STAND UP! NOW PADDLE!

The beach is busy and the lake is dotted with what seems like hundreds of stand up paddle boarders cruising along the shoreline. The boards are colorful, the paddles are long and sleek and the paddlers ever so graceful. It's a common scene this summer as the stand up paddling craze sweeps the US and Canada. An upright view of the water offers a refreshing escape from the summer heat. The only thing you need to join the stand up paddling revolution is a board, paddle and depending on your swimming ability a PFD to get started.

"Where are you going to paddle? For most paddle board shops, that would and should be the first question they ask you," explains Bayside Adventure Sports paddling coordinator, Brian Hughes,  "Lake paddling is considered "flat-water" paddling which covers about half the boards in the marketplace.  You would not want a board suited for surfing on waves."

While paddle boards come in different lengths, widths, thicknesses, and construction, they are all designed for either flat water or surf and sometimes a little of both.  Here is an idea of type five basic boards at the paddle shop.

• Surf specific boards
• All-around/Touring boards
• Racing Boards
• Yoga Boards
• Inflatable stand up paddle boards

Surfing boards are narrower, shorter, lighter, and have a tapered nose and tail. They are designed for quick turns, high performance, and are used primarily in the ocean. They are also less stable than larger multipurpose boards that are wider, longer, have a greater volume. Their size and volume make them much more stable than wave boards.

 "As a general guideline," says Hughes, "Wider boards are more stable. Narrower boards are what we call "tippy," meaning that while paddling, you feel like you could fall off at any second. Flat-water boards do not have as much rocker as ocean boards. The rocker is the slight curve that follows the bottom of the board.  A board with a lot of rocker will have somewhat of a "banana" appearance, and when you set that board on the flat ground, the nose and tail will both be lifted off the ground.  Flat-water boards don't need as much rocker."

The all-around touring boards are ideal for beginners trying out SUP boarding for the first time.  A board with a wide tail is usually more stable. Beware of boards that have a roundness to the side to side contour of the bottom of the board. "Any roundness added to the bottom," says Hughes, "makes the board more tippy."

Racing boards designed for intense training are longer, narrower and have an extremely pointy nose and a very long fin. These boards are very unstable unless moving forward at a fast speed.  Yoga boards are wider and longer than surfing boards. They have a soft top and places to hook up various exercise tools like resistance bands and safety equipment. It is also good to have an anchor so they don’t drift away during a mid-lake workout.

If storage and transportation is a problem, consider inflatables paddle boards which are lighter and easier to transport in the trunk of any car.  However, making wave riding a challenge, they are not as stiff as a regular board. "They work," says Hughes, "but can feel "bouncy" if not inflated properly, and they don't make a high-performance inflatable board."

Newer paddlers should first choose a board with more volume until they get used to the sport. The more volume a board has the more stable it will be out on the water. A paddler's height and weight
are important dynamics in paddling the board. "It is a function of the weight of rider as contrasted with the size of the board, " said Hughes,  "A 250 lb. person is not going to be able to ride a nine-foot longboard.  They need a twelve-foot board or longer.  By the same token, a 110 lb person is going to have a hard time riding a twelve foot board, and will be much better off on a nine to ten foot board."

Below is a chart of Eastern Mountain Sports recommended weight ranges.


Beginner                                  Advanced

Beginner-Advanced Length: 10 ft. 6 in.-11 ft. Width: 28-30 in.	Weight: 120-150 lb.                                  Length: 9 ft.-10 ft. 6 in                                 Width: 26-26.5 in.
Weight: 160-190 lb.. Length: 11 ft. Width: 29-32 in.	Weight: 160-190 lb.                                 Length: 9 ft. 6 in.-10 ft. 6 in.                                 Width: 27-28 in.
Weight: 200-230 lb. Length: 11 ft.-11 ft. 6 in. Width: 29-32 in.	Weight: 200-230 lb.                                  Length: 10 ft.-11 ft.                                 Width: 28-28.5 in.
Weight: 240-270 lb. Length: 11 ft. 6 in.-12 ft.        Width: 32-33 in.	Weight: 240-270 lb.                                 Length: 11 ft.-11 ft. 6 in.                                Width: 29.5-31.5 in.
Weight: 280+ lb. Length: 12 ft. Width: 33 in.	Weight: 280+ lb.                                Length: 12 ft.                                Width: 32 in.

The SUPs come with one, two, or three fins and sometimes even four or five. The fins keep the board going straight. On flat water, a single fin works well. Fins are made of either fiberglass or nylon. The more fins a board has, the more specialized it is.  Fiberglass fins provide the best performance, but they’re stiff and sharp and can be a danger if not careful. It’s also common to snap a fiberglass fin in very shallow water or on the rocks.

Experience in a canoe or kayak will help when learning to stand up paddle board. With the right board, stand up paddling is fairly simple.  Experience will help in picking out a board. Hughes suggests renting the board a few times before taking the plunge.

"Let the person who rents the board be your guide," said Hughes, "The first time out, you are not looking for performance characteristics. You are looking to have a sufficient board underneath to have a pleasant experience. Once you have paddled a few times, and are thinking of purchasing a board, the best strategy is to go to a "demo day" and try a bunch of boards."

Stand up paddle boarding is an easy way to enjoy the great outdoors, get some exercise, and have fun. It’s also a great way to give your body a full workout. Whether the ocean or the serenity of a quiet lake, the board will offer a great time on the water.

This article was originally published in Outside Adventure to the Max July 24. 2015

LOON LAKE REFRAIN

It's been one of those summers across California we are getting more and more accustomed too. As dozens of large wildfires are burning across the state, public health officials are urging people to seal off their windows and doors, change filters in air conditioning units and in some places wear masks.
A smokey haze has obliterated the clarity of the sky and blotting out the views of the mountains as well as the city's skyline, all while turning the setting sun into what the Washington Post's, deputy weather editor Angela Fritz,  called an unsettling shade of red.

On the road just past the Stumpy Meadows Reservoir another grim reminder of past fires. It's the charred and desolate remains of the King Fire that scorched over 97,000 acres in El Dorado County, California in 2014. Driving past, the smoke tainted toothpicks of trees that flicker in the sunlight between the plots of barren and bleak tree-less hills on along the highway.

So it's a feeling of elation when I climbed the road up further. Past the burnt-out trees and away from the low hanging orange cast smog to the blue skies and crystal clear waters of Loon Lake.

"The air is singularly searching and strengthening." wrote Unitarian minister and orator Thomas Starr King after visiting the area in 1863,  "The noble pines, not obstructed by underbrush, enrich the slightest breeze with aroma and music. Grand peaks rise around, on which the eye can admire the sternness of everlasting crags and the equal permanence of delicate and feathery snow. Then there is the sense of seclusion from the haunts and cares of men, of being upheld on the immense billow of the Sierra, at an elevation near the line of perpetual snow, yet finding the air genial, and the loneliness clothed with the charm of feeling the sense of the mystery of the mountain heights."

Starr King loved being in the air of the Sierra wilderness. Best known for his role in keeping California in the Union during the Civil War. He traveled throughout the state speaking in churches, town squares and mining camps spreading the messages of his faith and preserving the Union. Spiritually moved by the splendor and beauty of Yosemite, three years even before John Muir saw it, Starr King advocated for protecting the area and encourage lawmakers and President Abraham Lincoln to pass the Yosemite Grant. Signed into law on June 30, 1864, it marked the first time the U.S. federal government specifically set aside parkland for preservation and public use setting up a precedent for the creation of Yellowstone, our first national park.

"A wearied frame and tired mind what refreshment there is in the neighborhood of this lake!" he would write of Lake Tahoe, Loon Lake's famous and much bigger neighbor to the east, where visitors have come for years to admire the cobalt blue of the lake.

At 6,378 feet, Loon Lake sits about 100-feet higher than Lake Tahoe in the northern section of the Crystal Basin Recreation Area.  A popular recreation destination, the reservoir created in the 1960s by the Sacramento Metropolitan Utility District with its three campgrounds and the boat ramp provide areas perfect for camping, hiking and kayaking.

Encompassed by the textured sun-bleached granite shore and a mixed/conifer forest of fir trees and Huckleberry Oak, the lake's pristine blue-green hued waters are a perfect venue for a classic late summer adventure.

Last week, Current Adventures Kayak School and Trips hosted its annual two-day overnight one-of-a-kind camping and kayaking experience at the lake. By day we explored the coves, bays and islands slowing meandering around glaciers exposed granite boulders dotting the lakeside eastern half including a trip inside the Buck-Loon Tunnel. While at night, we reclined along the rocky beach looking towards the heavens to view the Perseid Meteor Shower streaks across the skies. Interwoven in our awed responses of, "Oohs and ahas and There goes one!" and our laughter of "Where? Oh, I miss it again," our little group bonded by the lake under the stars.

Starr King and places like Loon Lake inspire us to see the world from a higher point and feel the everlasting presence of God.
"Believe in them, for they are the mountain-principles and alter-piles of life," he said in sermon Lessons from the Sierra Nevada, "Breathe the air that is freshened on their heights. Drink of the streams that flow fresh from the channels in their sides. And in every season of doubt, temptation, or despair, lift up thine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh thy help."

If you want to go Current Adventures Kayak School and Trips 
PHONE: 530-333-9115 or Toll-Free: 888-452-9254
FAX: 530-333-1291
USPS: Current Adventures, P.O. Box 828, Lotus, CA 95651
info@currentadventures.com
owner Dan Crandall dan@kayaking.com

A Federal Judge Reinstates the Clean Water Rule for 26 States

Last week, A federal judge issued a nationwide injunction on the Trump administration's order delaying the Clean Water Rule, making the Obama-era regulation applicable in the 26 states that have not blocked it, E&E News reported.
The United States District Court in South Carolina found that the Environmental Protection Agency had violated rule-making procedures in delaying the regulation, also known as the Waters of the U.S. rule, which protects wetlands and tributaries under the Clean Water Act. Previously, a federal judge ruled in favor of states seeking to get out of these regulations.
Environmental groups call this a huge victory in their lawsuit challenging the Trump administration’s attempt to suspend the Clean Water Rule. American Rivers President Bob Irvin wrote on their website, "This was a tremendous win for protecting rivers, wetlands and clean drinking water nationwide. The court made clear that the Trump administration cannot ignore the law, science, or the views of the American people in its rush to undermine protection of rivers and clean water."
The federal district court’s decision is not the final word. The Trump administration or industry will likely appeal the decision, other litigation is ongoing, and the administration will undoubtedly continue its efforts to repeal and replace the Clean Water Rule.

THE LEGEND OF TWO PADDLES

Albert Bierstadt, Indians Spear Fishing

                        

It was a day on the river I would like to forget. Mostly due to the result of some nameless rapid and its churning eddy. It happened so fast. The river went one way and I went the other. Spilling out of my boat like cereal into a bowl. Submerged and floating, I reached for the bow only to have it slip away out of grasp. In disbelief, I watched as it quickly ran away through the boulders constricting the river.

"Isn't a little early in the day for you to be quitting?" called a voice from the side of the river. " It was the grizzled old Storyteller who I always seem to find along the river.

"I lost my boat," I told him gasping as I swam to the shore.

"I can see that," he sighed, "Looks like your afoot now. Sit down for a spell and catch your breath before we go after your boat."

I sat down looking glum. Embarrassed about the swim, but just too tired to start the hike down river.

"Cheer up," chuckled the Storyteller, "You're not the first and I'm sure you won't be the last to walk out of these mountains.

"They called him "He Who Wanders or Wandering Spirit," he began, "He would walk everywhere exploring the mountains, canyons and rivers. It's said he heard the song of the tree fairies. These fun-loving forest creatures would only appear to humans when they wanted to be seen. They would sing and laugh, and when He Who Wanders got to close to their music they would call him from a different direction. It was said, they would often take the form of a rabbit or deer and lead him to the river only to suddenly disappeared, with no apparent hiding place.

Because of this, He Who Wanders had a habit of disappearing for days and weeks at a time before turning up unexpectedly, hence his name."

George Catlin, Leopard Hunting in Brazil

The Storyteller looked at the river and then the path narrow path alongside it.
"It was probably a path like this, He Who Wanders was walking when he came upon the bobcat on fire," the Storyteller speculated, "You see after a raccoon was treed by the wildcat and knowing it had no escape. Legend says, the old coon or maybe it was a rabbit, somehow convinced the bobcat to build a fire. As the fire grew, the wind scattered the burning embers onto the poor cat setting it ablaze and screaming with pain."

"His crying tore at He Who Wander's heart," exclaimed the Storyteller, "Seeing the bobcat's struggle he quickly gathered up the animal and tossed it into the river saving its life. The soaking wet cat emerged from the river his fur singed with dark brown and black spots. His raccoon meal had escaped, but he was grateful to be alive. Ever since I'll his kind have been covered with spots."

"Thank you, He Who Wanders, you saved me from certain death," the Bobcat gasped, " the Storyteller continued, "We are now and forever allies," the Bobcat told him, "But I'm a creature of the forest and my place is here. I will offer this guidance. Go forward with courage, follow the river and discover your heart and spirit. When you need me, I'll be near."

The Storyteller then paused, straightened his hat, while studying the river.

"The great cat then disappeared into the evening fog," the Storyteller went on, "Leaving He Who Wanders alone on the river's path. Now let's go find your boat."

While we started down the river trail the Storyteller resumed his story.
"He Who Wanders followed this same trail all the way to the ocean. When he got there he was amazed by the sight of the great water," speculated the Storyteller, "But over the rumblings of the waves, he heard a cry for help. A young female killer whale was beached and dying in the sand."

"Her crying tore at He Who Wander's heart." conceited the Storyteller, "Stranded near the waterline he knew had to get the orca back to into deeper waters and could not wait for the tide. By then it would be too late."

"He comforted the sea creature by covering it with wet blankets and then fashioned a shovel to dig a trench behind the mammal then made a towing harness dried seaweed," the Storyteller divulged, "And began pulling with all his might"

"The Blackfish screamed in pain and told He Who Wanders it was no use she was just too heavy," confessed The Storyteller, "She was right, He Who Wanders could not make her budge an inch."

Baleen Whale Mask

"Then out the sky came the raven," the Storyteller, interjected, "He brought special mushrooms from a place in the forest where the moonbeams fell just right. He told He Who Wanders if he ate them it would grant him Superman strength to carry the whale back to the sea."

"As the raven flew off, He Who Wanders, quickly devoured the charmed mushrooms," guessed the Storyteller, "Giving him the strength of ten men. He grabbed the tow line and with ease pulled the orca back into the surf."

"Thank you, He Who Wanders, you saved me from certain death," the Killer Whale said with " the Storyteller continued, "We are now and forever soul mates," the ocra told him, "But I'm a creature of the sea and my place is here. I will offer this guidance. Go forward with courage, follow the ocean and discover your heart and spirit. When you need me, I'll be near."

The Storyteller then paused, straightened his hat, while studying the foam of the whitewater waves of the river.

"The great orca then disappeared into the sea" the Storyteller went on, "Leaving He Who Wanders alone on the beach path. Hey, I think I see your boat."

We started down the rocky trail where we could see my bobbing kayak in quiet eddy along the river as the Storyteller picked up his tale.

"He went north following the migrating seals and whales by day and the Northern Lights by night. The lights then were thought to the spirits of the animals: the seals, salmon, deer and the great polar bear," told the Storyteller, "After crossing over into a land of snow and glaciers he heard the whimpering of a tiny shivering polar bear abandon on the ice."

"His crying tore at He Who Wander's heart." pleaded the Storyteller, "Without his help, the little cub would surely die. He comforted the bear by covering it with warm blankets and took it to a nearby village. Where he found a woman who had no sons to care for her. She adopted the young bear cub and it quickly grew and became the villages' best fisherman providing fish daily to all."

"He Who Wanders found a home there too," emphasized the Storyteller, "He became fascinated by the villager's use of their- kayaks. Constructed with whalebone-skeleton frame and animal skins stretched over its hull, the boat had a covered deck with only a small opening on top. Unlike the canoe, they used a double-bladed paddle."

William Bradford Arctic Invaders

"Life in this cold climate was extremely difficult. Those who kayaked knew a single miscalculation could lead to death in freezing water," the Storyteller declared, "It took, He Who Wanders several seasons before mastering kayaking learning all its strokes and rolls."

"But the day came when He Who Wanders needed to wander again," reminded the Storyteller. "And as he was about embarked, the now giant Polar Bear came to him and said, "Thank you, He Who Wanders, you saved me from certain death. We are now and forever brothers, But I'm a creature of the arctic and my place is here. I will offer this guidance. Go forward with courage, follow all the world's waters and discover your heart and spirit. When you need me, I'll be near."

The Storyteller then paused, straightened his hat again, while studying my half submerged kayak floating against the shore.

"The great white bear then disappeared back to the village" the Storyteller went on, "Leaving He Who Wanders alone in his kayak. Look it's your boat safe and sound."

I grabbed the boat with relief and pulled it on to the rocks tipping it over spilling out all the water from its hull back into the river.

"So what happened?" I asked while climbing back into the boat, "Did he ever get home?"

"Like you, I think he found his way back to the water. There were more challenges, of course," replied the Storyteller, "On the third night out, while camping on a beach he heard the howl of wolves. Surrounded by the pack showing glaring teeth, He Who Wanders had little hope for survival. But a giant roar came over the ice and snow. It was his brother the polar bear driving all the wolves away."

"You have discovered your heart and spirit. I will always be with you, like the stars at night and the sun in each dawn," the polar bear proclaimed to him before vanishing into the snow," reassured the Storyteller.

"Twenty-one days later a sudden storm-tossed his kayak around violently just off the coast. He Who Wanders was about to crash on the rocks when a blackfin popped out of the ocean foam. It was his soul-mate, the killer whale. She put his kayak on her back and safely and brought him safely to a protected hidden cove."

"You have discovered your heart and spirit. I will always with you, like the waves in the sea and the ripples of the world's great rivers," the killer whale declared to him before breaching away under the sea," expressed the Storyteller.

William de la Montagne Cary

"Two months later, He Who Wanders was paddling upstream," the Storyteller, concluded, "He was tired and hungry having not eaten in several days when he saw a flash of the spotted coat. It was his friend the bobcat who had caught some game. Seeing He Who Wanders was hungry, he dropped along the side of the river and then saying to him."

"With your new boat and paddle, the river people will celebrate your return and welcome you to a place at the council fire. They will forever tell stories of your paddling journeys honoring your courage and speed, your strength. You have discovered your heart and spirit. From now on you will be known to the world as Two Paddles."

I felt the current of the river give my boat a gentle tug. And just like that, I drifted away from the Storyteller and the bank of the river. Turning down river, I thought of the opening lines of Longfellow's epic poem The Song of Hiawatha.

Should you ask me, whence these stories?
Whence these legends and traditions,
With the odors of the forest
With the dew and damp of meadows,
With the curling smoke of wigwams,
With the rushing of great rivers.

When I glanced over my shoulder one last time and over the rumble of the rapids saw the Storyteller waving goodbye and calling out, "Go forward with courage, follow all the world's waters and discover your heart and spirit. When you need me, I'll be near."

THE OVERNIGHT KAYAK TRAVEL GUIDE

 

By Outside Adventure to the Max Guest Blogger John D'Amelio

If you plan this kayak packing trip well you can pop out late on a Friday afternoon and still be back in time to make the kids pancakes on Saturday morning. The beauty of an overnight kayak camping trip is that they don't have to be all that complicated. Fair warning here: once you make this initial trip you'll likely be hooked.

With a limited window, the first step to a successful S24O (Sub 24-Hour Overnighter) is locating a body of water close to home that has decent chance of a place to camp. This 'Start from the end' method is a proven winner and will get you well on the way to answer almost every other question that you might have about such an enterprise. In fact, the only things you need to know will all be driven by this first and most important question.

Where To camp & How Far You Should Go?

The answer is largely going to depend on how much time you have and your relative skill level.  Generally speaking, +/-3-5 mph is a comfortable pace in a touring kayak. If this is your first overnighter then go for the sure win - 3-7 miles.  3 is enough to make you feel like you've gone somewhere and 7 is not so much that you'll get lost, exhausted or overwhelmed.

Locate your campsite on a topo or bombsight it on Google Maps and do some simple distance measurements.  Keep in mind a few things as you make your estimations.  Wind plays a bigger factor than you'd imagine in how much time the distance will take so factor in the prevailing winds for your location as well as the weather forecast.

If you are planning your adventure on a flat water river or coastal body then current and tides will also come into play. Best advice here is to start easy, short, and well within your skill level. You'll have enough on your plate without having to deal with too many external factors.

Where Should You Put In?
 
This is really one of the more fun parts of planning an overnighter. For me, its a little like releasing my inner Lewis & Clark or Marquette. With the knowledge of your camp sight in mind start referring back to your map, looking for overpasses, State DNR boat ramps or dirt roads that border your water.  Local kayaking clubs will also be a great resource.

A good alternative to planning your own would be to look for a paddle trail. The American Trails National Water Trails System has, as of this writing, 49 trails that include predesignated camping platforms or locations.

What Should You Take?
 
Besides some basic kayak safety gear – your PFD being the most important – you'll need less than you think.

1.  Water or a means to purify it,
2.  Food and a means to cook it if needed,
3.  Shelter pretty much round the list out.

If you are already geared up for backpacking or, with little exception, car camping, then with the addition of a few 15-20L dry bags you are probably all set to go. Some budget items are linked below if you are looking for recommendations. 

Gear List:
Cook stove
Fuel
Cook pot
  Cup
Lighter
Spork
Knife
Garbage bag
First Aid Kit
TP + Trowel
Bandana

Shelter:
Tent or Hammock
Sleeping Bag
Sleeping pad
Headlamp

Dry Bags
2-20 L
1-10 L
Map Case

Food + Water
H2O - 1g/person/day (Platypus 2L)
Dinner (Freeze Dried)
Breakfast (Oatmeal)
Snack

Optional
GPS
Bag Liner
Flashlight

Packing Your Kayak

We can't stress enough here the need to practice packing your rig prior to your departure.  Modern touring kayaks can hold a lot of gear so you'd be hard pressed to max your weight or storage space out on an S24O.  If you are transitioning in from car camping your most likely candidates for gear replacements are going to be your camp stove and maybe your tent.

Rule number one of kayakpacking: everything is going to get wet. Thankfully not everything that gets packed in the kayak has to first go in a dry bag. Really, it's just the stuff that would be unusable or ruined if it gets wet. If you have room for the essentials and can also put everything else in a dry bag – go for it.  But it's not a necessity of kayakcamping.  My kit usually contains 2 or 3-20L dry bags.  Everything else goes in a bulkhead or securely in a hold.

Clothes:
One of the really simple pleasures of kayakpacking is getting to camp, setting up the tent and slipping into some nice dry clothes. Going from wet paddling gear to wet camp clothes just isn't an option.

Don't take much on an S240 but do take a change of clothes for camp and/or sleeping. 

Sleep System:

You can get by for one night without sleep – by why risk it.  Reserve your other dry bag for your sleeping bag, and camp pillow if you like (I always take one). Your tent or hammock is optional here.  They dry fast and are usually wet by morning anyway. I usually just stuff it in the far end of the forward bulkhead and it stays mostly dry even in the worse weather or water conditions.

Electronics:
Not much to add here other than if you are taking a computer, iPad, smartphone or camera I'd double bag those items and test my solution in a more controlled environment like a bathtub or sink.  There are some commercially available products for all of these items but none that we have tested thoroughly enough to warrant an endorsement.

This is by no means the only way to go about planning a successful overnight kayak camping adventure. One of our contributors has a YouTube video on the subject that we highly recommend. Check out Trip Smith's "How I Plan Overnight Kayaking Trips - TIPS and the PROCESS" on his wildly popular channel "Out There".

 John D'Amelio serves as the Executive Editor of Kayakpacking.co.  When he's not dreaming about, planning or editing kayak adventures he is a freelance designer and writer. He calls central North Carolina home where he lives with his wife of 28 years.

Launched in late 2017 kayakpacking.co  is a resource specifically devoted to longer distance kayaking adventures. Their goal is to give paddlers the tools and materials you need to follow published routes while inspiring you to seek out and plan your own adventures.

Kayakpacking.co's route system has grown in a very short time to over 600 miles of documented flatwater (0-II class) trails and counting with over 400 more miles currently in development. Check out their getting started series. It walks you through everything you need to know to plan a simple overnighter to a full-blown multi-week kayak packing adventure.

Outside Adventure to the Max is always looking for guest bloggers. Contact us at Nickayak@gmail.com, if you are interested.