This is really cool! It shows capsizes, rescues, a failed roll or two ... I can relate to that!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MGvoLrADm_s
Enjoy!
Thursday, December 19, 2013
Thursday, December 12, 2013
Frozen Out
Winter is here. For the next six days it will be minus double digits Celsius.
The lakes were frozen days ago and this cold spell will freeze the rivers as well.
Still it was a good first kayak season for me.
I was able to average 10 times on the water per month. My last time on the lake was November 17. Life has been good and busy as usual.
I achieved my goal ... I successfully rolled the kayak ... twice!
My research enabled me to find a practice routine that works. The routine is the paddle float technique. It requires attaching the paddle float to the paddle and practicing the "hip flip". Paying special attention to not raise the head while executing the move.
So now I will concentrate on a camping trip or two over the winter. If I can do two trips I will be happy. Of course, Frontenac Provincial Park is must. Maybe Mew Lake at Algonquin Park. Mew Lake is car camping or yurt camping. Frontenac is hiking in ... no car camping unless you walk at least a mile and a half back to the car.
My winter camping at Kingsford Lake taught me well: after dark, stay put.
Of course if there is a group of you, that makes a difference. The problem is finding people with the desire, experience and equipment to camp in sub zero weather. I think I will try out the winter sleeping bag in the car first, this week. In the parking lot.
It is going to be minus 18 or thereabouts for the next week or so. A good time to check it out.
The thing about Frontenac is that both times I camped there in the winter, the park belonged to me and the coyotes and the Canada Goose. I was the only human in the 14,000 acre piece of heaven.
To be precise, at the time I had a wonderful girlfriend so I wasn't entirely alone.
The similarity between camping by yourself and kayaking is this: Risk Management & Planning.
My three night kayak camping trip to Doe Lake this past summer was the first time I had ever camped alone. It was the first time I had kayaked alone as well, because it was only the second time in my life I had kayaked. On the way home from Doe Lake I had a three hour kayaking adventure on Devils Lake.
Solo kayaking, from a safety standpoint is not ideal but it takes time to find and establish a kayak community. It takes time to get involved.
I accomplished some important skills in four months. Especially the rescues. That was the bulk of my time on the water. Even though it was solo, it was very productive as far as self rescue is concerned.
I gained experience. The most valuable lesson I learned on my kayak camping trip is this: things will go wrong. Events will occur that will demand good judgement. There will be significant challenges.
I loved every second of it.
So kayaking is on hold until the thaw. Hopefully I will establish some contacts.
The lakes were frozen days ago and this cold spell will freeze the rivers as well.
Still it was a good first kayak season for me.
I was able to average 10 times on the water per month. My last time on the lake was November 17. Life has been good and busy as usual.
I achieved my goal ... I successfully rolled the kayak ... twice!
My research enabled me to find a practice routine that works. The routine is the paddle float technique. It requires attaching the paddle float to the paddle and practicing the "hip flip". Paying special attention to not raise the head while executing the move.
So now I will concentrate on a camping trip or two over the winter. If I can do two trips I will be happy. Of course, Frontenac Provincial Park is must. Maybe Mew Lake at Algonquin Park. Mew Lake is car camping or yurt camping. Frontenac is hiking in ... no car camping unless you walk at least a mile and a half back to the car.
My winter camping at Kingsford Lake taught me well: after dark, stay put.
Of course if there is a group of you, that makes a difference. The problem is finding people with the desire, experience and equipment to camp in sub zero weather. I think I will try out the winter sleeping bag in the car first, this week. In the parking lot.
It is going to be minus 18 or thereabouts for the next week or so. A good time to check it out.
The thing about Frontenac is that both times I camped there in the winter, the park belonged to me and the coyotes and the Canada Goose. I was the only human in the 14,000 acre piece of heaven.
To be precise, at the time I had a wonderful girlfriend so I wasn't entirely alone.
My three night kayak camping trip to Doe Lake this past summer was the first time I had ever camped alone. It was the first time I had kayaked alone as well, because it was only the second time in my life I had kayaked. On the way home from Doe Lake I had a three hour kayaking adventure on Devils Lake.
Solo kayaking, from a safety standpoint is not ideal but it takes time to find and establish a kayak community. It takes time to get involved.
I accomplished some important skills in four months. Especially the rescues. That was the bulk of my time on the water. Even though it was solo, it was very productive as far as self rescue is concerned.
I gained experience. The most valuable lesson I learned on my kayak camping trip is this: things will go wrong. Events will occur that will demand good judgement. There will be significant challenges.
I loved every second of it.
So kayaking is on hold until the thaw. Hopefully I will establish some contacts.
Saturday, November 30, 2013
Ice On The Water
The cold weather has arrived!
Last night's low was -22, and the night before -26. Celsius that is.
So yes. At those low temperature's the lake freezes.
I am hoping for a warm spell soon. If these temperatures continue the ice will be too thick for a warm spell to thaw.
Lake Ontario is still open. It is one matter to solo on the Rideau Lakes. It is an entirely different proposition to solo on the big water of Lake Ontario.
Sea Kayaking by John Dowd is still going to take a little longer to arrive.
No news on the men missing in the Bay of Quinte.
Off to London at the end of the week for a holiday visit with my babies.
Last night's low was -22, and the night before -26. Celsius that is.
So yes. At those low temperature's the lake freezes.
I am hoping for a warm spell soon. If these temperatures continue the ice will be too thick for a warm spell to thaw.
Lake Ontario is still open. It is one matter to solo on the Rideau Lakes. It is an entirely different proposition to solo on the big water of Lake Ontario.
Sea Kayaking by John Dowd is still going to take a little longer to arrive.
No news on the men missing in the Bay of Quinte.
Off to London at the end of the week for a holiday visit with my babies.
Monday, November 25, 2013
Marine Museum of the Great Lakes
This past Friday, November 22nd I paid a visit to the Marine Museum of the Great Lakes.
click here
You probably already know if you would like it here. I knew I would like it too ... but I enjoyed it very much once I got there and saw some of the exhibits!
I didn't visit for as long as I should have, but this was a reconnaissance trip to check it out.
It is very much on the list of things to do for next season. After this week visits are by appointment only.
It is very cold these past few days. It will mild up for a day or two, but then it will cool off a bit.
Still I am feeling rather adventurous and I would like to get my 40th water event under my hull! Lol!
Off for walk.
Enjoy the day!
click here
You probably already know if you would like it here. I knew I would like it too ... but I enjoyed it very much once I got there and saw some of the exhibits!
I didn't visit for as long as I should have, but this was a reconnaissance trip to check it out.
It is very much on the list of things to do for next season. After this week visits are by appointment only.
It is very cold these past few days. It will mild up for a day or two, but then it will cool off a bit.
Still I am feeling rather adventurous and I would like to get my 40th water event under my hull! Lol!
Off for walk.
Enjoy the day!
Thursday, November 21, 2013
This Is Not The Pond I Paddle In!
This is a little different from what I do ...
Actually it's a lot different from what I do!!!
click Here
Wow!
Actually it's a lot different from what I do!!!
click Here
Wow!
Kayak Dreams-Kayak Thoughts
The sky is clear and the sun is slowly rising.
It is -5C, feels like -9C here in Perth in eastern Ontario.
The flags are moving very little if at all.
I think I'll go for a paddle. I am well rested. I will eat appropriately.
I will think of my paddle plan.
The Bay of Quinte is beautiful. Belleville, Ontario is an incredibly beautiful place because of it.
I would love to paddle the Bay of Quinte and Lake Ontario in this area ... Prince Edward County.
Two men went out onto the Bay the day before last and failed to return as planned before 2200 that night.
SAR at nearby 8 Wing, CFB Trenton searched through out the night after being notified by the float plan contact.
The search is now being conducted by the OPP (Ontario Provincial Police) detachment in that area.
The men went out in an aluminum boat. I have been listening to the CBC Ottawa this morning but no mention of this situation.
As a sole paddler risk management is always a concern.
As a sole paddler I abide by survival principles and ... there are some I don't abide by.
For the principles I adhere to I commend myself.
For the one's I don't adhere to I excuse my behaviour, to my detriment, no doubt.
So this news story about these two has struck a nerve. The angel on my right shoulder is quietly being heard loud and clear over the din from the devil on my other shoulder.
There is a very important lesson in this story for me and I need to hear it.
I need to listen. And to think. And do the right thing.
I so badly want these guys to be okay.
It could happen to me.
It is -5C, feels like -9C here in Perth in eastern Ontario.
The flags are moving very little if at all.
I think I'll go for a paddle. I am well rested. I will eat appropriately.
I will think of my paddle plan.
The Bay of Quinte is beautiful. Belleville, Ontario is an incredibly beautiful place because of it.
I would love to paddle the Bay of Quinte and Lake Ontario in this area ... Prince Edward County.
Two men went out onto the Bay the day before last and failed to return as planned before 2200 that night.
SAR at nearby 8 Wing, CFB Trenton searched through out the night after being notified by the float plan contact.
The search is now being conducted by the OPP (Ontario Provincial Police) detachment in that area.
The men went out in an aluminum boat. I have been listening to the CBC Ottawa this morning but no mention of this situation.
As a sole paddler risk management is always a concern.
As a sole paddler I abide by survival principles and ... there are some I don't abide by.
For the principles I adhere to I commend myself.
For the one's I don't adhere to I excuse my behaviour, to my detriment, no doubt.
So this news story about these two has struck a nerve. The angel on my right shoulder is quietly being heard loud and clear over the din from the devil on my other shoulder.
There is a very important lesson in this story for me and I need to hear it.
I need to listen. And to think. And do the right thing.
I so badly want these guys to be okay.
It could happen to me.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)