Gearlab Oyashio – Composite Greenland Paddle
Taiwan is a collection of Islands off the coast of the People’s Republic of China (P.R.C.). Many Europeans and Americans that I have spoken with have been uncertain of the status of Taiwan, also known as Republic of China (R.O.C.), and have incorrectly assumed that it...
Paddle flexibility measurement
This past week I was engaged in a discussion on Qajaq USA's Greenland forum about paddle flexibility. This inspired me to start work on documenting the flexibility of my paddle collection. I determined that I would attempt to mimic the two paddler's hands and apply...
Lumpy paddling
A number of months ago I wrote about a lovely wooden paddle that Bill Bremer (owner/craftsman of Lumpy Paddles) had created for me (post 1, post 2). Yesterday I got to take it for a paddle outdoors for the first time. I was with 5 other paddlers from the Inland Sea...
Customizable flex carbon fiber paddles
The never ending quest for the perfect paddle. I have a bazillion Greenland paddles; okay not a bazillion but I do have 14 Carbon fiber paddles and 6 wooden ones. If you blindfolded me and handed me one I bet I could name the paddle within a few minutes. Each paddle...
Norsaq rolling dance
I have always admired the graceful rolling art of Alison Sigethy. This led me to also enjoy some of the combinations of rolls that James Manke uses to stretch. I thought I would start to learn combinations of rolls that flow, each starts where the previous left off. I...
Mega Roll
We had some fun at the last pool session of the Inland Sea Kayakers in Minnesota, 16 rollers all completed four rolls successfully, two simultaneously and two as "Mexican waves". Here is a time lapse sequence of one of the rolls.
Rolling at Canoecopia
Why is it that when you drive to an exciting event the drive there is shorter than the drive back? I find the same phenomena when I fly somewhere for a vacation. I drove home on Sunday evening, by the end of the four and a half hour drive I was dragging, yesterday was...
Four things that suck about my rolling
It’s not an excuse, however I have been investing so much time in helping others to roll that my own ability has been suffering. A recent comment on my blog made me realize that I should spend some quality time afloat and work on tuning my rolls. With the exception of...
Rolling Practice
With the introduction of Microsoft's new operating system Windows 8 I have been experimenting with new PC's with touch screens. I am currently using a Lenovo Yoga, which is a 13 inch convertible laptop and slate solution. My only reason for having a Mac on my desk has...
The Double Lives of Leading Local Executives
In January I was contacted by a Phil Bolsta, a journalist, who was writing an article for the Twin Cities Business magazine. He spent a few minutes interviewing me and the resulting article was published yesterday, it is not 100% accurate, but close enough. As the...
Nordkapp and Munchy Bars
Being an ex-pat with a blended family certainly can complicate family gatherings. This past weekend family members travelled from three different US cities to spend a weekend together at the seaside in Florida. There was barely enough moonlight to see the palm trees...
VI Paddles
VIPaddles is run by Randy Millar in British Columbia. Last month he contacted me and asked if I was interested in reviewing one of his Greenland paddles. I of course replied favorably as I love to try out every and any skinny stick I can get my hands on. I had heard...