I’ve been paddling for while now, close to 4 or 5 years, but I didn’t really start skilling up relatively recently. I was already a very competent paddler at that time, but had become comfortable in my local river runs and didn’t push myself too much past that. During my progression from casual to addicted … Continue reading Summersville WV Paddling Trip(or Picking Up the New Boat)
This weekend, I went out to Rich Inlet, next to Figure Eight Island in Wilmington for a nice day of surfing. We launched and rode the tide out roughly 2.75 miles to make an easy beach landing just before Rich Inlet. There, we stretched our legs and discussed the plans for the day. Ultimately, we … Continue reading Surf Day By Figure Eight Island
I have been going to the pool now for two years, so that I can practice rolling and other rescue techniques, as well as just mess around, in a safe environment. During my first year, while learning to roll, I was at the pool almost every weekend. However, I have scaled that down some this … Continue reading Practice at the Pool
I was fortunate enough to be able to spend New Years Day paddling at Emerald Isle. Magic Seaweed reported the conditions at about 1 foot. However, we determined that due to the distance Bogue Pier(the conditions Magic Seaweed is reporting) is from Bogue Inlet(where we do most of our paddling,) you need to add a … Continue reading Ringing in the New Year at the Beach
I participated in a whitewater skills class this month with Larry Ausley, an L5 ACA Whitewater instructor with an insane amount of knowledge, and Wayne Jones, who is an exceptional paddler, ACA Instructor, and also an awesome paddling resource. We went down the Balcony Falls section of the James River in Glasgow Virginia and worked … Continue reading James River Kayak Skills Class
After having durability issues with a pair of NRS Maverick gloves, I solicited some advice from KayakHipster when we commented on the same Reddit thread and he recommended I try out Glacier Glove Premium Waterproof Gloves. I gave them a shot and have been quite pleased with them, although have only had them for about … Continue reading Gear Review: Glacier Glove Premium Waterproof Gloves
When I first started paddling, I received a pair of NRS Maverick Gloves as a gift. The Maverick Gloves are made out of 2mm neoprene, with a pretty tight cuff that keeps water from getting into the glove. I was still quite new at paddling and so these were my first pair of paddling gloves … Continue reading Gear Review: NRS Maverick Gloves
I had the opportunity to go on a neat coastal paddle this weekend around Cape Lookout NC this past weekend. We started our paddle at the Harkers Island Visitor Center and then went about 3 miles Northeast to Codd’s creek. From there, we traveled around 7 miles down to Cape Lookout and camped right in … Continue reading Cape Lookout NC
The Neuse is a river that flows out of Falls Dam in Raleigh and is 275 miles long, flowing into the Pamlico Sound. Since I live nearby, I often find myself on it. When water is releasing from Falls Dam, there are several nice play spots within about a 1/4 mile of the dam, where … Continue reading Keeping the Neuse Clean
This summer, I had the opportunity to take part in a Level 4 Swift Water Rescue class, put on by several ACA members in Weldon, NC. It was a great experience and I learned a lot from the 3 course instructors, as well as from other members of the class. If you haven’t been, Weldon … Continue reading 2016 ACA Swift Water Rescue Class