Veteran Paddler Andy Corra Sets Record At 2011 FIBArk

Congrats go out to veteran paddler Andy Corra of Durango, CO, who won his seventh title in the 26 mile 2011 FIBArk downriver kayak race on Sunday, June 19, setting a record in the process. Aided by near-record flows on the Arkansas River, Corra, 50, finished the race in 1:58.07, which was the best time since Nelson Oldham posted a course record time of 1:47.18 in 1995.

Corra credits his decades of river-running and water-reading experience for his success at an age when many whitewater paddlers have retired to less-thrilling pastimes.

Sea Kayakers gather in Tofino, B.C.

During the week of September 30 to October 2nd, the Sea Kayak Guide Alliance of British Columbia held its annual fall guide exchange in the town of Tofino B.C. The SKGABC, a non-profit organization, brought over 50 kayak guides to Tofino. The purpose of the event was to share knowledge and skills, network, and get out for some play sessions on the water.

The SKGABC is a organization that is dedicated to upholding the high standards of professional sea kayak guides throughout Canada and British Columbia, and part of that requires the certification of professional kayak guides.

“We strive to ensure safe practices on an industry wide basis and we accomplish that by certifying guides and running professional development seminars in the form of our exchanges which we hold in the spring and fall,” said executive director of the SKGABC, Liam McNeil.

The SKGABC has over 900 active members, and events are hosted in various locations each year.

For more information, visit www.skgabc.com

Two Young Minnesotans Are Paddling For Charity This Summer

Kudos to Gene Iserman and Ann Raiho, two Minnesotans who are paddling to raise money for charities this summer.

Iserman is planning to kayak all 2300 miles of the Mississippi River this summer, and Raiho is going to canoe about the same distance along the Hudson Bay in Canada. Both of these young, dedicated paddlers are raising money for a YMCA camp.

It seems that charities are increasingly tapping into Minnesota’s large paddling population for fundraising activities. They don’t call the state the “Land of 10,000 Lakes” for nothing, and it’s home to an estimated 180,000 canoes and kayaks. And more and more of these outdoor enthusiasts are pitching in to help out in a tough economy any way they can.

Talk about paddling for a good cause. Way to go Ann and Gene!

The Paddling Season Has Arrived – Get That Gear Ready!

With the paddling season finally upon us (yeah!) it’s time to drag out that boat, and all your gear, and get everything dusted off and ready to hit the water. As part of your spring maintenance, it’s always a good idea to do a quick flotation check on anything that has rubber seals – your hatches, bulkheads, float bags, dry bags, etc. This is especially important if you live in an arid climate, as dry rot can be a real concern, because rotted rubber simply doesn’t seal the way it’s supposed to.

Another good idea is to take a look for any damage that the sun’s rays have done to your expensive kayak, canoe, or other equipment. To prevent this in the future, consider applying a good-quality UV inhibitor to any surfaces that are exposed to the sun’s rays for an extended period of time, including your boats deck, deck lines, spray skirt, and hatch covers. And include your other gear while you’re at it, including your wet or dry suit, PFDs, paddle jacket or anything else that could use some protection from the sun.

Which brings up the last warning – don’t forget the water-resistant sunscreen for any exposed skin.

Colorado Paddlefest May 27-29

Hello – well it’s May again (yeah!), and almost time for one of Colorado’s premiere paddling events of the season. The summer paddling season officially launches May 27-29 with the annual PaddleFest on the Arkansas River in Buena Vista.

The event is hosted by Colorado River Supply, and features educational seminars ranging from river safety, stand-up paddling (SUP) clinic, rolling a kayak, rigging for kayak fishing, and more. The event is open to paddlers of all ages and skill levels, and attendees will have the chance to mingle with gear manufacturers, industry pros, team athletes and just plain folks out to enjoy the outdoors and have fun.

Colorado Kayak Supply will be hosting a gear swap and storewide sale throughout the weekend, and river demos and contests will showcase the new whitewater play features built this winter at Buena Vista’s South Main Square. The event will be rounded out by movies, live music, games and other entertainment. So grab your boat and gear and come on down, you won’t be disappointed!

For more info visit ckspaddlefest.com

Sea Kayaking On The Kamchatka

Some guys from the Kamchat Kayaking Club recently sent over this video of paddlers sea kayaking on the Kamchatka.

Some incredible images here, and an amazing place to paddle. Makes us want to book a flight over there and check it out for ourselves!

Enjoy!

????\SALT from KamchatKAyaking Club on Vimeo.

Team Jackson Kayak’s Rafael Ortiz and Ben Stookesberry take to international stages

09.21.2010– Team Jackson Kayak expedition kayakers Rafael Ortiz and Ben Stookesberry are being recognized on international stages next month. Ortiz has been invited to be guest speaker at an adventure travel industry annual meeting in Scotland while Stookesberry will be inducted into the International Halls of Fame: Bicycling, Rowing, Canoeing, Kayaking at the Children’s Museum in Utica, New York.
At the invitation of the Mexican Tourism Board, native-born Ortiz will address a room of some 600 delegates from more than 50 countries at the Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA) annual Adventure Travel World Summit. As guest speaker during the Summit’s Closing Ceremonies dinner on Oct. 7, Ortiz will present a multimedia display of his kayaking adventures with an emphasis on the Mexican state of Chiapas. Ortiz’ presentation will spotlight the exciting and dramatic natural wonders found inland in a country known best as a beach destination.
This prestigious speaking honor follows a host of on-water achievements by the 22-year-old from Mexico City. While still in the junior ranks, Ortiz became the first Mexican of any age to compete in a World Freestyle Kayak Championships. Ortiz has since become best known for his exploits as an expedition kayaker, captured on film with Stookesberry’s Clear H2O Films team on the Hotel Charley series of films. Ortiz has been part of Stookesberry’s expedition teams notching first descents on some of the world’s most inaccessible and daunting rivers from Mexico to India, Pakistan, Brazil and beyond.
“Rafael speaking at the Summit is a great convergence of the ATTA’s global network,” noted ATTA President Shannon Stowell. “He’s sponsored by ATTA member Jackson Kayak, his team is supported by ATTA sponsor Eddie Bauer/First Ascent, and he’s done some amazing descents throughout Mexico, which is a longtime ATTA destination partner. This kind of cross-industry connectedness is just what the ATTA seeks to achieve with its members around the globe.”
Later in the month, on Oct. 16, Stookesberry will be inducted into the International Halls of Fame: Bicycling, Rowing, Canoeing, Kayaking in Utica, New York. Stookeserry was nominated by Jackson Kayak founder and President Eric “EJ” Jackson, who was inducted into the Halls of Fame in 2006. “Ben Stookesberry is the most motivated, successful, and genuine expedition kayaker in a very long time,” Jackson told the Hall of Fame selection committee.
Stookesberry has been pushing the limits of kayaking seeking out new unexplored locations that push the boundaries of navigable water. “Kayaking is a one of a kind medium for experiencing some of the last untouched places on the planet,” Stookesberry said. In 2008, National Geographic Adventure magazine recognized the achievements of Stookesberry and Clear H2O Films partner Jesse Coombs by naming them Adventurers of the Year.
“At Jackson Kayak we choose team members for their skill but also for their integrity, passion and dedication to the sport. Rafa and Ben are leading examples of this ethic and I speak for our entire team in applauding them,” said Jackson.

ABOUT JACKSON KAYAK
Founded in 2003, Jackson Kayak is the leading manufacturer of whitewater kayaks in the world. Family owned and operated, the company is dedicated to building world-class kayaks for whitewater, flatwater, freshwater and saltwater environments for paddlers of all skill levels and river interests. For more information about the company’s athletes and products visit the Jackson Kayak website.

ABOUT THE ADVENTURE TRAVEL TRADE ASSOCIATION
Established in 1990, the Seattle-based Adventure Travel Trade Association is a global membership organization dedicated to unifying, networking, professionalizing, promoting and responsibly growing the adventure travel market. Association members include tour operators, destination marketing organizations, tourism boards, specialty travel agents, guides, accommodations, media and service providers. Host of the annual Adventure Travel World Summit executive trade conferences, the Adventure Travel Trade Association also makes possible www.Adventure.Travel, the traveler’s hub of physical, cultural and nature-based adventure travel and guide to trusted tour operators from around the globe.

Tools for Surviving in the Great Outdoors

Getting away from it all, especially if you live in a busy city, is a welcome break from everyday life for nearly everyone. Having said that you do need to know what you are doing to a certain extent. Nature is not always what it seems and without the right equipment you may soon find yourself having a less than pleasant time. The meticulously selected equipment and outdoor clothing provided at Ray Mears’ Bushcraft website will keep you safe, dry and warm when the elements are against you.

Take for instance, Ray Mears and Woodlore branded hooded sweatshirts and T-shirts made from top quality, eco-friendly Fair Trade organic cotton; they’re not simply sumptuously soft and calmingly comfortable, but also decidedly durable, too. These items of outdoor clothing of most manufacturers will be made from the best possible materials, which is something that is going to provide you with clothing items that will last you for a long time to come.

Check out the fabulous range of waterproof and windproof outdoor jackets and trousers, too, from top brands like GORE-TEX, Swazi, Nanok, and Norrona. The benefit of jackets like these is that they will keep you warm and dry when the rain hits but as soon as it’s sunny they will pack small in your backpack. Some of the key features of Gore-Tex is its ability to repel water as well as resist the wind, which is often a factor when it comes to staying warm.

You can also benefit from some of these woodcarving tools if you plan to spend a while outdoors. If you want to get that tent-side fire lit, you’re going to need a supply of kindling, and you’re not going to be able to pop down the road to the local DIY store to get it. Take for example the Gransfors axes is an axe well known for its build quality and versatility. The axe is made using traditional Swedish techniques that produce an axe that is both lightweight and incredibly strong; ideal for pretty much any excursion.

Sea Eagle 330 – An Overview

Trying to find any long lasting, rough, and low-cost inflatable kayak? Were you experiencing the torn kayaks year in year out? Would you like to sail in rich waters up to a whopping class III with a capable kayak? Then you certainly got an ideal fit to your requirements in the form of Sea Eagle 330.

This kind of kayak, which usually weighs in at about 26 lb provides the capacity for a couple of persons and can take with you load upto five-hundred pounds. Any individual can make use of this through the regular climate conditions efficiently.

The most important advantage of Sea Eagle 330 is unquestionably the incredibly affordable cost. This specific kayak, even when providing numerous top of the range capabilities, remains to be priced at an immensely budget friendly price tag when compared with several other kayaks.

An additional feature in this kayak is definitely its sturdiness. This is a soft-sided kayak, which usually helps save this from punctures and also holes. The majority of the inflatable kayaks develop the problems associated with holes as well as punctures however Sea Eagle 330 minimizes all of this to a large degree.

The Sea Eagle 330 is highly portable. It can be packed in a small packet and can be kept in your car. It weighs only 26 pounds, which makes it very easy for everyone to carry it. Whether you are a recreational floater or someone who like to keep yourself to the lake waters, it is suitable for both. It can handle class III waters very well.

Sea Eagle 330 incorporates a powerful fishing platform, which makes it a piece of cake to experience some fishing. With normal kayaks, hardly any efficient platform are available, here the Sea Eagle outplays all of the pricey kayaks.

There are some minor disadvantages associated with the Sea Eagle 330. It cannot be used in the freezing waters. You are also limited to level III waters with this kayak. If you want to extend the functionality of your kayak you should go for SE340 or some advanced one like advanced elements.

To sum up, I would say that this kayak fulfill the needs of the common floaters. It is less expensive and durable so I would highly recommend it for your uses.

Training That Will Help You Survive in The Wild

For those of you that enjoy being outdoors and taking part in activities such as camping and outdoor activities there are some great courses that you can take. Improving your survival skills in and enjoyable and practical activity to take part in.

If you want to get a feel for what a survival course is all about then a course that lasts a few days would be ideal for you. You will be able to learn the essentials that you need to get started with wilderness survival including essential skills such as making a fire, shelter and finding food to eat. There are also special two-day courses available for families, which include all the above plus animal tracking courses, bushcraft survival and some delightful campfire games.

If you want something that will give you a more active time then there are many options such as canoeing expeditions in many well established water sport locations across Europe. You can become familiar with varying degrees of difficulty when it comes to the pace of the waters. You will also get a feel for how efficient canoeing as a mode of transport can be. For a large amount of the time you will be on the water, which is something you wouldn’t normally get to do. Additionally you will also get to brush up on your basic survival skills at the same time!

Additionally many people who opt for some of the survival courses available will also go for a first aid course. Essential first aid skills will come in handy when you are out in the wilderness where you or someone you’re with could potentially sustain an injury. Amongst the many courses available many people would taking a first aid course is the survival course that you’ll be grateful for. Once completed this course will provide you with a certification to let you know you are first aid qualified and able to practise first aid.