Playak News Flash 2010-12-21

Playak News Flash - December 21, 2010
The world's latest paddling headlines.

News Watch Headlines

Stormy Seas – Hadas on the Mediterranean Sea Kokatat Blog - Last weekend after a long, dry summer and a week following a mega fire that scorched our entire Carmel mountain range, destroying homes and thousands of forest acres, winter finally arrived with a bang to wash it all away.

Tips for a Rope Tow Dagger Blogs - If you don't want to get out of your boat and hike or don't own a jet ski, there's an easy, affordable and relatively effortless way to surf the wave of your dreams. A rope tow is very similar to water skiing or wakeboarding except the rope is permanently fixed to a rock or tree. On the opposite end is a small handle, just wide enough for a single hand. Traditionally, attached to or near the handle is a second length of rope that is used to pull the rope back to shore.

Aventuras in Ecuador Kayak Hot Dogs - A good friend of mine likes to use the expression "Aventuras in Ecuador" to describe the random and totally unexpected experiences a traveler will encounter. For instance, the friend in question, Jim (pronounced "Him") was just hanging out at the local Ecuadorian disco one night and asked a pretty woman to dance, now he lives with her and son in Tena living the relaxed life. Now that is a full on life changing aventura in Ecuador. As Jim would agree, the best adventures happen with you just go with the flow. I write this blog after spending three days at Canoa beach where my only daily plan was to drink coffee at the Surf Shack and then let the adventuras present themselves.

Up and comers Camp!!! Mike Dawson - The first ever 2010 Up and Comers camp was held on the Kaituna River in New Zealand. The camp's goal was to get youngster up and coming kayakers to learn skills ranging from extreme racing to river swimming and kayak safety. The first installment of the camp was limited to 5 charging guys from all over New Zealand who tripped up and across to the Kaituna to participate in the 3 day camp. We began with basic river running skills, before exposing the kids to a range of elements that will breed them into the next generation of world class extreme kayakers.

Stick use spreading gnarlydog - It appears that the stick is stirring emotions among some paddlers. Initially ridiculed as not much good other than to show off with when rolling, a couple of sprint challenges with big Euro bladed local paddlers and a few surfing sessions have really put a damper on the laughter. On the other side of the world the use of the traditional paddles has better acceptance.

London Boat Show - Ice Kayak Practice... River Zoo - So myself and a few of the other GBR team members have been asked to put on a freestyle kayak display at the London Boat Show to be held at the Excel Centre.

Checking In with Coverwater Paddle Surf of Santa Cruz, CA SUP Surf Mag - Covewater Paddle Surf is Northern California's stand up paddle headquarters. Covewater was the first SUP shop on the West Coast of the US north of Santa Barbara, and continues to be the SUP leader in flatwater, surfing and racing in northern & central California. Owners Scott and Leslie Ruble are passionate about stand up paddling and introducing new friends to paddling is their greatest pleasure. Scott spent a decade in the surf industry working for Channel Islands Surfboards and Leslie is a former ski and snowboard instructor who embraced SUP as a new way to enjoy the outdoors.

Sea kayaking from a dear green place SeaKayakPhoto.com - This morning we met at the Newark Castle car park in the upper Firth of Clyde. We than ran a shuttle on the M8 motorway into the heart f Glasgow, the "dear green place".

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