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Crossing the Ditch by James Castrission – My arms are tired just looking at the cover. ...

David H. Johnston — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 21:00:00 PDT

Kayak adventurers, James Castrission and Justin Jones just announced the publication of their new book telling the adventure of their 62 day crossing from New South Wales, Australia to New Zealand in a two person kayak back in early 2008.

I’m really looking forward to reading it as it was quite an adventure following along via their website and frequent blog updates.

The cover design looks great (that is how I judge all my books) and Kokatat must be pleased to see their suits in action and company logo displayed front and centre on the page.

It was released on July 1 but it doesn’t seem to be available at Amazon.com yet. Hopefully soon.

Aquapac's summer splash: Debuting three new 100% waterproof products

David H. Johnston — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 21:00:00 PDT

Oyster Bay, New York - June 30th, 2009 - With summer about to hit full stride, Aquapac is making outdoor living a little bit easier by introducing three new and innovative 100% waterproof products designed for a wide variety of outdoor recreation.

Aquapac, the leader in waterproof protection, is introducing a stylish backpack, a smartly designed pannier and a functional map case this summer. Here’s a quick look at the three items:

Whitewater kayakers pioneer confluence of Web 2.0, sports instruction

David H. Johnston — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 21:00:00 PDT

Powered by equal parts social media technology and peer-to-peer network review, World Kayak’s blend of offline and online resources at KayakEducation.com represents the first Web 2.0-enabled approach to adventure sports instruction.

“If there are any other sports out there doing this, they’re pretty much keeping it a secret,” said World Kayak Executive Director James McBeath. McBeath has been responsible for pioneering the use of social networks to connect the whitewater kayaking community and industry. The organization’s two-year-old flagship sites, WorldKayak.com and Worldkayakblogs.com, a mashup of news, information and blogs from whitewater kayakers recently logged 200,000 unique visitors in one month - no mean feat for a sport the Outdoor Industry Association says counts just 2.2 million participants in the United States.

Maine Man First to Solo Kayak 740-mile Water Trail

David H. Johnston — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 21:00:00 PDT

Fort Kent, Maine, June 29th, 2009 — A 67-year-old Maine man on Saturday completed the first solo kayak through paddle of the 740-mile Northern Forest Canoe Trail from Old Forge, New York, to Fort Kent, Maine.

Gil Whitney of Lakeville, Maine, arrived at Fort Kent's Riverside Park on the St. John River 57 days after launching his lime green kayak on the Fulton Chain of Lakes in the Adirondack Park Preserve. The retired tractor trailer driver lost four inches off his waist and nearly 30 pounds while experiencing a stretch of nine straight days of rain, a spill into Class IV rapids on the Saranac River in New York, an inner ear infection, and a meeting with a swimming black bear on Flagstaff Lake in western Maine.

Better Know a Kayak Instructor – Marna Powel

David H. Johnston — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 21:00:00 PDT

Welcome to another instalment of, “Better Know an Instructor”.

Marna Powel has been teaching kayaking for over 10 years as an ACA Open Water Coastal Kayak instructor with the Adaptive Paddling Endorsement. She is also owner of Kayak Zak’s which specializes in adaptive paddling instruction.

Marna was very kind to take the time to answer my questions and get her to open up about herself and what motivates her to get out teaching others.

Tell us about yourself. What do you do when you are not out paddling/teaching?
Actually on my days off I like to go paddle. Winter and spring in this area has incredible whitewater runs. My husband and I also have a small welding business www.gonewelding.com and since one of my degrees is in business administration with an accounting emphasis (gag me!) there really is a ton of paperwork involved in operating two businesses and a household. On a more positive note, we have eight acres on the coast bordering Redwood National Park. It’s a lot of hard work and I love our goats, dogs and organic garden with greenhouse. Michael and I have been together for 21 years.

Happy Canoe Day everybody! (June 26)

David H. Johnston — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 21:00:00 PDT

Here in Canada, June 26 is National Canoe Day and it is an event that is almost as huge as Christmas. Really it is. Well not really but at least National Badminton Day doesn’t exist so ours is still biggest. Update: There is a National Badminton Day; it was back on June 14th in Luxembourg and apparently a big deal there.

This years National Canoe Day has over 20 events taking place across Canada so take a look on the event listings map and visit your closest event and join in while there is still time.

National Canoe Day came about after the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) named the canoe as one of the Canada’s seven national wonders.

For more information visit the official National Canoe Day website at www.nationalcanoeday.net.

Photo Credit: National Canoe Day

Registration now open for the ACA National Paddlesports Conference

David H. Johnston — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 21:00:00 PDT

Mark off October 23-25, 2009 on your fridge calendar so you can make yourself available for the American Canoe Association's National Paddlesports Conference.

Taking place in Fredericksburg, VA, this event focuses on all facets of the paddlesports community with training sessions including instructor updates, instructor trainer sessions, adaptive paddling seminars and safety & rescue clinics.

Big Agnes Expands Warehouse To Meet Shipping Demands

David H. Johnston — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 21:00:00 PDT

Big Agnes® Inc, maker of innovative sleeping bags, pads and tents, has expanded its warehouse by 60% to meet increased shipping demands. This upgrade has been implemented to increase Big Agnes’ efficiency with inventory and delivery as well as honoring an ongoing company mission to serve its customers effectively. Along with the warehouse growth, Big Agnes has moved to 100% wind power at its corporate office and warehouse locations.

Kayaking has officially made it to the big times!

David H. Johnston — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 21:00:00 PDT

How do you know when your sport has made it to the big times? A clear sign is when spammers are using your sport to try to scam you.

Over the past 24 hours, I have been getting reports of quite a few people in the kayaking community getting the posted email below.

If you get the spam, please ignore it as seems to reek of a ripe Nigerian Email Scam. A quick search on Google of the phone number brought up several different blog postings with the same person looking to pay nicely for chess, sewing and sailing lessons.

So pat yourself on the back and congratulate each other for being there when kayaking truly hit the big times. It’s a story you will want to remember to tell your grandkids and easily on the same level as your grandfather’s story of being there to see Babe Ruth play his first game.

Below is the email that's going around:

Jackson Kayak Riviera delivers all-day comfort in a sit-on-top kayak

David H. Johnston — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 21:00:00 PDT

Jackson Kayak, champions of easy to paddle, comfortable and durable boats brings their three-part refrain to the sit-on-top genre with the debut of the Riviera. This simple kayak is already garnering rave reviews by the likes of Olympian Joe Jacobi and his guests at the Ocoee Adventure Center as well as Robert “Bear” Bass of Ozark Outdoors Riverfront Resort.