Monthly Archives: October 2012
The Early History of Plastic Kayaks
The introduction of plastics to kayak design and manufacturing was a catalyst that helped take our sport from a quiet niche to the buzzing main stream. The roots of plastic’s inception in the kayaking world can be traced back to the surge in the popularity of whitewater kayaking in the early 1970s. Designers (often paddlers … Continue reading
Photo of the Week: River Otter Takes a Nap
I stopped by the Blue Hills Trailside Museum in Milton, MA on my way home from work the other day. I was hoping to climb to the top of “Big Blue” to get some shots of the fall foliage for the digital photography club that Alex and I belong to. As the image above would … Continue reading
The Slocum Challenge Chapter #3
Chapter 3: “To Plop or not to Plop…that is the question” The 7th Annual Slocum Regatta Challenge was held on Saturday October 6, 2012. The sunny morning became an increasingly windy day as it progressed towards its noontime finish. After expending a great deal of energy in my late morning race, my cohort of paddlers … Continue reading
Duct Tape Kayak Surpasses 2012 Fundraising Goal!
The Duct Tape Kayak team is proud to announce that we have surpassed our fundraising goal for the 2012 season! We were able to raise a grand total of $1025.00 thanks to the very generous donations made by our many supporters! All of these proceeds have been donated to Stand Up 2 Cancer, a grassroots … Continue reading
Wilderness Systems Aspire 100 Review
The Deets Material: Polyethylene Class: Recreational Length: 10’ Width: 27.5” Weight: 44 lbs Cockpit Size: 49 x 22.25 inches Capacity: 300 lbs Hatches/Bulkheads: Stern Only Rudder/Skeg: Skeg (rope operated) MSRP: $699 Review Finally! A company has released a recreational kayak that is designed for… get this… smaller people! Traditionally, recreational kayaks are built with exceptional volume and beam width to create … Continue reading
Seattle Sports Super Deluxe Bilge Pump Review
For the most part, a kayak bilge pump is a simple sort of thing: just pull on the handle and water comes out! We bring it along for that “just in case” scenario: an untimely, missed roll that lands us in the drink and the drink is in our cockpit. It’s times like these when … Continue reading
Paddling.net Launch Map
Here’s a great map of kayak and canoe launches compiled by our friends at Paddling.net: Map courtesy of Paddling.net
Bending Branches Navigator Wood Paddle Review
The Deets Model: Navigator/Journey hybrid (see addendum) Blade Size: 6.2″ x 20.1″ (96 sq in) Shaft Type: Satin T-700 Carbon Lengths Available: 210 cm, 220 cm, 230 cm, 240 cm Weight: 28 oz Drip Rings: Black – Heavy Duty Ferrule Angles: 0º & 60º – Left or Right Shaft Size: Standard First Impression The Navigator by Bending Branches is … Continue reading
Photo of the Week: These Old Buoys
If these old buoys could tell their tale of a hundred trips tossed over the rail of hanging on in the oceans cold to mark the catch the lobsterman sold… If these old buoys could paint the sea I’m sure our perspectives would agree We’d paint the scene with colors bold in the way our … Continue reading
How to Dress Appropriately for Cold Water Paddling
Just because the swim-trunks and bikinis have been tucked away for the rest of the year doesn’t mean that the paddling season has to end! Autumn, especially in New England, can be one of the best seasons for paddling. The exodus of vacationers leaves the waters quiet and the changing foliage provides views straight from … Continue reading