Archive for July, 2008

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Kayaking

Wednesday, July 30th, 2008

Relative to many boats a kayak is small, unstable, and rather slow. In a lot of ways these attributes can make kayaks unsafe. To a larger degree than most boats the safety of the person on the boat is dependent on the skill and judgment of the paddler. Where some boats will keep their passengers alive despite the errors and faults of the passenger, a kayak does little to overcome the failings of the paddler. While it is possible to design boats that are inherently safer, and there are things that you can do to make a kayak as safe as possible, trying to make a kayak that you would call truly safe would result in a boat that is no longer truly a kayak.I found this description of a kayak on a website devoted to kayak techniques. I don’t know a lot about what this author is trying to say other than the same passage could have been written about a canoe, a dinghy… or hey take away the paddling part and you could be describing the Titanic!

What I do know is there are several techniques to paddling a kayak. Guess what…you should say what at this point…anyway, all of the techniques are correct! It is up to you to decide which form best fits your style. Me personally, I like it when I can get someone else to paddle and I can watch the scenery.

One term I have to pass on is from Kayak and Canoe:  Carp – A failed roll in which the boater manages to get his lips above water to take a hasty breath. Picture someone trying to stick their beak above water to take in what they think is their last breath…then look at a fish called a carp…no difference, except the carp can breathe underwater! I personally have witnessed this event… but that is another story.

Whatever your fitness level it is a blast to be on a body of water paddling for no reason at all soaking up some rays, wildlife watching; or paddling for exercise…or bumming a ride! Hope to see you all out there paddling except the kid who saw me this weekend and made the crack “Look Mommy he is doing the doggy paddle!”

See you outdoors.

Sam

 

 

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Exercise

Thursday, July 24th, 2008

Hi! I hope most of you have enjoyed your week! Why I say most is because there is a certain cat who enjoys waking me up from my “power” naps. That cat is really not in the best of shape for a rumble with yours truly. Check out the photo of my physique as I leave a wake at the lake…in a no wake zone no less! We all know the saying if you don’t use it you will lose it. I live by that motto…although power naps are just as important.

 One quick lame comment about SkyWriter…plastic bottles are taking up more space in the landfill…it takes around 700 years for a bottle to decompose…no idea what that is in dog years, but its a lot! So if your company really takes green seriously…check out a cool water bottle (bpa free) or one made of aluminum or stainless to help combat this problem. Me I use the same dish no plastic…unless there is a cool fountain around with running water or hey a sprinkler really does the job.

All this talk of water has me heading out the door for the lake this weekend! Kayaking, swimming, catching up on some serious power naps!  Have the best weekend ever!

sam

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