Playak News Flash 2011-03-07

Playak News Flash - March 7, 2011
The world's latest paddling headlines.

News Watch Headlines

Stream Guide Mt. Hood H2O - I've gotten on a few more streams this season so thought I would get an update on here.  I like how Pete and Nate put links for the runs on their lists, so I plan to as well at some point to serve as a bit of a guide.  I guess my new goal will be 150, maybe by the time 2012 rolls around.

Coosa Mods Jackson Kayak - Generally I like to keep my add-ons to a minimum (simple is better, IMO). However, there are a few modifications that I have made to my Coosa that make it more suited to my style of fishing. The anchor system is probably the most significant. Since I fish a lot of  rivers in the coastal plain with clean sandy bottoms and steady current, I use a lot more drag chain than most people. Typically it is a 40″ length of 3/8″ logging chain doubled over. The bulk of this setup caused a clearance problem with the rear grab handle on my Coosa, so the idea was to create a little more room there.  To do this I removed the factory installed screws and replaced them with some 2″ stainless machine screws...

Solo mission in Nepal - Buri Kandaki Teva Blog - After our swiss expedition on the upper Arun river, my friends went back home to cold Switzerland, but my trip in Nepal wasn't finished yet. I had ten days left in Nepal and decided to go for a solo mission. Thuli Bheri seams to be one of the best multi-day trips on the planet.

Super-hole days and the "TIA" moments in between Jackson Kayak - We are staying at the Black Lantern – the high-brow resort behind NRE that features an amazing view of the river as well as the pool we shot our 2005 playboating videos in. It's quite 'posh' by African standards, and we are certainly appreciating the excellent food, quiet nights, and easy access to internet and the NRE bar for entertainment.

Lynn Creek at a High 28 Adam Frey - I ended up having a free Monday off from work a couple weeks back as my friend from the island didn't come out, so naturally after a weekend full of Chilliwack canyon runs with some very good boaters I was eager to hit something not on my home turf.

Free Kayak Fishing Clinic Jason Self - Kayak Angler - I will be giving a free clinic on "Saltwater Fishing and Crabbing from a Sea Kayak", Monday March 7th, at Alder Creek Kayak & Canoe from 7-8:30pm. We will discuss simple and inexpensive methods for catching fish and crab to supplement your fresh food intake on multi-day kayak trips. Hand line fishing & jigging is the focus. The Alder Creek shop is located at 200 NE Tomahawk Isl. Dr. in Portland, OR. Check out the Alder Creek website for directions, or give us a call at 503-285-0464 if you need additional information.

Greenland Paddling Clinics, Sat, July 10, 2010, Gananoque, Ontario BaffinPaddler - Ottawa paddlers and instructors, Alfred Cheung and Tom Gartley teamed up to teach Greenland paddling techniques and rolling, Saturday July 10 at 1000 Islands Kayaking Company 's Paddlefest 2010, in Gananoque, at picture perfect Joel Stone Beach. Ottawa paddlers and instructors, Alfred Cheung and Tom Gartley teamed up to teach Greenland paddling techniques and rolling. A variety of Greenland paddles were on hand for participants to try and experience first-hand.

leftovers homemade kayaks - There is always something left over after making a Greenland paddle. If you start out with a 2x4 at some stage you have to cut out the paddle shape leaving you with 2 offcuts, then your carve the paddle leaving lots of cedar wood shavings. After a paddle day making 8 or 10 paddles ...

Valley Etain - our first look AS Watersports - We got our first glimpse of the new Valley Etain sea kayak this morning. The Etain is bit of a change from the norm for Valley sea kayaks, they have gone from a 'Fish form' hull with the wide point in front of the paddler to a 'Swede form' hull with the wide point behind the paddler.

A Rescue In Rockaway Sebago Canoe Club - I checked in with Viv, and she gave permission to post the email she'd sent around to the club once she'd gotten the story. It ended up being written up for the paper by another reporter there, and I've added that at the end, but I like Viv's writeup - good to have a kayaker's take on the story!

Almost Done NC Paddle Surfer - Filled and sanded. The difference between what you see here and what Starboard is doing with their carbon construction, is the thickness of the fill coat. In a production environment you need to apply the filler coat thicker, so the entire board can be finished by power sanding. Since my labor is free and weight is everything, my fill coat is extra thin and requires a lot of hand sanding in addition to some power sanding to avoid sanding through into the weave. Tricky, but worth the hassle to save every ounce of weight. Adding paint could be shooting myself in the foot compared to the way Starboard does it without paint. But it works for me.

Days 5 Fade to Grey West Coast Kayak Challenge - My original plan was to leave Gigha by heading to the North end of the Island and then doing a crossing to the Knapdale coast. Friday morning was grey and still. The visibility was down to about 3km. Not exactly a pea souper but when you can't see where the sky finishes and the sea star...

Exclusive interview with 24-hour River Dart Whitewater Kayaker Richard Brooks Canoe & Kayak UK - The Canoe & Kayak UK Team catch up with Richard Brooks at the end of his gruelling 24-hour non-stop whitewater kayak challenge in the River Dart. Whitewater kyaker Richard Brooks explains the challenges hew face during his 24-Hour paddle on the Upper Dart and the reasons behind the event.

Cape Broyle in winter Tony Paradise - Clyde the icebreaker The plan Saturday was to paddle from Cape Broyle to Brigus South. We were going to put in at the slipway at Cape Broyle because our normal access was not cleared of snow. When we got there I was dismayed ... ice for about 250 metres before there was clear water. I followed Clyde, in his plastic boat, to open water through the channel he broke. We're such babies with fibreglass boats aren't we?

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Today's News Editor(s): JeanT, bartw, adrianshanahan.