Kayak Fishing on the Fraser River

What a day on the Fraser River yesterday with Kokatat Western Canadian Regional and Nikki Rekman Sales Team Paddler, Laura Demers and her fishing-partner, Sandra Ramsey. Laura and Sandra work for Kokatat and Werner Paddles dealer, Western Canoeing and Kayaking in Abbotsford, BC and these women know how to fish and they are passionate about it. 

Sandra

Laura

Who better for me to head out on the water with to make a serious go, at claiming the Werner Paddles Sales Rep Fishing Contest title (stay tuned, I won't know till our sales meeting on the weekend :).

It was a hot, hot Fraser Valley day but the fish did not disappoint me. I learned so much from Laura and Sandra and they were extremely patient as it took me a little bit to get comfortable with the gear. Those lead weights are heavy!

Werner Paddles HOOKED Camano and Cyprus

Laura and Sandra are in the process of teaming up with Fred's Custom Tackle in Chilliwack and Abbotsford to do some guided sturgeon kayak fishing trips on the Fraser River so you can have this amazing experience too. Stay tuned to my blog for more info about their new venture as it becomes available.

Not gonna lie, he was a little unruly!!! LOL. #where'sNikki

What a thrill - 4' and about 50 lbs.

Thank you again, to Laura and Sandra for giving me one of my best days on the water all year! Thanks to, Kevin Henderson for the use of the Wilderness Systems Ride 115 and the rod/reel. A day I won't soon forget!!!!

A New Werner Paddles SUP Ambassador in Western Canada

We are super excited to announce that Genna Flinkman of Edmonton, Alberta is the newest Werner Paddles SUP Ambassador in Western Canada and member of the Nikki Rekman Sales Team.

Genna is a fantastic edition to our team, on and off the water. She is fun, generous and in her words, "Loves spreading the love for all things SUP!" She's smart too, with a degree in Kinesiology and Psychology, she uses this knowledge when training herself and others. It also helps her to educate people on how to stay healthy and fit. Genna has been playing competitive sports her whole life. Most recently she played college basketball at Augustana University College (part of the University of Alberta) and was a member of the Alberta Development Team for Skeleton.

She was introduced to stand up paddling by a close friend, who knew her athletic background and figured Genna and SUP would be a great fit. He was right. The day after her first time on a race board, she was hooked and bought her first board.

We met Genna at the West Kootenay River SUP Race where she placed 1st for Women, in the Distance Race and 1st for Women, in the SUP Cross (her first ever, river competition).

Having trained with some of the most notable SUP paddlers in the world, Candace Appleby to name one, we expect that Genna will be one of the women to beat in the future.Genna will be spending more time in California training this winter and we expect she will do amazing things in SUP in the next months and years ahead.

Genna is also sponsored by Infinity SUP Boards, Virus Action Sport Performance, CJC SUP Fins and Spy Optics.  Please follow Genna and her SUP adventures via Instagram @gflinkman. 

Sunshine Coast Paddle Board Festival

As we mentioned months ago, our season is all about SUP and we are planning for another event this  coming weekend.

Join us for the Sunshine Coast Paddle Board Festival at beautiful Porpoise Bay Provincial Park THIS Sunday July 12th from 9 am - 2pm

This event is hosted by Kokatat and Werner Paddles dealer, Alpha Adventures located in Sechelt, BC.

Demos and Clinics – $8 per person gets you unlimited access to demo all boards and clinics (based on availability).

Register HERE

The race is an additional $15 entry fee but remember, proceeds go to charity!

Schedule of Events -

09:00am- Festival Begins- demos available throughout the morning and some in the afternoon where board availability permits.

09:30am- SUP fitness clinic – 30 minutes

10:00am- Basic Paddle Strokes Clinic- 30 minutes

11:30am- Rec Course Racers meet at tent

12:00pm- Rec Course Race begins

1:00 pm- Sprint / Kids Race *** (If there is enough interest)

1:30 pm- Awards Ceremony and Prize Draw

2:00pm- Festival Ends- have a great afternoon!

We will be providing gear from Kokatat and Werner Paddles so look for our booths, come try some gear and say hello.

Recap - Slocan and Columbia River SUP Race (aka West Kootenay River SUP Race)

Another FANTASTIC weekend of river SUP racing in the West Kootenays presented by Endless Adventure in Crescent Valley, BC. 

The 2nd Annual West Kootenay River SUP Race drew stand up paddlers from as far away as Prince Albert, SK and Edmonton, AB and from around British Columbia.

Temperatures were HOT throughout the weekend so being on the water was fun and refreshing. Friday afternoon/evening Andrea Ryman (owner of Endless Adventure) provided a River SUP clinic to introduce folks to the beautiful Slocan River that would be home of the SUP Cross on Sunday. The clinics are a must-do for folks who want to have an edge on their competitors!

Saturday was the distance race on the Columbia River 16+ kms, putting in at the boat launch in Robson (across from the Lions Head Pub) and navigating some high water conditions to the town of Genelle. Due to the hot temperatures so early in the season this years paddlers experienced whirl-pools and boils along the entire route - everyone did a stellar job and top finishers - Ken Larsen and Genna Flinkman posted times under 1 hr!!!!

Headed to the river Photo: Mark Klein

Lions Head Pub - Post Distance Race Photo: Nikki Rekman

The race was followed up by a friendly gathering at the Lions Head Pub before heading back to the Slocan River for some practice runs.

Lower Slocan River Photo: Mark Klein

We enjoyed a delicious pig roast (thank you, Chris and Andrea) and some cool beverages courtesy of Sleeman Brewery on the Saturday night before we all retired dreaming of eddylines and buoy turns in the SUP Cross on Sunday.

Saturday Night Pig Roast at Endless Adventure Photo: Nikki Rekman

SUP Cross participants were up early Sunday morning to get a view of the course and get geared up with all the appropriate river gear. Rescue PFDs, paddles, helmets and SUP leashes help make your river SUP experience safe and FUN!!! Thank you to: Kokatat PFD's, Werner Paddles, Predator Helmets and North Water for loaning all the gear!!

This event is for SUP paddlers of all levels and the more experienced river SUP paddlers who attend, continue to be gracious and kind in sharing their knowledge and experience with new participants.

Congratulations to Ken Larsen and Genna Flinkman for capturing the Men's and Women's SUP Cross titles for 2015!!

The 2015 event was sponsored by: Werner Paddles, Sleeman Brewery, Kialoa, Zelstoff-Celgard 

Looks like the dates for 2016 will be July 1 - 3

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!!!

More photos can be viewed on Mark's Flickr account.