutes from my house on Puget Sound. The wind waves can get big, once had chest high walls coming in. The catch is that the windchill is usually in the teens and yesterday's horizontal sleet left my eyes burning for hours after. But.. good fun, urban surf where there's not supposed to be, and it beats the gym!

Surfing a Islander Bigstick wave ski here, too windy for SUP..

Review of the Naish Nalu 11-6

2012-01-18T00:48:00.000-08:00

I've been testing the Naish Nalu 11-6 for over a month and found it to be a stable, easy to maneuver board, and good for all types of paddling. It's considerable rocker allows it to make snappy turns and is a hoot to do pivot turns with - infact I didn't want to stop spinning! The board's 5.5" thickness allows for great secondary stability especially in river current while crossing eddylines. At a tidal rapid near Seattle, I've had fun doing 360's on the eddyline without losing control or balance. It’s considerble rocker allows the Nalu to surf like a shorter board and catches waves with ease.

I found the board easy to carry at 28lbs using the ledge carrying handle. The EVA traction pad has great grip for both barefeet and neoprene booties. The nose does need to be waxed if you want to nose ride it.

The Nalu 11-6 is a great choice for larger folks. I'm 6'-5" and 230lbs I found it stable in a variety of water from flat to quite bumpy, as well as surf. Normally boards at 29 3/4" wide such as the Nalu 11-6 begin to lose stability for me, but the generous thickness and rocker allow the board to sit comfortably in the water.

I'd recommend this board for all levels of paddlers including those wanting to surf and paddle moving current. The board's stability makes it a great board for beginners to grow into. The contruction is glass/expoxy over foam, so it may not take hits well in a rocky fast moving river. Suggested max weight is 280lbs.

Conditions tested in: Flat, river, surf, and windwaves to 25kts.
Paddler Specs: 6'5" tall, 230lbs, advanced level on flat and windwaves; intermediate surf level.

Board Specs:
Nalu 11-6
Thickness: 5 1/2" in deck, thickest area.
Width: 29 3/4"
Board Wt: 28lb
Single Fin
Comes with pad.
Color: Yellow/White; Wood grain or AST (no wood).
Max Rider Wt: 280lb.

Check out the Naish site for dealer and rental locations. If travelling to Maui, rent boards from the Naish Pro Center, a great way to demo boards in warm water! In Seattle, find the Nalu at Urban Surf on north Lake Union.

Naish site: http://www.naishsurfing.com/2012/nalu-116.html
Naish Maui Pro Center: http://naishmaui.com/

How to Carry My Paddling Books in Your Shop -

2012-01-13T09:28:00.000-08:00

If you're a shop, online retailer, recreation center, etc and are interested in carrying by paddling books, contact Darryl Booker of Mountaineers Books in Seattle, info below.

"60 Trips, Kayaking Puget Sound and the San Juans" will be released in June 2012. I'm available to talk to your paddling club, bookstore, shop, etc after the book launch.

"Stand Up Paddling Flat Water to Rivers and Surf" (released April 11') is doing well with over 3,500 sold. I'm also available to come to your shop, paddling club, etc to talk about the book and SUP. Download the 'River and Tidal Rapids Paddling Chapter' for free HERE.

Darryl Booker
Key Accounts Manager
The Mountaineers Books
1001 SW Klickitat Way, Suite 201
Seattle, Washington 98134
206.223.6303 x 103
*800-553-4453 x 103
fax - 206.223.6306
e - darrylb@mountaineersbooks.org

14 Night Paddling Tips

2012-01-12T21:21:00.000-08:00

Many never paddle at night fearing for their safety or simply not seeing it as an option once the sun is down. Paddling at night can be an amazing experience and a good skill builder as well as a way to extend your day in winter when daylight hours are so short. Being safe and comfortable in the water at night comes down to a few basics. The following tips are just suggestions, use what's useful to you.

- Use your ears to listen for boat motors especially in fog. Many small boats don't use lights.

- Don't always trust your eyes if paddling in well or dimly lit urban areas. Look for movement among the lights to look for other boat traffic. Also bright lights can effect your night vision.

- Don't trust all shore lights as a landmark. Kayaker Nigel Foster once reported using a house light for his landmark in coming to shore. After coming back from his paddle, the light was turned off thus making for a confusing landing.

- Wear a white non blinking light also required by the Coast Guard. But, make sure it's not affecting your night vision. I put a small LED on my rear shoulder PFD strap. If a boat needs to see me, I'll turn on an additional light on my deck or front PFD to be more visible.

- Some carry a bright waterproof light or laser to shine directly at a boat in case of a possible collision to direct boaters away from you. Attach this to a short string so you don't lose it. The bummer of headlamps is that if you're paddling with others and look at your friend when talking - you blind them.

- Know your route, carry a map/chart. Pay attention to tides, current direction, etc.

- Make sure you're in vocal distance of your paddling partners. Keep everyone close, especially if paddling with novices or a commercial tour.

- SUP'ers - Always use your leash. Losing your board after a fall isn't fun.

- Wear a PFD (lifejacket): A PFD isn't just for floatation but it also keeps you warm and can provide pockets to store your light, a snack bar, hydration, etc.

- Consider placing silver reflector tape on your board/boat and paddle to be visible to others if they shine a light your direction.

- Place white tape strips around your paddle shaft to better see it if dropped in the water.

- If you stop for a break, make sure you have a place or way to attach your paddle to your board/boat. SUP'ers can put the paddle shaft under their thigh while sitting on the board.

- Bring your cell phone and/or a VHF radio in a drybag/box in case of emergency.

- Tell a friend where you're going on your paddle, how long you'll be out and when you plan on coming back.

Not all SUP Paddles are Shaped the Same - Ottertail by Infinity + Werner

2012-01-11T17:46:00.000-08:00

When I look through the industry magazines gear reviews and products for the new year, somehow nearly every paddle blade looks the same - teardrop shaped. There's only a few on the market which are shaped differently, mainly for the purpose of reduced shoulder/elbow strain and more control in paddling. I use the Werner Nitro and love the narrow width blade. Next on my wish list is the Ottertail designed by both Infinity Surf and Werner Paddles.

Much like the ottertail blades in canoeing, the shape allows you to vary the depth of the blade in the water thus creating more or less power and/or control depending on what you're doing. Steve Boehne of Infinity has been shaping surfboards since the mid 1960's and his two sons assist in design (and testing) bringing years of experience to the table. Product link: Here.

Rubber Fins by Imagine Surf - Snap-In - No Tools!

2012-01-11T16:44:00.000-08:00

Check out this rubber fin by Imagine Surf (Corran Addison). They snap into any fin box, no tools, pretty cool! I always lose the nut or square metal thingy in the slot, nice to see alternatives.

More info:
http://www.imaginesurf.com/?post_type=imaginesurf_product&p=2353

New Wave Ski from Tyler Lausten on Maui..

2012-01-11T12:03:00.000-08:00

World title wave ski paddler and shaper Tyler Lausten who lives in Haiku, Maui has unveiled a new ski design! Beautiful lines and nice ripping shape! Scroll down for more coverage on Tyler and his business.

Link Here for image.
Tyler's main site: http://tlwaveskis.com/

Leavenworth, WA Shop Embraces River SUP

2012-01-11T10:38:00.000-08:00

Seattle native Adam McKenney ended up in the Bavarian theme town of Leavenworth a decade ago following his passions for the outdoors. He owns Leavenworth Mountain Sports, a full service retail and rental shop for skiing, whitewater kayaking and more recently both flat water and river SUP.

Surrounded by mountain lakes, and small to fast moving rivers, Adam has found a niche in teaching beginners to paddle SUPs on rivers. Over the summer, he told me he starts families out on mellow Class 1 (lake like) stretches of the Wenatchee River and by the end of the day they're surfing standing waves. Adam carries Starboard, Werner, the Emotion Traverse, and Astral PFDs. He applauds the wide and stable Starboard Avanti and Whopper boards for river paddling.

Check out Adam's company page dedicated to SUP, some fun Wenatchee River videos here:
http://leavenworthmtnsports.com/sup/

The following pics are from the annual Wenatchee River Festival held in early June. The images are at Rodeo Hole and the flow was about 30k Cfs, after one of our largest snow packs in years.

Stand Up 4 Great Bear Documentary

2012-01-10T23:29:00.000-08:00

Check out this incredible documentary from Squamish BC resident Norm Hann, an accomplished SUP paddler.

More info:
A film based on Norm Hann's 2010 400km standup paddleboard expedition along the proposed north coast oil tanker route in British Columbia. The goal of the expedition was to bring awareness to the traditional food harvesting areas of the First Nations and the incredible marine ecosystems of the Greatbear Rainforest.

See it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DAnRFd3jBqQ

Trip Website:
http://standup4greatbear.ca/www.standup4greatbear.ca/SU4GB.html

1/12 News Update on Endbridge Northern Gateway project: Here.

Charlie Macarthur & the Rocky Mountain Boyz - River SUP

2012-01-04T20:47:00.000-08:00

Here's a great article on Charlie Macarthur one of the pioneers of river SUP. Based in Colorado, he's runs a paddling school and is a founding partner in C4 Waterman. Here's the story from Stand Up Journal.

Photo by Todd Patrick.

Sit-on-top Sea Kayaks

2011-12-30T22:04:00.000-08:00

On a recent trip to Maui, we only saw the heavy and slow rotomolded sit on top kayaks by Ocean Kayaks and similar brands. We wondered how cool it would be to have a high performance touring sit on top kayak for tropical waters for offshore adventuring or rock gardening. Here's a few that would be ideal for the task..

French company RTM makes some great boats and wave skis. Their Midway and Disco+ kayaks both have one enclosed hatch, a well in the stern for gear and thigh straps for rough water handling and surfing. http://rtmkayaks.com/products/sit-on-top/disco
Necky Kayaks recently unveiled the Vector 14 which has two enclosed hatches and one open well. Like the RTM boats, you can attach thigh straps for better control in bumpy waters. More info:
http://www.neckykayaks.com/kayaks/sit_on_top/vector_14/

Others:
-Emotion Grand Slam 14'
-Wilderness Systems Tarpon 160

One issue with all the above models is weigtht. The Tarpon for example is 76lbs. Know of a composite model?

12/26/11 Maui - Ho'okipa and Honomana Bay

2011-12-27T01:52:00.000-08:00

Still dizzy from doing 100 of the estimated 600 horseshoe curves on the Hana Highway, we definitely enjoyed the rain forest like landscape surrounded by twisting vines, forests of bamboo, and one lane road segments.

North Shore Maui Wave Ski Shaper Tyler Lausten

2011-12-24T00:36:00.000-08:00

Paddling a wave ski since his late teens and the winner of many top titles worldwide, Haiku Maui based Tyler Lausten now keeps busy shaping skis for a wide ranging clientele. Here's a window into his rural shop above Haiku on Maui's North Shore. TL Wave Skis, Here.

New NW Paddling Guide Blog!

2011-12-17T13:56:00.000-08:00

I'm finishing up the revision of Randel Washburne's classic NW paddling guide, "60 Trips Kayaking Puget Sound and the San Juans" by Mountaineers Books. The book will be available June 2012. I've created a blog and Facebook page to support the book release. Both offer sample trips from the book, favorite trips not in the book, and updates on routes, public access, and other stuff.

Here's the blog url: http://60tripskayakpugetsound.blogspot.com/

Facebook Page:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/60-Trips-Kayaking-Puget-Sound-the-San-Juans-Mountaineers-Books/307745475925888

If you're a retailer and want to stock the book in your shop, contact Mountaineers Books accounts guy, Darryl Booker, 800.553.4453 x103 or

We added over 10 new trips to the book, a few below..
- Victoria BC harbor
- Victoria's Gorge Waterway
- outer Victoria Harbor to Cadboro Bay
- Sooke
- Freshwater Bay to the Elwha River.
- Port Angeles Harbor
- Gig Harbor
- Tacoma Narrows
- Kingston to Point No Point