Another Downwind Adventure in Cape Town ~ Costa Rica 2016

Playak News Flash - January 24, 2016
The world's latest paddling headlines.

News Watch Headlines Another Downwind Adventure in Cape Town SUPracer - In case you needed any reminder that Cape Town is an all-time downwind hot-spot, check out this macking clip from last week. Cape Town is famous for its windy conditions, but this looked like a particularly good day, with winds gusting up to 35 knots. Desert Isles Spearfishing in Remote Baja SUP Magazine - We sit on our boards off a chain of lonely islands in El Bahia de Los Angeles, looking back at the mainland of central Baja, three miles distant. The wind blows across the Sea of Cortez, hot and thick with humidity from a hurricane many miles away. We'd paddled against this wind on the way out here this morning and now it is our friend, and will send us back. Costa Rica 2016 Robert Payne - Despite the changes I have to say it was nice not being so gripped on treacherous roads, although you still have to get your Costa on. I also have a fond memory of turning in to a decent size city for Costa Rica and being presented with a large bloated dead dog being picked apart by 6 or so vultures – now there is culture kids. Bart De Zwart and Franz Orsi'S Round The World Sup Odyssey SUPracer - If you only watch one short film about a round the world paddling odyssey today, make it this one. Last year, endurance race champion Bart de Zwart and photographer Franz Orsi took off on a rather incredible journey. Dirty First Aid Series – Part I unsponsored - We all love to kayak, sure. It has some things we love and some we hate. First Aid often becomes the elephant in the room.When was the last time you or your peers did a course or a workshop? Do you keep 'up to speed' on developments? In this series I am pleased to offer a 'dirty' First Aid approach. This is suited to kayakers and river users. Sage Donnelly 2015 Year End Review Jackson Kayak - Wow, I've had an amazing year! I've been running a ton of new rivers and seeing some incredible new places around the world! My year started off in La Seu, Spain, in February for two weeks of slalom training with my coach. The Kopili – A Dream of a River – Meghalaya Part 2 Immersion Research - To me the Kopili really seemed to be the river of dreams. It has a perfect combination of whitewater that is big, challenging and serious with great moves coupled with large pools between most of the rapids, minimal easy portages and plenty of good places to scout. The water is warm and crystal clear and, although fairly remote, walking out is almost always an option. The scenery is great, if not quite a stunning as the Kynshi, and the white water rarely drops below grade 4. Waka Tuna Test ENG - ITA Alpin Action Team - It's an invasion! Waka everywhere, both in the most important races and under the ass of the most badass kayakers around (Serrasolses, Garcia, Sutton, ecc). And with so many kayak porn videos made by these kayakers the spontaneous reaction of most sensitive minds is: I can't resist, I want it. 2016 Surf Expo Day 2 highlights and photos Distressed Mullet - Day two began with a bang. Literally. My head and a luggage rack. And while I tried to blame it on a stuffed Bobcat who suddenly came to life and slapped me. No one bought the story. 10 Things You Need To Know When Planning A SUP Expedition SUP Connect - So you want to plan a SUP expedition but don't know where to begin? We caught up with three accomplished stand up paddle (SUP) expeditioners: Boardworks athlete Gabriel Gray, Starboard athlete Bart de Zwart and C4 Waterman's Jared Munch, who have all gone on a number of SUP expeditions over the years and we asked them to share their experience and insights on what you need to know when planning a SUP expedition. So without further ado, here are 10 things you need to know when planning a SUP expedition: How to Rig Your SUP for Fishing Austin Kayak - One of the coolest things about working with ACK is access to people like Carlos Andreu, our Fleet Sales Manager, who is incredibly passionate about the growing sport of SUP fishing. I've enjoyed my fair share of time on a SUP, but never for more than paddling around the lake or on the coast so I was really curious to chat with Carlos and learn how to rig your SUP for fishing. He broke it down into the three components you'll want to consider: Moroccan Sup Surfing Safari SUP Magazine - Morocco is a hotspot for some of the most drool-worthy SUP surfing edits. That's because the region is a hotspot for surf trips with some of SUP's biggest stars. The latest crew to travel to the North African country for a surf safari was Benoit Carpentier, Josh Riccio and Alex Kersaudy. Kai Lenny & Mo Freitas SUP Peahi SUP Connect - El Niño has been kind to surfers this winter season. With what seems like back-to-back-to-back swells there is nonstop fun for the wave riding stand up paddlers. Pro stand up paddle athletes Kai Lenny (Naish) and Mo Freitas (Focus SUP) are just a couple of the guys that have been benefitting from these recent swells and they have been getting some time in at the infamous Peahi, a.k.a Jaws. Picture Yourself Volunteering in Alaska This Summer ACA - Beach on northeastern Shuyak Island, AK For the summer of 2016, Island Trails Network is coordinating a  Community Marine Debris Cleanup  of Shuyak Island State Park in cooperation with the NOAA Marine Debris Program and the State of Alaska. Historic Paddle Illustration: Gabe Acquin - 1883 Paddle Making - Karen Perly has prepared a well written biography of Gabe Acquin, a Maliseet (Wolastoqiyik) guide who was the first to permanently settle on land that would eventually become St. Mary's First Nation.

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