Category: Web Sites

The great thing about camping and paddling is that there are so many items that you can either make or “upgrade” yourself.

The website, Instructables is a fantastic resource for the tinkerer. The site is great as they give step by step instructions for almost anything under the sun. A while back I covered their awesome instructions on how to your own computer out of a stuffed beaver. We are talking about very practical stuff here!

Below is a list of interesting items related to camping, canoeing or kayaking:

Read more: Want to build your own camping gear? We have the plans [Do-it-Yourself]

Category: Gear

How awesome is this prototype for the Astral Ninja LE3 PFD?



It’s a limited edition version of their Greenjacket and is scheduled to ship towards the end of March. Better hurry as it won’t be around for much longer.




More info: astralbuoyancy.com

Category: General News

Here is an incoming email from my friend Alan Drummond. Make sure you tune in tonight tomorrow night!

Hello All, be sure to watch this Tuesday's edition of The Mercer Report on CBC at 8:00 pm EST.

Good friend of mine James Roberts of www.learntokayak.ca teaches Rick Mercer of CBC's The Mercer Report some kayaking at The Toronto Outdoor Adventure Show the all important skill of the wet exit. I got to meet and talk briefly with Rick as well. Also, he was wearing my drysuit for the taping.

It was a lot of fun to watch it being taped, we hope a lot of it ends up on the show.

You may see me in the background of some of the shots when Rick is trying stand up paddle boarding.

For those of you who do not get CBC, do not have a PVR, or miss the show you can watch it here, www.cbc.ca/mercerreport, a day or two after it has aired.

or

If you are interested in taking kayaking lessons you can contact learntokayak.ca at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .  

Have a good one

Alan

Category: Trips

I got back earlier today from a fantastic day on the water kayaking around the Toronto Islands.

The wind was gently blowing just strong enough from the South West to bring in some very nice 2 foot swells. Usually when we get waves big enough for surfing it also comes with very strong winds beating you down every time. This wasn’t the case so it was fun playing around in the nice and gentle surf.

Read more: Surfing around the Toronto Islands [Trip Photos]

Category: Video

I absolutely love this video of four-year-old Dougie and his father, Scott MacGregor paddling down the Petawawa River in Algonquin Park.

Read more: Video: Dougie Paddling Down the Petawawa River [Cute!]

Category: Adaptive Paddling

Erik Mueller recently unveiled a near finished kayak design that he has been working on for the past eight years. Freedom Kayak allows someone with limited or no use of their legs to enter from the water without assistance.

Read more: Unique kayak design is now accessible to all [Freedom Kayaks]

Category: Trips

“The boat sinking was depressing but the worst thing was the sea sickness. The day I crossed the halfway line, I became seasick. Obviously if I threw up over the side I’d have capsized into it so I just had to throw up over myself.”

-Helen Skelton

Read more: Duly Quoted: Helen Skelton [Kayak World Records]

Category: Events

On Friday night I made my way to the International Centre out by the airport to visit the Toronto Outdoor Adventure Show. I went to see the latest and greatest in outdoor gear and this year I was able to dig up a few interesting gems.

Read more: Toronto Outdoor Adventure Show Round-up [Shiny New Gear]

Category: General News

"I'm going to buy myself a kayak, an ocean kayak. My husband (Peter Guzman) has done some amazing ocean trips on the kayak and he's going to teach me. I'm going to go on some adventures with him.” - Clara Hughes

Congratulations to Canadian Speedskater, Clara Hughes who captured a bronze medal in her final race ever, the 5000m yesterday (Feb 24, 2010) at the Winter Olympics in Vancouver, BC.

According to Wikipedia, Hughes is one of only five people who have won medals in both the Summer and Winter Games (speedskating and cycling), and is the only person ever to have won multiple medals in both.

Read more: Duly Quoted: Clara Hughes - Olympic Speedskater

Category: Industry Stuff

If you have ever wondered what it is like to work at the Kokatat drysuit nursery (the land where all good paddling clothing comes from), then you will be happy to know that Freya Hoffmeister recently took a tour of the factory and has graciously shared the photos.

The one very interesting photo in the collection is showing Freya’s drysuit getting pressure tested for leaks. The process involves sealing up the wrists and neck with clamps then pressure filling the suit with water. Even the smallest pinhole leak will show up fairly quickly allowing them to apply a quick patch once it’s dry. Once that is done the suit is as good as new again.

Read more: Photo tour of the Kokatat factory [Paddle Clothing]

Category: Video

Take 5 minutes and watch this amazing and very inspirational short film called, "Birthright" directed by Sean Mullens.

The description on Vimeo is:

One man's struggle to transcend.

This humble film is about a friend of mine named Michael and his daily ritual to find his natural self through surfing.

The director, Sean Mullens posted an interesting comment over on the video site, “One interesting fact is that the place where we filmed him entering the water was the exact location he broke his neck and became disabled 30 years ago. He told me that time and time again he finds himself at that spot on earth without intention of being there...it is one of his favorite places to be.”

Read more: Fantastic Disabled Kayak Surf Film [Inspiration]