Meet the Jetbuster Jetrider XT, capable of splitting the waves at 40kmh (and denting your wallet at $3000). Jetbuster used to be Surfango -- check out their new website.
Friday, January 28, 2011
Who Needs a Paddle Anyway?
Meet the Jetbuster Jetrider XT, capable of splitting the waves at 40kmh (and denting your wallet at $3000). Jetbuster used to be Surfango -- check out their new website.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
The Best Part of My Day
Kayaking really is the best part of any day. A good day, a bad day, a busy day or a slow one -- any kind of day is better when I can get on the water.
Good evening and welcome to Day 4 of the migraine; not a "pain" migraine, but a "stupid" migraine. Though my coordination is the pits at this kind of time, that's not a problem with the nice wide stable inflatable kayak I use most days. Ya gotta lean waaaayyy over to tip this puppy.
Sleeping late, lounging around like a day with the 'flu, and a nice warm bath after kayaking equals feeling pretty good. Can't do everything, but doing what I can is good. And I can still paddle 4 klicks an hour even on a foggy head day. No real fog on the water, though. The overcast came down to the ridge full of big Douglas fir trees at the top of Mystic Vale, and it looked foggy there, caught in the trees. A slow ebb current kept things changing at the shoreline, even though the ocean and sky looked static and gray. My boat was the only colour from the beach out to Flower Island and back, till I saw an arbutus and a kingfisher.
Good evening and welcome to Day 4 of the migraine; not a "pain" migraine, but a "stupid" migraine. Though my coordination is the pits at this kind of time, that's not a problem with the nice wide stable inflatable kayak I use most days. Ya gotta lean waaaayyy over to tip this puppy.
Sleeping late, lounging around like a day with the 'flu, and a nice warm bath after kayaking equals feeling pretty good. Can't do everything, but doing what I can is good. And I can still paddle 4 klicks an hour even on a foggy head day. No real fog on the water, though. The overcast came down to the ridge full of big Douglas fir trees at the top of Mystic Vale, and it looked foggy there, caught in the trees. A slow ebb current kept things changing at the shoreline, even though the ocean and sky looked static and gray. My boat was the only colour from the beach out to Flower Island and back, till I saw an arbutus and a kingfisher.
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Kittens in a Kayak
I'm nursing a minor foot injury this weekend, so we didn't head out for a paddle. But we couldn't let the weekend go by without putting something on the blog.
The title pretty much says it all. If you haven't reached your cuteness threshold for the day, this quick video will put you over the top:
The title pretty much says it all. If you haven't reached your cuteness threshold for the day, this quick video will put you over the top:
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Lost in Mongolia
Two years after Colin Angus and two buddies descended down the Amazon in a rubber raft, Colin was taking part in another adventure. This time he and his companions were descending the entire length of the the Yenisey River in Russia, one of the last great rivers in the world to be travelled from source to mouth. Using kayaks and a raft, they journeyed from Mongolia through the Siberian outback to the Arctic Ocean battling floods, heat waves and the Russian mob. And along the way, the group gets separated after the raft capsizes and Colin has to survive without supplies or clean water for twelve days. [SPOILER ALERT: Obviously, he survived to write the book, entitled appropriately Lost in Mongolia.] Another in Angus’s growing collection of true-life travel tales, it’s a solidly written yarn of adventure in a strange land and well-worth checking out.
Winter Paddling Neighbours
Kayaking in the winter is the best part of a cold day! I was glad to get out on the water this mid-week morning.
It was good to see that I wasn't the only one. Beth and other SISKA members were getting ready to launch at Gyro Park. This week, their regular Wednesday morning paddle was launching in Cadboro Bay. Of course, they were properly geared-up in drysuits, pogues and all, with their sea kayaks. I hope they had a good time, cuz the weather was certainly right for it -- not too cold and no breeze to speak of.
I was out for only an hour in my little inflatable, in my shortie wetsuit and a merino wool sweater. As a concession to the morning's frozen puddles I had neoprene soft shoes and the cold weather cap that spends most of the year clipped inside my PFD. Out around Flower Island and back, no sea monsters this time.
It was good to see the usual neighbours: geese and coots and herons and seagulls, hooded Merganser ducks. Dogs were racing around the arbutus trees on one waterfront property, where the owner was doing chores. Always nice to see people on the shoreline.
Even the cops patrolling the end of Cadboro Bay Beach where there's access to Telegraph Bay Road, which was blocked today by crime scene tape.
It was good to see that I wasn't the only one. Beth and other SISKA members were getting ready to launch at Gyro Park. This week, their regular Wednesday morning paddle was launching in Cadboro Bay. Of course, they were properly geared-up in drysuits, pogues and all, with their sea kayaks. I hope they had a good time, cuz the weather was certainly right for it -- not too cold and no breeze to speak of.
I was out for only an hour in my little inflatable, in my shortie wetsuit and a merino wool sweater. As a concession to the morning's frozen puddles I had neoprene soft shoes and the cold weather cap that spends most of the year clipped inside my PFD. Out around Flower Island and back, no sea monsters this time.
It was good to see the usual neighbours: geese and coots and herons and seagulls, hooded Merganser ducks. Dogs were racing around the arbutus trees on one waterfront property, where the owner was doing chores. Always nice to see people on the shoreline.
Even the cops patrolling the end of Cadboro Bay Beach where there's access to Telegraph Bay Road, which was blocked today by crime scene tape.
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Les vacances de Monsieur Hulot
Louise and I didn't go kayaking today. A bit rainy, a bit windy, and the tides weren't friendly. (Despite what Bill O'Reilly thinks, we know how the tides work.)
Which isn't to say that we didn't see any wildlife. We discovered a lone goose wandering up and down our driveway. Never had one do that before.
But the main reason we aren't on the water today is that we just received a large delivery from Ikea and we are up to our bůttøcks in Snøckergrïts, Splůrgs, Mlaks, and Fükenğröövĕns.
Which isn't to say that we didn't see any wildlife. We discovered a lone goose wandering up and down our driveway. Never had one do that before.
But the main reason we aren't on the water today is that we just received a large delivery from Ikea and we are up to our bůttøcks in Snøckergrïts, Splůrgs, Mlaks, and Fükenğröövĕns.
Monday, January 10, 2011
Antarctica Dreams
Today we have a special guest blogger. Late last year, my sister took the cruise of a lifetime to Antarctica. One of the activities was kayaking among the icebergs and she has graciously provided a small write-up and some pictures. And so with many thanks I say, take it away, sis:
Antarctica. WOW. Not enough words to adequately describe this incredible and beautiful location. Pictures can show the expanse, the vivid colours, the fun and lovable animals, the mountains et cetera, but they will never capture the 360 degree view, the warmth of the sun, the chill of the wind, or what is felt deep inside. It was the dream of my lifetime and I shall be forever changed by it.
Among the activities we were able to participate in (and there were some very different and fun ones) were kayaking, zodiac cruises and shore landings. What made them exceptional was the fact that we were blessed with fabulous weather that kept up for most of the trip. The organization of getting 150 people geared up and into the zodiacs and kayaks worked like a fine-tuned machine.
The zodiac rides were exhilarating and the kayak excursions were special moments in time. Although we would have loved to travel further afield while kayaking, we had to keep within certain boundaries and the captain would let the crew know if he was getting nervous with our adventurous ways.
For the times we were in the water, it was like kayaking on glass or a mirror. Crystal clear reflections as we paddled our way through and around turqoise colored icebergs, sunning penquins and lazing seals. Everywhere we went, the scenery was overwhelming.
At one point, a zodiac from the ship made its way among the kayakers bearing gifts - hot chocolate and Baileys. Talk about unreal!
Hope that you enjoy the pictures. Never give up on your dreams.
A technical note: the kayaks used were Aire Sea Tigers.
Antarctica. WOW. Not enough words to adequately describe this incredible and beautiful location. Pictures can show the expanse, the vivid colours, the fun and lovable animals, the mountains et cetera, but they will never capture the 360 degree view, the warmth of the sun, the chill of the wind, or what is felt deep inside. It was the dream of my lifetime and I shall be forever changed by it.
Among the activities we were able to participate in (and there were some very different and fun ones) were kayaking, zodiac cruises and shore landings. What made them exceptional was the fact that we were blessed with fabulous weather that kept up for most of the trip. The organization of getting 150 people geared up and into the zodiacs and kayaks worked like a fine-tuned machine.
The zodiac rides were exhilarating and the kayak excursions were special moments in time. Although we would have loved to travel further afield while kayaking, we had to keep within certain boundaries and the captain would let the crew know if he was getting nervous with our adventurous ways.
For the times we were in the water, it was like kayaking on glass or a mirror. Crystal clear reflections as we paddled our way through and around turqoise colored icebergs, sunning penquins and lazing seals. Everywhere we went, the scenery was overwhelming.
At one point, a zodiac from the ship made its way among the kayakers bearing gifts - hot chocolate and Baileys. Talk about unreal!
Hope that you enjoy the pictures. Never give up on your dreams.
A technical note: the kayaks used were Aire Sea Tigers.
Sunday, January 09, 2011
Portage Inlet
The temperature was a relatively mild 2C when Richard and I launched for a paddle up the Gorge this morning, but the cold north breeze made for a chilly day on the water. Moderate wind forecasts and the chance of snow in the forecast prompted us to pick a relatively protected spot to paddle today, however we sure felt that cold north air whenever it crossed our path.
It was pleasant enough when Richard and I started out.
As we headed down The Gorge a pair of swans took off in front of us. I managed to get a shot of them taking off, as well as a shot of me getting the shot of them taking off.
They are big birds, and they need a lot of runway to get off the ground.
Once we got into the Inlet, we turned into that wind and started feeling the cold in a hurry. Fortunately for Richard he had a very fashionable lime green hood to pull up.
We ducked into a little estuary and stumbled upon another family of swans, two adults and three adolescents. It's always nice to see that the local swan population is doing well.
We carried on up Craigflower Creek...
...hoping that the water level was high enough that we could get around the fallen tree and into the tunnel under Highway 1. We've done this a few times over the years, and it's always a highlight of any paddle down the creek.
But today we discovered that the fall rains have brought down another tree off the bank, totally plugging up the channel behind the roots of the big tree that we would use to get around.
The way through is now totally impassable for kayaks, unless you want get out and haul your boat over the large tree trunk. Hopefully there's still enough room for salmon to get around come spawning season, but for kayakers this way is now permanently closed until someone brings in a chainsaw.
Needless to say we were disappointed, but what else could we do except take it in stride?
And by then it seemed like a good time to turn back and get warm.
Trip Length: 9.88 km
YTD: 22.20 km
More pictures are here.
It was pleasant enough when Richard and I started out.
As we headed down The Gorge a pair of swans took off in front of us. I managed to get a shot of them taking off, as well as a shot of me getting the shot of them taking off.
They are big birds, and they need a lot of runway to get off the ground.
Once we got into the Inlet, we turned into that wind and started feeling the cold in a hurry. Fortunately for Richard he had a very fashionable lime green hood to pull up.
We ducked into a little estuary and stumbled upon another family of swans, two adults and three adolescents. It's always nice to see that the local swan population is doing well.
We carried on up Craigflower Creek...
...hoping that the water level was high enough that we could get around the fallen tree and into the tunnel under Highway 1. We've done this a few times over the years, and it's always a highlight of any paddle down the creek.
But today we discovered that the fall rains have brought down another tree off the bank, totally plugging up the channel behind the roots of the big tree that we would use to get around.
The way through is now totally impassable for kayaks, unless you want get out and haul your boat over the large tree trunk. Hopefully there's still enough room for salmon to get around come spawning season, but for kayakers this way is now permanently closed until someone brings in a chainsaw.
Needless to say we were disappointed, but what else could we do except take it in stride?
And by then it seemed like a good time to turn back and get warm.
Trip Length: 9.88 km
YTD: 22.20 km
More pictures are here.
Change of Plans and Baby Seal Pamphlet
My planned kayak time got cancelled abruptly this morning, when Bernie came in after walking our landlady's dogs. One of them was not well, so it was time to take the dog to the vet. In a few moments we were out the door, after eating our oatmeal, leaving a voicemail for Louise to explain my non-arrival in paddling gear, and booking a car from the Victoria CarShare Co-op.
The waiting room at the pet hospital has some pamphlets for nervous or bored humans to read while waiting with their pets. I was pleased to see a pamphlet titled "What to do if you find a baby seal." In large, friendly letters, it says "DON'T TOUCH the babies" -- and it shows a photo of an adorable baby harbour seal.
The pamphlet was written by the BC SPCA's Wild Animal Rehabilitation Centre. It's a good reminder that when we kayakers or beach-walkers see baby seals "all alone" on the rocks, the young seals are usually fine. The mother seals are usually just out of sight nearby. The pamphlet says if a person truly thinks the baby seal needs help, to call the Wild ARC at 250-478-9453. That number is good for anywhere in the Greater Victoria area.
We wrote about how to report a marine animal in distress here on the Kayak Yak blog.
If you see a baby seal in distress (perhaps visibly injured, or dead parent nearby)
please call DFO’s Observe, Record and Report 24-hour hotline at 1-800-465-4336. That number is toll-free. Call to report any sightings of marine mammals in distress. If you happen to see a sea turtle, healthy or in distress, call the DFO!
Closer to home, no signs of distress. The landlady's dog is currently waiting at the pet hospital for the vet to finish with another animal, so I'm sitting by the phone waiting to hear the verdict. When not on the water, the next best thing is talking about kayaking, so today's blog post got written.
-later-
The dog is fine.
The waiting room at the pet hospital has some pamphlets for nervous or bored humans to read while waiting with their pets. I was pleased to see a pamphlet titled "What to do if you find a baby seal." In large, friendly letters, it says "DON'T TOUCH the babies" -- and it shows a photo of an adorable baby harbour seal.
The pamphlet was written by the BC SPCA's Wild Animal Rehabilitation Centre. It's a good reminder that when we kayakers or beach-walkers see baby seals "all alone" on the rocks, the young seals are usually fine. The mother seals are usually just out of sight nearby. The pamphlet says if a person truly thinks the baby seal needs help, to call the Wild ARC at 250-478-9453. That number is good for anywhere in the Greater Victoria area.
We wrote about how to report a marine animal in distress here on the Kayak Yak blog.
If you see a baby seal in distress (perhaps visibly injured, or dead parent nearby)
please call DFO’s Observe, Record and Report 24-hour hotline at 1-800-465-4336. That number is toll-free. Call to report any sightings of marine mammals in distress. If you happen to see a sea turtle, healthy or in distress, call the DFO!
Closer to home, no signs of distress. The landlady's dog is currently waiting at the pet hospital for the vet to finish with another animal, so I'm sitting by the phone waiting to hear the verdict. When not on the water, the next best thing is talking about kayaking, so today's blog post got written.
-later-
The dog is fine.
Thursday, January 06, 2011
William Shatner Kayak
Yes, you may have noticed that I'm a bit of a geek. So just for fun I googled "william shatner kayak." He's an outdoorsy type, I might get an interesting hit or two. But I found something crazy right off the top. Here's a clip from 1978, a Battle of the Network Stars segment showing a kayak relay race featuring such stars as Richard Hatch, David Letterman, and The Shat himself. And the race is called by Howard Cosell. How's that for a peek at a bygone era?
Here's the clip -- enjoy:
Here's the clip -- enjoy:
Tuesday, January 04, 2011
Odd Product
Kayaks are well-known for allowing wilderness travellers to bring along more supplies than they can carry. Most sea kayaks can carry more stuff than any backpack! Even my Eliza, with slim lines and small hatches, still has space for more cargo than I would care to carry along a hiking trail.
But how do people carry more cargo than fits into their kayak hatches? One intrepid paddling pioneer used to swim around islands in Hawaii, towing a floating picnic cooler along. Some stand-up paddleboarders keep a drybag on the board's deck. I wonder if my little inflatable could be towed behind a kayak, as a sort of cargo trailer.
Turns out other people have had a similar idea. There's a gizmo invented to be a kind of cargo trailer for kayaks. They call it a Kayak Kaboose. I wonder how well it works. It sure looks like a neat idea.
Monday, January 03, 2011
A Quickie to Chatham
This morning it was -2 degrees, a bit of a step up from Saturday's -4. But while Saturday's weather was sunny and clear, today was unexpectedly cloudy which resulted in a wonderful sunrise as we prepped for launch. We also had a bit of a breeze, not enough to be a worry while paddling, but enough of one to add an extra chill to the morning. The sun was trying to burn through the clouds but didn't look like it was going to accomplish much in that regard.
Louise, Paula and I got ourselves ready to put in at Cadboro Bay. Paula always likes to do a little air guitar before kayaking.
Richard joined us a few minutes later. He hasn't been in his kayak since September and couldn't understand why it was so heavy as he carried it down to the beach. Then he realized that since he keeps his kayak outside and he has a small hole in his rear hatch, rain water had spent the last three months dripping into his kayak, and that rainwater had frozen solid over the last few days.
Paula had a good laugh until she remembered that she keeps her kayak outside as well, and she hadn't checked her hatches either. She put ashore to double check.
A few minutes later we were underway...
...but some of us found the conditions just too chilly and couldn't get thoughts of chai tea lattés out of their heads. So we quickly did a crossing to Chatham....
...then headed back.
As we passed Flower Island, I peeled off to see if the otters I saw on Saturday were still around. They weren't, but two oystercatchers and a merganser were enjoying the cloudy day.
And as we neared the beach, as per Murphy the sun came out.
Trip Length: 7.57 km
YTD: 12.32 km
More pictures are here.
Sunday, January 02, 2011
Looking at GearJunkie
The SPOT devices that our paddle group uses have an interesting connection. The SPOT company has teamed up with GearJunkie.com to bring users of SPOT devices together. So I went over to the GearJunkie website today to see what it was.
Not a bad website at all, for anyone who enjoys outdoor activities and is willing to admit to a fascination for the various bits of gear that make said activities a wee bit more convenient. Not all the gear is expensive electronic devices like the SPOT (oi! anything that costs more than taking three friends out for fish & chip dinner is expensive to me). The guy at the centre of GearJunkie had a giveaway over the Christmas season that endeared him to me. Check here for the page on his website describing the winner of a free kayak, and how the new kayaker intends to use his new boat.
Now, if you'll excuse me, it's sunny and bright and I want to go out to look at the water.
(later)
The bay was beautiful as the daylight faded. The cone of Mt Rainier was dimly visible! And earlier, I saw Mt Baker while walking home from the library, so this was another Two Volcano Day. Only my cough kept me off the water ... I'll be paddling in the morning.
Not a bad website at all, for anyone who enjoys outdoor activities and is willing to admit to a fascination for the various bits of gear that make said activities a wee bit more convenient. Not all the gear is expensive electronic devices like the SPOT (oi! anything that costs more than taking three friends out for fish & chip dinner is expensive to me). The guy at the centre of GearJunkie had a giveaway over the Christmas season that endeared him to me. Check here for the page on his website describing the winner of a free kayak, and how the new kayaker intends to use his new boat.
Now, if you'll excuse me, it's sunny and bright and I want to go out to look at the water.
(later)
The bay was beautiful as the daylight faded. The cone of Mt Rainier was dimly visible! And earlier, I saw Mt Baker while walking home from the library, so this was another Two Volcano Day. Only my cough kept me off the water ... I'll be paddling in the morning.
Saturday, January 01, 2011
New Year's Paddle
-5C and dark. That's what you get when you get up before the sun does. By the time Louise and I made our way to Cadboro Bay beach for the first paddle of the new year a couple of hours later, the temperature had risen to a balmy -4. But at least it was no longer dark.
We met Paula for a quick paddle to start the New Year. The highlight was going to be us taking pictures of Bernie taking his annual polar bear swim. Louise is fighting a cold but volunteered to photograph Bernie from shore and I was was going to take shots from my kayak. However, Paula informed us that Bernie woke up feeling under the weather and had decided to hibernate instead. So Louise didn't get any pictures of Bernie, but she did get one of me all geared up and redy to go.
Paula started out in her small inflatable while I was still gearing up. I told her I would catch up as she paddled along the south side of Ten Mile Point.
As I departed a few minutes later, I tried to keep an eye out for her but the sun was low to the horizon and she was lost in the glare. We finally connected near Sheep Cove and paddled together towards Flower Island.
We saw the occasional seal head pop up here and there, as well as a heron who seemed to take special delight in tormenting photographers. I spotted him on the shore off a small rocky islet, and I carefully maneuvered so that the low sun was behind me. I pulled my big camera out of its waterproof bag, but just as my camera was ready, he flew off. He didn't fly far, just from the shore to the top of the islet, but I had to pack up the camera and reposition myself to try again. And again, it was as soon as I had the camera ready that he moved, but this time he didn't fly. He merely took a few steps down the far side of the rocky outcropping and out of my sight. I could almost feel his disdain -- apparently I wasn't even worth the bother of flying away from!
Paula hung around Flower Island, but I ventured out a bit to watch the wind and the currents working. We were near the end of a huge high tide, and the current was going to pick up later in the day with a fast-flowing ebb. The breeze picked up a bit as I paddled into in the more open channel. I looked over saw Mount Baker looming in the distance.
Earlier in the bay we could just barely make out the top of Mount Rainer, so today was what Paula likes to call a two-volcano day.
As I headed back towards Paula at Flower Island, I could see she was over by Evans Rock on the south-ish side, and as I came closer, she paddled towards me with a look of concentration that made me think that she was trying to impart some message to me telepathically.
As we met, she said, "Go slowly around. On the left side of that rock there's two otters."
After being burned by that heron, I was certainly willing to try to get a few shots of the otters.
At first I only saw one otter....
...and he was busy rubbing his ass against a big log. How charming.
But as they scampered around the rock...
...I quickly realized that there were three otters on the rock.
I don't think the otters even realized we were there. Paula had drifted behind me as I took pictures, then the otters hit the ocean for a swim. They followed Paula for a while...
...until they finally realized that something big and red was behind them and they disappeared with quick splashes of their tails.
After that we headed back towards shore....
...where we looked down the beach and saw Mike Jackson and some buddies putting in for their first paddle of the year. Guess my lead over him for most paddles this year is not going to last long!
Trip Length: 4.75 km
YTD: 4.75 km
More pictures are here.
We met Paula for a quick paddle to start the New Year. The highlight was going to be us taking pictures of Bernie taking his annual polar bear swim. Louise is fighting a cold but volunteered to photograph Bernie from shore and I was was going to take shots from my kayak. However, Paula informed us that Bernie woke up feeling under the weather and had decided to hibernate instead. So Louise didn't get any pictures of Bernie, but she did get one of me all geared up and redy to go.
Paula started out in her small inflatable while I was still gearing up. I told her I would catch up as she paddled along the south side of Ten Mile Point.
As I departed a few minutes later, I tried to keep an eye out for her but the sun was low to the horizon and she was lost in the glare. We finally connected near Sheep Cove and paddled together towards Flower Island.
We saw the occasional seal head pop up here and there, as well as a heron who seemed to take special delight in tormenting photographers. I spotted him on the shore off a small rocky islet, and I carefully maneuvered so that the low sun was behind me. I pulled my big camera out of its waterproof bag, but just as my camera was ready, he flew off. He didn't fly far, just from the shore to the top of the islet, but I had to pack up the camera and reposition myself to try again. And again, it was as soon as I had the camera ready that he moved, but this time he didn't fly. He merely took a few steps down the far side of the rocky outcropping and out of my sight. I could almost feel his disdain -- apparently I wasn't even worth the bother of flying away from!
Paula hung around Flower Island, but I ventured out a bit to watch the wind and the currents working. We were near the end of a huge high tide, and the current was going to pick up later in the day with a fast-flowing ebb. The breeze picked up a bit as I paddled into in the more open channel. I looked over saw Mount Baker looming in the distance.
Earlier in the bay we could just barely make out the top of Mount Rainer, so today was what Paula likes to call a two-volcano day.
As I headed back towards Paula at Flower Island, I could see she was over by Evans Rock on the south-ish side, and as I came closer, she paddled towards me with a look of concentration that made me think that she was trying to impart some message to me telepathically.
As we met, she said, "Go slowly around. On the left side of that rock there's two otters."
After being burned by that heron, I was certainly willing to try to get a few shots of the otters.
At first I only saw one otter....
...and he was busy rubbing his ass against a big log. How charming.
But as they scampered around the rock...
...I quickly realized that there were three otters on the rock.
I don't think the otters even realized we were there. Paula had drifted behind me as I took pictures, then the otters hit the ocean for a swim. They followed Paula for a while...
...until they finally realized that something big and red was behind them and they disappeared with quick splashes of their tails.
After that we headed back towards shore....
...where we looked down the beach and saw Mike Jackson and some buddies putting in for their first paddle of the year. Guess my lead over him for most paddles this year is not going to last long!
Trip Length: 4.75 km
YTD: 4.75 km
More pictures are here.
A Happy New Year
It was great to get out on the water this morning. That tickling cough woke me several times last night. Bernie's cough was much worse than that. This morning he sensibly changed his plans for a swim -- he'll go another day soon, when the cold immersion is less likely to turn his cough into pneumonia. The decision was understood by John and Louise, who had brought cameras and John's kayak. They'll have to immortalize the Polar Bear swim another day. Louise had her camera, but no boat, as she has a cough of her own.
Instead, John in his 18' Delta and I in my 8'4" Dragonfly went out on the water for an hour. There is a considerable discrepancy between these boats for cruising speed. His kayak is, after all, nearly ten feet longer than mine. I set out quickly while he was still arranging gear on his deck. Even though I was nearly at the Buddha before he was launched, he caught up with me at Sheep's Cove. Twice the speed is twice the speed.
The mismatched boats made for a relaxing paddle for John. He set a moderate pace, and by keeping the cadence of my paddle strokes about twice his rate, I was able to keep up most of the time.
This was another two-volcano day! Mt Rainier was visible in the low-angled sunlight, but fading as the sun rose higher. And when we got out past Flower, there was Mt Baker as well. John went out near Jemmy Jones for a moment to feel the current and breeze, while I hung around Evans Rock.
Not wanting to surprise any visiting elephant seals, I sang to make some noise, but must have been more quiet than I thought. When John came towards Evans Rock, I asked him to get his camera ready. There were two otters sitting on the other side of Evans Rock!
He actually saw at least three otters, and seemed to get several photos. The one problem with taking photos of otters and other seashore animals is that the static photo usually just shows a dark vague shape. It's the movement of that shape that makes watching otters so much fun. They bring their paws to their mouths, or flick their tails, and every movement is quick and smooth enough to make a housecat look clumsy.
We went wide around Evans Rock, and the otters slipped into the water between our kayaks. I think they knew we were there -- big, noisy, bright-coloured things -- but they didn't disappear just because we came past.
At any rate, it was a quick hour on the water, with a birdwatcher's collection of waterbirds of various kinds speckling the water and shoreline around us. May the new year be as good as today -- a good paddle outing, with Mike Jackson and his friend launching as we landed, and the anticipation of improving health for those of us with colds.
Instead, John in his 18' Delta and I in my 8'4" Dragonfly went out on the water for an hour. There is a considerable discrepancy between these boats for cruising speed. His kayak is, after all, nearly ten feet longer than mine. I set out quickly while he was still arranging gear on his deck. Even though I was nearly at the Buddha before he was launched, he caught up with me at Sheep's Cove. Twice the speed is twice the speed.
The mismatched boats made for a relaxing paddle for John. He set a moderate pace, and by keeping the cadence of my paddle strokes about twice his rate, I was able to keep up most of the time.
This was another two-volcano day! Mt Rainier was visible in the low-angled sunlight, but fading as the sun rose higher. And when we got out past Flower, there was Mt Baker as well. John went out near Jemmy Jones for a moment to feel the current and breeze, while I hung around Evans Rock.
Not wanting to surprise any visiting elephant seals, I sang to make some noise, but must have been more quiet than I thought. When John came towards Evans Rock, I asked him to get his camera ready. There were two otters sitting on the other side of Evans Rock!
He actually saw at least three otters, and seemed to get several photos. The one problem with taking photos of otters and other seashore animals is that the static photo usually just shows a dark vague shape. It's the movement of that shape that makes watching otters so much fun. They bring their paws to their mouths, or flick their tails, and every movement is quick and smooth enough to make a housecat look clumsy.
We went wide around Evans Rock, and the otters slipped into the water between our kayaks. I think they knew we were there -- big, noisy, bright-coloured things -- but they didn't disappear just because we came past.
At any rate, it was a quick hour on the water, with a birdwatcher's collection of waterbirds of various kinds speckling the water and shoreline around us. May the new year be as good as today -- a good paddle outing, with Mike Jackson and his friend launching as we landed, and the anticipation of improving health for those of us with colds.
Friday, December 31, 2010
2010 Paddling Weather Stats
62 paddles were documented on the blog in 2010. The weather stats break down like this:
36% of our paddles were on sunny days;
17% were on cloudy days;
17% were on rainy/stormy days;
and 10% were canceled due to bad weather
As we can see, sunny days were down, and thus cloudy and stormy paddling days were up. Or was it the other way around? Either way, the weather took a bit of a dip this year, let's hope it's better in 2011.
Happy paddlin'!
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