More Paddling Community News

Washington Water Trails Association seeks E.D.

December 18, 2007

Washington Water Trails Association (WWTA) in Seattle, Washington is recruiting a new Executive Director to begin work May, 2008. » more

Deception Pass Dash Kayak Race Results

December 3, 2007

Don Kiesling was the men's winner in Seattle Raft and Kayak's second annual Deception Pass Kayak Race on December 2. US Surfski Champ Tracy Landboe took the women's crown. » more

WORLD’S TOP KAYAK PROFESSIONALS COMPETE AT 2008 RENO RIVER FESTIVAL

Fifth Annual Reno River Festival May 9-11, 2008

November 26, 2007

Kayaking’s most accomplished paddlers are preparing for the 2008 Reno River Festival, May 9-11, 2008. Top kayakers from Australia, Canada, Norway,New Zealand, Costa Rica and the United States are set to compete at the Truckee River Whitewater Park this May for the title of Reno River Festival champion. They are joined by a diverse group of athletes going head-to-head in the festival’s newest events, including the mountain bike speed trials and the “Run Amuck” fun run. The festival is free and takes place in the heart of America’s Adventure Place - downtown Reno, Nevada. » more

BC Marine Trails Initiative

November 19, 2007

The Nanaimo Paddlers have formed a committee in order to address concerns about losing access to large parts of the BC coastline for kayak touring. They are hoping to compile a list of "safe havens" with the idea of having them established as UREP-NOIs with the government. They want to network with other paddling clubs and possibly form an umbrella group to deal with this issue. The Marine Trails committee of the Nanaimo Paddlers can be contacted through: marinetrail@nanaimopaddlers.org.

Have you paddled Johnstone Strait sometime in the past 5 years?

November 15, 2007

The School of Resource and Environmental Management of Simon Fraser University is currently looking for kayakers who paddled Johnstone Strait sometime in the past five years. If you have, please visit their web-site at www.kayaking.rem.sfu.ca for their on-line survey. By supporting this research your experience and your opinions will be considered in the ongoing, community based, Johnstone Strait Recreation project, which focuses on improving the management of sea kayaking and camping in Johnstone Strait. Both the research and the management project are sponsored by the BC Ministry of Agriculture and Lands, the Ministry of Tourism, Sports and the Arts and the Integrated Land Managment Bureau.

They're Off – "Crossing the Ditch" is Underway

November 13, 2007

In a world-first, Sydney mates James Castrission and Justin Jones are attempting to “Cross the Ditch” by kayaking 2200km, unassisted, from Foster, NSW to Auckland, New Zealand. The pair will set off Tuesday 13 in their specially built kayak, designed specifically for the crossing by UK marine designer Rob Feloy. The vessel features self-rightability, sleeping quarters, provision storage plus a drogue to help stabilise in big seas and solar power cells to power communications. The kayak features full radio and satellite phone communications, GPS navigation systems, an inflatable two man raft, survival suits and emergency beacons, including EPIRB devices, for emergency use.» more

Greenland Sea Kayak Expedition 2007

November 8, 2007

Jean-Luc Grossmann, Sylvain Grossmann, Rafic Mecattaf and Thomas Truninger have posted photos and stories of their 2007 Greenland Sea Kayak Expedition online. Visit: www.photopulse.ch/greenland2007_new.

Deception Pass Dash Kayak Race December 2 Attracting Racers From Across the Region

October 29, 2007

Local paddlesports outfitter Seattle Raft and Kayak (“SRK”) announces the annual Deception Pass Dash, a 5-mile kayak race through Deception Pass between Whidbey and Fidalgo Islands. The race starts and finishes at Bowman Bay in Deception Pass State Park, 90 minutes north of Seattle. The start is scheduled for Sunday December 2, 2007, at 9:45am. High tide that day is at 10am, so the paddlers will have to “dash through the Pass” before its famous currents create an obstacle. » more

NEW FILM from Calling from the Coast: Salmon Coast Research Station Part 3

October 28, 2007

Do lice kill young wild salmon? In this latest in a series of short films, Twyla Roscovich delves a little deeper into some of the research happening at the Salmon Coast Research Station in the Broughton Archipelago. To view the film visit: www.callingfromthecoast.com or www.youtube.com/watch?v=EkQ-Y2q_0DI .

Canada’s newest National Marine Conservation Area (NMCA)

October 28, 2007

The government of Canada announced the creation of Canada’s newest National Marine Conservation Area (NMCA) on October 25, 2007. More than 10,000 square kilometres of Lake Superior, including the lakebed, islands and north shorelands within the NMCA boundaries, will become the largest freshwater marine protected area in the world. The proposed boundaries of the Lake Superior NMCA extend from Thunder Cape at the tip of Sleeping Giant Provincial Park in the west, to Bottle Point just east of Terrace Bay, and south to the Canada-U.S. boundary.
National marine conservation areas are part of Parks Canada’s growing number of national heritage sites. They balance environmental protection with responsible economic activity by protecting key elements of the ecosystem while preserving the livelihoods of local residents who work in marine industries such as commercial fishing, sport fishing and shipping.

Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup

Oct 15, 2007

This year theNanaimo Paddlers Club eliminated 2,258 pounds of refuse from beaches at four sites during the Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup in September. Newcastlle Island, Ladysmith Harbour, the Nanaimo River and Mill Beach were cleaned up in record time, thanks to a great turnout of volunteers. Well done!

An Exploration, by Kayak, of the Labyrinths of Western Patagonia

Sept 19, 2007

Eager to protect the dramatic landscapes of Western Patagonia, this September Cristian Donoso will lead an expedition by kayak to this region, one of the most inhospitable places on earth. Spending five months navigating open seas and fjords and pulling their kayaks across glaciers, Donoso and his team will face daunting physical and mental challenges as they gather information that will inform Chile, and the world, about this little-known area. » more

BIG CHOP, LITTLE CHOP at Vanier Park, Vancouver, BC

June 08, 2007

The Mountain Equipment Co-op’s BIG CHOP Summer Paddle Series is a great way for individuals to enjoy the outdoors and hone their paddling skills. Each race day offers the "Big Chop" 8–10 km course plus a 4–5 km "Little Chop" course. Held every second Thursday all summer long from Vanier Park, this 10 race series offers a challenge to the experienced racer while providing an encouraging environment for new racers to learn how to paddle. Before each race there is a demo or instructional session to help beginners and enthusiasts gain the knowledge to excel out on the water. “We are excited to announce the addition of the Little Chop Course to the series,” says Race Director Bryan Tasaka. “The Little Chop is geared towards those that are just looking to come out for a good paddle in a less competitive environment.” Registration starts at 6 PM in Vanier Park and the race starts at 7 PM sharp. All racers are encouraged to stick around for a post-race social featuring free smokies for all participants, plus tons of great door prizes from sponsors. The race fee is $8 or $60 for all 10 races. For more information visit: www.bigchop.ca.

Solo Record Attempt to Circumnavigate Vancouver Island

May 09, 2007

Arcata, CA- In June of 2007, Joe O’Blenis will embark on a solo sea kayaking circumnavigation of British Columbia’s rugged Vancouver Island, an expedition of roughly 1150 kilometers (just over 700 miles). Joe will attempt to complete the fastest circumnavigation of the Island thus far by solo kayak, breaking the current record of 28 days (held by Leon Sommé). His goal for this expedition will be to complete the journey in a time of 21 days or under, a very ambitious endeavor considering the conditions he will face. Watch for updates on the expedition’s preparations and progress at: www.geocities.com/outrageous_outdoors.

The American Canoe Association

May 09, 2007

The American Canoe Association (ACA), has released a free, 26 page guide for novice paddlers: The Beginner’s Guide to Canoe & Kayak Paddling. The guide includes several practical checklists and forms to help both the novice and experienced paddlers (a gear checklist, a pre-launch checklist and a float plan) and covers everything a novice paddler needs to know: Paddling terms and jargon; Paddling gear, both essential and optional; How to pack your boat; The fundamentals of paddling; Basic safety tips and issues; How to care for and maintain your boat. The Beginner’s Guide to Canoe & Kayak Paddling is available as a free download at: www.AmericanCanoe.org.

MEC Big Chop Summer Paddle Series

May 09, 2007

Vancouver Ocean Sports and Mind Over Mountain Event Co. are proud to announce the first annual downtown Vancouver Summer Paddle Series: The MEC Big Chop Summer Paddle Series. This 10 race paddle series will launch every other Thursday from Vanier Park where hundreds of passersby and Bard on the Beach attendants can watch the action. The race is open to any self-propelled small boat including, but not limited to, canoes, kayaks, outriggers and surfskis.The inaugural race is scheduled for Thursday May 17th, 2007 and leads to the finale Series Championship on September 20th, 2007.

Whitefish Outrigger Canoe Club

May 09, 2007

Whitefish Outrigger Canoe Club is hosting open practice sessions Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6:30 pm and Saturdays at 10:30 am. Meet at Kay Beller Memorial Park, Whitefish, MT. For more info: www.skabc.org.

SKABCCelebrates 25 Years of Paddling

Apr 23, 2007

Twenty-five years ago, a handful of sea kayakers in the Lower Mainland decided to come together in order to share information, organize training sessions and go on trips together. Today the Sea Kayak Association of BC has over 300 members who train and travel together and share information through regular meetings, a library, a website and email. SKABC is affiliated with the Cowichan Canoe Club on Vancouver Island and Sunshine Coast Association of Paddling Enthusiasts (SCAPE) on the Sunshine Coast. Anyone interested in learning how to sea kayak, improving their sea kayaking skills, going on sea kayak trips and meeting other sea kayakers are invited to attend a SKABC meeting. For more information, contact Bob Shields (yp2@skabc.org) or visit www.skabc.org.

No Funding for Seismic Testing  

Apr 23, 2007

BC environmental groups are applauding the decision of Canada’s National Science and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) to withdraw funding for a seismic blasting project proposed for the North Coast waters, which is home to a rich diversity of marine life, including humpback whales, orcas and many stocks of migrating salmon. “We are pleased that NSERC decided to withdraw funding based on the advice of Department of Fisheries and Oceans' marine scientists, and international scientists who warned that seismic testing in these channels poses a serious risk to humpback whales, fin whales, orcas and other marine life,” says Oonagh O’Connor of Living Oceans Society.  (more info)

Miami2Maine  

Apr 21, 2007

Next month, Margo Pellegrino, a 39-year-old stay-at-home mother of two, will embark on a solo paddling trip up the eastern seaboard in a 20 foot outrigger canoe. She'll launch from Miami, Florida on May 7th and expects to reach Camden, Maine on July 21st, paddling nearly 2000 miles, an average of 25 miles per day. Pellegrino is not a professional athlete. She's simply an environmentally conscious mother and paddling enthusiast who is pushing herself to the limits in the hopes that she can show her children how to make a difference and inspire others to take an active role in the stewardship of our oceans. Miami2Maine started as one womans desire to bring attention to three critical problems facing our oceans; overfishing, habitat destruction and pollution. Margo's journey will be tracked online at www.Miami2Maine.com, using maps with her GPS coordinates, and daily blogs featuring anecdotes from her journey along with pictures and video clips.  (more info)

Kayak 4 a Kure Mississippi River Expedition

Feb 23, 2007

Team Kure will be embarking upon their Mississippi River Expedition on May 13, 2007 from Lake Itasca, MN (Headwaters of the Mississippi River). The expedition team will paddle some 2,350 miles along the river ending in the Gulf of Mexico to raise awareness of children’s cancers and to raise funds to help fight children’s cancers. The team has no paid staff and the expedition is made possible by the generous support of gear/product manufacturers. The team members themselves will pay trip expenses, taking leave/vacation time from their jobs. Paddle clubs and individuals are welcome to paddle along with Team Kure for any stretch of the river. Any municipality, group or individual that wishes to support the team is welcome to contact the team. Team Kure has a fundraising goal of $500,000; please support them in their fight against children’s cancer. Any questions or comments should be directed to Louis Breckenridge at louis@kayak4akure.com or by phone at 806-223-3914.  (more info)
 

Andrew was Insight of Land  

Feb 23, 2007

Andrew McAuley's Tasman solo — there has been some saddening developments, after a distress signal was received on the 9th of February, Andrew's overturned kayak was found about 30km short of his target. Andrew was not found. He was an inspiration to others to challenge themselves and explore their own personal limits. Our sympathies go out to his family and friends.  (more info)

Sandy's Long Australian Paddle  

Jan 30, 2007

Sandy Robson's aim is to circumnavigate the coastline of Australia by sea kayak paddling as far as possible around the Australian coastline in one year. She has been going for about 40 days now.  (more info)

Sizzling mission: Journey in truck powered by cooking oil  

Jan 26, 2007

Two men are driving from Alaska to Argentina in a firetruck powered by a biodiesel engine that can run on used cooking oil. The kayaking dudes drove across Alaska powered by salmon oil from canneries, across Mexico on lard from deep-fry joints, and will head south from Lima fueled by oil that was used to cook french fries.  (more info)

2007 USA National Wildwater Championships on The Deerfield River  

Jan 24, 2007

Zoar Outdoor, has been awarded the bid for USA Wildwater Nationals on the Deerfield River in Western Massachusetts for August 24-26, 2007. Zoar Outdoor, a local outfitter operating guided raft trips and paddling instruction (www.zoaroutdoor.com) on the river since 1989 will host the race. During the 1990s, Zoar hosted a number of national competitions on the Deerfield River including the Slalom Nationals, Junior Team Trials, Open-Boat Nationals, and the Wildwater Nationals in 1993 and 1995.  (more info)