Duane Strosaker from the website rollordrown.com is counting himself lucky after he survived an attack by a great white shark back on Monday (August 2). The excitement occurred during a 7 nautical mile crossing back to Gaviota State Beach, CA. Around 12:40 a shark swam up beside him and gently took a big bite.

Read more...

This past Friday I had the pleasure of being interviewed for CBC Radio. For those not following along I was asked to speak on the controversy of wifi being rolled out in National Parks across Canada. I’m for it and you can read my reasoning here.

For those not familiar with the "behind the veil" workings of CBC Radio, the syndication department researches and finds people to be interviewed. They then provide a window of time for any show in the CBC world who might be interested in interviewing that person. In my case, I had to be available between 3:00 and 6:00pm and could be interviewed by up to 12 different shows.

Read more...

I just got asked to be on CBC Radio tomorrow (July 30). They contacted me earlier today about coming in and getting interviewed about the recent news article about Parks Ontario testing wifi in some parks. I guess they found my recent article on the issue and want me to come and chat about it.

Right now I don’t know any details I need to show up at the CBC studio prepared to talk from 3:00-6:00pm. From what I can tell I will be talking to the local stations across Canada.

Should be fun. Last time I did something big I was interviewed for the TechTV show, “Call for Help” with Leo Laporte. At the time I was only a big gaga of Leo; not like I would be now if I had to do the interview again. That super nerd is super awesome.

Read more...

I got this incoming email invitation to join an upcoming Parks Canada focus group so I thought I would pass it along to anybody who was interested:

Read more...

I recently stumbled upon a very cool website talking about the history of scouting in Northern Canadian communities.

Did you know that in 1964 the National Council of Scouts Canada authorized a series of special badges specifically for Arctic communities? What’s interesting about them is that they were only available for people who lived in the North.

If you are a Scout in the north you can attain your Kayak Builder badge. To get it you are required to:

1. Know how the form of a kayak is made.
2. Be able to recognize kayaks made by various groups of people.
3. Make a model kayak covered with skin which will be watertight, and make a model paddle for the kayak.
4. Know why the shapes of kayaks differ from place to place.
5. Explain the various implements used in hunting from a kayak and be able to demonstrate their use.
6. Paddle a kayak without accident for three miles.

There were a couple of other interesting badges available including Fur Trapper, Hunter, Dog Driver and Lamp Maker but my favourite one (which is available for younger cubs is the Germ Enemy. To earn that badge (and make your mother proud) you have to:

1. Keep hands, feet, nails and teeth clean and cared for properly.
2. Know why regular meals and regular sleep are important and make an effort to observe good habits.
3. Know the need for prompt attention to cuts, injuries and skin infections.
4. Know the treatment for fleas and lice.
5. Perform the Cub exercises and walk with good posture.
6. Know why regular exercise is important.

Read more...

iPhone/iPad owners know that it has been difficult to read many online magazines due to the fact that they all tend to be designed to work as a flash application.

Rapid Media (producers of Adventure Kayak, Canoeroots, Rapid and Kayak Angler) have solved that problem by building their own Apple approved iPhone app specifically designed for purchasing and reading their magazines. For those keeping score, they are the first paddlesports and fishing magazine to offer issues specifically designed for the iPhone/IPad but I’m pretty sure that will change soon.

Read more...

Sorry for the long delay in writing. In fact I believe that it was my longest break from posting in the blog since the site started several years ago. Why? Life got in the way and things got to busy. Also, I was tired of writing.

Well I’m back but just in time to go away for the next week. I’m off to the Great Lakes Sea Kayak Symposium up in Grand Marais, MI which I’m really looking forward to.

It will be my first big US symposium and I’m always keen for a road trip so I’m really looking forward to it. I haven’t seen the final teaching schedule yet but I do know that I’m ready to WOW the audience with a presentation on paddling in Georgian Bay. Be prepared as it’s going to have lasers and pyrotechnics. By lasers I mean my finger and by pyrotechnics, I mean my booming voice.

Photo credit: Flickr user: dchrisoh

Read more...

Latest issue of Rapid Media TV was just released on YouTube and this episode focuses on the National Sea Kayak Symposium which took place about a month ago. I have a short bit towards the end babbling about flares. Look for cameos from James from learntokayak.ca, Scott from 1000 Islands Kayak Company and my daughter "crazy legs" ripping it up on the dance floor at about the 6:00 mark.

Read more...

Priscilla Haskin organized a highly successful recertification clinic in Alberta and she sent in this quick update.

Read more...

Live in Toronto and don’t own a car but looking to get out of the city? There is a brand new service called Park Bus which provides express service out of Toronto. For about $84 return, they will provide transportation from various pick-up points in the city and drop you off in beautiful Algonquin Park.

To keep things simple (especially for beginners) they have several different planning options depending on what you want to do. You can find info on how to plan your trip logistics based if you want to backpack, canoe, or camp in a campsite. If you don’t have any gear, they also provide all-inclusive trips to make things even easier.

Read more...

This weekend was a very busy weekend for me. Up here in Canada, it was a long weekend as we celebrate the Queen’s birthday by not going to work.

On Sunday I drove up to Parry Sound to visit the annual White Squall Open House. As usual, the day was filled with clinics and general mayhem. Erik Ogaard and I taught a session about fooling around in your boat which was basically just a group of us challenging each other to the craziest possible trick like sitting cross legged on the front deck or crawling up and kissing your bow. It was a very good example of high class instruction if you ever needed one.

Read more...