561 Mile Saturday Night

Over the last 15 years of travel, I have only three times driven over 500 miles between saturday and sunday events. 

Yesterday began at 5 a.m. with a spirited unloading of the circus. Great sun and conversation. Live music and a bouncy castle at this true paddle festival.

No time for dinner. Nosh on nuts and vegis in the vehicle. Later that night, a microwavable rice and curry pouch at a truck stop in Corning California is whipped up.  Thermosed for a paced consumption. 

I drove until 2 a.m. hauling my heavy trailer for the challenging 250 miles of Northern California and Southern Oregon. It would be no problem in a lightly loaded car. Having lost a transmission and drive train on the same road years ago, my nerves were strung a bit tight. Smashing 15 canoes just last week in Montana helps you realize just how fast the $#÷/ can hit the fan.

I spent some of my drive thinking about the demo I just attended. I am sure there are a lot of tired folks sleeping well in their beds just miles away from the event site. I slept for 3.5 hours inside of a dark trailer still fresh with the smells of the day prior. Sand, lake water, sunshine and sunscreen lotion. The back of the casino parking lot where I eventually parked and slept in my trailer was quiet. It wasn't until the morning that I realized the lot bordered a cemetery just a few feet away from where my head rested. It is a bit ironic that my nomadic existence pauses briefly at this sedentary and fortified Native American casino. Perhaps the small percentage of my blood that is Sioux is what fuels my disposition toward staying on the move.

5:30 a.m. ... cold in the trailer. Quickly assemble the stove and boil water for my French press and instant oatmeal while the truck engine warms to continue the battle up and down the hills of Southern Oregon.

I miss my kids. I miss Karyn. Just a few days ago my third child  said his first words," Thank you". My daughter's first word was "duck" and my middle child's first word was "Harper", the name of his older sister. And this third child, Chase, says "thank you". I was able to catch this wonderful moment via a quick email video. I am thankful they're all healthy and am grateful for Karyn's strength and all of our friends and family that help her while I am away.

Here is a text I just received from her describing their morning:
"paxton just told me to like Harper's project better than his. When I asked why, he said he wanted her to be happy. the sweetest brother ever."

I can not take responsibility for this kind kinship but I am going to take inspiration and try to practice selfless love at the event I will attend today. 

Today's small event is rewarding because you have time to make new friends and share in some stories. We all try to paddle with that playful spirit that I so often have to miss seeing in my children.

Montana Wins Again

Sun and no snow isn't as nice as I thought. 50 mph winds flipped my trailer.  I knew this could happen and was trying to make it to Bozeman. 30 miles into my drive and I had a different surprise.

Displacement

On Wednesday morning, I woke in Todos Santos Mexico. Little baby chase was in the crib provided and cooing. The waves crashed in the distance and the light layer of fog and clouds was still present. Soon to be heated away by the rising sun. Harper and Paxton were sleeping on the two beds arranged in an L shape. Our bed on the other side of the room, furthest away from the coast, faced the doors and windows. Our last day in Mexico.

Two hour drive in our rented Jetta to the south end of the Baja Peninsula. Rental car return. Then the flight check, which is never short when you have a lap infant. San Jose del Cabo-Phoenix-LA-Redmond OR. Home finally at 10pm. Travel with a 5, 4 and 1 year old is work and we were tired.
However, by 11pm, my bags were emptied and laundry was going. By noon the next day my truck was packed. Small kitchen bag, groceries, travel guitar, back seat bed made up, mobile office, water, clothing, rep samples.

Sixteen Northstar canoes to be picked up in Billings MT, 900 miles away. Sunset along hwy 97 north from Bend is always a nice reward. The mountains to the west glow from white to red and tactfully contrast the rolling grass lands I travel. The gorge heading east. 395 north to 90 east to Spokane. That night the Pilot station in Ritzville is my parking spot. The next day I visit dealers in Spokane WA. By Noon, I settle in to drive 600 miles east. A visit in Missoula breaks the drive briefly. Finally, MT delivers some nice weather to me in late March. Usually, I get frosted and blown right back home. I return swearing off late winter visits to the big sky country. Not this time. Billings at 1030pm. Done.

2 countries, 6 states in 48 hours.

Barn Full of Burning Hay

Every long-timer boat rep I have spoken to says at some point, "I have so much (insert expletive) stuff!". It just accumulates. Reps are outfitters (demo days), salespersons and truck drivers all at once.

Our job is to show and sell the new gear. But, you have to store and transport it. Thus...

4 trucks, 5 trailers, 2 Eddyline fleets, 150 emotion kayaks, 3 warehouses, 1 giant shed, countless sales/demo samples, catalogs, banners, 7 pop up tents...and TIRES!!!

Truck/Van tires in active duty: 18
Snow Tires for these trucks 12
Spare vehicle tires: 4
Trailer tires in active duty: 12
Spare Trailer Tires in motion: 5

I have 51 tires mounted, being mounted or ready to replace a blow-out. All in motion every year.

Remember the tire changing skills of Bo and Luke Duke from the tv show "Dukes of Hazard"? Under 60 seconds. That is just pure pro status. Then back in the General Lee and down the road. The cb radio crackles, "Ya got yur ears on?" People should say that kind of stuff more.

I loved the narrator of that show that would lead them into a commercial break... "The boys found themselves in a hot kettle and the dinner bell is ringin'..."

He pops into my head sometimes when one of my metaphorical "Boss Hogs" has me backed into a burning barn full of hay...

"The picnic is set, but their ain't no bread in the basket" (Demo day with no inventory at the shop)

"There are a few too many cattle around the feeding trough and someones gonna get kicked" (shop with too many lines)

"I reckon this well has run dry but the folks are still thirsty" (this one is for my lovely AP folks)

"Looks like the porch light is on but no-one is in the kitchen" (product clinic...eyes open but brain on stand by)

"This bootleg ain't gonna make it 'fore sundown" (no chance the vendor will send product on time)

"Looks like thIs horse is gonna have to plow the field all by itself" (no help unloading/loading at a demo day)

"Didn't your momma tell you not to call the kettle black" (cause I mess up too)

************************************

Only 1.5 hrs left on this plane ride to Philadelphia. My hotel last night was the backseat of my truck in a hotel parking lot, up at 4am, drive through San Fran nice and early. Plane. Philly. Drive. Crap hotel. Ruby Tuesday. Ying ling beer. Sleep.

Too much stuff...

The Hotel

this year, I'm flying around the country a bunch and also hitting areas in the cold part of the season. Hotel jam in Kalispell.

 Rihanna sings this tune  this  that was written by this guy. Maybe in a hotel

maybe  we could speed up with 

The Pitchfork Revolution

 Justin Parker, Song writer of Rihanna's "Stay" below. The video with Rihanna in a bath tub probably sold better than if this dude was in his bathtub in hist hotel

Nemesis

I've been traveling Montana for 15 years and it seems that the Big Sky country has a little adventure in store for me every spring. There was the time I had a 102 degree fever for multiple days in Missoula MT. Too broke to spring for a hotel so I shivered in the back of my pick up truck for several nights. The fever, and the shop I stayed at both were defeated. I would take that fever back in a second if it would bring back The Canoe Rack.

There was the time I worked a demo day and then had planned to haul  550 miles all the way to Bellingham WA right afterward For anoyhe demo yhe next day. Unfortunately, the bbq elk meat I ate after the demo had different plans for me. I became well acquainted with the road side ditches of I90 in Washington in the wee hours of the morning.

The time that a shop owner promised 20 friends from his event a night on the town. Free burgers and beers. I happened to be standing next to him when the bartender said "cash only". Guess who had the cash and who had the credit card? I had to respect that hustle! A $300 lesson that you should never be standing near someone who says they will pay the bill.

Snow storms in March and April. A layer of dirt that digs right into your vehicles and fingernails. Long and mountainous drives that eat up the life of your vehicle. Strong winds that rip across the plains and suck the spirit right out of you.

This year's trip features some snowy weather and a dislocated/broken/totally f'd rib cage. A hard fall on the ski hill back home started the injury and then I was loading for this trip the next day when my rib popped out of its place and sent me to my knees. I'll nurse this wound all season I'm sure. Some planned events will now be impossible.

Funny enough...it sometimes takes an injury to remind myself how tight of a community I've come to know out here. Several of the shops I have visited have taken a very sympathetic and helpful attitude when I showed up injured. Unloading the samples and sharing their own remedies to a common boater injury. All too often, the repping biz can come down to shop vs manufacturer. I'm honored to have personally witnessed that several of the people I have visited on this trip are not only business partners but also my friends. It is cold out here so we can just focus on our relationship and how we can help eachother long term.

I wonder how I must appear to them? Every few months breezing through town with my wares, staying briefly and then moving on. For these folks to be so kind to a quarterly (at best) visitor is a big reminder that the Paddlesports community is still core. Still cool and still a family. Thanks friends.

Eddyline Raven

Got my hands on the new Eddyline Raven last week. When you drive around the country with a quiver of kayaks you tend to use the right boat for each conditions. The Samba for a quick tour, the 

Fathoms for distance and gear hauling, the Caribbean for sport/fish/swim and the Skylark/Sky 10 for a quick recreational dip. However, in my travels and sales, the reality is that most people are looking for just one boat to do open coast, touring, day-play, social, workout, suntan, etc. The Raven is it. It is the Queen on the chess board. Loose and dry on a wave and yet easy to control direction in a wind.

There are a multitude of brit styled boats on the market and as many opinions on what is best to match. The Raven doesn't just join the pack, it stands alone as the first US made, fully featured, heavy duty thermo-formed rough water design on the market. Slick on the water like a composite boat with the bounce-ability of a plastic kayak. Homerun. And believe me, I was a skeptic when this project began.

Did I need to fill the trailer with another long boat? Shorter boats are selling these days and the rough water paddlers are gravitating to transitional WW and surf play boats. If I was going to add a boat to the trailer I wanted it to appeal to everyone and sell in every shop. Another long boat?! And then I paddled it. The boyish fun of playfulness took over. Been a long time since that has happened for me and I paddle 'em all. I've also met so many paddlers that started with and love Eddyline but needed a boat to match their skills and open-water aspirations. Raven--Check. They would tell me they needed a lower back deck that for the arsenal of rolls they had learned. Raven-Check. Surf? Raven-Check. Light and strong? Raven-Check (they use a thicker lay-up for this model but still easy to shoulder).

This front deck hatch is so useful and totally out of the way.

Eddyline offers two seat shapes (low profile and performance) on the Raven. Both can be adjusted for trim and fit. Easily removable for maintenance or custom seat installation for those that have their own favorite post market seat.

Features
Eddyline Fall 2012 Eddyline Raven
16'6", 22" beam
Cockpit depth forward: 12.5"
Cockpit depth aft: 8.5"

4 Hatches: 2 10" bow/stern hatch, 8" day hatch, 5" forward day hatch w/ waterproof compartment.
Skeg controls on left side which make for easy control by RH paddler.
Sea Dog footbraces
2 seat options w/ low profile backband: Low profile and performance seat (more canting under thighs)

F.I.T (For? Intended Purpose? Type of water)

For: An all conditions sea kayaker, someone who needs a boat that will surf and invite them to improve rough water skills, rolls and edging. We tested with paddlers in the 6'2" range with size 14 shoes that had a nice fit. I'm 6', 175lbs and it fit great with both seat options. I would actually elevate myself slightly in the low-profile seat using a seat pad or foam.

Intended Purpose: With all the performance packed into this boat you really can tackle any conditions from lake to coast. It excels where other models might not: open water paddling, skills training, surf, current. Smaller hatches will have to be packed with small packets of gear (trend these days). The forward day hatch makes this boat convenient for those who need a camera/gps/phone in quick reach.

Type of Water: Anywhere this boat can go. Open water, Sea Kayaking, River/Tide current play. Especially excels in rough water, surf and high winds.

Thoughts from the 2012 Bay Area Paddlefest

Just returned from the 2012 Bay Area Paddlefest.

I am now convinced that events like this are the least effective way to excite people about our sport we love. I watched enthusiastic newcomers leave tired, hungry and confused. It made me sad. Thirty to forty reps all incredibly skillful at showing their products while delicately pointing out a few "items of curiosity" about their competition might not be the best recipe for a newcomer. We mean well. I think all of us reps would like to spend more time training retail staff about products so they can be the best help to the new paddler. The retailer is in the best position to help a new paddler because they know the local waters and can show the products best suited for different locales. I was confused that many of the store employees did not even try the new products that so many companies brought to the beach. There certainly was enough time!

If you are new and interested in getting involved in the wonders of the world of paddlesports I might humbly make some suggestions (ok maybe not as soft and tactful as I would like but this is a blog!)

1. Take a tour, social paddle, sunset paddle or paddling campout with friends or your favorite shop. Do this before a class so that you can just focus on the fun. Get hooked!

2. Think about what you want to do with this sport. Is there a picture in your head of yourself a year from now with your new kayak/canoe/sup? Tell friends, trusted shop employees and family about this "vision".  Maybe they have some insight. A good model that helps me ask customers what is important to them is:

F.I.T   For you (size, skills, aggressiveness, carrying convenience, pocket book)
           Intended Purpose (what are you doing with this boat--camping, fitness, day, tour, fish, etc)
           Type of Water (make sure your craft is safe and equipped for your preferred waterways)

3. Take a class or work on skills you have picked up from your trusted paddlers. Make sure you keep #2 in mind but be open to gaining new aspirations.

4. Rent some boats. Paddle. Paddle. Paddle. Paddle. Paddle. Paddle. read. Paddle. Paddle. Paddle. Be sure to mix 9 parts paddling to 1 part reading/computer "research". I know of a fellow rep who experimented one year by changing the entire internet content of one of his "items". He used friends from all over the country to post reviews and purchased professionals to also swing opinions and add content. Believe me, it happens all the time. Even in the magazines. Especially on the online forums. You can't believe everything you read and those who write it don't know who you are or what is important to you.

5. Buy a boat based upon your assessment with your new found skills once you feel you have reached a reasonable point on the accelerated portion of your "learning curve". Be open to selling this new boat in a year or two. You are not getting married to your first craft. You will only lose 20 to 30% of your investment after 2-3 years if you decide to part with your first boat. Better yet, keep your first boat for friends and family and add to your quiver.

Send the companies you patronized pics, opinions and suggestions regarding your new gear. We will listen and make improvements along the way. 

Eddyline Caribbean Sit On Top

The new 12' Caribbean Sit On Top from Eddyline Kayaks. 12' long, 30" width, 48lbs. Capacity 300lbs.

The first sit on top Caribbean 12' from Eddyline Kayaks is now on the market and Dan Arbuckle (Headwater's Kayak) and I were able to get it out on the water last week. Dan is 6'1" 210 lbs (red jacket) and I am 5'11" 175 lbs (black suit).

Eddyline took a lot of time getting the Caribbean just right and they had plenty of feedback from the various fishing guides and outfitters around the country. You'll notice a very feature rich and customizable deck. The Caribbean comes standard with sliding mounting tracks that can accomodate the plethora of rod holders, GPS mounts, beverage and camera mounts that are on the markets. There are 3 hatches on the Caribbean for plenty of storage and access. Paddle holders on both sides of the boat for quick parking of the paddle. Sea dog footbraces on the rudderless version and stainless footbraces for the ruddered option. The stern tankwell is shaped to fit milk crates and buckets and also comes with optional tankwell cover for drier storage.

One of the coolest features that Eddyline has worked into the Caribbean is that the seat scupper does not drain straight down into the water but is instead plumbed to drain into the forward foot compartment scupper. This means no more splashes straight into your seat and a much drier ride. Add two scupper plugs into paddler's cockpit scupper drains and you have a totally dry ride for colder water paddling when drainage is not needed.

Eddyline's carbon shaft from Swift Paddles has been used to make a "no-pinch handle" that is strong and beautiful.

Hinge Hatch--easy to open and keep open for on water access. Rods can be stored easily down inside the hull for surf landing. The hatch is "gasketed" for dryness.

Notice the small access hatch behind the paddler. Also a really easy place to store a fishing rod for surf landings. This hatch (along with the hatch in the cockpit) also make accessorizing and after market installation of gadgets a snap with the Caribbean.

I really like these nylon seat clips--they are flush and accomodate all the different seat clips that are out on the market. The ruddered version of the Caribbean will come standard with two flush mount rod holders behind the paddler. These can also be ordered on the non ruddered version for additional cost.

Optional rear tank well hatch keeps gear dry and looks way cool!

We have been very pleased with the suction mounts from Ram Mount. Tom placed this on the boat 3 weeks earlier and after a couple trips to the water and various toys attached it was still holding strong! The benefit of the high gloss/low porosity Carbonlite surface.

Track Mounts are excellent for allowing custom placement and choice of your favorite fishing, photography and navigation tools.

Project Ouch!

How tough is that material?

I have heard a lot of mis-truths about thermoforming and the material that Eddyline calls Carbonlite. In a past blog I illustrate how easy Carbonlite is to repair. But how tough is it?

There are many types of abuse and each type has a different outcome on your kayak. Everyone says that a Poly boat is the toughest yet it is the worst for abrasion and UV damage (shape retention and longevity).

For 99% of Eddyline's customers, the current lay-up and material thickness does a great job of balancing the durability vs weight trade-off. Eddyline wanted to remove the light "weight" emphasis that is so important on the market and make a heavy duty version for impact zone paddling and rep abuse. Just how thick of a sheet material to use for impact zone abuse is the question at hand.

I've done most of the things you will see during this season's Project Ouch to my demo boats over the years. They hold up. I decided to have a special Samba made up just for me to abuse. If something does break we will turn it into a chance to learn about repair. Durability of thermoformed boats is just like any other material. How thick of a lay-up? What kind for reinforcements? What kind of abuse?

There is no "best" material but just tradeoffs. I love having a quiver of personal boats so I can choose the right tool for the job without any compromise. In my garage are boats of every material and they all hold up differently depending on the abuse.

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE FIRST INSTALLMENT OF PROJECT OUCH

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...