California Braces for Booming Paddling Season ~ Perch Jerking

Playak News Flash - March 4, 2017
The world's latest paddling headlines.

California Braces for Booming Paddling Season Canoe Kayak - For outfitters on California's Kern River, and other rivers across the state,  it's go time, thanks to near-record snowfall and rain that have swelled water storage to its highest level in decades. Opinion: Slow Change Is Good For Sea Kayaking Adventure Kayak - While whitewater kayaks undergo almost annual redesigns, careening into outlandish shapes—anyone remember the Perception Mr. Clean?—sea kayak hulls by comparison have evolved at a snail's pace. A new Explorer's hull is the same as my old one. It's tempting to chalk up the slow pace of change to the sport's love of heritage, but I beg to differ. Design consistency is about the perfection of what sea kayaks do: navigate mixed conditions in a single voyage. John Edwards wins the 2016 Lifetime Achievement Award World Paddle Awards - John Edwards is the man responsible for the inclusion of Paracanoe into the 2016 and 2020 Rio Paralympic Games program. A lot of hard work, hours and sacrifice went into achieving this, and to commend him on his efforts John has been awarded the WPA Lifetime Achievement award, an accolade he rightfully deserves. (Next) Best Paddling Towns: Poulsbo, Wash. Canoe Kayak - The canoes of the Suquamish people plied these waterways, followed by the rowboats of white settlers transporting goods to Pike Place market in downtown Seattle. Danuta Kozak Wins the 2016 Best Female Canoe Sprint Award in an Olympic Year World Paddle Awards - As a triple Gold Medalist from the 2016 Rio Olympic Games, Danuta Kozak has been announced as the winner of the 'Best Female Canoe Sprint 2016' award in an Olympic year. Video, Recap, Results and Downwind Bliss at the 2017 12 Towers Ocean Race SUP Magazine - A blustery southerly flow beneath bluebird skies graced paddlers of the sixth annual 12 Towers Ocean Race on Australia's Gold Coast last week, adding the welcome variable of ample bump-riding to the equation on the 14-kilometer course. Five National Parks for Winter Paddling NRS Duct Tape Diaries - Late-winter. That special time of the year when cold is relative and snow has covered the ground since early December. In my Rocky Mountain hamlet, it's been a great winter to be a skier, but not so great for those who prefer their water in liquid form. Perch Jerking Jackson Kayak - I fish almost exclusively in saltwater, but every now and then I like to do a change of pace. One of things I like to reconnect with from my childhood is fishing for perch and sacalait (crappie) with a cork and tube jig. Exclusive Q&A With The Guy Who Just Set The 24-Hour Distance Record SUP Magazine - While the majority of mainstream media focused on Chris Bertish—the man currently propelling himself from Morocco to Antigua in an attempt to complete the first-ever unsupported Atlantic SUP crossing last week another massive precedent was set for standup paddling. Australia's Finest Set to Launch into a Big Weekend at Noosa SUPracer - The Aussie summer of SUP continues this weekend at the 3-star Noosa Festival of Surfing, with a strong lineup of homegrown talent looking to defend their turf against a couple of international guns. Jake, Jacko, Angie and Kelly Win at the Sydney SUP Festival SUPracer - Several of Australia's top paddlers have enjoyed a solid pre-season hit out at the Sydney SUP Festival this weekend, with Jake Jensen, Paul Jackson, Kelly Margetts and Angie Jackson taking victories in three different events. Exploring the Black Canyon Tahoe SUP - It seemed impossible that this translucent green, vibrant ribbon of cold water could exist in such a hot and arid landscape. But there it was. A river, deep and full of life. Paddling up the river, it was easy to imagine myself as a member of an ancient civilization that had lived along the river, heading to a favorite hunting or fishing spot, or a pioneer carrying pelts and furs to trade further up the river. But there is no evidence that standup paddling was part of those cultures and from the looks of some of the gaping stares we were getting from kayakers SIC Maui Reveals New 2017 Surf Series SIC Maui - Venus / Triton SeriesPaddling in heavy surf conditions means trusting your equipment and being one with your board. Tips for Paddling Together More Tahoe SUP - Take some simple steps to incorporate your standup paddle boards into your social life and increase your time on the water and your time spent together as a couple. Wild Olympics Act Reintroduced as Local Support Increases (WA) Am. Whitewater - Citing benefits to local Olympic Peninsula jobs, economy, clean water & salmon, more than 700 local businesses, elected officials, farms, faith leaders, sportsmen, conservation & recreation groups now backing Wild Olympics.

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