A Good 'Ol Fire

As snow begins to fall in central oregon there is still reason to get outside and hang on to the last few nights under the stars. Just the other night my close friend Colby had a going away party. He is heading to Hawaii to start up Emotion Kayak's distribution on the islands. Colby is the real deal and he doesn't use an evite to get people to his party. He just sends a photo:

This photo led 100 good friends to a big clearing in the woods. Enough said...

Emotion and Jim Snyder in Japan

http://ameblo.jp/init003/entry-10668830228.html

Eddyline Samba Review

I finally was able to get the Eddyline Samba in some wind and waves. I've been really looking forward to this boat for this type of day paddling. Just messing around near the beach...

Compared to its predecessor, the Merlin LT, it has more generous leg room and a lower back deck. The bow is sharp and cuts right through the waves without being to "sticky" to swing around in a hurry. One of these shots shows how well the water just peels off the bow. A really nice knife like feel.

The Samba had enough acceleration to jump up to cruising speed quickly. Its shorter length and low stern kept it unaffected by wind. I found the stability and edging extremely predictable and when I caught a few of these small waves I was able to easily control the bow and play a little on the way down the wave. I did not need to use the skeg this day at all.

Eddyline Samba in action

Eddyline Samba in Limited Edition Color Sunset Orange

Just picked up the newest kayak from Eddyline. The Samba is gorgeous. Mine weighed in at 42.44 lbs on the climbing gear scale that I use. I'm thrilled with the limited edition color--I'm calling it Sunset.

Rockpool Kayaks now available at Scappoose Bay Kayaks

Scappoose Bay Paddling Center is pleased to now offer the new Rockpool Alaw Bach TCC!

www.scappoosebaykayaking.com

They are even offering a special for the first month!

British Design merges with the best in American kayak manufacturing. The Alaw Bach Thermoformed Composite Construction (TCC) are shipping all over the world as more and more paddlers are realizing the benefits of this type of manufacturing:

• Zero Waste--all extra material is sent back to the supplier of the material. The manufacturing process is much cleaner than a fiberglass production.
• Zero Gel Fractures--the fragile gel exterior of a composite kayak is replaced with a hard acrylic outer skin.
• Automated manufacturing that takes the variability out of the kayak. Uniform thickness (Rockpool uses the thickest material on the market for rough water conditions)
• 52 Lbs
• Ease of Repair--see how easy it is to do HERE . Touch ups, fills, fractures--all much faster than a composite repair

I'll be there June 4th and 5th! Give Scappoose Bay Paddling Center a call for more information.

Western Inventory

Get what you want when you want...

We bring in full container loads to the West to help meet our dealers quick inventory needs with freight savings.

Updated 7.03.10

Bend OR Available Inventory

Emotion Comets-Yellow, Red and Blue

Emotion Spitfires- Yellow, Red and Blue

Emotion Steatlth- mixed colors

Emotion Comotion-red and blue

Grand Slam Angler- Mustard, Yellow, Green

Canoes

Esquif Avalon Green

Esquif Prospector 16 Red and Green

Esquif Presage Yellow and Red

Esquif Heron square stern Green

Esquif Canyon Red

Mistral 16 and 17.5

Burlington WA RubyCreek Boathouse

See www.rubycreekboathouse.blogspot.com

Bend Kayak Sculpture

I happened to go by this new sculpture going up next to the Bend Parks and Rec Castle (I mean office) along the Deshutes River. I had heard about the artist doing this (can't find his/her name). I think Eddyline feels honored that the artist chose their boats to use and they do look pretty cool shooting into the sky. But, I also had some mixed feelings.

The Bend Parks and Rec office in town sits on the most prime real estate in town and this statue is on a roundabout on the way into their parking lot( which is used by many paddlers). The new office was constructed during the economic collapse and it appears that no expense was spared. The park around the building is nice and the geese are going to love the fresh surface. For me, the grace of a kayak or canoe is in its ability to help me escape our cement trappings. They are quiet crafts that allow us to foray into nature and then escape sans footprints. I kind of felt sorry for all these stationary boats that will never feel the water. I guess that is the point of Art...makes you think. And when I go around a roundabout, I'm usually thinking about absolutely nothing. Perhaps most people will pause a moment and wish they were on the water in a kayak instead of in their car. Right before they are rear ended by the car behind them looking into the sky!

If you have heard any of my soap box ramblings on a demo beach then you know that sunshine is the enemy of all of our Gear (including ourselves). I've seen what kayaks look like when stored outside full time for years on end.
Get down and take a look at this while it is still shiny and new. Perhaps I'm over thinking all of this!

Here's a new one...

Alder Creek Bend becomes Tumalo Creek Kayak and Canoe

Alder Creek Kayak & Canoe changes its name to Tumalo Creek Kayak & Canoe: New name, same friendly staff serving Central Oregon for over a decade

Bend, OR – It’s official, Tumalo Creek has unveiled its new name, new image and new website in an effort to further emphasize its local ownership and Central Oregon location.

“We are not the same company as Alder Creek anymore,” said owner Geoff Frank who bought the store from the Portland company in the winter of 2008, after serving as general manager for eight years.

Frank wanted to choose a new name that had some continuity with Alder Creek, the river near Portland that flows into the Sandy River, for which the original Portland stores were named.

Tumalo Creek flows into the Deschutes on a section of the river known by local kayakers as the “Riverhouse run,” the stretch from The Riverhouse Hotel & Convention Center to Tumalo State Park.

“I have a lot of fond kayaking memories of that spot where Tumalo meets the Deschutes,” said Frank. “After coming off the Class 4, I like to stop and paddle up Tumalo into this pretty little canyon, and then there is lots of fun, poppy water down below to look forward to.”

This summer, Tumalo Creek will be offering a wide range of beginning flatwater and whitewater kayak classes, summer camps for kids, a music series/demo day the last Wednesday of every month, and a Stand Up Paddleboarding race series every Wednesday in July and August. Please see the website for more details.

About Tumalo Creek Kayak & Canoe:

Tumalo Creek Kayak and Canoe has the largest selection of whitewater kayaks, sea kayaks, recreational kayaks, paddleboards and canoes in Central Oregon. We also offer a range of tours and classes to improve your kayaking skills. Whether you want to paddle the whitewater rivers of the Cascades or canoe across placid, high mountain lakes, our super friendly staff of paddlers are here to help. Our locally owned and operated shop is located next to the Colorado Bridge off SW Industrial Way, right on the Deschutes River.

Joys of the Road

Second time in 10 years that the Siskiyou Mountains on I5 south in S. Oregon has gotten the best of me. About 7 years ago I blew a transmission. Today, at literally the exact same place, I felt the drive train come apart under me as I ascended the mtn with F350, 22' enclosed trailer, and Truck Camper all depending on it.

I had seconds to slide over to the shoulder. Then the fun started. For some reason my parking brake was also fried. This meant that I had to sit in my car with both feet on the brake and phone for help. Thanks to the State Patrol Officer that arrived to help "block" the tires. Forty minutes later the super sized tow truck was there. I love AAA RV Plus Plan!!!!

They towed me up the pass and then turned around and descended back to Medford OR to Crater Lake Ford. I was reminded by Crater Lake Ford that there are still some folks out there that truly practice the art of customer service. Totally awesome. One thing led to another and the White F350 that has been with me for 218,000 miles was traded for a slightly used F450. Bigger!!!!!

The irony of what it takes to promote human powered craft all over the west.

Pic taken from below the truck on the side of I5

Stohlquist Descent PFD and Add -a Buoy

Descent $199.95
Stohlquist's newest rescue pfd features so many new design elements from Stohlquist:

• Wrapture Foam--the ultra soft foam has been cut pre-curved to fit your body. The jacket molds right to your body even before tightening down the signature cross chest "cinch strap".
• Contoured and Reinforced Nail Cloth Shoulders: The shoulders curve away from the neck to avoid unwanted contact. Free floating with counter suspension secures the jacket against the body.
• Self-Centering 1 1/2" black oxidized stainless O-Ring
• High Capacity, self expanding front pocket will fit camera, Stohlquist Bullet Bag Throwbags or added bouyancy Add-a Buoy (see below).
  
• Ventilated lumber pad
• Gripp-Loc rubberized surface interior non-slip panel for zero ride up.
  

Stohlquist Add-A-Buoy $24.95

• Increases "face-up" tendency and adds floatation in rough conditions.
• Can also improve fit of the Descent.

Stohlquist Bullet Bags Sea Tow $54.95 WW Bullet Bag $49.95

WW Bullet Bag

Rockpool Alaw Bach

First Rockpool Alaw Bach MSRP $2999


Thermoformed Deck and Hull. Extra thickness and strength for the rough and tumble.




First US Dealer: Penguin Paddlers Redding and Rocklin CA