Werner Paddles explains the differences between Low Angle and High Angle paddling styles as well as offering tips on proper kayak stroke technique. Stop by your local shop to see our selection of high quality paddles
Will and Jon go bonefishing in the Bahamas with Bonefish Bradley.
Read the Report here.
by Bill Mauney
Paddling on the coast, whether in the ocean, bays, sounds, inlets or estuaries, requires that the paddler develop seamanship in order to have a comfortable and safe adventure in these larger bodies of water. But, what is seamanship? Seamanship embodies a wide variety of both knowledge and skills required to handle your kayak competently, efficiently, safely and legally. The body of knowledge to be mastered over time includes such topics as a basic weather prediction, trip planning, tides, tidal currents, waves, navigation and the Navigation Rules (the federal regulations we must adhere to). In addition, good seamanship includes good boat handling, capsize recovery and rescues skills.
Mastering each of these areas does not happen overnight, but that is the beauty of it. Learning good seamanship is a life-long endeavor, an adventure in and of itself. As your seamanship knowledge and skills develop, new horizons literally open up for you to explore. Reading the weather and the sea, knowing where you are and how to get to your destination, paddling with confidence in waves and currents, knowing what to do when your path crosses other, larger vessels all combine to provide a satisfying synergistic experience that makes each adventure on the water more memorable.
The knowledge needed for good seamanship can be learned by self study of good books, good websites, taking classes and paddling with good seamen who can teach you their craft. Paddling skills are best learned through on the water classes led by competent instructors. Great Outdoor Provision Co. offers a fine selection of great books on the subject, classes on seamanship topics and on-the-water instruction. Our website is a wonderful resource for paddlers. We will continue to update the site with topics of interest to the paddler.
A great way to get an overview of basic seamanship for paddlers is from the DVD Seamanship for Kayakers…Getting Started. It is a first of a series of DVDs on seamanship for kayakers. Not your typical instructional video, the material is unwrapped as you follow a group of novice sea kayakers and their guides on a trip in beautiful British Columbia, Canada. You will also be following a group of rookies who learn everything the hard way. This DVD offers the sea gull’s eye view of the sport of sea kayaking. I highly recommend it. Drop by your local shop and pickup a copy while supplies last.
See you on the water.
Read More in our Coastal Paddling Series
Ciprian (Chip) Popoviciu is a Technical Leader at Cisco Systems in RTP, focusing on next generation IP networks. He is a senior member of IEEE, an active contributor to various publications and standards bodies and he co-authored two technology books. With a PhD in Physics, Ciprian likely qualifies for the geek status but he balances that out with his passion for travel, hiking, climbing and mountaineering. He lives in Raleigh with his wife Nicole and Simon (who, as mere technicality, is a dog).
“Everest 2008 – More than just a climb” presents the journey to the top of the World made special by the passionate and talented teachers and students of Martin Middle School. This is an example of how technology enables collaboration and discovery involving people thousands of miles away.
Chip will be speaking at Cameron Village Wed, May 20 @ 7pm
Also check out Everest Climber, Tonya Riggs in Winston-Salem on June 16
Thu, April 9 – 7pm – Rialto Theatre – Raleigh, NC
Brought to you by Befuddled Anglers
In just it’s third year, The Fly Fishing Film Tour has become the fishing entertainment event of the year. The Film Tour will be seen in well over 75 cities in 2009 and will showcase some of the best independent outdoor film makers. The goal of the Fly Fishing Film Tour is to energize the industry and inspire film makers to create new cutting edge films to both entertain and educate outdoor enthusiasts.
Tickets are $14 and available at the Cameron Village Shop (cash or check). Buy Tix by credit card, watch trailers and more at flyfishingfilmtour.com
$400 in Patagonia gear will be raffled off during the film!
Mon, May 4 – Charlotte Shop @ 7pm
Tues, May 5 – Wilmington Shop @ 7pm
The right place at the right time.
Not exactly what the 91passengers of the M/S Explorer thought on Thanksgiving 2007 as an iceberg sank their ship into the frigid waters off the Antarctic Peninsula. Yet Jon Bowermaster was indeed at the right place at the right time. Just 40 miles north of the Explorer, aboard the National Geographic Endeavor, Bowermaster received the first distress call from the Explorer. All aboard the Explorer were saved.
Today Bowermaster, a six-time grantee of the National Geographic Expeditions Council, is conducting yet another rescue project – helping to save the world’s oceans. He has just returned from the final expedition of his OCEANS 8 project. This completes a decade of exploration that has taken Bowermaster and his team around the world by sea kayak as he reports on the relationship between man and the sea.
“Everywhere we go, we see evidence of three things,” says Jon Bowermaster, who has paddled the world: climate change, overfishing, plastic pollution. In his travels Bowermaster recognizes that “the increase in tourism …creates these new ambassadors who go home and talk to their friends about the need to protect and preserve Antarctica. The downside is… you put more boats out there with inexperienced captains and you end up with bad accidents.”
Great Outdoor Provision Co. welcomes the public to join Jon Bowermaster as he shares stories and insights from his OCEANS 8 project. He will present a slide show on Monday, May 4th in Charlotte at the Great Outdoor Provision Co. in Park Road Shopping Center and May 5th in Wilmington at the Hanover Center location.
Here’s a clip from his website.
Wilderness First Responder May – 10th-17th
This Wilderness First Responder course taught by Wilderness Medical Associates is the ideal medical training for outdoor educators, guides, SAR team members, and others who work or play in remote areas. All elgible students who successfully comlete the course will receive Wilderness Medical Associates Wilderness First Responder, Anaphylaxis, and Healthcare Provider level CPR certifications.
Wilderness First Responder Recertification – May 6th-10th
The Open Recertification course is open to graduates of ALL wilderness medical training courses of 64 hours or longer with a current certification. Successful graduates of this course will receive Wilderness Medical Associates Wilderness First Responder, Anaphylaxis, and BLS/Healthcare Provider-level CPR certifications.
To register: Stop by Outdoor Adventures in the 1st floor lobby of the Carmichael Recreation Center or call/email Bill James, Assistant Director, Outdoor Adventures at (919) 513-8126 or bill_james@ncsu.edu.
For more information on the course, check out the WMA website
DVD is available at the shop for $29.95.
Catch the Film @ our Wilmington Shop – Thu, April 23 @ 7pm – FREE!
Boats, Gear & More on our Kayak Fishing Page
The fishing week has come to a close for Will and I. We had a blast! The weather worked out for us most of the time. The first two days were great, had about 10 fish each. The last two days were a lil rough, the weather and tides were not working with us. Saw many fish, but they were real spooky. We are sitting in the Nassau Airport as we speak waiting for our flight back to the US. Here is a few pics to tide you over til I can send more.
Jon, Wilmington Staff
Learn how to combine two of the most popular sports in the Carolinas — recreational fishing and kayaking — at a free paddle fishing workshop on Saturday, March 28. The event will run from 10 a.m. to noon at Falls Lake State Recreation Area’s Beaverdam facility, shelter 21, in Wake County. Sponsors for the workshop are North Carolina Sea Grant and the N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation.
Professional fishing guides and Sea Grant’s Brian Efland will discuss the latest tackle and techniques for paddle fishing. Participants also will learn about current inshore fisheries research and tagging projects from Tim Ellis of North Carolina State University’s biology department.
Kayaks will be provided for demonstration purposes. Participants are encouraged to wear appropriate paddling attire and bring their own personal flotation devices.
The Beaverdam facility is located on N.C. 50, three miles north of N.C. 98. For directions, visit ncparks.gov. For more information about the event contact Efland at 252/222-6314 or brian_efland@ncsu.edu.
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