Maine Paddling Connection Blog
One in, one out. Google that and you'll get a few versions of its meaning. It's an unofficial rule that some people follow, like minimalists and dispensaries. In an attempt to downsize and reduce the amount of gear and clutter I call my own, I've applied it to my paddle craft. If I get rid of a board, I have my own permission to get a new one, so that's what I did.
Read MoreEast Bay sup / CCK sup / BPC / TBD sup did awesome at the Russian River Race this weekend in Healdsburg. Organizers put on the Drought Edition this year due to low water on the river. The 15-mile course was cancelled, but the 5-mile was still on with almost 200 paddlers. Leading up to May 3rd, water levels slowly rose and presented a very runnable river leaving just a few areas of shallow water to portage or scrape over.
Read MoreThe 8pm start time turned out to be more like an 8:50pm start time, which threw our paddle off a bit. We fought a little more current than we should have, and picked up the flood a bit too late, but no worries, it was an awesome paddle anyhow. How can you not have a good time paddling with friends on a warm night with light wind and a full moon? Night paddling is always fun and last night was no exception.
Read MoreSea Otter Classic! One of the best events of the year loaded with long days, exciting competition and an incredible team of people. Camp fire sessions, radio chatter, stupid question of the day. Gator done!
If you've never attended, check it out next year. For a long weekend in Monterey, 60,000+ people celebrate cycling at Laguna Seca Raceway with a jam-packed schedule of road racing, dual-slalom, downhill, cross-country, coastal tours, dirt jumping, cyclocross and dozens of other bike events.
Read MoreThe Santa Cruz Paddlefest weekend came and went in a flash. I've attended this event as a spectator for the last 6 or 7 years, since before I even lived in California. This was the first year I've ever competed in the event and the first time I've ever surfed in a competition. It was super fun!
Read MoreAfter a long week in Southern California and a full day of travel on Saturday, I woke on Sunday with the intentions of a rest day. But, the sun was shining warm & bright and I figured some paddling was in order. A quick text conversation led to a 11:45 meet in Oakland for a paddle out to Yerba Buena Island. We were both late and by the time we actually launched it was after 12:30. As the tide started to flood and the wind gained strength we paddled out the Oakland estuary.
Read MoreOn Wednesday we began a 3-day SUP Instructor Workshop in Newport Beach with 9 Instructor Candidates with a wide range of skill and educational background. Candidates came from all over California for three intensive days of paddling, teaching & learning.
These courses are designed for experienced standup paddlers with solid Level two skills. Over the course of the workshop we attempt to progress each candidates skills by breaking strokes & maneuvers down into pieces and reinforcing paddling concepts.
Read MoreI turned my phone off at 9pm on Friday, tossed it in the drybag, launched my paddleboard and began my 40-hour vacation from email, phone, texts and work. We planned an hour to make the crossing to the campsite and with wind and current at our backs we met up with the rest of the BPC at 9:45pm. Dinner was made, the full moon was shining, the fire was burning and the relaxation could continue.
Read MoreLast weekend I assisted an ACA Kayaking Instructor workshop in Redding, CA hosted by Headwaters Adventure Company. Joe & Terri opened Headwaters 4 years ago and have helped foster a wonderful community of paddlers in the area. Most participants in the course had really solid foundation skills to work from and were able to progress significantly in a short time.
Read MoreInflatable standup paddleboards get a bad rap from too many people. My first & second experience was on a borrowed POS (piece of shit) that I rolled up and took East - twice. Yes, it was great that I could travel with it, especially to an area where board rentals were mostly non-existent at the time. But the board was heavy, slow, unstable and way to flexible.
Read MoreI measure the success of GGSKS by the amount of fun I have and I had a ton of fun this year. So I guess that makes the 2014 event very successful. At least by my standards.
GGSKS is a subset of the sea paddling community and a damn fine one. Sean Morley and I receive lots of feedback (positive and negative) and probably way too much praise. But, here's the reality. If you enjoy the event, you can't blame us.
Read MoreMission accomplished. I was paddling in Oakland Saturday with some friends and figured it was the perfect time to see if I could bike there with a SUP and all my paddling kit. I loaded the cargo bike with an inflatable Starboard 14'x30" Touring SUP with paddle, pump, clothing and the rest of my normal junk. Pedaled the 7 miles to the put-in, pumped her up with ease and paddled out.
Read MoreIn a whirlwind tour with a disparate crew of Bay Area paddlers I finished off 2013 and started up 2014 on a standup vacation! For four days we called the Black Canyon home and relaxed in it's beautiful surroundings. Warmed and cooled by the sun and the shade, we camped, we paddled, we laughed, we ate, we soaked, we relaxed. On top of all that, we paddled upriver - one of my favorite things.
Read MoreWhat a fun weekend on San Francisco Bay! Cindy & Steve Scherrer came down from WA to help me run an American Canoe Association Level 1/2 SUP Instructors Certification Workshop for 6 potential candidates. We had a great team of paddlers with a ton of learning going on and super support from all. In the end, we certified four new Level 1 Instructors and two new Level 2 Instructors - success!
Read MoreSunshine and warm weather can sure help you have fun. I spent the weekend in Cape Kiwanda on the Oregon Coast for the 5th annual Lumpy Waters Symposium hosted by Alder Creek Kayak & Canoe. That crew operates as a true team and does a fantastic job delivering a fun & safe event for all.
Read More9 paddlers, one panga and 5 days of Sea Leader Training. While in Baja this week, I sat in on a BCU course run by Ginni Callahan and Santiago Burreuta of Sea Kayak Baja Mexico. As an observer, I had the best job - no responsibility, no stress. I helped when they asked, when they were set, I simply paddled.
Read MoreAs many trips do, this one had a goal. It wasn't clear, but it clearly involved spending time on myself & resetting for a major change. I recently left my job in search of something more meaningful and more fulfilling, and a trip to Baja seemed a good starting point. So far I'm feeling way more 'in touch' with myself and am taking the time to listen to my body.
Read MoreFor the last few months I've been paddling with locals on these weekly Meetups in the Oakland estuary and have seen a ton of growth in the paddling skills of the participants. It seemed appropriate that we all get together for an end-of-summer paddle that included a reasonable amount of mileage, current, wind, vessel traffic & chop.
Read MoreMy favorite summertime paddling workouts are upwind downwinds. We get such good wind in the San Francisco Bay Area that it's easy to forget the morning flatwater and save the workouts for the late afternoon when it's blowing... I paddle straight into the wind for a set amount of time or distance and then surf my way back to the start for another lap.
Read MoreHere in the Bay Area we have a little tidal race called "yellow bluff" that creates a fun play spot during a strong ebb. I've seen it create some really beautiful standing waves at times, but normally it develops into a wave train with one or two clean waves at the front.
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