Lessons Learned and Applied ~ Reaching for Smallies ~ The Polar Express

Playak News Flash - December 6, 2016
The world's latest paddling headlines.

Lessons Learned and Applied Jackson Kayak - Late one fall day while fishing for crappie the wind changed direction and the crappie that were actively chasing small soft plastic curly tail grubs stopped cold. Reaching for Smallies Jackson Kayak - In efforts of trying to pack light on kayak creek and river trips, it is possible to leave out some needed items, so I found out a few times this past year. Fiji ISA Reduces Environmental Impact SUP Connect - The International Surfing Association (ISA) is proud to highlight the legacy that the 2016 Fiji ISA World StandUp Paddle (SUP) and Paddleboard Championship, has left on the sports of SUP and Paddleboard as well as the host country of Fiji. The Polar Express Log of Ibi - For a momentary diversion, Stephen Wilkinson has posted a video on his Facebook page that he made last year of the annual passing of the Polar Express, the real one. It lives in a museum now, but comes out once a year for the famous run that has made its way to a book and movie that are popular with kids at Christmas. ACA's State Director Conference in Puerto Rico ACA - Thanks to Omar and Jessica of Paddle Paradise, ACA Puerto Rican members threw a fiesta for the State Directors to kick off the ACA's State Director Conference in Gurabo, PR this weekend. 25 Days of Gear: Goal Zero Venture 30 Recharger Canoe Kayak - Next time you are going on an outdoor paddling trip where you camp outdoors, Goal Zero Venture 30 can come in handy. It runs in solar power and it can be used to recharge your smartphone which many of us like to use as cameras or GPS devices. With an IPX6 weatherproof rating it really can take on moisture and keep ticking. So charge Goal Zero Venture 30 in the morning and use it to charge your devices at night. Assabet Arising Trash Paddler - The water level continues to rise at the Egg Rock inscription located where the Assabet, Concord, and Sudbury rivers join.  Upon seeing that this morning I started my ascent of the Assabet River enjoying the bright sunshine and slowly warming temps.  Not too shabby for December. BC Parks To Add 1,900 New Campsites Over The Next Five Years Traversing - Some pretty big news from BC Parks this week. The BC Parks Future Strategy was unveiled which invests $23 million over the next five years to add 1,900 new campsites!In addition to investing in conservation and the BC Parks Foundation, the strategy includes guaranteed access for disabled users at popular locations, and new outdoor recreation opportunities at all existing parks.  Meet Aaron Spry, The KATS Veteran Reppin' Team USA At Hobie Worlds Austin Kayak - Kayak anglers around the world are getting ready to travel to the Leeville area of Louisiana for the 6th Annual Hobie World Championships… And we've proud to have KATS veteran and native Texan Aaron Spry among the ranks! Aaron qualified for Hobie Worlds by emerging as the Champion of the Yak4it Tournament of Champions (TOC) at Lake Fork, Texas last month. We chatted with him right before the start of Hobie Worlds, which runs from Dec. 4 – 11, to give y'all an exclusive look into his world: Why Female Paddlers Need SlipIns SUP Connect - Seasons, weather, and locations may change but one thing that should be a constant in any female stand up paddler's set of gear should be a SlipIn Surfskin. Nimpkish river with COLT Rafting Life - The last part of the COLT program that I help with is the WW3. This usually takes us out to the Nimpkish river. This fall had been quite wet and we weren't sure how high the river would be when we arrived. There are many different sections so we knew there would still be one or two the sections to paddle. There was lots of evidence that the river had been quite high as of late, Vancouver Island had been having one of the wettest falls in recent memory. The Cutback SUP Magazine - The cutback is one of the most important and functional maneuvers in surfing. It unlocks different portions of the wave and keeps you coming back to the pocket for more speed. While it takes a while to master, Omri Hazor has some good tips to get you started. Can the Aussies Retain Their Title or Will Titou Sweep Downwind Week? SUPracer - As the headline act of Aussie Downwind Week, the Stand Up Surf Shop's King of the Cut is Australia's premiere ocean race. In fact it's probably the most prestigious downwind race in the world outside of Hawaii, and this weekend we'll see virtually every top Aussie paddler¹ and a few international guns chasing glides off the coast of West Oz in search of the crown. Bruno Hasulyo Flexes His Muscles to Win the Paris Crossing SUPracer - Bruno Hasulyo has just won the 2016 Paris Crossing race in the heart of the French capital, with the reigning 11 City Tour champion breaking a strong field early and paddling clear to cement his reputation as a flat water powerhouse. It looks like Martin Vitry edged out Arthur Arutkin in a photo finish to claim 2nd, with another 8 or 9 guys crossing seconds later after the main chase pack stuck together the entire race. Your Paddle isn't a Rudder! PaddleWoo - Your paddle isn't a rudder. Surfing is surfing whether you're on a shortboard, longboard or paddle board. The mechanics of surfing don't change when you put a paddle in your hands.

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