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Kayaking History

World’s Fastest Kayak?? (Video)

Check out this viral paddling video of extreme kayaker Ben Marr hurtling down a drainage ditch in Lions Bay, British Columbia… The video claims that his top speed during the descent was nearly 35mph!!! I can’t imagine that many people have gone faster in a kayak other than during those brief moments of free-fall when … Continue reading »

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The MacMillan Kayak

The MacMillan Kayak. Found in an unspecified Greenland location between 1908 and 1954 by Provincetown native Donald MacMillan, the “MacMillan Kayak” represents a quintessential piece of kayaking history. Built from only organic materials, the MacMillan kayak measures in at over 17 feet in length but barely surpasses a 19 inch beam. Although Admiral MacMillan made … Continue reading »

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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 »

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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 »

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The World’s Longest Kayak!!!

L.L Bean and Point65 Kayaks recently teamed up to build the world’s longest kayak in celebration of L.L Bean’s 100th Anniversary! The 100-person kayak stretched over 400ft long. It was constructed by combining 100 mid-sections of the modular Point65 Tequila Tandem sit-on-top. The event attracted paddlers from first-timers to seasoned veterans who somehow were able … Continue reading »

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Most Epic Sea Kayaking Adventures #10: North American Odyssey

So it’s an epic adventure you’re looking for, huh?? Well, try this one on for size: 3-years to travel 11700 miles over the river and through the woods from Bellingham, WA to grandma’s house in Key West, FL…via the Arctic Circle. Substitute planes, trains, and automobiles for kayaks, canoes, and dog sleds. Oh, and lets’ … Continue reading »

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Most Epic Sea Kayaking Adventures of All Time

I’ve recently found myself immersed in a pile of kayaking adventure stories that have been burning a hole in my bookshelf for quite some time. The titles include “Fearless: One Woman, One Kayak, One Continent” by Joe Glickman which chronicles Freya Hoffmeister’s 2009 circumnavigation of Australia and “Crossing the Ditch” by James Castrission which takes … Continue reading »

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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 »

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A Kayaker’s Take on Outside Magazine’s “Most Influential Gear Ever” List

Outside Magazine recently completed an excellent project on their website that highlights what they believe to be the “Most Influential Gear Ever.” The slide show takes you on a journey through history to better appreciate when, where, how, and why some of our most revered outdoor recreation gear came to be. I feel that the … Continue reading »

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Most Decorated Olympic Flatwater Kayakers

The recent London 2012 Olympics left us with a lot to be amazed about. From Michael Phelps’ record 22 medals to Usain Bolt’s epic triple gold repeat in the sprints to Mo Farah’s unbelievable distance double gold against a stacked field to the many flavors of gymnastics tears these Olympics certainly inspired a generation! With … Continue reading »

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