Kid's Paddles - More fun on the water!

Back in February we had an awesome review on our blog by my young friend, Taiga Schorr about kid's gear and this post is sticking with that theme.

We always tell people that a paddle is their engine.  It's also an investment worth their time, energy and money.  This is just the same message for purchasing a kid's paddle.  Having a paddle that is made with their size in mind ensures that they will have an enjoyable time on the water and well, that's the whole idea!

At Werner Paddles we've got the perfect paddle for kid's whether they are whitewater paddling or rec/touring.

The Amigo is the perfect whitewater paddle for kid's, with it's smaller blade design, fiberglass reinforced nylon blades and premium carbon blend shaft!  For 2013, we also changed the blade colour to high visible yellow.

For recreational/touring/sea kayaking we have the Sprite with proportionally smaller, fiberglass reinforced nylon blades and carbon blend shaft for kids. For 2013, also with the high visible yellow coloured blade.

Kid-sized blades move less water and save energy for all day fun.  Don't pass on your old paddle to the kids but invest in something that helps give them the best experience possible, this way they will be paddling with you for years to come.

We would love to hear from more kid's so send us your photos and we will post them here on our blog with your story of a day out on the water.

A Women’s Perspective on Fishing

     I’ve been an angler for 2 years now and am overwhelmed at how much there is to learn.  From my point of view, fishing is a mostly male sport, however it’s not like they don’t want women out there fishing.  As a matter of fact I get people making comments all the time wishing their partner was into fishing.  Yes, in the beginning it was mind-boggling to learn about gear, tackle and species ID’s and I still don’t know it all.  Nor do I think I will ever know it all.  

To begin with, I found myself being intimidated by all the choices for gear and tackle.  As a woman in this sport I believe that you have to be willing to listen, learn and ask questions.  So, to decide on my first rod, reel and tackle I took the suggestions made by our local tackle shop.  Picking out the rod and reel are one thing, but the tackle seems endless!  What size hook do I use? Do I use bait, a lure...or both? Do I use a float?  Although I was embarrassed the first few times to admit I didn’t know when to use or how to use such tackle any good tackle shop should be able and willing to help a woman understand how to use what they are buying.

          The best thing I ever did to improve my angling skills is to fish with other experienced anglers.  Fortunately for me, most men are more willing to help other women then other men.  I think women are just more receptive to what they have to say.  I still have a hard time with species ID’s, but it helps to be around others who know so that you learn by seeing.  The rule is if your not 100% sure, catch and release!  I seem to be able to ID a Coho salmon though as it’s the only fish I’ve kept in 2 years.

  I am mostly into fishing from a Kayak, only because I love to kayak and some of the best spots I’ve found so far are hard to access in anything but a kayak.  Choosing a kayak was an easy decision for me.  I chose the Jackson Kayak Cuda 12 because it is light enough to load on my truck myself, yet doesn't lack the features found on an all out fishing kayak.  It sure helps the weight when most of the accessories, including the seat can be removed for carrying.  Part of why I enjoy kayak fishing...I love the feeling I get when I paddle up river to a hard to access fishing hole and find one other guy there who says “I can’t believe its a girl”!

Recreational Canoeing Association of BC Paddle Conference

Paddling Conference and AGM/IAGM - April 12-14, 2013 in Hope, BC.

RCABC (Recreational Canoeing Association of British Columbia) is hosting its fourth annual Paddling Conference!

Nikki Rekman Sales is once again happy to support this coming together of BC canoeists.

There will be workshops and sessions for everyone from new paddlers to experts!  Non-members are welcome to attend. 
What can you expect at the Paddling Conference? 

• On the water sessions, from basic paddling to rescues to big boat (voyageur canoe) lessons to stroke refreshers
• Presentations on trips, environmental issues, nature photography, and more
• Workshops on gear, tripping food, canoe songs, starting a small business, yoga for paddlers and much more
• Guided nature walks, including to the Othello Caves
• Social time and square dancing
• Optional Lake water Instructor Re cert (all day Friday)

Check out the fun we've had!

Both the Annual General Meeting and the Instructor Annual General Meeting will take place during the weekend.

REGISTER HERE

Deep Cove Canoe & Kayak Centre opens March 30

We are so excited for Spring to arrive so we can get on the water in boats and on boards!

Don't forget to check out this gem of a paddling location this season in beautiful Deep Cove.

Deep Cove Canoe & Kayak Centre opens March 30.

 

Mid-Week Paddling Passes are $395. Valid Monday to Friday except holidays and as a bonus 7 days a week in April and after Labour Day.  Passes are available at Deep Cove Outdoors.

 Shot by Http://www.LoftyMedia.ca/ with http://www.TadaFilms.ca/

 

1st Day of Spring - Where are you paddling today?

1st Day of Spring - Where are you paddling today?


I am in the office today so unfortunately I am not on the water.  I am looking forward to helping out the crew at the Chilliwack Centre of Excellence on the Chilliwack River for their Boatercross event on Saturday afternoon.  Hope the weather cooperates and we get some photos of these young paddlers.

Leave us a note about where you are getting excited to go paddling this Spring.

 

Alberta SUP Update from Team Paddler, Luke Vollmerhaus

S’up paddle boarders! (see what I did there?) 

Bad puns aside, I want to get you off to an early start with some of the awesome stuff coming out of the best paddling shop this summer for all the veteran, recreational and prospective SUPer’s .   

We will have all of the boards from last year from Amundson and Board Works, including the unreal Bad Fish river board series. Some new additions at both ends of the cost spectrum; we’ll be picking up boards from Corran that are a thermoform plastic all-purpose board. We are also getting the SUP Love boards; very fancy high performance boards with a beautiful wood finish.   

Of course Werner Paddles SUP paddles will be well stock along with much more.

If you are interested in getting on the water with us we also have some very cool new programs to compliment our SUP instruction from last year.  We have our season-tested Intro to Flat Water and Advance Flat Water as well as our Intro to River course. The new additions are a full day SUP Start Up rather than just the evening course and hopefully, a SUP River Surfing course, more info on that will be available in the near future. 

Watch for our Junior Development SUP program similar to the JD kayak program too.
 

The whole crew at Aquabatics Calgary is stoked to get you on the water with the best gear possible this season.

For more info on all the new gear please visit  www.aquabatics.com

 

For even more info you can visit the manufacturer’s websites:

www.wernerpaddles.com

www.amundsonsup.com

www.suplove.com

www.boardworkssurfcanada.com

See you on the water!

Luke

***thanks for the update Luke, looking forward to seeing you in May!!!***

How to Replace a Kokatat Neck Gasket by Sean Allen

With the days getting longer everyone is thinking about getting on the water so it's time for Kokatat Drysuit or Drytop maintenance.

Sean Allen, a good friend of Kokatat Watersports Wear and Nikki Rekman Sales has put together the video below going through all the steps of replacing a neck gasket using the Kokatat Neck Gasket Tool.


Great job Sean! 


(Sean refers to our Goretex and Tropos products, it is the same for our new Hydrus 3L products with neck gaskets too)

Headed to the Ocean River Sports Gear Grab Sale

Not sure what your plans are for the weekend but we are off to Victoria on beautiful Vancouver Island to help out at the Ocean River Sports Gear Grab Sale tomorrow - Saturday March 16th.  A fantastic event to kick-start your 2013 paddling season.

Doors open at10 am!

There will be lots of great deals and be sure to check out the show specials on Kokatat Watersports Wear PFD's and demo Werner Paddles at fantastic prices.  I would be happy to help you find the PFD or paddle that is best for you.

Come say hi and mention that you saw this blogpost and we will send you home with a small piece of schwag!

See you there. 

Want a paddlesports job in beautiful Smithers, BC?

Aquabatics is hiring!

Aquabatics, northwest BC’s premiere paddlesports specialty shop, located in Smithers BC, is looking for full-time and part-time staff for the 2013 season.

Smithers is located in northwestern BC, a region known for clean and free-flowing rivers, beautiful lakes and easy access to the Pacific coast. 

Many people move here for the lifestyle – there is great hiking, mountain biking, ski touring, track skiing, downhill skiing, sports fishing and more.  Smithers has a strong sense of community, a rich arts culture, and is overall an great place to live!

Aquabatics is seeking one full-time employee and one part-time employee who are enthusiastic about paddling, resourceful and organized, and have excellent people skills.

The key responsibilities include providing a high level of customer service and the day-to-day running of the shop. Other responsibilities, depending on experience and qualifications can include inventory management, and on-water instruction and demos. The busy season is between late March to the end of September, and part-time work is available during the winter months. Schedule allowances can be made to accommodate the schedules of University and College students.

Interested? 

Please contact Susan at aquabatics2@gmail.com

Kayak Fishing Rescues

We are very excited to share some very informative Kayak Fishing Rescue videos prepared by Nikki Rekman Sales sponsored paddler, JF Marleau of SKILS.  These videos look at the paddle float rescue, cowboy rescue and more.

JF has years of on-water experience kayak fishing, sea kayaking, surf kayaking and instructing.

We are pleased to having JF using gear by Kokatat Watersports Wear (his new PFD is shipping soon!), Jackson Kayaks and Werner Paddles.

Here are two out of the 3 rescue videos.  Installment #3 is coming soon!

Our visit to the Canadian Canoe Museum

We recently had the opportunity to visit the Canadian Canoe Museum in Peterborough, Ontario and what a change from the first time I visited the collection (1996?) in a warehouse behind the current location. 

It was exciting to see all the boats on display.  Canoes from Canadian Aboriginal communities from coast to coast, a canoe built for a former Canadian Prime Minister (Pierre Trudeau) and the famous red Chestnut Prospector owned by Canadian canoeing legend, Bill Mason.  

Exhibits also shared with us the history of the canoe in establishing our country and even an exhibit showcasing folding canoes from the early 1900's to a modern day inflatable.

Canoeing will forever be apart of the fabric of Canada, our past, present and future.


The future of the museum and the preservation of this important collection relies on you and I.  Please consider becoming a member, even if you live for away (we did!)

Photo courtesy of The Canadian Canoe Museum

Follow their blog and LIKE them on Facebook

If you have a great canoeing adventure story to share please contact us and be featured on our blog!

 

Get to know the Jackson Kayak KARMA

As we start to experience the Spring-like weather in some parts of the world, we are thinking about snow-melt and flowing rivers.

Check out this video that walks you through the new Jackson Kayak Karma, our newest creek boat.

Kokatat Maximus PFD Stands Above the Rest

Kokatat does it again!

Check out the current on line issue of Backpacker Magazine and read about how the new Kokatat Maximus PFD wins for best fitting PFD.

Review of the Jackson Kayak - Cruise 12

Here is a review of the new Jackson Kayak Cruise that I did when we were out on Cultus Lake a couple of weeks ago.  

This is a fantastic sit on top that is perfect for the recreational paddler who is looking for something stable that they can paddle around lakes, ponds, protected bays and slower moving rivers.  With the same standing platform that is available in our decked out fishing kayaks they can fish from it too.

• Length: 12’3″

• Width: 31.5′

• Height: 13.5′

• Weight: 68 w/ Seat, 63 w/o Seat

• Capacity: 350 lbs.

Special thanks to our kayak angler, Len Zilkowsky for the filming and putting this together.

Esquif Prospecteur 17 Review

We are very excited to welcome guest blogger, Frank Wolf, a modern day Canadian explorer who gives us a review of the Esquif Prospecteur 17.

"The Prospecteur 17 is my favourite tripping boat ever- even more so now after handling the abuse we heaped on it during my recent 620 km canoe trip through Nunatsiavut and Nunavik. After a fairly brutal portage to get up onto the Labrador Plateau, I spent much of the next week literally dragging the Prospecteur 17 for 200 km across the tundra. The boat handled the workout just fine and then nimbly took us down the grade III Natikamaukau River before spilling us into the big volume waters of the George River, which we followed up to our finish in Ungava Bay. This is the third consecutive major expedition I've completed with the Prospecteur 17 and here's looking forward to many more- thanks Esquif!

If you'd like to read a detailed account of the expedition, check out the current Spring 2013 issue of Canoeroots Magazine in stores now, or online here: https://www.rapidmedia.com/cr/canoerootsmag_spring13/
Also, the film on the expedition is coming together now- you can check out a rough clip from the film, images and lots more at www.kitturiaqfilm.com - it'll be out in festivals in the fall.

Please check out Frank's website at www.frank-wolf.net