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Join Alex Lalonde of Body Boat Blade at Deceptions Pass for an introduction to ferrying and paddling a sea kayak in currents.
Ferrying is a technique used to cross a current without being swept downstream. The goal is to move laterally across a river or tidal flow while maintaining control and minimizing drift. The technique is useful for crossing strong flows like you’d find in Deception Pass, but is also used on longer channel crossings and areas with weaker flows.
When I think about my earliest inspirations and motivations for becoming a rough water centric sea kayaker, especially when I only used a Greenland paddle, the video and clips of James Manke and the rest of The Hurricane Riders crew running a self supported Grand Canyon trip with their sea kayaks is among the top that come to mind instantly.
In a blend of luck, timing and speed the bow will lift over at the last moment, with you and your kayak projected through the air and the stern releasing from the crest, landing on back side of the wave in a satisfying thud.
Before scrolling any further go on and Sign the waiver and let’s go on a white knuckle tour of the PNW with Chris Bracamonte aka. @Slappinwater as your guide. Sandy beach breaks, tide races big and small, rock gardens, and into large caves and arches are what’s to be expected. Ride so close to the walls that you can practically count the urchins and sea stars as they pass by.
“To experience it with Sterling and Reg. You know when you go out and experience something like that, you might not know how good it is when it’s over, but I knew how special that time was in the moment. I knew how exciting it was, I was totally caught up and busting with passion for paddling and for that whole experience of THR.” - Rowan Gloag
We’ve hit the decade mark for the final video produced by THR and it’s a bit nostalgic to go back and watch through their videos.
To celebrate the THR crew and a rich culture they’ve helped create, I interviewed members like Rowan Gloag, Kate Hives, and Reg Lake along with several others. These Q&A’s are compiled together with a list of my personal favorite videos throughout the years with commentary by THR members.
When the cave or the slot is not too large or deep, which is to say the paddler needing a rescue has taken a swim relatively close to safer open water, then they can be extracted by a solo rescuer by way of a simple toggle tow.
Here's how it would go down.
We caught up with Chris Bracamonte this week to get the lowdown on his stylish pirouette photo-sequence captured by Deb Volturno. We wanted to know what he was thinking in those critical moments when instinct takes control.
Legendary Greenland roller, paddler, and mentor Dubside has been hosting a podcast show for the last several years and he’s created an amazing library full of hours of sea paddling and Greenland rolling audio goodness.
The Hobuck Hoedown is something special. This festival holds one of, if not the only judged sea kayak surf competition in North America. It’s become a destination and pilgrimage for many and draws in paddlers from both West and East coasts and Great Lakes Region.
With a distinct vision of what he wanted to take out into the waves. Edd used his intuition as an experienced paddle surfer and hands-on carpentry skills to develop something entirely unique.
And the Alnes Ocean is ready to be introduced to North America as soon as this Spring.
A beautiful documentary film follows James Roberts and James Manke during their experiences while visiting Greenland and competing in the Greenland National Kayak Championships in 2014.
Sail2Surf particularly stood out to me at the time because it was my first introduction to a “mothership” approach to sea kayak surfing. Living with the creature comforts of a trimaran and ripping up tidal rapids along the Inside Passage of BC.
The Level Six Loki is Latex, Neoprene & PFAs free. Being able to kayak year round here on The Great Lakes has been something I’ve wanted to do for years, the Loki is my answer.
I’m excited about the future of dry wear at Level Six, they have their customers best interest. I’d also like to thank them for thinking outside the box to develop a drysuit for people who would like to extend their season without having to suffer an allergic reactions.
The versatility of the Volan model is unmatched in my opinion. A paragon of balance, it plays a standout role in all conditions, and is the most athletic kayak I have paddled to date. This is why I call it the sea kayaker’s sea kayak, it simply does it all—and does it well. On a deeper note, some things in life just make sense. A vague take, yes, but for me, the Volan 158 just makes sense..
The North Water Paddle Scabbards have become such an important piece of equipment for me that I have installed a set on each of my kayaks. The scabbards are designed to keep your paddles secure to your deck and allow waves and wind to wash over your deck without taking your paddles with them.
With a 90 Percent Boat you might have a few quibbles about features or outfitting or something similar. Fair enough. That’s the 10 percent. There’s no way to around that. Life isn’t perfect. Paddling is a deeply subjective experience.
But a 90 Percent Boat is a boat you buy.
The Current Designs Sisu is a 90 Percent Boat.
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Conny Is known for her circumnavigation of Lake Superior and has talked about it in great detail on the Paddling the Blue Podcast. You can finder on the ACA website or reach her direct at bell.conny@gmail.com.
While in the SF Bay Area taking my L4 Instructor Certification, I had the pleasure of meeting and interviewing Conny Simes. She was taking the certification process as well so I was able to witness her magic on the water. - Chris Bracamonte