North-west Atlantic

Seaward Quest for Sale

2009-07-02T09:37:00.006-02:30

Its the Seaward Quest. The same exact kayak on the cover of these two mags. The kayak was owned by Richard Alexander(Pres of Paddle Canada) at the time these covers were shot. Colours are the same with blue and blue/green trim, white hull. The kayak has rudder, pro neoprene spray deck, built-in on-deck marine compass, a kevlar keel/bow guard and an internal footpump. Price $1900.

Before Noel's Post Tropical Storm.

2007-11-05T20:55:00.000-03:30

After Saturday, the sun would set an hour earlier, so best to take advantage of that gorgeous light while it lasted. A true calm before the storm. As one system left us to the north east, the remains of hurricane Noel were due to start pushing into the area from the south west that evening. This left some ocean swells from the NE, but then the breeze changed from the N as the sun fell. All added to the feeling that something was amiss. The 20 km paddle from Witless bay to Tor's cove and back, took us along the most easterly piece of coastline in North America. Rollers along the rocky coast caused refracting waves from the three points we passed. Calm conditions, but you felt 'something' in the sea and the air. Made landfall from where we started, just back after sunset.

Photo by Alex McGruer

Fin Whales in Conception Bay

2007-10-27T22:10:00.000-02:30

I left St. Philip's beach for a bit of exercise and a leisurely paddle. Didn't think it to be very interesting, just good sunshine, fresh air and exercise. It was an exceptionally fine fall day. The lower tide today resulted in more exposed rocks and seaweed along the shore. This made for a good excuse to hug tight to the shoreline and have easy play with the small waves. Once at Topsail beach, I discovered that the river from the pond behind the beach was having to travel further and at a greater angle to flow into the ocean. This lead to a rip that travelled 50m out off the beach. Also, wind was from the west opposing the current....fun stuff to punch into and hold you in place while ferry gliding from one side to the other. Nothing adrenaline bumping. The LV Nordkapp's spray deck was awash with spilling water the whole time, but still relaxing. Glad I got the WW LevelSix spraydeck after, it's the only thing that keeps this kayaks cockpit semi dry.

Once I turned to travel back I saw a pleasant surprise in the distance. The blow of whales about a 1km out into the tickle towards the south end of Bell Island. Strange to see pods of humpbacks down here this late in the year, unless they are heading back south from way up north. But many of the blows were high, thin and straight up. Could be Fin whales, but I'd need to get closer. I set off for the middle of the tickle. They were still a good distance away when I stopped to watch.
Seabirds over them, and dozens of dolphins in small groups all around them. I saw four whales that I knew to be Fins. There were a couple more whales up the bay feeding nearer to Little Bell island. Could be Fins or Humpbacks. The dolphins were numerous, both Atlantic White Sided dolphins(with yellow patch) and the White Beaked dolphin. Seabirds were around the Fins also. There was plenty of tiny shrimp in the water, but it was more likely schooling fish such as mackerel or the like, as the whale's feeding was erratic and aggressive. They often pushed water sideways as they lunged, rolling over in the water, then sliced their pectoral fin across the surface. As usual, staying a good distance away to watch is best. Where both the seabirds and also where the dolphins are, is the best indication where the whales are. Stay well away from that zone, tap on the kayak deck to alert all of your presence ...and you may have a chance to tell your story to others. Eventually, one Fin whale did swing around from the group and did a close pass by my kayak. Those things are huge. The photo above was the last of only a few photographs(click on any photo to enlarge). In close quarters with so much wildlife, best to stay alert, focused and keep both hands on the paddle. As forecast, the winds were picking up in the evening. I was very far out into the bay, so best to head back. That's when it happened. As I retreated, a few of the dolphins followed suit. I sped up, they zipped in front of the bow. I turned the kayak around again. They sat on the surface waiting until I moved. I charged up the bay and they followed on both sides over my shoulder. I picked a side and high brace turned. They keep going right under my kayak. I righted myself and waited to see what they'd do. Again, they just sat near the surface. With the bit of wind waves at my back, I sprinted back down the bay, they followed. I rode up and over waves as fast as I could, they followed next to me. I carved a turn at the end of my run, and they zipped right under me. They seemed to like that part. I am used to this behavior from dolphins further north along the Labrador coast while traveling with fisherman in speed boats. The dolphins chase the bow of the motorboat at high speed, but then tire of it soon. But what with the speed of the kayak? The LV Nordkapp is fast and I can turn it on a dime, but this is all slow motion to a dolphin. I think it was that I was traveling around that bay and doing quick course changes, but yet my craft was not making any noise. We have so few kayakers, sail boarders and surfers in this part of the world. For many, the season is so short. The dolphins must have seen this silent kayak as something unique, they remained curious for quite a while. Every now and then, I did a hanging draw and leaned out to one side to look down at them. At about six feet under, they would often swim on a side, just to stare back up at me, if only for a moment. Damn, those guys are fast. Finally, the sun was setting. The dolphins seem to be drawing me further away up the bay, back towards the feeding Fin whales. I can't believe they played this game for over an hour...even if a few had traded off from the other pods. I decided to get while the getting was good. Back to the beach before sunset. I passed two Minke whales heading up the bay towards the feeding Fins. We human's do not have a great history of treating dolphins and whales well, although that is changing with time. If one questions my spending 'quality time' maybe too close to such wild animals....I understand. But then again, words fail me, you had to be there. We all seemed to be having fun...please take it up further with the dolphins. What a cool day that was.

Blog Action Day - The Environment

2007-10-15T21:52:00.000-02:30

This is how we sometimes transport oil and gas around our coastline? We should stop this. Two other points to consider. Having 'ready to respond' tugs to aid disabled and distressed vessels. Also, train teams of clean-up workers that are residents of coastal communities around Newfoundland and Labrador.

Gear and Cluttered Kayak Decks.

2007-10-07T10:12:00.000-02:30

Best laid plans this winter will be to design the uncluttered deck. Time at the pool may help. So far the deck consists of a hosed H2O bag, VHF radio, encased cell phone(with lighter)...and finally a pump. The pump can be rigged under the front deck. As for the rest....can I really carry that much on me and not look like the Michelin Man? My person so far consists of mini pocket flares, mini strobe, whistle, small knife, pocket water proof camera, power bar, and belt tow line...good god...can I fit more?

Missing is the paddle float. After seven years of kayaking I have practiced but never used it, I can't picture when I would. I recommend it to anyone just starting, or the occasional kayaker...but with ease of the re-entry and roll, as well as practiced scramble enteries....what state would I have to be in to use one(?)...it also seems to be the rescue that actually takes the most time and energy. Maybe it could be cinched in behind the seat.

What would remain topside, is a slick, low profile, spear paddle on the back deck that lashes on so as not to interfere with scramble entries. Only thing on the front deck could be small, occasional gear...a watch, sometimes the small gps and the chart.

I'm a believer in having the tow system as a belt. It then serves many functions. Towing and 'feeling' it. If you have to exit your kayak, in conditions, you can quickly clip-in, to stop you from being separated from the boat. Finally, you have a rescue line that is always attached to you.

So for what remains...I'll have to come up with a way to wear it all. I'm not looking forward to that. I'll have to keep it small and light weight. In the end, it may all be for the good. If I should somehow become separated from my kayak, I'll have some survival gear.

Photo: Alex checking out himself...and my new Nordkapp LV.

Over There.

2007-09-20T20:40:00.000-02:30

It was a leisurely paddle across Conception bay to Bell island from the cove in St. Philip's. Alex and Bob figured the trip to be an hour. Not a breath of wind, the sea state was flat while playing with a minke whale and then the wake from the car ferry. This past Saturday, the sun was so hot that day, that I rolled often just to stay cool.
Once over to the other side, we tucked up in under the shadow of Bell Island's massive ore rich cliffs. The unique layering of the hillside, arches and the numerous caves added to the awe of the spectacle.We finally made it to below the light house at Redmans Head. A sub surface shelf a few hundred meters out from the vertical cliff allowed the northern sea swell to form impressive waves.

Just the right size and period for leisurely surfing...and best yet....once you finished a run, the reflecting wave from the rock walls gave you something to ride back out on....that's the life. Yes, there was some clapitus, but just enough to keep you loose in the hips until you ventured into the next in coming swell. Another km up the coast and yet another even greater shelf, forming large barrels that looked beautiful in the evening light. To far for a point n'shoot camera...and to far to paddle for fun....we had already stayed much to long.

As forecast, an evening wind came up. We now had to push on back from the north head, 5km to the mainland, in a force five wind in the open tickle. What was an hour long trip, turned into a two hour struggle against the head wind and chasing the last of the light. Once at the launch sight, I'm off to explain my tardiness to friends, meanwhile my cohorts went off for some well deserved fish n'chips. Needless to say, later Saturday night, the wine went down really well.

Photos by Bob, Jamie and next Alex.

Dances with Waves

2007-09-16T19:58:00.000-02:30

Introducing the new Valley Nordkapp LV. I've gotten out with her nine times in the past few weeks alone...both on solo and group paddles. Adventures include a force five crossing for two hours straight in open ocean, on a trip back from Bell island. Rock garden play and navigating arch passage ways in Cape Broyle. Large sea swells on an outing from Cape Spear to Fort Amherst....plus much more.

The Nordkapp LV loved it all. So did I.

I'll post more images and stories in the weeks to come. Kind'a would be good to build a collection of stuff for use over the winter too. These photos by Alex and Dylan.

New Kayak

2007-09-10T21:01:00.001-02:30

I have a new kayak. Long and slim, soft chined, solid core and lots of curves. With her flare, she glides through the water with ease. She's new to the scene. Healthy, athletic, energetic with lots of spirit. Don't turn your back on her for a second, but if you pay attention, she'll play with you forever. Damn..love again....best to let her lead. Photos soon.

I Have a Blog...

2007-09-05T14:07:00.000-02:30

Sh*t! I have a blog...I deliberately forgot about that, circumstances beyond my control. I'll get right on that. I'll be back soon....just a wild summer. Blog'ins cool, I just have some lessons to learn...I shall return.

"War is not its own end, except in some catastrophic slide into absolute damnation. It's peace that's wanted. Some better peace than the one you started with." Lois McMaster Bujold. "The Vor Game" 1990

Fogo Island Regatta

2007-08-05T23:26:00.000-02:30

One of the many projects I'm working on this summer. This is a unique community endeavor. For the first time in several generations, the Newfoundland islands of Fogo and Change Islands are having a regatta. The boats will be the traditional two man row boat punt. Until now, they figure it's about forty years since anyone has built one of these. With 18(many built this past year) punts ready for this 10km open ocean race, the people are excited. I hope all goes well for them. What this may lead to has somewhat reminded me of what the people of Greenland must have wondered when they reclaimed their traditional sea kayak in the 1980's...and look what that has meant to them as a people.

Clip on the link below and then follow the video thread to the three short film pieces I shot last week. I'll return this week to finish off this documentary, including the filming of the race on August 9th. I've seen the emotion and pride first hand, so I'm really looking forward to getting back to the island of Fogo...and being part of this great event they plan to stage.

The Great Fogo Island Punt Race. To There and Back.

busied...

2007-07-20T12:24:00.000-02:30

Actively or attentively engaged in work or a pastime...or BOTH....all good.

Iceberg Ice Cubes

2007-06-16T22:07:00.001-02:30

10,000 year old iceberg ice on scotch, I'm sure it would even be good in lemon-aid too. It is very dense. It would be, after tens of thousands of years of snow layers compiling on top of it. It lasts much longer than freezer ice(thank God, because on a hot day, and me with a sea kayaking dry suit on...it air-conditioned the inside of my cockpit for quite some time). And best of all, it still crackles, fizzles and pops, even when chopped up into small tiny glass size pieces for your drink. Cheers.

Still Sea Kayaking.

2007-06-10T21:39:00.000-02:30

Still sea kayaking. Off out to the Winter banks. Record land tempertures. Water still 3 degrees celcius. That's not land in the distance, that's the fog bank we have to keep an eye on. But it is Scotland in that direction. All good. Kayaking and photos now, blog later. Cheers.

2007-06-08T22:18:00.001-02:30

Which Way...

2007-05-29T19:03:00.000-02:30

I sent Tomas Sabag and Hadas Feldman an e-mail to explain that our ice season was lasting longer. It was also over a larger area than anything we have seen in a while. The ice pack along the north and north east coast(and also reaching into the gulf to the west) may pose a navigational hazard to them if the proceed north in a clock wise direction. Our winds are continuing from a northeast direction, keeping the ice fast to the coast. They will be stuck in it. So that we may finally see summer, the winds should eventually move around to the west, but that may cause the ice in the north to move back against the tip of the western peninsula. I also let them know that this clockwise coarse would leave them heading into strong westerlies once they make it to the south coast for the final leg of their journey. It's not uncommon to be stuck for a week on that coast in the late summer, waiting for the weather to calm down. Clockwise or counter clockwise...it would be a sea kayaking challenge and a great adventure either way. They wrote twice to me about this, but their blog site explains their coarse of action just as well...As for the possible south coast winds, they explain that they will be so strong by that point. Last reason, that the well respected sea kayaker Jeff Allen said; going clockwise is good luck. Continue to monitor their site, this should be interesting. They departed mid day on Saturday.

Also ice, weather and journey related. When Freya Hoffmeister was here at the KNL retreat last week, she saw her first iceberg...funny, all those travels, even to Greenland, but finally she found one. Her and Greg Stamer set off for a ten day trip heading south from St. John's. A new section of the coast for her too. You'll remember that she joined Wendy Killoran for the south coast portion of her 'Around the Rock' 2006 expedition. As for Freya, some days I wonder if she is planing to circumnavigate the whole island one visit at a time. At the rate she's going, that'll be less than half a dozen visits total. Neil, their Newfoundland ambassador, may have some word next week as to where they finish this trip. But just a note, they left last week in a force 5-6 gusting, heading straight out to the open north atlantic, rounding headlands including the most easterly point in all of North America...yes, Scotland has the next beach. I remember hiking that day thinking that it wasn't fit to kayak in bays, only to return home to learn they had gone out on a headland excursion. Good God.

We are having lots of ice and cold temperatures so far this season. We can also expect to have lots of icebergs this year. People have mentioned how beautiful but dangerous they can be. I have a clip I'll post later. Also, I've soloed a bit lately, finding myself out on changing wind and waves...more on this later too. Speed tests in a 19 foot kayak. River play. Trying the wing blade... And web cam shots. Oh, and yes, I'll post about rum too!

A Real Treat

2007-05-23T13:34:00.000-02:30

By all accounts, Greg Stamer and Freya Hoffmeister did a stellar job of instruction at this years KLN retreat. I'll do a little bit of a retreat round up with added photos later. But the above photo is of the amazing Freya in her Qaanaaq Greenland style kayak. I was only committed to attending this years retreat by Thursday, as some work I was waiting on was re-scheduled once again. The good side, was that I was able to load up the truck and head for the retreat weekend. I was obviously unable to pre-register for clinics, but still managed to see and learn quite a bit. Greg's talk and Freya's slide show from Greenland was very informative. And once back in town, they both gave some private lessons at the pool that many of us attended last night. It was all well worth watching.

Over the weekend, I did have one experience I wanted to mention...During one of their breaks from teaching clinics, Freya kindly agreed to allow me to try out her Rockpool Alaw Bach. It is the first time that one of the Rockpool kayaks had ever made it to this part of North America. For quite some time I had wondered when I would ever get a chance to paddle one of these kayaks. I was starting to think it wouldn't be until the next time I was in the UK. The Alaw Bach had always impressed me, it was on my very short list of kayaks that interested me. Given my 190+ pounds, I am supposed to be on the heavy side for this kayak. To bad, because it does have a beautiful look, and is a kayak made for rougher conditions and playing tight to the shore...something I love to do. The other big question was about whether I would even fit inside the cockpit. I know of others that do not weigh as much as me, but are of different builds, that have felt uncomfortable with this lower volume Rockpool. So it was a delight that I did not even have to adjust the footplate...(as Freya and I must have a similar leg length). I waded out from shore with the kayak by my side and easily scrambled in. What a nice feeling, it fit like a glove...not tight, but just right. Foot plate, seat pan, back band, and the overhanging thigh braces(which I am so used to in my Seaward kayak) fit perfect. That just made my day...

I must note that I was only on flat-water, with only a slight breeze...defiantly not the conditions that the kayak was designed for. But my biggest aim was to see if I even fit the boat, as well as it's maneuverability with my type of handling. So first off was to take it straight out with a proper forward stroke. I did not feel the kayak to be very fast, but it also did not feel as "grabby" as I have felt in something like an Explorer (a great NDK boat, that for some reason, just doesn't feel right to my body). I could not tell of the Rockpool's tracking, as there was not real winds, but it felt perfectly fine to me....I did feel it lay itself down into the water as I picked up speed.

Edging?, wow, easy....but the thing I was more excited about was how well it handled when I leaned way over to each side to spin the boat around. I have a 19 foot kayak at present, so I've come to rely heavily on leaning to turn kayaks around. This Alaw Bach was just a joy to edge and lean in exaggerated ways....wonderfully playful and responsive. Bow rudder and hanging draw stokes a joy.

As for rolling, laying on the back deck and closing my eyes as I rested my head was to nice...falling asleep was possible, but not advised at this time seeing as time was limited as Freya would want her boat back. High bracing was great. Both lay back and c to c rolls on both sides were easy. Not enough time for a re-entry and roll, but seeing as I found it fine to wiggle into from the back deck, all while first entering the cockpit on water with no support,...I don't feel it would be difficult. On heading back to shore, I did pull myself up on the back deck and paddle the rest of that way home. Good move as when borrowing someone else's boat, it's nice giving it back without a scratch. It was kind of Freya to lend me the kayak.

I was in the kayak for only 20 to 30 minutes.....hmmm...felt shorter than that...but I'm impressed so far. This kayak is not meant to just sit straight up in. Hopefully, one of these days, I'll get a chance to try it on the open ocean. Would I like to own one of these boats?...well yes, but with Canadian customs and shipping fees from the UK, not likely. Let's hope some day that we'll get a few Rockpool distributors in this part of the world.

Also a thanks to Douglas Wilcox who has a wonderful review of this kayak....I had been looking for any word about this boat since I first saw them in photographs and videos, but Douglas's review is great and helped in giving me a head's up in what to look for in the boat's characteristics. Also, Derrick Mayoleth will be receiving one soon...and writes daily on his blog about all things kayaking....so look for what he has to say about the Rockpool Alaw Bach in the future.

Round Up...

2007-05-17T18:47:00.000-02:30

Put down the cameras, step away from the computer....

It's time once again for this years seventh annual KNL Kayaker's Retreat. The weekend retreat is for white water and sea kayakers both. Guests for the WW crowd one year and then sea kayakers the next. A few years ago, we had the pleasure of a visit by Justine Curgenven. I still thank her for the introduction to moving water at the mouth of the Terra Nova river....interesting, fun and wet...my first time on moving water, and all in a 19 foot sea kayak. This year the Retreat guests will be Freya Hoffmeister and Greg Stamer. They will each teach Greenland rolling and stroke clinics over the next few days.

There are usually around a hundred of us. We meet in Traytown, which is along the north east coast of the island. Ice free at this point, but further out to sea and all the way up north, there is still plenty of pack ice on the ocean. So it's still cool in this part of the world. Cooler than normal. Any forecasted highs, never seem to materializes.... and even when we do get the the odd high, the temperature usually touches 0c within a 24hr period.... still can't seem to shake winter's grip. A few days of sun though....just to remind us that summer is still coming. Rum may be the order of the day once we return from the sea each evening.

Not much rain this spring, in spite of the cool temperatures....so rivers are down for the white water kayakers. Still good rivers, just not as high and powerful as many of them like. With little rain, wonder what the forest fire index will be once summer comes?

As for Icebergs....lots of them along the coast. I'll drive around a bit and see what I can find this weekend as I travel north. May get lucky and find some close to shore while kayaking in the Traytown area.

Also, Hadas Feldman and Tomer Sabag will be arriving on the island within the next week, to start their attempt at a circumnavigation of the island of Newfoundland. They will be heading out from the west coast of the island, so it may be well over a month before we see them near the St. John's area. Hopefully, many of us will get an opportunity to paddle with them.

If all goes well, the temperatures will be up for the weekend....and that we'll see some icebergs too. I'll post photos after the weekend's events.

Unfrozen

2007-05-02T12:10:00.000-02:30

Just a moment to write. Weather here of late has been rain drizzle and fog, as well as winds. A lot of North and Easterly winds. With all that sea ice along the north east coast, it makes for messy "spring" weather. So while it has taken a big bite out of the accumulated snow, the temperature still hovers around plus or minus zero Celsius. Two days ago, we did actually have a snow fall that left the ground white, and one scraping off the car windshield. Albeit, after this winter, no one was actually running around the parking lot trying to catch those flakes on the tips of their tongues....

Hmmm....

I have still managed to get out in the kayak. Last week on a pond in town close to home. Then on a pond a few more minutes away at a higher elevation where the ice had only just melted off this past weekend. Only had to pull the kayak over one snow bank to get to the water. Okay, I couldn't resist, I had to roll. Ouch,.. ice-cream headache...left me dazed for a moment... Still, it feels good to work all those muscles for sea kayak paddling that haven't really fully been used for many months. The pool sessions are terrific for rescues, rolls and balance. But for a good forward stroke...nothing beats open water.

On a brighter, or should I say warmer note....Hadas and Tomer of Israel, are almost ready to head to Newfoundland for their go at circumnavigating the Island. Hadas wrote saying "Along with another million things we bought, i think we are almost ready to leave. actually we can leave yesterday but will wait until the 24th of May for our flight." Then she went on to say "...i will actually be in greece from the beginning of may until then with kayaking groups, yayyyyy. so going from hot to colddddd."...ok, she said it, not me. But I did do a forecast check for those two regions of the world...temperatures range today from 23C to 34C....

Hadas and Tomer are very experienced on waters all over the world...and from what I can gather from their letter, they have researched and asked questions of people from all over, as well as here in Newfoundland. To which they point out that they are very thankful for people's help so far. LENDAL had sent their paddles ages ago to a guy named Simon Jansen from Pure Adventures in Corner Brook as well Nigel Dennis from NDK has sent one NDK Explorer- yellow on white and one NDK Greenlander....new design of carbon black on black...awaiting them with Ed at Explore NFLD, in Corner Brook.

Good to see the kayaking community checking in on people's blogs and web pages from here... Hadas and Tomer both wrote "...we love checking out the pictures on your blog and cant wait to see it all live!!!!"

I'm sure this place won't disappoint them.

It should be noted that Derrick Mayoleth in the states has been posting and following along with their expedition closely.

Sea Kayaking into Ice Flows

2007-04-08T13:40:00.000-02:30

I recruited a few kayakers yesterday that were willing...and we set off out into Conception bay so we could explore the ice flows. Several seals were around...both young and old. Sea birds everywhere too....lots of turrs. Weather has been 'rain, drizzle and fog', all because of winds from the north and east...at least Saturday was sunny and calm for a change.

The sea ice has a way of 'dampening' the ocean state. Four and a half hours of fresh air, exercise and sun...all good.

At best, the air temperature was +5c...the surface water temperature with all the sunshine was +1c...but at the end of a paddle and sunk 5 feet down under, the temperature read -1c (because salt water freezes at a much colder temp.). Yes, I did roll...it was maybe 0c with a bare head at 3' under....burrrr...only in a drysuit....and I wouldn't what to have to spend any time in it.

....very beautiful all the same...

The fellow sea kayakers are the very experienced Alex McGruer in the white Explorer and Bob Gagnon in the yellow Fathom.

Sea Kayaking "Iceberg Alley"

2007-03-29T22:24:00.000-02:30

This beautiful Iceberg was grounded off of Ferryland Head in late June two years ago...just less than an hours drive south of St. John's.

This is a very interesting time of the year in this part of the world. This part of the world being where the cold Labrador current runs along our east coast. Over the winter, ice forms in the sea off of Labrador. The current from the north continually pushes this forming ice further south, helping to contribute to what ice has formed off the northern part of the island of Newfoundland.
Depending on the year, many factors dictate how much ice will form, and how far south it will reach, as well as whether that ice will lie onshore, or be pushed offshore. As for Icebergs, some have been breaking off of glaciers in parts of northern Canada, but over 90% of them come from Greenland. Once broken off from Greenland, these Icebergs usually travel this northern sea for up to three years. Many over winter in northern Labrador, but eventually get pushed south by the Labrador current, some coming with these ice flows, as yet others will come later in the season being released as the pack ice breaks up in late spring. This usually leads to Icebergs being along our coast from now until late May, but in some years of heavy ice, we may see Icebergs along our shore line until mid July...sometimes even later. Whether we will have a year with lots, or little Iceberg activity, is determined by to many factors to accurately predict. Factors include the amount of calving from Greenland in preceding years, ice formation in Labrador, currents, on or offshore winds...as well as air temperature and sunshine, which will all contribute to the rate of an iceberg's melt. How big was the iceberg to start with, as well as how many pieces it has broken up into, to form even more smaller icebergs.

As for photographing or even sea kayaking around these huge beautiful sculptures of nature....the ideal year would be one that brings large Icebergs into shore, just to have them ground fast to the ocean bottom in a bay or cove. That would leave them handy to reach by seakayak, as well as view from a hike along the shore. Best thing then would be to have the winds turn around from the west to give us warm weather and sunshine to view these gorgeous spectacles, as they continue to melt and change shape daily. Mother nature at her finest. While we usually always get Icebergs each year, I have only seen a few years that were as perfect as just described. We'll just have to wait and see what this season brings.

Some years before I finally took up sea kayaking, I photographed this paddler in late March, off of St. Phillip's, with pack ice and Bell Island off in the background. This is only minutes from home in downtown St. John's.

Learning

2007-03-18T12:24:00.000-02:30

Some friends and I went skiing and snow-boarding this last weekend. We brought along my ten year old niece for her first try at snow-boarding. Actually, she had never been near a downhill in her life, so skiing and snow-boarding were all new to her. I soon realized that something was familiar about all of this. She had to remember clothing, a pack, and food. Then questions about which foot she felt she should put forward. Shoe size. Her height and weight for the best size board. She had to learn about board parts and foot straps. Then finally, simply technique, from how to stand, to moving forward, hints of a turn...oh, and the important one, how to land a fall...ie, stopping. And all this on a hill, where gravity is not your friend...yet.

It brought back the memory from some years ago when I first stretched on a spray skirt. Before we headed out on that first guided sea kayaking tour on the north atlantic. I was excited, but more than a little nervous too. All those things to remember, will I look foolish, will I tip this thing over...and that water is very cold. Well, of course, an hour later, I thought this was the greatest thing in the world.

Did my niece think many of the same things snow-boarding?....I'm sure she did, but she pushed though anyway...and at the end of the day, she was all smiles and thanking us for taking her. She said something about next time...and trying the skiing I was doing...Yes, girl, try it all. The main thing is that I'm certain that she now has another winter activity for fun, adventure and health. Maybe the best thing we can do for children...and adults too...is introduce them to all manner of new things and let them see which they really take to. Oh, and it's nice to be reminded of the trepidation and excitement we all felt of first discovering something new...If we stay patient and remember that excitement...chances are, they'll of had a great day too.

Swellies in the mail!

2007-03-14T21:29:00.000-02:30

For sea kayaking, I had these in mind since last season. They come with a rand (or cuff) that keeps over flowing water out. They float. They will protect the lower legs of your dry suit, as well as the socks. And they are warm. Yes, to test, I wore them around the house once I opened the package earlier this morning. Don't you do this too?... when you get new gear?

These are from Mountain Equipment Co-op(MEC) here in Canada. On inspection, they seem exactly like the Chota Mukluk, even the sole...but surprisingly affordable, at under half the price.

Only cons, are that the full shape of the sole that extends well up and over the toe and heel are very aggressive...so I found that this lead to the heel and toe "sticking" to the inside of the kayak. With my size ten, I have just enough room...but I think it's best to just head down to the shoe repair shop over on the next block and have them grind down the toe and heel cap. Believe me, the thick rubber will still be there for protection of the heel and toes...just less the aggressive tread.

As for pulling these things on and off...I found you just had to roll the top down a bit to allow the air to flow in. Then step on the heel as normal....Oh, and this I like; once one is off, you take that naked drysuit sock we are always worrying about nicking,..and you step on the thick neoprene swellie that's on the rough ground next to you. You heel step out of the last one, then stand on both as you go about your business dressing, all as if you had a protective and warm carpet below you. It works.

Douglas had a review of many different types of sea kayak footwear last month... strangely, Cailean mentions footwear today as I'm walking around the house in mine...small world. Tread softly.

Ski, not Sea

2007-03-03T20:40:00.000-03:30

Sea kayaking has illuded me this past month. It seemed like storm after storm. I was hoping to get out sometime in February so that I could finally claim to have been sea kayaking every month of the year. The last day of February was actually very calm...but work kept me from the ocean at the very end. Skiing on the other hand is another story. Snow?...we have lots of it...so I enjoyed my time in the woods cross country skiing the other day. The only thing is the shoveling...never was such a thing so terrible for the body as shoveling. To stay healthy I run and try to eat well, but as for the exercise of shoveling...it would be better for one's body if you just sat on the couch and watched movies.
Maybe these particular home owners were lucky enough to be off south...but if they return before spring, they'll have some shoveling to do, as their large modern two story bungalow is covered in the white stuff...yes, the first floor is completely surrounded by snow. Harder still on the pedestrian traffic....not quite enough room for two cars to pass, but for the walkers, the sidewalks are in there somewhere. Oh, and as for my running...I actually broke down and finally joined a gym for a few months.

If I can make it onto the ocean this month....the first thing I may do is turn my back to the land, gaze out over the open sea, and just for a moment, forget about snow...

Last Call

2007-02-23T13:22:00.000-03:30

Posts have been slack as my father passed away at the beginning of the month. Apparently he expressed a wish to have some of his ashes spread over the sea. My father had an interest in military history as well as all things Naval. However, winter was not his favorite season...so I'll honour his wishes on one of the most hottest and sunniest days I can find this coming summer...from my kayak, in that interesting zone of a scenic bay and the open ocean, I'll give a part of him to the sea.

On a more joyous note... word has it that a certain German kayaker will join us for the annual KNL retreat, which is held on the north east coast over the long May 24 weekend. Girls, style'n black and doing some wild things in a sea kayak...can't wait.

New Sea Kayak...the Cetus

2007-02-22T16:32:00.000-03:30

P&H have updated their web site with the inclusion of the new expedition sea kayak...the Cetus. Interesting looking craft. Now we'll wait for some reviews.

Some Sea Kayaking Links...

2007-02-03T21:08:00.000-03:30

Alex McGruer sent me some photographs this week. It was an evening trip from last summer. I don't believe he had his digital camera by then, maybe this explains this late showing....but actually, the timing is perfect as the wind and snow howl outside my window. It could also be that the images were picked up by SeaPaddler.co.uk. as well as text by Alex himself. This photograph is posted with Alex's permission...and is of his son Sandy, on his first actual ocean trip. Seems the pool and the pond practice paid off. Sandy was well rewarded that night, if the look on his face was any indication....I think he's hooked. Oh,...and the look on the face?...you should have seen Alex's...proud father like you could imagine. Remember, that Alex is almost fanatical about sea kayaking, always has a boat or two on the top of the car, paddles all year when it's possible and has been doing it for as many years as anyone on this island. Sandy's mother kayaks too...so finally finding a good evening for a new teenager to have his first sortie on the open ocean was important to all. But yeah, Alex was proud and Sandy seemed to love it. We made it back to the beach by eleven o'clock.

Please check out Wendy Killoran's post with the NL tourism commercial...Love this place as we do, there is much truth in her words.

And of the privilege of sea kayaking...hmmm...interesting what Michael had to say...I know that I wondered a similar thing after my last trip to Labrador. After fifty years of the government's establishment of the Labrador coastal communities(remember, they were a nomadic people)....no one in Labrador kayaks. They invented and made their own version of the sea kayak...but with speed boats and snowmobiles, all kayak related skills are lost after only a few generations. Maybe we, "the privileged few", could someday return the skill to these people of the north....and to their children. Something to think about.

Sea Kayaking?

2007-01-26T20:54:00.000-03:30

With the third snow storm this week!....you have to be kidding!!? This is as far removed from sea kayaking as one could get. The power is gone on the next block...and the electric lights flicker as I type(hopfully I'll post before the power fails in these 110km gusts of wind)...Albeit I don't seem to post lately, it is after all a sea kayaking blog...what could I write about? Photo's from this evening(?). I did fix a P&H seat issue...but that later (thanks Douglas ).

While I dream of sea kayaking...let's be realistic! Thank-you Wenley for making me smile and putting it all in perspective.

HENGE film clip

2007-01-15T12:58:00.000-03:30

I've been busy the past while working with a new media firm called Henge Productions. I've been asked to become involved because I have a lot of journalism media and drama shooting experiance. This time, as a cameraman and photographer, I also hope to bring some of my love for the environment and nature's beauty to this team. At present there is a short clip of some of my experimental footage on the company's blog space. At henge.ca you can visit and look around the site, then just check out the blog and view the clip. Please keep in mind that the original footage is in HD...it's High Definition imagery is in crisp detail, even down to the last snow flake floating off in the distance...so if you like the simple little web cast visuals, you should see the original.

While filming along the coast, I also managed to capture some time lapse sequences. These time lapse shots were created with my own equipment. It's a technique I've been working on for some time, but recently managed to marry it with some new bits of hardware and software to finally perfect the technique. The results supersede even High Definition standards.

The company's executive producer Chris Richardson has a refreshing approach to making projects work...He first explained to me that the only really important thing he has learned in all his film/video career after all these years, is that only a team can pull off really great stuff to be proud of. You find the right people for the job, and you let them do what they do best...

Okay, this sounds simple enough, but it's actually rarer than you'd think in this industry. It's kinda refreshing. Oh...and the fact that it's all cutting edge is kinda exciting too. I wish Christopher all the best of luck.

As for my roll in this, we'll see on a project to project basis. I will continue to develop story and documentary ideas...meny of which reflect my love for nature and the environment, even one on WW and sea kayaking.

I Love This...but not the sleepless nights.

2007-01-08T20:15:00.000-03:30

No one went near the water Sunday. The forecast is below. I managed to find momentary shelter deep in the bay from these cliffs in Logy Bay. Somewhere along there it peaks out at 691 feet...a place called Flagstaff Hill atop Redcliff Head(the headland off in the distance). It's a very beautiful, dramatic, yet desolate bay only a few minutes drive from downtown St. John's. A nice undertaking for a sea kayaker, as there is no real take out for a few nautical miles of the coast, in either direction. Me?...no...Other parts yes(Flat Rock to Pouch Cove in '05. Then around Cape St. Francis in '06, from Pouch Cove to Bauline)...but no, not this section. Maybe in 2007. But as for these wind forecasts,"The horror! The horror!" (Conrad's Kurtz).

Environment Canada; Sunday

"Cloudy. 60 percent chance of showers in the morning and early in the afternoon. Wind southwest 60 km/h gusting to 100 except gusting to 120 along the coast in the morning and early in the afternoon. Wind becoming west 60 gusting to 100 in the afternoon. Temperature falling to plus 1 in the afternoon."

New Year's Day Sea Kayaking

2007-01-03T10:44:00.000-03:30

Not pleasant...but fun. From the shelter of Quidi Vidi gut, we launched at 1ish for a quick, refreshing paddle. Refreshing because of all the "merry, merry" I'd be up to the night before...I was still feeling the fireworks. But it's amazing what a jolt of cold wind and fresh air will do for the body. As for the soul...it beats lingering in bed moaning....and the best part?...the gang had lamb curry and fresh moose stew waiting at a home not far from the harbour. Not bad for the first day of 2007.

We now retreat from the gusty north Atlantic, back through the narrow natural breakwater.

Cockpit coamings...it must have been the cold...funny, but you'd think manufactures would make kayaks to last at the arctic circle...and Newfoundland is as far south as France...but the coaming still separated from the hull at the front end. Okay...the spray skirt was frozen on...and I did give it a yank...but still...
Cockroaches can survive a nuclear winter, but not Newfoundland...and turns out, neither can kayaks. In all fairness...this Seaward has been abused by one of Newfoundland's top instructors, and now me...It's still holding up great...I need better glue.

Til next year...

Polar Bear Gang.

2007-01-03T08:46:00.000-03:30

The Lot.

Small boat basin, St. Philips. 2007....noon swim...or dunk. The conditions from the previous post were just a hundred feet away on the other side of the breakwater wall.

New Years Day Conditions

2007-01-02T13:16:00.000-03:30

Force 7 on the open ocean, -4c(wind chill-10)...burr..A very typical winter's day. You would never have even said is was stormy...unless you where about to take a dip at the annual polar bear swim. But this is not what kept us from swimming the Atlantic at noon...I'd say it was the rip tide along the beach. Just inside this huge wharf area is a boat basin...with brackish water that's most likely colder than the ocean. From the basin, few brave(crazy) souls did jump in...they then scrambled on all fours to get out via the iced slipway. I'll post a group photo later...I'll also grab a shot of a kayak outing a few of us did an hour later, out of a harbour community called Quidi Vidi.

New Cave

2006-12-26T18:09:00.000-03:30

On a hike today...yes, I had to work off that huge turkey dinner(thanks Mom!)...Anyway, Boxing day was cool and sunny, perfect for a hike. While on the East Coast trail, I looked a few hundred feet to the cliff below and discovered a sea cave...quite a large one at that. Maybe a hundred feet wide...and judging from the flushing of the ocean waves, maybe a couple of hundred feet in. I wonder what type of sea state day I should look out for to try this one.

I anyways loved to hike by the ocean, so seven years ago when I discovered sea kayaking, I liked it right away....I felt it was just like hiking, but on the other side of the waters edge. I still feel like that today. Often, as I kayak, I look around and realize a new place is where I should return to and try and hike...and as today, while hiking, I discovered a place I should get my kayak to.

2007 Circumnavigation of Newfoundland.

2006-12-20T12:29:00.000-03:30

The Israeli team of Hadas Feldman(This is the Sea fame...among other things) and Tomer Sabag will start their Circumnavigation of Newfoundland in May of 2007. They will depart from the capital city of St. John's. They plan to travel 2700-kms in 80 days. That's headland to headland. As the tenth largest island in the world, the actual shore line area is over 9600-kms. It's quite a challenge they've set...as one never really knows what the weather pattern will be from summer to summer. One thing is for sure, while sea kayaking this place...they'll experience their full share of whales, seabirds, seals, surf, fog and gorgeous coastline...maybe some icebergs too. I wish them all the luck in the world. I suspect they will have the time of their lives.

New Kayak Model.

2006-12-13T19:55:00.000-03:30

A fast, playful boat...and easy to roll.

I was eager to see what Craig of Eastern Island Kayaks would come up with. It's been well over a year now, that he's been promising us a Greenland style kayak. Well he delived...boy, did he ever deliver. So for the first time to the web....here is the Makkovik.

This beautiful little kayak measures 16 feet 7 inches, is 22.5 inches wide and an amazing 12 inches deep. This is the first model made, so future materials will dictate weight....but Craig has a reputation for building strong.

Exquisite lines and finish, with recessed deck fittings and a choice of neoprene/glass hatch covers, or the ever popular Kajak Sport rubber hatches. The attention to detail is obvious. This boat is a beauty to the eye.

One thing I realized as I first viewed this kayak, was how low it's profile was. All good for rolling and especially the wind. But sadly, at 190 pounds, I thought for sure that I'm to heavy for this boat. For any mid to light weight paddlers...and almost all women kayakers, this very well could be one of the best kayaks available today. The women seemed to love it...the guys,?...most of them where about 170lbs or less...Yes, they loved it. Okay, so now the pleasant surprise...even at 190lbs, I actually found it quite good. At 22.5 inches wide, it fit like any other boat. The foot space seemed fine....as for the legs, fit was fine too. However, many of us, both male and female, found the thigh braces to be angled sharply into the legs...but as this is the first model made, Craig can easily correct this. The seat was great for my shape, but he warned us that the present back band was quite simple.

As for shape and performance, please keep in mind that we each only had her for a few minutes in the pool. Still, great to say that we were the first people to ever get the Makkovik wet.

As for my thoughts on the design...with a flare to the bow and v hull, it was actually quite supportive. The centre of gravity seems to be at mid ship. Low back deck for lay back rolls. Just enough rocker to handle any chop and with it's beam, still turn properly on edge. With that said, the Makkovik tracks very straight...so much so, that I would take it without the skeg. It was also a fast boat. Again, these are first impressions...we'll have to wait for spring, or even for the ice on the lakes to melt, for a really full out testing of the metal. On New Years day, it may see the ocean on Alex McGruer's annual sea kayaking on the seas of North America, first of '07..an afternoon outing...If that happens, I'll keep you posted.

Oh,...and as for the name of the kayak....Makkovik is a community about half way up the north coast of Labrador. I have two versions of the spelling....so I'm still waiting an e-mail reply from Craig for correct spelling and his choice of the name. Makkovik sounds good to me. Btw, $3000 or less...

What the?...

2006-12-09T17:09:00.000-03:30

Snowstorm one minute, then out in a dress shirt the next.

Just before I left for up north, I thought we must be having record heat days. It was 18 degrees plus for a few days in the last of November...this is a bit odd...but I wasn't complaining. Once I returned however, the weather was more seasonable...or so I thought. After a mild day earlier the week, we ended the night with a snowstorm that dumped twice as much snow as forecast...but, and get this, we had a lighting storm with it..?? Anyway...the next day I headed out for a much needed paddle...snow everywhere...and the lake water started freezing at the shore edges, as I paddling. All fun...I lasted a few hours, it all felt good. Then the weather turned ugly...rained for two days straight. When it ended yesterday evening, the snow had all melted and the temperature had climbed back up to over 11 degrees...a very, very nice evening...No need for a coat. Okay, so I should have gone for the first skiing of the year before that snow melted. But that's the thing...with the ice forming on the ponds a few days ago...I couldn't risk it. Once those lakes freeze over, it's a couple of hours of kayaking, one night a week, at the pool....I don't know if I'm ready for that yet. I can still hope for some weather this winter that includes some calm ocean days for the winds...but I can't bank on it. The reason the weather is fluctuating like it is...well, that's what we get for being on an island way out in the North Atlantic, where the cold Labrador current and the warm Gulf stream meet...Depending on the systems moving through, you never know what you'll get....Twice this week, we had nearly a 20 degree shift in temperature in 24 hours...twice! Yes, today outside my window the thermometer reads -6c. So while the snow is gone, the jacket and gloves are back on. It's amazing we all don't get flues with this treatment. Winter....maybe best to pickle ones self in alcohol. Ha...

Just Back From Labrador

2006-12-02T18:08:00.000-03:30

Labrador was wonderful. The weather was cold for the most part...and some winds.. but still sunny and nice for this time of the year. The kids were all excited that the ponds had finally froze over last week, so they could partake in the first ice skating of the year. There are only about sixteen hundred residents alone this vast stretch of the southern Labrador coast. The only high and junior high school has a couple of hundred students total. I got to teach a class of photography to most of them, but I had a core group of junior high students from grade seven to nine. With these sixty core students, divided into three groups, we worked together for sometimes two hours per day. After two weeks they produced an art exhibit of sixty photographs, as well as a slide show presentation of over three hundred images. All the images were beautiful and very unique. Bravo to these students.

Nope....still no known kayakers on this part of the coast. This amazes me, but eventually it will change. As for a boat trip to play with the dolphins...to late...everyone had just pulled up their boats for the winter, in anticipation of the shore line freezing soon. Later on, denser ice packs that have formed in the Labrador sea will drift southward, leaving this coast and the straits completely ice bound until spring.

So...a hike was in order. This is a resettled community called Schooner cove...It is a few kilometers outside of L'Anse-au-Loop. Yes, at least a harp seal was awaiting me, sunning itself on the sandy beach. I'd agree with you if you thought these images where taken by Douglas over in Scotland...To my eyes, this part of Labrador does share a striking resemblance to pictures I've seen lately from Scotland. However, I believe that the light is different, as is the architecture.

I would really like to try and get back this way for some kayaking. A trip up Newfoundland's northern peninsula and then across The Striats....maybe this summer....

The Land God Gave to Cain.

2006-11-19T13:09:00.000-03:30

I'm off to the Big Land. Heading to Labrador for a bit. I'll teach students workshops in photography. In the end, they hope to mount an exhibit about their community and present life style. I'm excited to see what they come up with.

I'll be in the southern part, so on a fine day I may be able to look back from this light house at Point Amour and see the northern most tip of my Island. This section of the coast has about a hundred km paved highway...and is only accessible by plane or ship. Strange I should mention this, as I come from an island, so the same can be said of it...even if Newfoundland is the tenth largest island in the world. Communications may be sketchy, as I have no real idea as to my schedule...but I will try to blog once or twice while I'm there. I love all parts of Labrador...as a photographer, it is breathtaking. As a kayaker, it is a place that dreams are made of...If I was a WW kayaker, I'd be in double trouble as you may guess from this scenic of the Pinware river.

I wasn't aware of any residents kayaking on this part of the coast....yet anyway. If this has changed, I'll see about getting out... I'll at least try for a boat trip, to check out the coastline and find some dolphins to hang with.

Sea Kayak Foot Pumps

2006-11-17T00:39:00.000-03:30

This Guzzler 400 foot pump is great. Even at a vertical position, this custom set-up clears twelve inches. I have it bolted forward of, and between the foot rests. As the distributer Harvey Rintoul knows, each kayak is different and everyone may have a preference for the intake position(btw...Harvey has modeled his own Strum Box). Next, where the outlet goes on the kayak hull. I have mine on the deck. Yes,...drilling the hole in the fiberglass hull takes ones breath away...words fail me...but scotch didn't.

Harvey will help you built a custom set up as for your requirements...as he has several models of pumps and all manner of fixings. I found him most patient and extremely helpful. He may be reached at hrintoul@handpumps.com

Sea kayaking is a whole other experience when you can pump out with both hands still on the paddle..

WW Kayaking Photos on the Web

2006-11-11T22:30:00.000-03:30

While I am not a WW kayaker, I do love to watch and photograph these guys in action. I took the above photo in icy waters, at a place called Piper's Hole.

With the progress of media technology that allows for digital imaging, MPEG files and pod-casting, I'm always on the look out for what's new. Here is a link to Jacob Hannah's photo essay on one of the World Cup of Free Style Kayaking competitions held in Watertown, USA. It's of interest for it's quality of photos and editing, but also for it's wonderful use of sound. This short peice is very good stuff...and with a little effort, it's doable by anyone with a camera, sound recorder and computer at their disposal.

Kayak Clothes

2006-11-10T13:00:00.000-03:30

Funny, but people don't laugh that much when they enter my kitchen....okay, just a bit...

Caplin rule the summer...from under the shadow of my kayak.

2006-11-04T19:32:00.000-03:30

As the days become longer and the icy waters begin the long climb up to a reasonable temperature ...something is stirring. With sea birds periodically pitching into the water, and whales blowing off shore and then cruising a beach as if looking for something...well, they are....they know that any day now, the caplin will return.

These tiny 7" fish will school on mass and head into the bays to spawn. They will wait for the tide and the water temperature to be just right. Then they will move...They will spend an evening or two, over a few weeks, riding up onto the beaches and spawn on mass. The waves will be alive with silver flashes of fish as they squirm and wriggle to hold on the beach. They deliver the next generation of food for almost anything larger then they are, in the waters for this part of the world. A wave will come back in and they are gone. When the caplin 'roll in', it is common practice to head for a beach with a small dip net in hand. As for the right water temperature, I've also had fisherman tell me that they believe, if such conditions are right, that the caplin will spawn at the surface of the water if need be. Funny, but for a fish that is so important to this ecosystem, we know very little about it. We know they gather in groups in so many schools, that in would be impossible to count. We know that from early June until mid August, they can come onto bays at various times all along the east coast and around the rest of the island. Usually they only hit a beach once, but some have been known to be revisited weeks later. These schools can range in size from a few cubic meters across, to ten acres. Some years they are early, other years late. Sometimes the fish are large, and other years half the size. Once they leave the bays in the late summer, it is believed they head out for the plankton rich Atlantic waters between here, Greenland and Iceland. But except for the few summer months in our waters, for the rest of the year, we have no real firm idea as to where they actually go, or even if they stay in these large schools.

One thing is for sure...that every whale, dolphin, seal, squid, seabird and cod (almost all fish species) travel to this coast line, and hug it's shores, feeding and gorging itself on these small fish for the better part of the summer months. If it was not for this tiny fish, then the whales, the great seabird colonies and an inshore fishery....would never exist like this.

Blog Project

2006-10-30T19:57:00.000-03:30

Over the next few months, while the weather is most often keeping me off the ocean, I have a plan....I'll write up several posts explaining(and including photographs)of icebergs, caplin, seabirds, dolphins and whales. Some of the many things I find beautiful and mysterious about this wonderful island. It won't be hard to justify why I have always loved this coast...

later....

Resurface

2006-10-26T11:58:00.000-02:30

Like this Dolphin I photographed next to the boat some years ago, I'll resurface soon. I was busy photographing the 17th St. John's Women's International Film Festival. A real treat.

We've had high winds the past few days. So I'll at least try for a nearby lake. Forecast today is for wind gusts of 80km. I must really need to get that paddle in my hand.

Later.

Storm Gathering, balls!

2006-10-18T17:00:00.000-02:30

That may be a bit harsh. It's one thing to wish I was there...but actually...I think they are really, really on to something. Hit the title for this great link. It seems that this first annual UK 'Storm Gathering Sea Symposium' was a great success. It may be an idea that could be very useful to us here in this part of the world. The St. John's area alone holds many of Canada's record annual, snow, rain, wind and fog days. So while the kayak trips are always spectacular, it is also the norm here to have many more days that you can not actually get out, then days you can...but one would always like to narrow that margin. A great idea...and something to aspire to.

The Glide...

2006-10-15T13:12:00.000-02:30

When the water is like massage oil. You slip through it like a gliding touch. Enter the blade at the right angle and it feels like unknown strength. Force the pace for the pure pleasure of the rush and then arch back for the light headed feel of a carving turn...as if you were one...

Printed Maps, Rock.

2006-10-12T22:43:00.000-02:30

"People should not fear their governments, governments should fear their people"...Rejoice in the news....

*CBC today:The Canada Map Office has found its way out of the scrap heap.

The previous Liberal government decided to close the map office, which provides regional dealers with large-scale topographical maps that show details about terrain and elevation. The plan had been to move to digital maps only.

But Natural Resources Minister Gary Lunn announced Wednesday that the Conservative government has yanked that plan off its course, and the map office will remain open.

Kathleen Olson, a spokeswoman for Lunn, said Natural Resources Canada received a flood of letters protesting the planned closure.

"We did start seeing a lot of commotion around the idea of this office closing," Olson said.*CBC today.

For those of us who do not live behind a nice comfy office deck....we realize that the GPS batteries do die...Hence, the term "Catastrophic failure" can be something as simple as a few AA batteries dying. So then, to the old fashion reliable paper back up....we rejoice in the news.

That Time of the Year....

2006-10-11T17:06:00.000-02:30

Yes...Like the young Gannets on Bird Rock at St. Mary's...to jump or not to jump? To pull out the jackets, or wear shirts in denial. To stay slim, or put on a few pounds for warmth and stave off illness? The tan is gone, there's a chill in the air...and the days are too short. But still...it has been a warm and beautiful fall...just don't want to get my ass kicked and realize to late that I've left not turning the home heat on....and then feel chilled until next June.

Damn it!...I'll keep the BBQ going, run in shorts...last as long as I can on this rock...take it to the extreme. Once sick, I'll recover...then eat more hardy, pull out a fire log and add an extra blanket to the bed...HA!

October Skies

2006-10-10T10:41:00.000-02:30

On my way home from a paddle....and fall is definitely in the air. Spent the other day on a tourism commercial. We covered from Ferryland to St. Vincent's on the Avalon's southern shore and south coast. We shot from sunrise to sunset, covered 300km and including travel, worked a 19 hour day. Whew...But as I got a moment to look up from my work and actually take in what we were shooting...sun, blue sky, white puffy clouds, dramatic blue ocean, green roaming hills and tundra, spotted islands,...I could go on...It was beautiful. As interesting as the job was, I ached to be kayaking. A day and a turkey dinner later...I got my wish. These days are to short, as the sun now sets before 6:30...I say take in every minute that you can.

Send Money, Guns and Lawyers...

2006-10-05T19:50:00.000-02:30

Received this forwarded e-mail from my sister, via her Triathlete crowd. Calling ICE may be a very good idea...here's an excerpt.

"A recent article from the Toronto Star, "the ICE idea", In case of Emergency
"(ICE)" is catching on and it is a very simple, yet important method of contact for you or a loved one in case of an
emergency. As cell phones are carried by the majority of the population, all you need to do is program the
number of a contact person or persons and store the name as "ICE". The idea was thought up by a paramedic who found that when they went to the scenes of accidents, there were always mobile phones with patients, but they didn't know which numbers to call. He therefore thought that it would be a good idea if there was a nationally recognized name to file
"next of kin" under. Following a disaster in London....The East Anglican Ambulance Service has launched a national "In case of Emergency "(ICE)"campaign. The idea is that you store the word "ICE " in your mobile phone address book, and with it enter the number of the person you would want to be contacted "In Case of Emergency ". In an emergency situation, Emergency
Services personnel and hospital staff would then be able to quickly contact your next of kin, by simply dialing the number programed under "ICE". Please forward this to everybody in your address book. It won't take too many "forwards" before everybody will know about this. It really could save your life, or put a loved one's mind at rest. For more than one contact name simply enter ICE1, ICE2, ICE3 etc. A great idea that will make a difference."

I realized after, that the area code should be typed into this number...so then the province/state or country is not in question.

Lendal paddles to the US

2006-10-04T12:01:00.000-02:30

Just learned that the ever growing US firm Johnson Outdoors has bought out Scotland's historic Lendal Paddles. Scotland was always proud of Lendal and the quality and craftsmanship of these paddles...let's hope the multi-nationals don't forget this in the name of profit. Don't hold your breath...

Maybe I should buy that back up Nordkapp paddle while it's still in stock. Humm...

Wet...and wetter...

2006-10-01T23:02:00.000-02:30

Optio works under water. As with all things marked waterproof...you never know 'til you try it. Splash bags and cases(?)...no way. If gear is marked waterproof, then I'll get it under water. If that test doesn't work, then good...and it's back to the store with it, no buts.

Soloed out of Aquaforte today. Good to spend the afternoon on the water....Isaac?...the calm before the storm looks like...

"Isaac is moving northward at 18 knots. There is some uncertainty on the amount of interaction that could take place between a trough of low pressure over the martimes and issac on Monday. Our current forecast track brings Isaac into the Laurentian fan Monday morning and crossing the Southeast corner of the Avalon Peninsula in the evening. However...
The forecast track of Isaac could change and mariners are advised to monitor upcoming forecasts very closely."

Rare to see the word "However..." in a forecast. Either way, we get wet with wind driven rain. Never a dull moment.

High and Dry....

2006-09-30T19:44:00.000-02:30

Seems the weather and winds have me high and dry. I'm not out doing what I'm supposed to be doing. Tomorrow looks better. However...I just noticed on the detailed marine forecast, that they can not forecast for this coming week. Isaac is to cross over the Avalon Peninsula.

"Isaac is moving Northwest at 6 knots. Currently it is not clear whether Isaac Will merge with...And consequently further intensify...A low Pressure system which will strengthen off the eastern seaboard on Monday...Or whether it will remain as a separate feature..."

They ask mariners to continue to listen for updates. Yes, only tomorrow looks better ;-)

First Real Hike

2006-09-28T21:52:00.000-02:30

Took my ten year old niece for a hike the other day. Her first time around Signal Hill. It is only ten minutes from my home...and maybe an hour or so to hike. With her camera in hand, she poked, climbed and explored.....we were three hours. Oh' well, she was proud that she lasted more then the hour others thought she should try. How could one doubt her, the kid has so much energy. She took it all in...and had a lot of fun too. Cheers girl.

Refreshing Paddle.

2006-09-26T23:49:00.000-02:30

Paddled in large stuff today. My kayak partner was game for a 'look see'. In the stiff 20-30km SW winds, with wind waves forming from the fetch from the west of Conception bay...we paddled on. Two things about this particular section of coast. One is that it can be shallow, forming higher, curling waves. The other, that it can have deeper cliff sections, leading to refracting and confused seas.

It was sunny and the water as warm as it ever gets here. What a blast. Riding the following sea and laughing in the rodeo style of kayaking. Finally, we had to turn back. The wind was staying stiff, so the sea was not getting any calmer. We had had a 45 minute ride, knowing it was to be at least an hour plus back into this stuff. Still smiling and now laughing, we pushed into it and jumped up over the crests and slide down into the troughs. My partner pushed her ability admirably. She finally got pushed over. A few good attempts at a roll in the rough stuff...but it was not to be. She pulled her skirt as I was arriving by her side. Cold? "...no, the neoprene is doing what it's suppose to, I'm fine". Fun? "...hell ya!"

With in a few minutes she was back in her boat, pumped out, and pumped to do more. We rode the waves some more...as well as tacking to a beam sea and a quartering sea.

Once back on shore an hour or so later...she admitted that her arms were a bit sore, but she confessed that given the conditions, she knew she'd be dumped today. So she pushed it a bit anyway. "What's that they say?...that if I'm not getting wet, I'm not learning. I learned a lot, and it was fun...all good."

I only know two girls these days with this much vigor...I'm happy to say they are both good friends of mine, I respect them dearly, and I'm lucky to paddle with them both.

Tidal Race

2006-09-23T23:21:00.000-02:30

There were three of us: Ian Fong(the eminent Newfoundland sea kayak instructor), myself, and a newer younger, three year veteran of the sport, by the name of John. We paddled Placentia Yesterday. The tides where higher than normal, and John being a local from the area(born and raised, as well being employed as a regional Paramedic)was dying to get out in it....albeit with company. As well as the fact that the tides were higher, we had a stiff onshore SW wind. As good a tidal race with standing/surfing waves as we'll ever see in these parts. By noon, we were playing in the narrow channel below the bridge. We later moved out into the bay as the ebb tide caused the reseeding current to peaked at about 2:30 that afternoon. Amazing...along that kilometer of water, we had thousands of square meters of wave action. It was a blast...I'm new to it, so I learned a lot. Sorry, no camera, no photos. We stripped every thing down(not even a spare paddle....but we each had tow rope on quick release belts)...just some drinking water and a paddle float on deck. I may have had pocketed a tiny digital camera in my PFD next to the mini flares, but I don't have one of those....yet. It was sunny and warm for this time of the year, but I wore the drysuit knowing full well I'd be getting wet today. Later in the afternoon once we were playing in the tidal race, I ended up pitched over several times in a row. I managed to take a breath in between each time, but eventually realized that pulling the spray skirt was wiser. I may need that bit of oxygen for the next activity. Swam for ten minutes or more, until I cleared the tidal race, into calmer water for a re-entry and roll. Fine work, but while I practice all rescues, I'll practice this one even more this winter in the pool...as I now believe it is my solo rescue of choice. Old adage...you're not learning unless you're getting wet. It was all a great experience.

Dry Wall...

2006-09-21T19:52:00.000-02:30

Dry wall plastering has got to be the most distant activity from sea kayaking. But like kayaking, it HAS to be done. I was helping out the folks after two days of Cruise Ship duties. I finally managed to plaster their new(and much needed)downstairs bathroom. Once I finished in the late afternoon, I raced for the lake(ponds as they are called here) on my way home. What a relief...open space and fresh air, as I glided over the water. Then I realized it. I have had a good summer of kayaking on the open ocean, but as for just the simple pleasure of gliding on the ponds for the exercise and to relax...I actually missed this. It should be good until these ponds all freeze up by late December. But while I'll look to get out on the cold north Atlantic as often as the weather will allow, the lakes are another matter. Wind and foul weather has never stopped me from this fresh water activity. I will not take these pond excursions for granted. I'll remind myself that I'll miss it when it's frozen....and then I'll be dreaming of them over the long winter as I wait for them to open up again in May.

Work

2006-09-19T19:51:00.000-02:30

Work this morning saw me with the cruise ship 'Jewel of the Sea'. As a photographer, I was to guide a bus load of visitors on the most scenic outing I could think of. My aim; to show off our culture and spectacular coastline. At the end of the day, they were all still smiling.

This one is not only large, but is one of the most sophisticated cruise ships on the oceans today. With it's modern lines, she looks fast, a long water line, hard chine, little rocker....initial and secondary stability are probably excellent. Really just a large canoe....

All said...I suppose it wouldn't like the surf zone...and driving it up on a beach to get out and walk around wouldn't be good practice...

....I believe I'll stick with my kayak.

There be Pirates there.....

2006-09-18T20:17:00.000-02:30

A rash of kayak thievery this past week. Stolen from back yards and atop roof racks in some very public place. The faithful and diligent kayak community was keeping an eye out for the stolen boats....and yes, believe it or not, one kayak was actually recovered from under the back steps of a strangers house. To see the events as they unfolded this week, check out the Kayak Newfoundland and Labrador message board....nf.paddle google group. Link: http://groups.google.com/group/nf.paddling ..or hit this post's title.

Pillaging and plundering from the high seas...maybe I can understand that, but stealing a man's vessel?...Now that's crossing a line. Walk the plank with him...and feed him to the fishes! Poor bugger....

Chanterelles

2006-09-17T23:13:00.000-02:30

So perfect, so simply...and oh so tasty.Today was a fine trip into the woods. Let's hope the meal is equally appealing.

Change

2006-09-17T09:58:00.000-02:30

Arrived home late yesterday from a long drive to St. Mary's Bay. Winds were dumping large surf onto Point Le Hay beach. Fair and sunny.

The great kayak guru Alex McGruer was at my side, so we pushed into the surf. For the next few k, we played against the oncoming waves. What's that on the horizon?...fog you say. Ha. Let's take a compass bearing on that light house and head back. The wind and sea are increasing too. Surfing and tacking all along the coast until we reached our launch point. Now it's a dumping surf....Let me try first?

Thanks...Smiling and timed it well, high on the beach, but another wave is barrelling down on me. Quick to haul the kayak clear...then flag Alex in(he doesn't need the help, was probably entertained by the whole affair). Once we're both on the beach, we both turned to face the sea....fog, wind and waves...what a difference an hour makes...smiling, devilish boys that didn't get caught with their hands in the cookie jar.

New Blog....Hummm

2006-09-16T12:08:00.000-02:30