Grand Isle creates a special place to launch kayaks

 

Responding to a growing trend of kayak use, 

Grand Isle now has a launch that caters to the small boats.

The launch, now considered temporary, is on the back bay, 

beside LSU's new oyster hatchery building on Ludwig Lane.

“Five or six years ago, if you saw a kayak it was crazy. 

When you'd see one you'd say, Whoa, these guys are nuts,” 

said Buggy Vegas, owner of Bridgeside Marina in Grand Isle. 

“Now you see them all summer out here. It has really picked up in the past two years.”

Vegas said the trend was likely spurred by kayak fishing rodeos that 

have grown each year. He noted the ...more

Whitewater kayaking at Stone Valley in Colton during Labor Day Weekend

 

COLTON -- Summer activities conclude in Colton during Labor Day weekend featuring whitewater kayaking at the Stone Valley section of the Racquette River.

The last two of six releases this summer by Brookfield Renewable Energy take place Saturday, Aug. 30 and Monday, Sept. 1. The largest turnout is expected on Saturday when paddlers will be doing timed runs on the class 5 section of the river which begins just below the dam.

Expert kayakers are expected from eastern United States and Canada for the predictable and challenging conditions at Stone Valley on release days. They start around 10 a.m. when the water is at the full release level. Beforehand spectators will see paddlers hiking the trails to check conditions of the river.

On Saturday and Monday, the town’s Tourism & Beautification Committee will have a tent set up and staffed by volunteers at the main trailhead at the end of Riverside Drive just past the fire station. A variety of free information including brochures with maps of the Raquette River and Stone Valley published by Brookfield will be available.

Also DVDs of the Raquette River produced by WPBS, Colton tee shirts and other products will be available to purchase. Nearby, on ...more

Enjoy whitewater tricks at freestyle championships

 

WAUSAU – The Cartwheel and Space Godzilla are just two of the trick moves expected this weekend at Wausau Whitewater Park. Paddlers throughout the Midwest will come to Wausau Whitewater Park to perform freestyle moves this Saturday and Sunday during the Midwest Freestyle Championships.

Spectators are welcome, and seating is available along the course on the east channel of the Wisconsin River. Wausau Whitewater Park is located along River Drive, southwest of the Marathon County Public Library. Most of the action for this two-day event will take place just west of the Marathon County office building and the Hangar Lounge Restaurant & Banquet Hall. Food vendor and restrooms are conveniently located on site.

The kayakers, in their covered boats, will ride the ...more

Community Paddle: Final 2014 event part of Michigan Maritime Celebration on Saturday

 

MUSKEGON, MI – The third and final Community Paddle on Muskegon Lake this summer will launch Saturday, Aug. 16 as part of the revamped Michigan Maritime Celebration.

Paddlers will begin to gather at the city of Muskegon's Harbour Towne Beach on the west end of Muskegon Lake at 9:30 a.m. The Community Paddle will take off from the beach at approximately 10 a.m.

A new Michigan Maritime Celebration kayak race will take place after the approximately hour and a half of paddle on Muskegon Lake right in front of the Harbour Towne Beach.

The Community Paddle and the Michigan Maritime Celebration are events of Muskegon Lake Effect Boating – a promotional group that has been advancing Muskegon Lake's recreational boating for three years. The Michigan Maritime Celebration is Friday through Sunday, Aug. 15-17, and had been called Muskegon Lake Boat Time the past two years.

"This is just one more maritime event at which we can celebrate our blue economy here in Muskegon and across the ...more

Ten years on, Athens 2004 gives Greece little to cheer

 

It was billed as a chance to transform Greece's image abroad and boost growth but 10 years after the country hosted the world's greatest sporting extravaganza there is little to celebrate at the birthplace of the modern Olympic Games.

Many of the once-gleaming Olympic venues which crackled with activity have been abandoned while others are used occasionally for non-sporting events such as conferences and weddings.

At the former Olympic rowing centre in the town of Marathon, which gave its name to the endurance race, stray dogs play among overgrown weeds as a dozen youths train in the water.

Across the city, the former canoe and kayak venue has dried up, and entire banks of spectators' seats have been ripped out.

Just days before the anniversary of the Aug. 13-29 Games in 2004, and as Brazil gears up for the 2016 Rio Olympics, many question how Greece, among the smallest countries to ever host the Games, has benefited from the multi-billion dollar event.

For Greeks who swelled with pride at the time, the Games are now a source of anger as the country struggles through a six-year depression, record unemployment, homelessness and poverty.

Greece has struggled to generate revenue from the venues.

"Celebrate for what?," said Eleni Goliou, who runs a grocery store in the capital. "They spent money they didn't have - our money, taxpayers' money - on a big party. You see any money left for a celebration?" she asked with a shrug.

After failing in a bid to host the centennial Olympics in ...more

In From the Outdoors: Q&A with Diane Gilman

 

OOTHBAY HARBOR — One kayak camping trip to an island off Acadia National Park is all it took. Diane Gilman was hooked.

That was 10 years ago. Now the Woolwich resident leads paddle tours for land trusts, around islands and on the open ocean. From that first kayak trip to her most recent, Gilman has never tired of the Maine coast. On weekdays she runs the Boothbay Region Land Trust office, but come the weekend, Gilman, 61, is a woman who needs a paddle.

When did you start paddling?

The minute I got into a kayak I felt I had died and gone to heaven. I had heard about ocean kayaking in Bar Harbor. So I went with an outfit that did everything for you. Some offer lodging in B&Bs. That wasn’t for me. There was one that camped on islands and that was appealing. There were about eight of us and none of us had much experience. It was five days and so much fun. I went ...more

Mark de Jonge sets world record in kayak race

 

Halifax's Mark de Jonge set a new world record Saturday in the men's K1 200-metre race, as he advances to the final Sunday.

De Jonge won his semifinal race at the 2014 ICF Canoe Sprint World Championships in Moscow with a time of 33.945 seconds.

That breaks the previous International Canoe Federation record by 0.035 of a second. That record was set in ...more

Kayaker caught on deadly conveyor belt

 

Risk, danger, peril and loss are all hand maidens to exploration kayaking. My friend Bruce and I know this only to well.

In 1996, we were exploring and descending what was to become one of the harder whitewater runs in the country. The mysterious Kokatahi River had sat idle while rivers to the north and south of it were becoming world famous.

It was rumoured to be steep and gnarly with some deep gorges and the fact that the track providing foot access, and possible scouting points, to the valley sidles for the most part high along the massive walls.

I had spent a great deal of time hanging out the helicopter door and scouting from 150 metres up. It looked difficult but possible. The general rule of thumb for helicopter scouting is that if it looks like Class IV from the helicopter it will generally be Class V when you get on the water - the Kokatahi looked like class V from the helicopter. But, most things looked possible.

There were two gorges that were shielded by trees. One was very short and mostly looked like a respite from the kilometres of class V whitewater leading down to it, the ...more

Rush Sturges- Whitewater SuperStar- Now Team Jackson Kayak

 

I have paddled with Rush Sturges, mostly meeting at competitions or events around the world since the 90′s.   He comes from a family that has been a leader in whitewater for many years before that and still is with Otter Bar.    Watching Rush grow up from a junior paddler, to Senior, to film maker, to Adrenaline Rush, to Rudy Rampage, back to competitor again is an impressive growth phase that has spanned many years.    He  has been a big part of Team Dagger for so long that I never imagined him on Team Jackson Kayak.   When he started paddling our freestyle boats in competitions, I was so proud to have a boat that Rush felt was worth paddling even though he wasn’t on our team.

This past winter, Rafa left his Karma in Rush’s yard and told people they could try it if they wanted.    The result was unexpected to me.   Rush and many others who paddle together on the Little White started paddling the Karma and by the Spring Rush wanted his own Karma to race in.   I was, once again, so thrilled that he liked the boat enough to want to paddle it, even though he wasn’t on our team.

Fast forward and Rush is now on the team, and will be ...more

Kayaks overtake canoes as paddlers' choice in Western Pa.

 

Call it the Kingdom of Kayaks.

From the calm waters in Moraine State Park, Butler County, to the varying rapids of the Youghiogheny River in the Laurel Mountains, brightly colored crafts dot our waterways like recreational punctuation.

They are in rivers, streams and lakes, piloted by seniors, teens and time-tested paddlers. Kayak-ing seems to have become the paddle sport of choice, letting users get closer to nature, their towns or even their family and friends.

“You can do it alone or in a tandem or with a group,” says Joey-Linn Ulrich, executive director of Venture Outdoors, which has, for 10 years, rented the craft, educated users and led trips at its Kayak Pittsburgh on the North Shore. In the summer of 2013, it served a record 26,000 paddlers there and at its North Park site, a figure the group is hoping to break this year, she says.

Ulrich says in the past five years, participation has grown 30 percent annually.

That popularity holds nationwide, as well, according to the Outdoor Foundation, a Colorado-based group founded by the ...more

Intro to Whitewater Kayaking for Women

"Hey ladies!! Have you been wanting to try out whitewater kayaking but never had the gear or pals to get out with? Tumalo Creek Kayak & Canoe will be hosting SheJumps.org Intro to Whitewater Kayaking for Woman this month. You will go from ground zero to paddling whitewater in the course of the weekend, covering all the basic skills, and hanging out with some great women. It will be ...more

Great Stone Dam Classic race set for Sept. 7

LAWRENCE — The 5th annual Great Stone Dam Classic Canoe, Kayak and SUP race will be held at 11 a.m. on Sunday, Sept. 7 at the Abe Bashara Boathouse. The Great Stone Dam Classic is one of the largest flatwater races in New England. Last September’s race drew nearly 100 paddlers from all over the Northeast, including past National Champions.

Three courses make racing on the Merrimack River accessible to everyone from veteran paddlers to weekend warriors and kids: 8.6-mile, two-loop racing course; 3.5-mile recreational course, and a 1k kids race.

All boat classes and paddlers are welcome, including SUP (Stand-Up Paddleboard) paddlers.

Free technical T-shirts will go to ...more

Kayaks depart Yeppoon on 300km paddle challenge

 

From The Capricorn Coast Mirror

 

"BRAVE Mates" have set off from Yeppoon on a 300km kayak challenge up the Central Queensland coast to help raise money for the RSL's not-for-profit national veterans' support service Mates4Mates.

Mates4Mates' chief operating officer Michael Quinn said the organisation received no government support.

Instead, it relied heavily on the generosity and support of individuals, communities and businesses.

The Central Queensland coast kayak challenge follows the inaugural Mates4Mates sea kayak challenge from Sydney to Brisbane last year.

This year, two teams are taking part in the two-part challenge and each will have about two weeks to finish their event.

The first team left Yeppoon on Monday, August 4, paddling out to the Keppel Islands and heading north past Byfield National Park and around Shoalwater Bay before finishing at Notch Point, south of Mackay, around August 17.

The second team will leave Hay Point, south of Mackay, on September 1, travelling northwards through the Whitsunday Islands and onwards to Bowen by September 12.

Mr Quinn said adventure challenges such as this were extremely important in the rehabilitation of injured, ill and wounded personnel, whether former or current.

"Whether they're battling physical injuries or ...more

Kayak for a Cure 2014

August 23, 2014 - All day 


Kayak for a Cure is a society that was started in Vancouver, BC in 2006. It is a volunteer-based organization dedicated to organizing fun, safe and charitable outdoor experiences including both kayaking and paddle boarding. The event is open to the public and paddlers of all levels are welcomed! Each paddler is responsible for raising funds, all of which go directly to the Canadian Cancer Society.

This year marks the event’s ninth year! It will kick off on Jericho Beach, just outside EcoMarine. Paddlers will be met by Kayak for a Cure volunteers, along with Ecomarine staff who will provide a quick safety lesson and will guide the group across English Bay. This fundraising challenge is ...more

Jackson Kayak New Petrel Aims to Keep Paddlers on the Water Longer

 

Jackson Kayak’s newest exploration/touring kayak is named for a tube-nosed seabird with fossil record dating back 60 million years that returns to land only to breed.

Like its namesake bird, the Petrel offers timeless comfort on the water with a smooth-paddling hull design makes it a contender for the title of most versatile light-touring kayak ever.

“We like to design boats that will keep you paddling as long as you want although we do encourage you to return to land more frequently than just to breed,” quipped Jackson Kayak President Eric Jackson.

“The story behind was the Petrel was to develop the most feature-laden, most comfortable kayak in it’s class. The Petrel delivers that with a high performance hull, quick and easy customisation for the modern adventurer, and the most comfortable seating system available, “ states Jackson Kayak Product Manager, Damon Bungard.

The built-in Yakattack track systems allow paddlers to  ...more

Gear that can get you there: Review

 

Kayak fishing is a sport that requires gear that can handle tough conditions. As kayakers, we are often shoving our gear into dry bags, storage hatches, we slip on rocks, get caught on briars walking down to the put in. Needless to say, that any day on the water we are putting all our gear to the test, especially our clothes. In this post I will be reviewing a few pieces from Kokatat, one being the Bahia Tour PFD, another one is the Gore-Tex Pullover Jacket, and the Gore-Tex pant.

The Kokatat Bahia Tour PFD is built with the kayak fisherman in mind. There are several features that really make time on the water more enjoyable. One of my favorites is the back of the pfd only has foam in the upper portion of the back, which allows for me to rest my back comfortably against my kayak seat, instead of being pushed forward like pfd’s with a full back. Also, the lower portion is mesh, which allows for great ventilation. Also, there is plenty of storage for items needed to keep handy in the front bellow pockets, including a dedicated pliers slot. One item I always keep in the pockets is my SPF chapstick. Spending long days in the sun and often in the wind, it can really take a toll on my lips, and I love having it in such a convenient spot. This also ensures it doesn’t fall out of my pocket and into the river.

The next item is the Kokatat Gore-Tex Pullover Jacket. This jacket is phenomenal. I live in the southeast, where we don’t get crazy cold temperatures but we sure do get plenty of rain. This jacket packs down extremely well. I can put it in the small bag attached to ...more

Extreme kayaker on 850-mile trip around South England will make pit stop in Reading

 

Simon Luck will join the Kennet and Avon Canal in Bristol and hopes to paddle through The Oracle on August 23 

An extreme kayaker who is paddling 850-miles solo around the coast of Southern and South West England will make an inland pit stop in Reading.

Carrying everything he needs on his 17-foot-long kayak, Simon Luck, from Westward Ho! in North Devon, will set off on his epic 30-day solo, unsupported journey from Falmouth, in Cornwall, next Friday.

And he will need every ounce of his namesake, as he believes this is the first time anyone has attempted this Herculean trip of a lifetime.

Travelling clockwise past Lands End and along the surf-hammered coasts of Cornwall and Devon, he will join the Kennet and Avon Canal at Bristol, aiming to reach Reading, and the “spectacular culture shock of ...more

Sea-kayaking venture opens on the Dublin Shore

 

DUBLIN SHORE - A new business has opened up on the Dublin Shore offering sea-kayaking, wilderness adventures and yoga in the LaHave Islands Archipelago.

Cape LaHave Adventures opened up in June, when co-founders Sarah Hrdlicka and Scott McCormack moved to the South Shore from Montreal.

"Scott has a cottage in the Mahone Bay area so we were coming back in the fall every year pretty much to visit family. Last year we did some trips out in the LaHave islands - just the two of us - and we totally fell in love with the area," says Ms Hrdlicka.

Mr. McCormack, originally from Halifax, grew up visiting the South Shore every summer.

"It was always one of my favourite places to paddle, down here at LaHave Islands, I just got to explore around and it's just such a beautiful coast," he says.

Located on 90 Bells Cove Road, the recently formed company offers guided sea-kayak day trips - half-day or full-day - and sunset tours by request.

"We're offering courses for people who want to learn some of the safety and navigation techniques for themselves, so that people can do their own trips as well," says Ms Hrdlicka.

Cape LaHave Adventures also offers multi-day sea-kayaking and camping, Paddle Canada instruction, outdoor and ...more

48-foot kayak is moved for first time in 4 decades

A 48-foot, 800-lb. kayak that has sat next to the historic Bole House in Belcarra since 1976 was moved Friday to a new home in Bellingham.

Jo Ledingham, a resident of one of seven cabins in the area that Metro Vancouver plans to demolish, said that with nobody living in the area, there are fears the vessel could be damaged.

“If the cottages are under threat, it’s foolish to leave the boat here,” she said. “It would be vandalized.”

Seeing the vessel towed away on Friday brought tears to Ledingham’s eyes, she said. The Belcarra resident, who has lived along the shoreline since the 1970s, said the kayak, which was built by a local man named George Dyson, was a part of the area’s history.

“Kayakers from all over the place would go past to ...more

Innisfail athletes have stellar summer games

 

Kayak polo, swimmers and track athletes compete with passion to collect gold

Innisfail and area athletes competed in the 2014 Alberta Summer Games in Airdrie and brought home a harvest of medals from outstanding performances.

The Cottonwood Kayak Club took gold in the kayak polo event, successfully defending its title while members of the team returned with hardware in other events.

Local swimmer Faith Gette captured five bronze medals. Emily Lucas and Brayden Posyluzny won silver and gold respectively in track events, and Jackson Haddow won gold in team handball.

The Parkland lacrosse team returned with silver medals, and Matthew Gabert/Tanner Newsham on the ...more

Nantahala Outdoor Center Hosts 2014 Whitewater Junior Olympics August 9-11

Whitewater paddlers ages 18 and under will converge on the Nantahala River for three exciting days of paddling and racing August 9 – 11. Hosted by Nantahala Racing Club (NRC), the non-profit partner of Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC), the event features competitions in all three whitewater disciplines (freestyle, slalom and downriver).The elite athletes participating in the Junior Olympics will be aspiring to the junior national team with trials being held in September in Washington DC. For these athletes, the event is an opportunity to practice racing under pressure, to explore other disciplines, and to expand upon what they have already achieved. Some of these promising young competitors may one day grace the Olympic podium.
An all-inclusive experience, the Junior Olympics is the largest event being hosted by NRC this year, with children gathering together from across the United States. It will include a fun Ducky Cross through the 2013 Wave, a Stand up Paddle Giant Slalom, and off-the-water community events such as a run and other social activities to ...more

Also posted on playak.com

Kayak Classic Fishing Tournament set Aug. 16 in Bayou La Batre

On Aug. 16, the Bayou La Batre Kayak Classic Fishing Tournament will kick off with a 6 a.m. shotgun start at Bayou La Batre City Docks. Sponsored by the Bayou La Batre Area Chamber of Commerce in conjunction with the South Mobile County Tourism Authority, the tournament will be held along the coastline of Bayou La Batre and the Gulf of Mexico.
This is the first Kayak Classic for the chamber, which hopes to make it an annual event.
Tickets are $30 for adults and $20 for junior anglers. A Discount Combo of $50 includes entry to the tournament, as ...more

Hello, I'm Annapolis: Kayak tour guide has adopted city's history

 

Pirate Pete Vonderheide gives a fellow boater a wave while he passes on his kayak.

"Hey guys, I haven't seen you in a while!"

The two laughed and said they were just enjoying the good weather. For the last seven seasons, Vonderheide (known as Pirate Pete to most) and his wife, Captain Kate, have unloaded their kayaks at Spa Creek and talked about the history of Annapolis.

"I am a plethora of useless Annapolis knowledge," Vonderheide said recently to a tour group.

From April to October, Kayak Annapolis gives three tours a day, weather permitting.

Vonderheide said that during the first summer they hoped to have 60 customers. Now they get a crowd of 60 or so each weekend day.

The couple moved from Hawaii seven years ago with plans to get real jobs. Kate was in public relations. Pete was trained as an architect, though he was doing kayak and zipline tours in Hawaii. Shortly after moving to Annapolis, they hatched an idea for a kayak tour over dinner and a bottle of wine.

The next day they mapped out a route, and soon after maxed out their credit cards to buy kayaks.

For the first few years, they worked part-time delivering Bay Weekly and did landscaping and contracting. Their kayak business has been growing about 10 percent a year, Vonderheide said.

His tour groups are usually split about equally between tourists and Annapolitans interested in learning some history.

The tours last for two hours and stop halfway through at a beach in ...more

Oban Sea Kayak Race - 23rd Aug 2014

The fifth Oban Sea Kayak Race takes place on Saturday 23rd August 2014 - racing around the island of Kerrera, off Oban Bay

Last year's race saw a fantastic mix of single and double sea kayaks, sea kayak teams and a new performance race category including ocean surf ski. Read more about the Race Categories and Team Trophy. Covering a distance of 20km, the 80 or so paddlers circumnavigated the beautiful and rugged Island of Kerrera, beginning and ending at Oban on Scotland's beautiful west coast. It's a demanding route, through remote and exposed waters, but one that makes for ...more

Old Town's Next Kayak

 

Old Town Canoes & Kayaks, one of the most storied and trusted brands in the paddlesports industry, today launched a new generation of personal watercraft, the Old Town NEXT.  Elegantly combining the comfort and solo-paddling performance of a kayak with the convenience, capabilities and confidence of a canoe, the NEXT is easy to approach, a dream to paddle and built to last a lifetime.

The NEXT is a boat for one, but a craft built for all with bold colors, clean lines and a robust feature set. Crafted using the 3-layer construction technique that Old Town helped pioneer and patent, the NEXT incorporates some of the brand’s newest innovations like the Element seat system and blends them with the brand’s years of expertise to create a boat only Old Town could bring to market.

“The NEXT is a completely different take on personal watercraft and represents the culmination of Old Town’s years of paddlesports experience into one progressive new boat,” said David Hadden, Brand Director for Johnson Outdoors Watercraft. “We’ve poured an ...more

Inclusive Sea Kayak Journey along Long Island Coast to Challenge special Athletes

Ten disabled athletes age 22 to 60 will join ten able-bodied athletes to travel 22 nautical miles by sea kayak along the Long Island coast during national non-profit World T.E.A.M. Sports' August 12-13 Coastal Team Challenge.

Created in partnership with Long Island non-profit Independent Home Living Program and national financial services company American Portfolios Financial Services Inc., the overnight journey along the island's southern coast from Westhampton Beach to Patchogue will not be easy for these developmentally and physically-disabled athletes. Rowing along the sea lane between rest stops, the athletes will undertake the many challenges of open water boating, from tides to fast-moving summer showers to wakes from passing ships. Close teamwork and cooperation between team members will help these athletes safely reach their destinations.

"I've always wanted to bring World T.E.A.M. Sports to Long Island and could not think of a more perfect outdoor inclusive challenge--a coastal team kayak adventure in its surrounding waters--with a highly regarded organization--IGHL--in which to launch this inaugural event," said Lon Dolber, Chief Executive Officer of American Portfolios Financial Services, an independent broker-dealer that is serving as the event's presenting sponsor. "I am excited at the prospect of this becoming a Long Island community tradition to be held every year," he said.

A primary sponsor of World T.E.A.M. Sports' 2009 Pacific Northwest Coastal Team Challenge that included injured Canadian and American military veterans, American Portfolios has enthusiastically supported inclusive sporting events from the Holbrook, New York non-profit. Serving as a member of World T.E.A.M. Sports' board of ...more

Aussie eyes world record in kayaking

Berhampur: Almost eight decades ago Oskar Speck, a German, had covered the longest kayaking journey in seven years. Sandy Robson from western Australia is currently trying to break the world record by covering almost the same distance in five years.

Robson, 48, began her journey from Germany on May 14, 2011. On her way to Australia, where she will end her journey, she reached Gopalpur on Odisha coast on Sunday afternoon. She had a night halt at ...more

Hometown Throwdown #3 2014

 

We had another great Throwdown at Kelly’s Whitewater Park on July 26th. There were 11 competitors who all competed on the middle wave, like we usually do, then went up and did a boater cross at the end. Since the river has dropped a little, the wave was stickier and wider, though a little shallow if you weren’t careful.

It was great to see some people new to the the Throwdowns, including two students from the Kelly’s Kayak Academy, a school that teaches local kids to paddle.

This month’s competition saw a few more moves thrown than ...more

Kayak Angler's Summer/Fall Issue Out Now!

 

The Summer/Fall issue of KAYAK ANGLER is out now! Packed full of gear, tactics, stories and photos, get your summer off to the right start. Check out hot tips for better paddling and more fish. Read unbelievable-yet-true fish stories and meet the most interesting anglers in the sport. Then drop in on KAYAK ANGLER magazine’s digital edition; you’ll get all the great paddle fishing fun in the print edition along with exclusive web, video and photo content only available online.

Features:

-          2014 Skills Guide: Top pros share their inshore, offshore, freshwater, SUP, paddling and health tips, tricks and tactics that make them winners.

-          The Mothership Connection: From West Coast to ...more(+acces to read it)

Kime claims maiden Avon crown in ‘Oz’

It was a dream debut ‘Down Under’ for South African canoeing star Lance Kime who managed to hold off local favourite Josh Kippin to take the 2014 Avon Descent title in Perth, Australia, on Sunday.
It was an impressive showing from the EuroSteel/Kayak Centre paddler as he added his first international title to the Dusi Canoe Marathon victory he notched up in 2013 and saw the crown return to South African shores for a fifth consecutive year after countryman Hank McGregor (Kayak Centre/Team Jeep) clinched victory on the previous four occasions.
With a full river beneath them, the field of 440 paddlers and 114 power-boaters set off on the gruelling 124km two-day adventure from ...more

Lynchburg Museum to Give Away Kayak Package to the Winner of New James River Instagram Contest

 

Lynchburg, VA - In celebration of the recently proclaimed "Year of the River" by Lynchburg City Mayor Michael Gillette, the Lynchburg Museum will be launching an Experience the James Instagram Contest as part of the Experience the James exhibit.

From August 1 through September 2, area residents will be invited to share photos of their James River experiences and adventures- canoeing, kayaking, hiking, rafting, fishing, swimming, etc. on Instagram.

Those who tag their photos with the #experiencethejames hashtag will be entered for the chance to win a brand new Perception Sport Pescador 10.0 Angler Kayak Package donated by the Appomattox River Company.

The kayak will be displayed at the Lynchburg Community Market during this time. The winner will be selected at random on September 2 and announced on the Experience the James Facebook page.

This contest is one component of an 18-month collaborative journey along the James River with special programming, activities, and events, organized by the City of Lynchburg's Museum System, Parks and Recreation and Water Resources Departments.

A central feature of this program is the exhibit: Experience the ...more

SeaDek Kayak Testimonial

 

Mike Kogan, founder of JaxKayakFishing.com, ordered SeaDek for his Native Slayer 14.5 and sent us some pictures of his newly SeaDeked kayak and this awesome testimonial:

“I am totally blown away by SeaDek’s kayak products. I recently installed their kit on a Native Slayer 14.5, and it was cut perfectly, was simple to install, and looks and performs great. Not only does it enhance grip on the deck for standing and keeping items from sliding around, it looks sensational, and also makes the kayak quieter which is ...more

Matthew Lofton Blog: Kayak catfishing at night

 

It can be downright spooky drifting down a small, meandering creek in the middle of the night. In your mind, you know the moon is on the rise, but at that point it has not yet ascended past the treetops. With the only available light coming from a small headlight powered by two AA batteries, it's dark - extremely dark.

I had those exact thoughts two weeks ago as I illogically asked the moon to hurry up. My father-in-law and I had changed tones from our normal bass fishing trip or saltwater excursion, and had decided to set out a few lines in a small creek near his property. It was totally different and yet nothing short of incredible.

It didn't take me long to get past the initial feeling of ...more

Kayak trip to Indiantown Island

 

The Boothbay Region Land Trust will be leading a kayak trip to Indiantown Island on Wednesday, Aug. 6 from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. This is a reschedule of the July 24 trip, which was canceled due to weather. 

 

This 60-acre island lies at the northern end of Ebenecook Harbor in the Sheepscot River, not far from Boothbay Harbor. It was used extensively by Native Americans as evidenced by significant artifacts found during an archaeological dig conducted after Indiantown came under BRLT protection.

Extensive shell middens were excavated as well as centuries old remains indicating that the island also became an important base for local fishermen in the colonial period. The island was used for farming in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Rachel Carson, who summered nearby, wrote of her particular love for this magical place and its abundant wildlife. BRLT acquired the ...more

Coast Guard rescues eight boaters in Kaiwi Channel

It happened during a kayak escort excursion Sunday and the kayakers say preparation made the all the difference.

The four teens and four adults were about 12 miles west of Moloka’i when their 21-foot recreational vehicle started taking on water. Kayaks on board were tied together as a flotation device.

"Water was just coming in too fast for the bilge pump to puno the water out and that caused the back of the boat to sink down. We started to turn around to outrun the wave and the boat was already too heavy and it just sank," said Mark Henry Reeves.

But the site of the Coast Guard helicopter gave them relief.

"It was such a good site to see. We were waiting for about two ...more

Canoe & Kayak River Float

 

Canoe & Kayak River Float
Saturday, August 16
9:00 am launch from Eveland Access to Hardfish Access

 SIGN UP TODAY!

Join MCCB, Mahaska Wellness Coalition, Mahaska County YMCA and Wapello CCB on a canoe and kayak float down the Des Moines River. We will launch from Eveland Access at 9:00 am and arrive at Hardfish Access by 3:00 pm.

If you wish to leave your vehicle at Hardfish, the YMCA bus ...more

Cali Kayak Weekend Report Aug 1St-3Rd Fresh And Salt

 

So I started out this weekend again at Clear Lake looking for more night time bass.  The daytime bite has been all but nonexistant for me the last month or so which is why I've been fishing all night long as much as possible.  This evening started out a bit different.  Right off the bat I started chunking an 8" Triple Trout around a grass bed that drops into a 13ft deep channel.  I knew one little section of the grass that was right on the break line also contained about a dozen basketball sized boulders clumped together.  I've been catching a couple decent fish a night there so I figured I would see what the swimbait could do.  On the first cast I had a hook up almost immediately.  The fish freight trained into the grass and managed to pull loose.  On the next cast I stuck a giant!!  The fish came up twice and jumped regardless of how low I was keeping my rod tip as I pulled back.  She was easily 9lbs but I don't think she would have gone over ten.  She made one last jump beside the kayak as I stretched out with the net to scoop her.  The bait came free in the air and I reached as far as I could but ...more

Sea kayaker makes a pit-stop at Gopalpur

 

 

Sandy Robson, a sea kayaker from Western Australia, who is trying to create a kayaking world record reached Gopalpur coast of Odisha on Sunday afternoon.  

Sandy Robson, a sea kayaker from Western Australia, who is trying to create a kayaking world record reached Gopalpur coast of Odisha on Sunday afternoon.

She is in India for the third phase of her five year long sea kayaking project that started from Germany in 2011 and would end in Australia. According to her she is retracing the seven year long kayaking journey of Oskar Speck which had been taken up in 1932.

She and her colourful kayak attracted a large crowd at Gopalpur coast. Speaking to The Hindu, she said aim of her journey was to keep alive the spirit of adventure especially among women. From Gopalpur she will make her way to Chilika Lake. From the Indian coast she plans to move out towards the Bangladesh and Myanmar coast to continue her expedition.

When asked about her experiences on the Indian coast, she ...more

2014 Midwest Kayak Fishing Tournament Recap

 

The 2014 Midwest Kayak Fishing Tournament concluded on Saturday, July 19th at Lake Wanahoo in Wahoo, NE. April's event was the "Crappie Chase", May featured the "Multi-Species Contest", and June wrapped up the on-line portion of the tournament with a "Bass Frenzy"...

The July contest "Live Event" saw over seventy kayak anglers register, while 101 anglers participated in at least one of the four events.

Saturday treated anglers to a beautiful day and excellent fishing opportunities for both largemouth bass and northern pike.The entire tournament raised over $1,900 for Heroes on the Water - Heartland Chapter. In addition, Reel Life raised another $448 for the Heartland Chapter through the sale of t-shirts commemorating the event. Tournament Director Raf Vargas announced the donation at the awards ceremony, to a chorus of applause and cheers from the crowd of nearly 100 that had gathered for the final event. All events were ...more

Watch This Incredible Kayak Rescue Carnage

Posted on bigfootevidence.blogspot.com

Dynamic duo make a splash for charity kayak around Ireland

After 42 days on the water, John Bolton and Diane Cooper have joined an elite group of fewer than 50 people who have kayaked around the island of Ireland.

Making a splash at Kinsale Harbour on Saturday, the business partners were greeted by an elated group of family and friends, welcoming them back from a 1,600km adventure in aid of hospices in Laois and Offaly.

Having started the business True Fitness together three years ago, Diane and John said they were overwhelmed by the support shown to them by locals in Portarlington, Portlaoise, and Tullamore where their training studios are located.

“We wanted to give something back to the community,” Diane said. “We decided to raise money — €7,000 so far — for the Laois and Offaly hospices.

“My dad passed away from cancer 25 years ago and ...more

Isle of Sheppey Sailing Club's Round the Island Race will feature Ashford sailor Albert Walton in a kayak with a sail on the back

 

An intrepid sailor is preparing to take part in a popular Island sporting event – but his vessel won’t be something seen in local waters before.

Albert Walton has decided to join in with the Isle of Sheppey Sailing Club’s Round the Island Race next month in a kayak canoe.

He’s not new to sailing or even canoeing, having invested in a double one a couple of years ago to paddle up and down the Medway.

But the new idea came when a relative visiting him from Australia spotted his boat and said that back home and in New Zealand it was not uncommon for people to ...more

Pike County's Pecks Pond is an adventure for curious kayakers

 

On the Trail is a periodic Pocono Outdoors feature that allows me to share my discoveries as I hike along the many wonderful trails throughout the Poconos. This featured trail was not traveled by foot but by kayak, at an extraordinary place called Pecks Pond, where my aquatic adventure discovered mysterious sunken sand circles, bobbing bobbers, riveting rhizomes, a fragrant waterbed and a furry submarine.

Driving along Route 402 in Porter Township, Pike County, one cannot help but notice the expansive wetland dotted with gnarled tree stumps and thick vegetation called Pecks Pond.

Approximately 315 acres with 564 acres of adjoining wetlands, Pecks Pond is one of the largest glacial bogs in the state. To the ardent boater and recreational waterways enthusiast, Pecks Pond might not be the best place to play, but to a duck, fish or naturalist with a small kayak, it's an aquatic heaven.

Pecks Pond does offer a limited amount of open water to paddle upon, however, its average depth is only 3 feet, so Pecks Pond is suited for aquatic plants and wildlife.

Pecks Pond is practically surrounded by Bureau of Forestry land within Delaware State Forest, and is managed for wildlife — especially black ducks, which find its ...more

Gitchi Gumee Project 2014

 

Gitchi Gumee 2012 Zorbari: I’ve never seen stars before! Andrea: Zorbari, you’ve never seen stars before?! Zorbari: Andrea, no! I’m from Chicago. Of course I’ve never seen stars before! Great Lakes Sea Kayak Symposium, 2012. Zorbari had rock-climbed and kayaked with Chicago Adventure Therapy for several summers; the inaugural Gitchi Gumee Project was her first time camping. – and her first time seeing stars, at her first campfire, with her first s’mores.

Great Lakes Sea Kayak Symposium, 2014. Zorbari was at the Gitchi Gumee Project, this time as a staff member with Chicago Adventure Therapy. With friend and fellow Youth Leader Fred, she managed the loading of the trailer through multiple venue changes in the course of the symposium, organized the troops to cook several meals, assisted coach Lori Stegmeir as an assistant guide on the Grand Island tour, and with Fred presented a trip report about their kayak camping trip on Grand Island in June with Greg, another Gitchi Gumee alum. (There were plenty of s’mores on the trip, and Zorbari got to build her first fire.) The Gitchi Gumee Project is a three year old collaboration that brings urban, under- served youth to the Great Lakes Sea Kayak Symposium. It all started in August of 2011, when Bill Thompson of Down Wind Sports (the organizer of the symposium) and Belinda Lee (paddling coach from Detroit) said to Andrea Knepper (Chicago area coach, and founder of Chicago Adventure Therapy) – “We have an idea. We want to have a beer with you before the symposium is over.” Bill and Belinda’s idea was to ...more

Kayaks For Sale

 

 I have one new and a few used kayaks for sale. 

The kayaks are in Grand Marais, Minnesota, but if we can coordinate it

 correctly, I can meet someone in Duluth, Minnesota,

 because I often get down there.

View the full article on paddlinglight.com

Poetry in Ocean

 

It's an early morning just before dawn. The moonlight is shimmering off the dew on my lawn.
  The morning breeze is gentle and cool. My wife quietly reminding me not to forget all my tools.
  I arrive at the lake without a wave in sight, as the sun comes up to shed some light.
  The sky is filled with pink, orange, and yellow, dawn is here to say hello.
  I hop in my kayak and start to paddle. I am getting excited about the upcoming battle.
   With my line in the water for only a while I get that bite that makes me smile.
  The fight is on and it will take a bit. This fish is throwing one ...more

North East Open Kayak Competition Report

 

It’s 7am and I’m on the road making the short 1hr drive 

north to fish the annual North East Open Kayak Angling 

Competition based at Blyth on England’s north east coast. 

This is the second year of the competition and is 

popular with the kayak anglers based in the north east, with 

a choice of 3 different launch sites spread over a 14 miles 

it can be tricky deciding where best to fish!

It was only my second time fishing this area with the first 

being last year’s competition, my target was Pollock so

 I checked the O/S maps for shallow scaurs and what 

I hoped would then lead to kelp beds (Pollock’s favourite home). 

St Mary’s Island was my choice, a small headland with lighthouse 

that looked to have some nice scaur and kelp beds.

Kayak loaded and carried down the hill to the

 beach just in time for the start of the match. It was a windy 

day so was making good use of my rudder! 

Arrived at the headland but ...more

Also posted on playak.com

New Hampshire paddlers believe simultaneous launch of 396 kayaks, canoes, tops world record

Laconia, New Hampshire 

Nearly 400 paddlers launched their canoes and kayaks at the s

ame time Sunday in what organizers say may have been a record-breaking event in New Hampshire.

The simultaneous launch of 396 boats in less than 15 seconds was 

part of LakeFest 2014: Raft-a-Palooza at Weirs Beach 

on Lake Winnipesaukee. The current Guinness World Record for

 the largest number of kayaks and canoes launched at the same 

time was set in Tasmania last year with 308 boats. LakeFest 

officials will now seek official certification from Guinness.

Organizers also had hoped to top the ...more

South African Lance Kime has claimed the 2014 Avon Descent solo title in his first attempt at the gruelling race.

 

Kime finished the 124km white-water classic

 in 9:07:48, one minute and 18 seconds ahead of WA hope 

and overnight leader Josh Kippin.

Former South African and Kime’s close friend, Matt Dean came in third in 9:11:46.

Kime was happy but mentally drained after the finish at Riverside Gardens in Bayswater early this afternoon.

“Today was very tough from a distance point of view” he said.

“It was a very, very long flat (water) section and six hours in the boat was gruelling.

“I am stoked to come away with a win at my first attempt.”

 Kime pocketed $4500 in prize money for his efforts.

The hundreds of spectators that had gathered in ...more

Large fight breaks out at canoe and kayak rental

 

Whitewater township, Ohio (Brad Underwood)

 Police were called to Green Acres Canoe and Kayak Rental 

Sunday afternoon around 4 p.m. after a large brawl. 

According to the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office, about 30 

people from two different parties got into a fight along the Whitewater 

River where it meets Dry Fork Creek. 

It took police about three hours to 

find everyone involved in the fight and gather information.

 Some people involved ran off into the woods when ...more

WHITEWATER TOWNSHIP, Ohio (Brad Underwood) -- Police were called to Green Acres Canoe and Kayak Rental Sunday afternoon around 4 p.m. after a large brawl. According to the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office, about 30 people from two different parties got into a fight along the Whitewater River where it meets Dry Fork Creek. It took police about three hours to find everyone involved in the fight and gather information. Some people involved ran off into the woods when

Read More at: http://www.local12.com/news/features/top-stories/stories/large-fight-breaks-out-at-canoe-kayak-rental-15532.shtml

WHITEWATER TOWNSHIP, Ohio (Brad Underwood) -- Police were called to Green Acres Canoe and Kayak Rental Sunday afternoon around 4 p.m. after a large brawl. According to the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office, about 30 people from two different parties got into a fight along the Whitewater River where it meets Dry Fork Creek. It took police about three hours to find everyone involved in the fight and gather information. Some people involved ran off into the woods when

Read More at: http://www.local12.com/news/features/top-stories/stories/large-fight-breaks-out-at-canoe-kayak-rental-15532.shtml

Kickstarter to Support Angle Oar

 

Angle Oar launched a Kickstarter campaign earlier this week. The company makes a paddle-assist system that fits in almost any kayak. They have already received a ton of great feedback, but the contributions still have a long way to go! Here's the latest on the this innovative way to paddle and more information on how to get on board. 

 

Angle Oar, LLC, is manufacturing a new kind of kayak paddle for people who may have endurance or strength limitations due to age, injury, health condition or ability.  The paddle also works well for kayak anglers who no longer have to be concerned about where to place the paddle when they want to move the kayak or reel in their catch.

The paddle snaps into a vertical post that supports the weight of the paddle. The paddle can be used either straight or in a downward angled position. It can also be removed from the mount entirely and used as a regular, straight kayak paddle. The company has been refining the prototype over the last year and is ...more

Boat Talk: Coast Guard, expert share safety tips for kayaking and canoeing

 

GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- A serene trip on Lake Michigan took a stressful turn when a solo kayaker became lost in the fog this week.
A 42-year-old man from the east side of the state left from the Holland pier and was about two miles out during the afternoon hours when the fog rolled in, causing him to become disoriented.
Fortunately, the man had a cell phone and was wearing a life jacket. He was also prepared with a whistle, which helped the responding deputy find him through the fog.
Fellow kayakers and boaters can take note of a handful of lessons from the rescue, Ottawa County sheriff's authorities said. One major word of advice for anyone going out on the water: check the forecast. We briefly addressed this in a previous Boat Talk after a man found himself in trouble when taking his 12-foot boat out on Lake Michigan in a thunderstorm.
In this week's Boat Talk, we address additional tips that people who use canoes and kayaks should keep in mind.
An easy way to cover your bases should you get into a mishap on the...more

Me, the Flat-water Guy

 

“Oh… so you’re a flat-water guy?”

I recoiled as if slapped. Me? A lifelong river runner and lover a large rolling seas being called a flatwater guy? And all of the extra emphasis on “flatwater,” what’s up with that?

I shot back, “No way dude. If you think it’s flat out there, you’ve clearly never been!”

A few days later, seated in a real speedster of a sea kayak, I caught myself laughing with joy as I flew across the glass-like water. “This is amazing!” I shouted. Then it hit me, I was having the time of my life paddling on flat water. My ego cringed in pain, “I am becoming a flat-water guy, that dude was right.”

Desperately needing to save my ego, I turned hard to port and made a beeline for a set of sea caves I had been scouting for several weeks but had yet to fully paddle. Cave paddling, caving, or anything involving entrapment (large crowds, small cars, etc) really freaks me out. But, driven by the pain of a damaged ego, I charged ahead. The caves were everything I had expected them to be. Tight in ...more

KFClassicS Matlacha Classic Results

 

While watching the sunrise and sipping on a cup of mudd, I began reflecting upon the Matlacha Classic. You should know first off that Matlacha/Pine Island is one of my all time favorite places to go to. It’s all ‘Old Florida’ and famous for its fishing. Tarpon, permit, snook, trout and redfish are the scaly Gods of the Flats as well as a few denizens of the deep such as Hammer Head and Bull Sharks. Collectively they prowl the flats and mangrove lines to generally look for anglers to frustrate. They have had many sunrises to perfect their craft and they are quite good at it.

The sharks add an element of tension and fear just to intensify the experience of fishing Matlacha and make sure that you are paying attention as I experienced firsthand last year. There really was no danger…just a huge bull shark rushing at my starboard side and at the last possible moment maneuvered around my bow…a deep sigh of relief followed as I recall.

As the sun brightened I found myself staring deeply through its reflection in my half filled cup. My thoughts went to reliving fishing there and how fortunate kayak anglers are to see and breathe such experiences at will. I envisioned fighting the largest fish caught by Mike Carey at the latest Classic and standing up in my Predator 13 like Otis Coblentz did to watch a large school of reds tailing on the flats in the early morning colors on tournament day. Wow what a thrill, but alas I must do my part so others may do what I also love so very much. Fishing Matlacha & Pine Island is a must for every kayak angler to experience. With that said, let us take a look at the results and how the overall standings have changed.

As you may have gathered Mike Carey not only caught the largest fish of the ...more

Paddlers stir high hopes of reviving Olympic venue

The future of the Lake Lanier Olympic Venue might be written in this week’s USA Canoe/Kayak Sprint National Championships.
The event, which concludes Sunday, features some of the world’s top paddlers at one of the nation’s premier facilities.
An estimated 500 competitors will be on hand, with another 1,000 attendees expected each day of the event.
But off the water and outside of the competition, venue officials hope the event leaves its financial mark on Hall County.
“I’m not sure what the economic impact is going to be, but it’s going to be large,” said venue manager Morgan House.
Though it’s difficult to predict, local officials said events like the canoe/kayak championships could generate nearly half a million dollars in tourism-related spending.
House said he’s been getting inquiries from participants and attendees about where to eat and stay, promising big bucks for local restaurants and hotels.
“Plans to improve the venue’s facilities, enhance activities and diversify the ...more

Special giveaway offered for annual canoe and kayak race today at Higley Flow

 

COLTON — The 20th annual Round the Islands Canoe and Kayak Race kicks off at 10 a.m. today and will be highlighted by a special giveaway following the event.

The competition begins and ends at Brookfield Power’s “Big Rock” picnic area and boat launch off Pine Road on Higley Flow.

The day will feature a variety of races, fireworks and food and is sponsored by the Higley Flow Association.

“We are unusual in that we get way more kayaks than we do canoes. We make a real effort to have classes that people will be competitive in,” association member Judy A. Fuhr said. “We usually have about 30 boats in the races.”

The youth race totals approximately 1 mile, while the adult course stretches about 4 miles.

“We emphasize that it is competitive but also recreational and is low key. There are classes for advanced paddlers but also for less experienced ones,” Ms. Fuhr said. “Usually we start in waves. We start the youths before the adults.”

There are six different classes, with more added on race day to accommodate all boaters.

Ms. Fuhr said that the adult racers typically return by 11 a.m. and then there are paddle boat races, food and refreshments served.

Since the death of avid kayaker Charles M. Palmer in 1997 at the age of 78, his family members have presented the Veteran Paddler Award in his memory at the conclusion of the races.

This year, however, Mr. Palmer’s son Lawrence will be donating his father’s favorite kayak in a free giveaway.

“(We’re involved) because of my dad’s interest in kayaking. He taught hundreds of kids to waterski and was really into kayaking. He was very active even at his ...more

LCKC athletes enjoy opportunity to host National Championships

Three-day event wraps up Saturday at Lake Lanier Olympic Venue

For 2016 Summer Olympic hopeful Chris Miller, the USA Canoe and Kayak Sprint National Championships are a spirited and friendly competition, and not the demanding slate of rigorous competitions in Europe he’s already been exposed to this summer.

Miller likes this weekend’s competition to proudly display waters at the Lake Lanier Olympic Venue, and home course of the Lanier Canoe and Kayak Club, but this docket of races on Lanier was more about reconvening with old friends.

“This (Lake Lanier) is the best venue for racing in the world,” said the 22-year-old Miller, who is from Gainesville, and ...more

Uriah was fully alive

 

Uriah Shaffer wanted his ashes spread on the Crystal River, according to his friend David Ockers, who was with the 39-year-old Carbondale man when the river claimed his life this spring.

“He went out doing what he loved in a place he loved,” Ockers said in an interview Friday.

Shaffer had introduced Ockers to kayaking in 2002, years into a friendship that started at Colorado State University, where both majored in construction management. He loved to kayak and ski, and played guitar despite having lost pieces of several fingers in a childhood accident.

He grew up in Delta County, went to middle school at Orchard Mesa in Grand Junction and graduated from Fruita High school in the class of 1993. After college, he returned to the Western Slope and was working on being closer to his family and had many friends in the Grand Junction area, but had been staying with Ockers in the Roaring Fork Valley off and on for several years.

Ockers described him as a dancing fool, poetic songwriter, great joke teller, Broncos fan and ...more