Virtual Instruction
Outfit your Kayak with Vessel ID Stickers!
Imagine if you found a kayak floating alone on the water with a paddle and PFD in the cockpit but no paddler in sight. There are a lot of reasons why this could happen: maybe someone is in the water, maybe they are stranded somewhere, or maybe the kayak decided to slip off of its … Continue reading
Lessons on Kayak Fishing
I finally had the opportunity to attend the Annual Kayak Fishing Clinic at Billington Sea Kayak this past weekend after 3 years of schedule conflicts. Charlie Fortier and Wayne Perry, two local kayak fishermen, put on an excellent clinic that covered everything from gear to kayak-fishing strategies. I’m embarrassed to admit that I went many … Continue reading
Tips for the kayak pre-season
It’s that time of the year again, and most of us (especially those who weathered the New England climate this winter) are happy to finally see the first signs of spring. Warm weather and more hours of sunlight only means it’s time to break out the paddling gear and kayak for the season. Here are … Continue reading
Tips and Tricks for Staying Warm in your Sleeping Bag
I’ll always remember my first winter camping trip to Black Pond in the White Mountains of New Hampshire as an enlightening experience! The hike in to Black Pond is only about 3 miles but the snow and ice made it a 1.5 hour trip; a little too long to retreat back to the car alone … Continue reading
North American Odyssey Complete!!!
Congratulations to Dave and Amy Freeman of the Wilderness Classroom on their successful completion of the North American Odyssey on April 4th, 2013! I’ve had the pleasure of flowing this amazing couple as they made their nearly 12000 mile-long adventure “over the river and through the woods” from Bellingham, Washington to Key West, Florida during … Continue reading
Rainwear and Jackets for Sea Kayakers
April showers bring May flowers but what do Mayflowers bring?? Well, if you come from my neck of the woods then the answer is: Pilgrims…but I digress… Spring is in the air and in a lot of places that means a shift in the weather from frozen and snowy to a bit less cold and … Continue reading
Best way to dry your boots
Even the most waterproof boots available in stores today will become saturated with moisture after an extended time in the elements. Whether hiking 25 miles in the humid rain forest or trekking through winter time snow conditions, it is likely, either though excessive exposure or complete submersion, that your boots will end up wet. Without … Continue reading
Rip current safety
“This past Saturday evening, my husband and I went to the beach. We go once a year. We waded out in waist high water and had fun jumping into the waves which were larger than usual. The life guards were flying the yellow flags also. We made sure we stayed away from the nearby fishing … Continue reading
Kayak Storage Tips
So…Have you had a conversation with your kayak this winter? Sure, we all tend to lavish attention, praise and some even a dose of abuse on our plastic and composite friends during the warm and sunny days of the paddling season; but when was the last time you sat down with your kayak to talk … Continue reading
Inflatable life jackets, fad or future?
The first recorded use of personal floatation devices date back to 870 B.C. Historical records indicate that the Assyrian army used inflatable animal skins to cross a mote during the cold, frigid winters. Greenland Intuits, the original pioneers of kayaking, stitched waterproof coverings from sealskin to protect from cold-water immersion. Per records of the … Continue reading