Where it all began

The place: Cape Broyle, Newfoundland
The year: yesteryear.....ok, it wasn't that long ago, Summer 2002

Over the weekend I came across these pictures of our first time kayaking. We did a tour with Stan Cook Sea Kayak Tours in Cape Broyle, and oh yes, we were hooked. Every year after that we vowed to buy our own kayaks and have our own adventures, and in the summer of 2005 we finally made that dream come true, and we haven't looked back since.

Unfortunately, given the latest weather trends here in the tropical north Atlantic, summer paddling seems as far away as ever. Snow, freezing rain and wind are all we see in the forecast, with no end in sight. During these times, its fun to look back on old pictures and think about how it all started. I think I was about 20lbs lighter back then, and Angie about 20lbs heavier :-)

Rock Over London, Rock on Chicago
Brian

New Paddle

For Christmas I got a new paddle, the Werner "Corryvrecken". I've only got to try it out once so far, and that was in the pool, so I couldn't get a real feel of how its going to be for touring, but I must say, it feels awesome so far. My previous paddle was the one that came with my kayak, a 230cm aluminum shaft/plastic blade made by Aquabound. So to make this switch to a 220 cm carbon fibre, bent shaft Werner is quite the step up for me and its easy to feel the difference.

Maybe I'll get to use it soon, so I'll keep my fingers crossed and keep waiting for spring. I think its just around the corner.........

Rock over London, Rock on Chicago
Brian

Ponds Still Frozen........

No problem, we'll just have to use the water in other ways and go skating.

While I'm itching to throw my kayak in the water and do a lap around Little Goose Pond (about 4kms), every evening when I get home from work I find that its still frozen. So yesterday evening it was time to dust off the old skates and do the Canadian thing and go skating.

Hopefully I'll be adding posts about paddling here again soon!

Rock over London, Rock on Chicago

Winter Feathers

I took this photo yesterday while on a snowmobile tour between Buchans and Howley. This partridge was out having a snack on some tree buds. I was about 30ft away, using a 300mm lens. He totally ignored me and kept on eating. It was amazing how camoflauged he was with his snow white feathers.

While on the tour I got to take a peek at Grand Lake and Red Indian Lake for the first time, two of Newfoundlands larger lakes. Grand lake is the largest on the Island, something like 160kms long, if I'm not mistaken. I smell a summer paddling trip.

Rock over London, Rock on Chicago.
Brian

Pool Practice

This past tuesday I was finally able to make it to a pool session at the Aquarena. It was great to practice rolling, rescues, etc. in a warm water environment. Watching some of the other paddlers doing hand rolls made me realize how very little I know about this sport, and how much I have to learn.

For fun, I took my Hero waterproof camera, and set the timer to take pictures during some rolls. Below are some of the funny results.

Rock over London, Rock on Chicago
Brian

When Kayakers Get Married....

You know kayaking has to be a part of it. These are three photos taken by Phonse King (www.kingsphoto.net) on Chance Cove beach. We wanted to paddle to Rantem, but figured the guests waiting on us at the reception wouldn't be too happy about waiting any longer to eat :-)

A Walk in the Woods

I often have trouble embracing winter. The fact that I commute the 85kms each way everyday from Whitbourne to St John's for work doesn't help anything. Getting to work in the dark, and getting home in the evening in the dark is depressing.


However there are a few activities that I enjoy in the wintertime. Over the Christmas break me, Trent and his dog, Rooster got out for a walk in the woods near Whitbourne, to a place called Big Overfalls. As always, we have a fire and a little lunch. Nothing like a lunch in the woods!


It was my first time into the falls, and I hear its a great swimming spot in the summer. It looked pretty neat with all the ice that had formed around it.


Hopefully I 'll get into a pool session next week, I'm itching to try out my new paddle!

Rock over London, Rock on Chicago

Brian