Articles

Articles

Lightening Gear Review: Kayalite Stern Light

Posted by: David H. Johnston Tuesday March 16, 2010

Kayak gear manufacture, Kayalu recently sent me a new stern deck light system that is about to hit the market. The Kayalite Stern Light is a 360 degree white light perched on top of an 18 inch ABS plastic pole. It’s designed to allow other boats to see you while out on the water at night.

Most deck lights on the market attach to the boat with either a giant suction cup or by strapping to the back of the paddler’s lifejacket. Both are good designs but they do have their flaws. The suction cup works great on fibreglass boats but doesn’t stick to plastic models at all due to the rough surface. The lifejacket light works fine but really can only been seen by other boaters if they happen to approach you from behind.

What makes the Kayalite system unique is the method by which it attaches to the kayak. The design uses a bungee and hook system so it will attach to either an eyelet or bungee on the deck of your boat. Once the light is clipped on and the bungee is tightened down, the unit is held snug to the boat. The large base helps to prevent the light tipping over. In fact, other people have reported rolling their boat with the light staying put!

Gear Review: Kestrel 2500 Wind Meter

Category: Gear Reviews

Posted by: David H. Johnston Thursday February 11, 2010

I love weather. That’s why I was excited to finally get my hands on and review the Kestrel 2500 Wind Meter.

The Kestrel 2500 is a small waterproof weather station that fits in the palm of your hand. It’s designed to accurately measure wind speed, air or water temperature, wind chill, barometric pressure including pressure trend and altitude.

Gear Review: Aquapac SLR Waterproof Case

Category: Gear Reviews

Posted by: David H. Johnston Wednesday September 09, 2009

I recently upgraded my camera from a splash proof digital point-and-shoot camera to a mid-level DSLR. The advantage being that the quality of the photos go way up but sadly, SLR’s are absolutely not friendly with water.

There are a couple of different waterproof cases on the market for SLR cameras that are marketed towards divers. The acrylic cases are fantastic as they protect the camera and are able to withstand the pressures of SCUBA diving but the kicker is that they start at around $800 and quickly go up from there in price.

The things is; kayakers don’t need a hard case specifically designed for deep water pressure; we really just need a case designed to keep the camera dry yet will still protect the camera from the accidental dunking. That is why I got excited when Aquapac sent me their Waterproof SLR Case to test out.

Ideas for Waterproofing Maps and an Aquapac Map Case Review [Water is Bad]

Category: Gear Reviews

Posted by: David H. Johnston Friday July 24, 2009

Anybody who has gone on a canoe or kayaking trip will understand that keeping your navigation maps dry is super important. After all, you want to (eventually) find your way home and having wet maps makes it a touch more difficult.

Better Know a Kayak Instructor – Marna Powel

Category: Better Know an Instructor

Posted by: David H. Johnston Monday June 29, 2009

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.

Lightening Book Review: Sea Kayak Handling by Doug Cooper

Category: Book Reviews

Posted by: David H. Johnston Thursday May 14, 2009

Hot off the Pesda Press press is a brand new book by renowned kayak coach, Doug Cooper.

Sea Kayak Handling is a practical manual for both beginner and intermediate paddlers who are looking to improve their boat handling skills. Strokes and manoeuvres covered in the book include forward paddling, staying on course, turning, moving sideways, support strokes and working with skegs and rudders.

Lightening Book Review: Top Tips for Coaches by Pesda Press

Category: Book Reviews

Posted by: David H. Johnston Friday February 13, 2009

I recently rediscovered a fantastic little book published by Pesda Press called Tip Tips for Coaches.

It is a simple, no-nonsense collection of 319 fantastic ideas and teaching tips for coaches assembled by the fine staff at Plas Y Brenin which is also The National Mountain Centre for Wales.

How to Remember Students Names

Category: Coaching

Posted by: David H. Johnston Wednesday January 28, 2009

If you are like me, you are terrible with trying to remember your student's names. I'm so bad that I once forgot my kids' names during a job interview and had to make hem up. It took me 2 weeks to tell the story to my wife. Yeah, it was bad...

Knowing the names of your students is so important because you will connect with your students better and build that bond of trust faster. Also, in an emergency, you can keep control of the situation significantly better hopefully leading to a more positive outcome.

Gear Review: North Water PaddleBritches

Category: Gear Reviews

Posted by: David H. Johnston Wednesday December 17, 2008

North Water PaddleBritches.
Photo Credit: David H. Johnston

This fall North Water released a brand new spare paddle holder for sea kayakers called PaddleBritches. It's easy to see where they got the name from as they look just like a pair of doll pants.

Better Know a Paddling Instructor - Michael Pardy

Category: Better Know an Instructor

Posted by: David H. Johnston Sunday November 16, 2008

Welcome to our third installment in our 276 part series, "Better know a paddling instructor". Last week, I sat down with Michael Pardy from Victoria, British Columbia.

Michael wears many hats in the paddlesports industry. He is one of the owners of SKILS (Sea Kayak Instruction Leadership Systems) as well the Executive Director of The Trade Association of Paddlesports. Michael is the past president of the Sea Kayak Guides Alliance of BC.

Review: Spot Satellite Messenger

Category: Gear Reviews

Posted by: David H. Johnston Monday November 10, 2008

After reading about the Spot Satellite Messenger for sometime, I decided that it was time to take the plunge and pick one up.

Released in September 2007, the SPOT Messenger was developed by Globstar and designed to bring search and rescue technology to the general public who were not likely to purchase $700-1000 personal locater beacons (PLB's).

How to Not Pack A Kayak

Category: Gear Stuff

Posted by: David H. Johnston Sunday October 12, 2008

This clip is a great example of how not to pack your kayak. Notice the huge (and heavy) container of water packed on top of the boat? Sitting that high out of the water, it is causing his boat to become very unstable.

Adobe Flash Player not installed or older than 9.0.115!

Book Review: Sea Kayak Navigation - 2nd Edition by Franco Ferrero

Category: Book Reviews

Posted by: David H. Johnston Sunday May 11, 2008

Pesda Press recently released the 2^nd edition of their popular book, Sea Kayak Navigation by Franco Ferrero. The new edition is a completely updated layout including several chapter rewrites and updates to help explain the tougher concepts even better than before. A clearly written and very practical manual, this is a great book for anybody who is interested in learning more about sea navigation.

Connect with your Students better with Active Learning

Category: Coaching

Sunday February 17, 2008

By L. Dee Fink
Reprinted from the University of Oklahoma Instructional Development Program, July 19, 1999

Many teachers today want to move past passive learning to active learning, to find better ways of engaging students in the learning process. But many teachers feel a need for help in imagining what to do, in or out of class, that would constitute a meaningful set of active learning activities.

Gear Review: North Water Guides Vest

Category: Gear Reviews

Posted by: David H. Johnston Saturday September 29, 2007

North Water Guides Vest - Front

I was very excited recently when North Water Paddlesports Equipment sent me the guides vest recently to try out. Several of my friends have been using them for a couple of seasons now so I have looking forward to actually using it for some time.

Book Review - Sea Kayaking Strokes

Category: Book Reviews

Posted by: David H. Johnston Wednesday September 12, 2007

Visit your local the book section at your local outdoor store and you will find a boatload of books on sea kayaking skills. Generally speaking they are written towards the novice paddler and cover a wide range of skills from packing your boat to how to keep your boat going straight.

Teaching forward stroke better - A challenge for instructors

Category: Coaching

Posted by: David H. Johnston Saturday August 11, 2007

Kayaking instructors, I have a challenge for you.

When we teach forward stroke, we emphasize using torso rotation for greater endurance and strength rather then just using our arms. I have absolutely no problem with it. It makes sense to me as an advanced paddler and I believe strongly in it.

Using video in your Coaching

Category: Coaching

Posted by: Mark Tozer Sunday June 10, 2007

Preparing to use video in coaching.

Introduction:
Video is a flexible and powerful tool for the coach, its level of use is dictated by the coaches ability with the camera and confidence in it's application as part of the normal coaching process. The strength of video lies in it's ability to capture movement and speed rather than fixed shots. Many coaches are, needlessly, nervous because of the technology involved and it's application. The video should be built into normal coaching activity and viewed as additional to coaching activity.

Adaptive Paddling - Simple Adaptations and Modifications

Category: Adaptive Paddling

Posted by: ncpad.org Wednesday June 06, 2007

Adapting your current paddling program is a lot easier then you think. Here are a couple of small ideas that you can use to help different people with disabilities.

Sea Tec Rescue Stirrup by North Water

Category: Gear Reviews

Posted by: David H. Johnston Wednesday April 25, 2007

Sea Tech Rescue Stirrup

As a guide or instructor, carrying and knowing how to use a stirrup rescue tool can be very helpful. It is a quick and easy assisting device to help and injured or weak paddler back into their boat.

It is fairly simple to make your own by going out and purchasing some tubular webbing from your local climbing store. What ever material you purchase, make sure that it doesn't float as it will make your rescue considerably easier.

What was the cost of that data breach?

Category: Business Development

Posted by: David H. Johnston Saturday April 14, 2007

For those of you out there who own a paddling/guide school, you collect lots of personal information including registrations, waiver/medical forms, payment information, etc. That information really ads up.

Lightening Gear Review: Kayalite Stern Light

Gear Review: Kestrel 2500 Wind Meter

Gear Review: Aquapac SLR Waterproof Case

Ideas for Waterproofing Maps and an Aquapac Map Case Review [Water is Bad]

Better Know a Kayak Instructor – Marna Powel

Lightening Book Review: Sea Kayak Handling by Doug Cooper

Lightening Book Review: Top Tips for Coaches by Pesda Press

How to Remember Students Names

Gear Review: North Water PaddleBritches

Better Know a Paddling Instructor - Michael Pardy

Review: Spot Satellite Messenger

How to Not Pack A Kayak

Book Review: Sea Kayak Navigation - 2nd Edition by Franco Ferrero

Connect with your Students better with Active Learning

Gear Review: North Water Guides Vest

Book Review - Sea Kayaking Strokes

Teaching forward stroke better - A challenge for instructors

Using video in your Coaching

Adaptive Paddling - Simple Adaptations and Modifications

Sea Tec Rescue Stirrup by North Water

What was the cost of that data breach?

More Articles...

Keep Current

Follow Me On Twitter

Sponsored Links

Most Popular Tags

Articles

More Articles...

Keep Current

Follow Me On Twitter

Sponsored Links

Most Popular Tags

Login