Playak News Flash 2011-02-16

Playak News Flash - February 16, 2011
The world's latest paddling headlines.

News Watch Headlines

Kayak length, speed and stability: observations gnarlydog - Don't get too hung up on length and speed. Because, as you say, all other things aren't equal here. Longer hull at the same beam and hull shape also means increased wetted surface and more drag. It also requires more materials to build, so its heavier and that takes more energy to accelerate. Even ignoring that, the relationship between hull speed and length is proportional to the square root of the waterline length not the actual waterline length.

Down in the Ditch Mt. Hood H2O - It's been 3 months since I last took any strokes in my kayak. After a fun fall boating season and after my Oregon Ducks finished up their season of home games in Eugene, I loaded the car and made the long move out to Colorado for the winter. Don't get me wrong. The skiing in CO is second to none and I have taken full advantage of the amazing snow we've been getting in summit county, but it is not without sacrifice. I desperately miss the creeks and rivers of the PNW.

Feb 5Th; The Bluff, 90 mile beach NZ Kayak Down Under NZ 2010-11 - Picked up Mat at 2pm, hit the road north, the day ended up being hot and beautiful. The subtropical summer heat of northland beat down on us as we drove north through farmland and native forest covered hills. The tar in the road was melting, and the sky was a stunning blue with fluffy white clouds, truly a day of a typical northern NZ summer.

Kayak to a Hot Springs, a Paddler's Dream Suite101 - I hiked along the cedar boardwalk built to protect the dank carpet of growth only known in rainforests. Bracket fungi cling to tree trunks, shaded by Old Man's Beard draped from every branch. In here, the senses are overwhelmed by the accompanying aromatherapy that comes with hiking through deep woods. The acrid smell of raw eggs wrapped in gym socks left to bake in the summer sun serves as the signpost signaling arrival at ultimate comfort in the great outdoors. You are at the end of the trail, at Vancouver Island's Hot Springs Cove.

Kayaking year round in Ontario A whole bunch of Ing's - Today was the milestone I had been shooting for this year. The completion of 12 months of kayaking in Ontario's freshwater lakes. With minus 20 being the median temp over most of January, I didn't expect much paddling in February; and was slightly worried I wouldn't reach my goal. With some water open in the fast moving current at Petawawa point; I sat in my car drinking my coffee to try and make my lungs feel a little better.

Sea Kayak - Feb Training Adventurous Experiences - The Discover group used the sheltered inner bay to practice manoeuvring and experiment with balence and control. Conditions further out were ideal for small groups of the Improver's and Improver plus students, to venture in on small forays, then returning to the shelter before pushing out further the next trip.

Snow Kayak-X race Rocks & Water - Although weather in Czech Republic was absolutely unpredictable last days, we were able to organize combinated race in the cooperation with Ski Bizu. Race consisted of three separated races – Ski Cross, Boarder Cross and Kayak Cross. Whole event took place in the Jizerske Hory, Severak ski center area close to the Arnika. Racing course was created by using two snow plows and big amount of shovels. Big up to everybody who gave us a hand!

The 2011 Downwind Dash SUP HQ - Saturday 12th February provided perfect conditions 25knot tail winds from the South set the scene for a hardcore SUP challenge. An eleven man and woman invitational fleet set out 30 mins before the main event on the 12km grueling paddle estimated paddle time was predicted at 1 hr 45 min.

Winter Kayaking in Idaho! Jackson Kayak - My home state of Idaho is unlike many other states. In the winter months, most paddlers hibernate as options are limited. Winter precipitation rarely does anything to the low flows of our rivers here. Most paddlers just wait for the month of May to begin their season as that's usually when reservoirs begin releasing and snowmelt really picks up. But for a few of the die hard paddlers, once the sun peaks it's head out and the ice bridges melt, it's time to go kayaking!

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