Ken C

Having just ordered some hatch covers i noticed what i consider the final injustice!!! At first I thought I had misread! But sadly NO! It's official, there is no more justice in the Kayak world!!! The Anas Acuta is now available with a Keyhole Cockpit First the Pintail, and now this!! It must be my age

I wanted to thank everyone for their suggestions/treatments and experiences. Im experimenting today with several things but the ears look ok! As far as Mr. Godfrey's suggestion to Bowling, well sir, Naaaaa!!!! The day i give it up is the day they pull my dead body out of my nice snug ocean cockpit! Cheers All, Ken

Ive been paddling a long time, rolling and goofing around in the water a long time too. Recently ive run into a new problem with Dizziness after rolling and wanted to throw it out and see if anyone can offer some help or insight! About a month ago was the first time i experienced this. We were goofing around in the local lake, and after about my 3rd or 4th roll (not close together) i came up and had that "Hickup" like feeling that i was going to vomit. A deep breath prevented that but the Nausea was still there. I just paddled a bit and watched others for a while, dropped down to a balance brace and on my recovery, same problem. That day i passed it off on cold water as it was quite cold. Yesterday we had a skill session and after rolling a bit, the same problem!!! Took quite a while before i could get rid of the feeling. I do have some minor alergies and wondered maybe sinus bit i am not so sure. Im thinking a visit to my ENT may be in order only because i've NEVER had this in all the years ive been paddling. And damn, i cannot imagine not being able to goof around unside down!!! Any one else run into this or have any insight? Happy Paddling... Ken

My wife and I were the ones that stopped by as you were gearing up to head out! We just finished a beach walk. My Anas was back at the Inn we stay at. You 2 seemed in a hurry to get off so didn't spend much time chatting, i should have asked if you were NSPN people. I play that area frequently when were in "that area" either on business or pleasure! Nice spot. I played in it Sunday and the conditions were even better on the mid day tide!! Still alive and kickin....

Doug, I did not take a temperature reading, but i was Solo and this time of year i'm pretty much in my Drisuit up there anyway. I cruised down past Bald Head one day, then stopped in perkins and met the wife for lunch on the way back. The owner of the inn we stay at has a boat in perkins and was kind enough to let me tie my boat. The second day i just plain had fun in the inlet. Lots of onlookers on the Marginal Way, most i'm sure amused at this little boat weaving in and about the rocks. Sir Godfrey would have loved this area. All in all great paddling. But not worth the be-heading i'll now suffer at Doug's hands ! Cheers, Ken

Its been a year of scarce visits to Salt Water for me, but this past week a combination of Business and Pleasure brought me to Ogunquit. And i must say i found a sweet little spot for a few hours of play for the last 3 hours of the flood. The place.... Launch from the footbridge beach parking area and head south out the Ogunquit River. Nice little warm up paddle that takes you to the bridge at the tip of the Footbridge Beach inlet of the river. Once you have the bridge in sight your face will light up with a smile!!! The Whole area reminds me of Pavillion in Ipswich and the Cranes area. A lot of water moving in over a shallow gradual inlet. The days i was there surf at footbridge was only around 2' but the inlet was a blast!!! There were a few boarders out there but there was plenty of room to share. I'm not sure its worth a special trip to the area. But if you find yourself in that neck of the woods with a few hours to kill, and the tides are right, i think you'll enjoy it. Ken C

A possible review of the "paddlers box" ! A shoulder discocate waiting to happen!

Karen, We'll most likely just do an Outfitter Hike, Bike, kayak deal one day, maybe 2 on St John. My wife, son and daughter in law are more comfy with that. They do not have much paddling experience so a guided trip will let them enjoy instead of wondering what hell i might lead them into I think that with some snorkeling, sailing, poking agound, and beach vegging will round thnigs out. Thanks again all...

Oddly enough Carl and Karen, a daytrip or 2 to St John was in the plans. I'm trying to keep things simple and do it as a group thing so may just do one of the Eco type outings. The Hike, Dive, Kayak, seemed to get a thumbs up. I guess i can suck it up and be a tourist for a day! Christopher, i promise i will NOT do anything to contribute to the coral problem. Thanks again all... K

Rob, Contact some of the dealers that sell Racing Shells (Sculls) this time of year those guys are all over the place. Evergreen Rowing in the Pacwest is a large dealer and may be able to help as the makers on the west coast are transporting stuff out this way now and will be glad to have something to take back. Ken

Hey Rick, LOL!! Yup My son got married last year, and this year my daughter is out of my wallet, er, eh, opps, i mean getting married. Should be a nice time. Thanks so much for the local info. Were at Saphire Beach Resort and i've already been to the local dive shop and geared up with a good fitting mask, fins etc to bring down. That was pretty much my fall back plan. Coki is right up the road and Bolongo down the road a bit. Been a long time since i've been there but will definately look up your suggestions. The wife found a hike, kayak and snorkel in Cass Cay as part of an Eco Tour Group so we'll see, sounds like it may be fun. She revoked my guide license years ago when i took her up Beehive on Mt Desert. Since then my adventures receive a suspicious eye :-), ie she don't trust me ! LOL, Yea i learned my lesson about where and where NOT to travel on my last visit there many years ago. I had rented a motorcycle to tour the island on my own. LOL Opps, talk about an errie feeling finding myself where i really should not have been! Thanks again Rick..

I'll be in St Thomas early May for my daughters wedding and am wondering if anyone has any info on decent rentals there. I've started googling and seem to find only the typical tourist garbage. You know guided tours on sit on tops... If anyone has any knowledge of a local shop in that area i would really appreciate a heads up. I'm just looking to get out for an afternoon or 2 if there is a shop in the area. Thank You, Ken

I saw this rescue someplace last season. We played with it a bit at a few "Pond Sessions" last summer. My observations... #1 was potential boat and spray skirt damage. Not as bad on the skirt on my ocean cockpit but it requires care. I found less experienced paddlers had a real hard time with it. The less rescue experience the harder time they had. For those standatd T worked better. You'll notice the aft deck of the swimmers boat is tidy and clean. Those that carried excess gear on deck had a real hard time moving up the ladder so to speak. Paddle blades getting in the way, pumps etc. I only carry my spare paddle on the aft deck and was able to do the move. Add a pump and it woudl be a real pain. Also, i'm not a fan of ruddered boats, but i think you'd donate blood if attempted on a ruddered boat. It might have its place. For me, being of shorter stature, i found it hard to stabalize the boat with larger paddlers and find a fast T just as effective for me. And yea, i had to chuckle with Mr. Leonad's concens about boat damage !! Ahh i guess with age comes wisdom eh John... Ice is almost out here.... Ken

QUOTE(B @ Mar 4 2009, 11:22 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Press Release Boston Bob Burnett joins the Kayak Academy Knowing that this amazing sea kayak teacher's experience and philosophy of "Combat Kayaking" would fit in well with ours, we asked Bob to join us in the middle of last summer to teach tidal rapids and surf for George Gronseth (Deep Trouble) at The Kayak Academy in Seattle. This year he will be working full time teaching and leading Tidal Rapids at Deception Pass and Surf Survival, as well as programs new to the Kayak Academy. This year he will be teaching a 5 day San Juan Islands Expeditions classes for paddlers proficient with basic strokes and are fairly paddling fit for 15 mile days in loaded boats. The focus will be on building SOLO expedition skills in a dynamic environment of wind, 3-4 knot currents with plenty of tidal rips. Although the San Juan Islands are not as remote as the Kayak Academy's Open Coast trip in Sitka AK, they offer some of the most challenging paddling in currents and beautiful scenery in the Northwest. We have also added more Tidal Rapids classes as a follow up to our 5 day training class for those that are ready for learning to handle currents of 6+ knots in our famous Deception Pass. Bob is also leading and teaching one of the more challenging trips that a sea kayaker can do in the Northwest. The Famous "Cattle Pass" trip from Anacortes to Friday Harbor in the San Juan Islands. This one day journey of 23 nm will take you south across busy Rosario Straits on a 3+ knot, sometimes wind opposed, current and then through the famous boat eating Cattle Pass with currents running 4-5 knots with all it's standing waves and kayak sized whirlpools on the way to our take out. You just never know what you'll get for conditions on this challenging journey. Bob will be doing what he does best, pushing you to the limits and beyond, challenging you every step of the way, building new skills around every corner. Also, being the worlds largest and most experienced retailer of Kokatat Drysuits in the world, you may also even hear Bob's voice on the other end if you call us to register for classes. Please watch for our NEW website and on-line store coming soon at WWW.KayakAcademy.com Good on Ya Bob!!!!!

I saw the documentary some time back. Yes found it sad and interesting. But come on folks... Were taking about spending 30 days in a Kayak in an unforgiving body of water. NOT a journey even close to typical of our membership. There indeed is a reason the word "extreme" is used to describe these undertakings where all bets are off. And anyone that does them knows full well that there may likely not be a return. To start the woulda, coulda, shoulda's, on this one has me shaking my head if for no other reason than respect! Just my 2 cents.. Ken Hatches battened!