PADDLE UP: SUMMER 2022

  

For paddlers, Cyril Derreumaux and Madison Eklund, the summer of 2022; will be one to remember. Both will be taking epic kayaking trips. One is going across the Pacific, the other across Minnesota and through the heart of Canada. And they are both doing it alone.
French-born U.S. citizen Derreumaux will be leaving next month in his second attempt to paddle to Hawaii from the coast of California some 2,750 miles aboard a 23-foot-long custom carbon fiber kayak. While Eklund's trip has already begun as she retraces the 2,000-mile journey Eric Sevareid made famous in his classic Canoeing with the Cree.
In 2012 Natalie Warren and Ann Raiho matched it. Warren recounted their story in her book, Hudson Bay Bound: Two Women, One Dog, Two Thousand Miles to the Arctic.

Madison Eklund

Eklund will brave raging currents, strong wind and waves, and maybe polar bears. And she will do it all alone.
“It seems like it would be a really fun adventure,” Eklund told the Grand Forks Herald, "The danger there is lightning and the rough waves and being wind locked where the wind is so aggressive where you can’t paddle fast enough,”

Good luck to you both. Sure, many of us will follow their adventures on social media. But while epic trips might not be part of our summertime plans, a lot of us hope to spend some time on the water with a paddle in our hands. Here are 22 paddling ways to help make summer 2022 an epic paddle adventure.

Paddle A City Skyline
Once on the water, many cities, from New York to San Francisco, offer incredible views of their skylines. Sure, you won't feel that get off the grid feeling but paddling through waters surrounded by skyscrapers is a unique experience just the same.

The River Store

Head to a Paddle Shop
They have everything we want. Kayaks, canoes and paddles, and more. Where else can you meet folks that paddle the same places you do. You might even paddle with them. By getting your gear from your local paddle shop, you're keeping your friends employed, as well as keeping up on festivals, competitions, community gatherings, and river cleanups on your waterways.

Read a Paddle Adventure
Whatever reason you can't get to the water, you can still be inspired by it. There are some great guidebooks and autobiographical stories to help you get your paddling fix.

Dog and Paddle
Kayaking with your dog can be a great adventure for both of you. Getting your pet ready for paddling will take some prep work, but it’s more than worth it, and the dog will have to.

Paddle Without a Shuttle
Sometimes a shuttle isn't worth the trouble. If fish can do it, so can you. You will learn to read the river currents traveling upstream. And whenever you get tired, you can turn around and go with the flow.
 

Moonlight Paddle 

Paddle Under Fireworks
Independence Day fireworks celebrations are hard to beat. They are great on land and even better from the water. Coast-to-coast cities with rivers, lakes, or even ocean bays offer some boat-friendly places for watching fireworks on the Fourth of July. And if that doesn't work for you, there's always a possibility for a full moon paddle.

Paddle at Sunrise or Sunset
It's been said, the best reason to own your own kayak are sunrises and sunsets. We can only agree. The crowds are gone, and the water is still and glistening. We can't think of a better time to be on the water.

Get a New PFD for Your Paddle
We just float this past you. If it's old, faded, and worn, it's probably time to retire it. Experts say PFDs are made up of a variety of materials that over time can be damaged by UV rays. It might not float when you need it to, and that would sink your summer.

 
 

SUP on Lake Jenkinson 

Stand Up & Paddle
Stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) offers something for everyone, and it's all the rage. You can head out for a relaxing paddle on a calm lake or catch waves in the ocean. Or maybe you’d like to do SUP yoga or go for a fast-paced paddle to get a workout.

Paddle It Before You Buy It
You wouldn't think about buying a car without a test drive, so why would you want to do that with your kayak? Many shops have demo programs for people in the market to buy a kayak.

Paddle with Snacks
Paddling trips are a lot of fun, but they can be very tiring. The last thing you want to happen is you run low on energy mid-paddle and then struggle to make it back to shore. Consider menus that are nutritious, good tasting, and easy to prepare, that are also lightweight and don't require any refrigeration.

Paddle Whitewater
Don't think the adrenaline-fueled world of whitewater paddling is beyond you. It's not. After a few lessons from qualified instructors, you still won't be going over waterfalls, but you'll be paddling Class II and Class III rapids with a big smile.

Loon Lake 

Paddle On Overnight Trip 

What makes kayak camping so appealing is anyone can do it. While some physically demanding canoe trips require a high level of skill, there are many kayak trips suited for the novice and first timer. Most people are looking for an authentic wilderness experience that is not over the top when it comes to being physically demanding, and kayak camping is a great fit.

Paddle in Your Neighborhood
As gas prices soar, this just is the summer you might want to stick closer to home. Check out where you can paddle in your own area. As paddle sports have become more popular, many rivers and lakes now offer public access to accommodate many a paddler.

Paddle Off the Grid
In today's world, we have become so dependent on our electronic devices and the internet. Maybe it's time to enjoy some tech-free days on the lake in the woods. Pack the boat and gear and experiences that are back to the basics, free of distractions with meaningful time with friends and family

Paddle Old School in A Canoe
Did you know canoes are time machines? They are a way to rekindle memories of your first paddling adventures at summer camp. To activate it dip your single blade in the water and paddle forward.

Paddle a New Paddle
Next to the kayak, your paddle has the biggest impact on your performance on the water. Even a short tour involves thousands of strokes, so a proper paddle can make all the difference. After all, your hands will be wrapped around this tool for the better part of the day. So, you might as well choose a great one.
 

Canoeing on Lake Jenkinson 

Be Ready for a Paddle Rescue
We're all ready for a great time on the water. But learning some basic rescue skills and first aid instruction will make it more fun for you and your paddling crew and a lot safer also.

Volunteer & Paddle
Don't be one who says someone should do something about this. Make this the summer volunteer. Help out in river cleanup, lead a youth group canoe trip and support local and national organizations working to preserve our rivers, lakes, and coastal waters.

Paddle a Water Park 

Sly Park Falls

Whitewater parks are popping up on rivers everywhere there is a paddling community to support them. Parks are seen as good revitalization projects. Whitewater parks, in particular, are part of urban development plans and dam removal efforts across the US. Parks projects are intended to offer places for paddlers to play, boost recreation-based economies, and maintain the fish habitat.

Paddle & Leave No Trace 

The Leave No Trace rules are easy to follow. Dispose of waste properly. Leave it as you found it. Minimize and be careful with campfires. Respect wildlife. And be considerate of other visitors.

 Paddle Under a Waterfall
Whether on water or on a hike, there is no better reward than to end your water trail in sight of a spectacular waterfall. The cascading water is beautiful and inspiring but remember to stay on the trails and watch your footing rocks can be slippery.

Keep up with Outside Adventure to the Max, on our Facebook page and Instagram and now on Youtube.

HORIZON LINES

The best thing about the future is that it comes one day at a time... Abraham Lincoln

I just love to read guidebooks and look at river maps. First of all, they give you an idea of where to go. I cannot think of how many times I paged through my well-worn copy of Paddling Northern California by Charlie Pike to get an idea of where to go and where to put in. It Describes more than 65 of the best paddling trips in Northern California, including whitewater, flat water, and coastal excursions.

Just last year, a group I lead paddled the Sacramento River. A section of the river, we probably wouldn't have even thought of had it not been featured in the guide.

What to expect along the way is another reason I like to study them. As the leader of the group, I like to be a bit prepared. Warn them of possibly swift water or just give a few tidbits about the natural landmark or some history of the area. Of course, when the 80-yard portage turns into a double or triples that, I can blame it on the guidebook saying the write-up said it would be short.

The River Store

River maps showing the access, take outs, and especially the rapids are extremely important. In Duct Tape Diaries, NRS's official blog that celebrates the paddling lifestyle through compelling storytelling and photography, writer D.M. Collins gave an ode to river maps saying, "River maps are a small but mighty piece of gear. How do I know this? For one, they elicit confidence and a felt sense of security in my most anxiety-ridden river moments—at least for me. Holding and reading a map is one’s crude equivalent to central command in the backcountry. In a world riddled with screens and information at the tap of a button, the handheld binary paper map is both novel and understated in guiding one on their river journey."

Where to go and what to expect when you get there. As I start off my summer, I wish I knew. It will be out of the ordinary as my wife, Debbie, and I prepare to move to Placerville, California, a smaller Sierra Nevada foothills community located east of Sacramento. The Gold Rush-era history makes up a big part of the community's identity, but the town is also a popular destination for hiking, mountain biking, and adrenaline-pumping whitewater kayaking and rafting. Both the upper and lower sections of the South Fork American River offer rollicking rapids and gorgeous scenery. 

John Taylor and Debbie Carlson on Lake Natoma

While Working for Current Adventures Kayaking School & Trips for several years, I've logged many miles to the shop in Coloma. I'll be much closer now to my jobs at Sly Park Paddle Rentals and The River Store while a bit longer to my other employment venues. It will be a trade-off.

I'm excited about this next stage of my life as I approach this river bend. Are there worries and concerns? Of course. But as Eleanor Roosevelt said, "The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams."

Here is a look at some of our favorite images from this year so far.

Lake Clementine 

Lake Natoma 

Lake Comanche Reservoir

Current Adventures' Dan Crandall 

Debbie Carlson & Yosemite Valley 

Lake Lodi 

Lake Clementine

Lake Jenkinson 

Rattlesnake Bar & Folsom Lake 

Keep up with Outside Adventure to the Max, on our Facebook page and Instagram and now on Youtube.

OVER THE BOW: THE OTTER TAIL RIVER

The first river you paddle runs through the rest of your life. It bubbles up in pools and eddies to remind you who you are. -- Lynn Noel

It has been a long time since I've got to paddle the Otter Tail River in Minnesota. I started thinking about that while packing up and getting ready to move. Something about moving makes us feel nostalgic about the place we're leaving behind. We think about the things we'll miss. A neighbor, a restaurant or bar, and if you're like me, a favorite paddling place.

The Otter Tail River was the first river where I got a taste of whitewater. It's Minnesota's eighth-longest river running through the western part of the state before dumping into the Red River. It starts out as a narrow crystal-clear stream as it meanders downhill through the countryside's lakes and marshes. It doesn't move particularly fast but offers canoeists plenty of opportunities for wildlife views along the tranquil river trail. However, east of Fergus Falls, the Otter Tail River picks up speed after making an abrupt turn toward the west, running through a valley filled with Class I and II rapids.
Whitewater is uncommon in western Minnesota. The gradient of the land just doesn't drop that fast. In California, the gradient for popular whitewater sections is measured in feet per mile; but in northwest Minnesota, the gradient is gauged in inches per mile. So don't look for big drops. It has been said that a second-hand pool table has more of a slant to it than a northwestern Minnesota river.

That said, the Broken Down Dam site on the river just east of Fergus Falls has been offering thrills and spills for canoeists and kayakers wanting to take a small bite of whitewater. The crumbling dam has been mostly forgotten since its collapse over a century ago. Busting through its center, the river tumbles, swirls, and drops between two massive concrete walls. During the spring runoff or after a good summer rain, the stream can rage into a fast-moving Class III rapid. Combined with a boulder garden stretch of class II waves before reaching the dam's remnants, it's a perfect place for a whitewater kayak in a place where rapids are hard to find.

About ten years ago, I was just getting into paddling, and of course, just as I do today, I wanted the thrill and challenge of paddling rapids. With Sigurd Olson's words echoing in my head, "I know this: as long as there are young men with the light of adventure in their eyes and a touch of wildness in their souls, rapids will be run."
My son Cole and I dove in headfirst. We bought two used whitewater boats at a Twin Cities kayak auction. Probably, not the best fit, but it got us on the water. We took turns running that foam-laced section of the river one afternoon, feeling a sense of triumph after bounding through the crashing waves.

This move will be shorter than my move to California from the Midwest and the Otter Tail River. My wife Debbie and I are leaving Fair Oaks and moving up into the foothills of the Sierra Mountains, where we all know the rivers do rush, tumble, and fall. I will miss the closeness of some of my favorite paddling spots in the valley, but, unlike Minnesota rivers, I'll still be able to visit them from time to time.

 

Over the Bow is a feature from Outside Adventure to the Max, telling the story behind the image. If you have a great picture with a great story, submit it to us at nickayak@gmail.com

Keep up with Outside Adventure to the Max, on our Facebook page and Instagram and now on Youtube.

RETURN TO THE LAKE

I returned to the lake last weekend. Coming back to the quiet waters of Lake Jenkinson and Sly Park Recreation Area that's nestled in the western foothills of the Sierra, near Pollock Pines, California. The past several summers, I have spent almost every weekend working the Sly Park Paddle Rentals boathouse, renting out kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards to anyone wanting to paddle the lake. Driving down the park road and seeing the water shimmering through the trees, I felt like I had arrived back home. It had been a long time coming. My season was abruptly cut short last summer after I was unceremoniously tossed off the lake as the Calder fire raged nearby. 

I had come back a couple times. Late in the fall, I came to gather up all the gear I had left behind. Even then, the walk down to the lake to sweep away the ash from inside the boathouse was a long one. It had been a dry year from the beginning. All season, I watched the lake levels drop, exposing the lakebed and tree stumps. The wildfire only exacerbated the already parched season. The Calder Fire reported on August 14th went scorched some 221,835 acres, but luckily only singed Sly Park borders. 

When my wife Debbie and I visited the lake for a mid-winter hike along the snow-covered lakeshore, we were happy to see the lake was still low. But on the rise. We were optimistic that winter storms would yield much-needed moisture into the lake. 

This past weekend, the lake was up. According to the sign at the front gate was up to 81%. Not quite full, but a far cry better than the last time I visited. Now the lake glistened an emerald green. The boathouse had been lifted from the depths of the lake. The long pathway down to its gangplank was only a memory. Looking into the clear water below it, I could make out a few of the rocks I had placed to mark the trail where the sidewalk had ended. 

The canoes that Current Adventures Dan Crandall had brought up lay half-sunken under the boathouse dock. A heavy rain a few weeks ago indicated how much rain had fallen. The four canoes served as large rain gauges. They would require a bit of bailing if my group from Bayside Adventure Sports were to be using them that evening for a sunset paddle. 

Paddlers often debate the perfect time of the day to paddle. Some say it's best in the morning mist. When the lake is still quiet. And the fishing boats have yet to arrive. On Lake Jenkinson there is a 90-minute window in the early morning when the lake is calm and before the winds start to blow through the narrows. The afternoon fetch is always troublesome to paddlers when paddling against it. Others might prefer to sleep in and wait for sunset when the pines cast shadows across the lake and the western sky is ablaze. There may be a sunset every day but being on Lake Jenkinson in a canoe at twilight while watching the sun slowly sink down into the pines is a special experience no matter how many times, I've taken it in.  

"I was entranced by the loveliness of the sight," Egerton Ryerson Young, a Canadian missionary and author wrote in his biographical tale, By Canoe and Dog Train Among the Cree Ad Salteaux, "The reflections of the canoe and men and of the islands and rocks were as vivid as the actual realities. So clear and transparent was the water that where it met the air, there seemed to be only a narrow thread between the two elements. Not a breath of air stirred, not a ripple moved. It was one of those sights, which seldom comes to us in a lifetime, where everything is in perfect unison."

After spending two days camping with my group, I can truly, say I can't wait for more. I look forward to opening up the boathouse for the season and all the summer days at home on the lake.

If you want to go on a canoe or kayak trip at Sly Park contact:
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

Keep up with Outside Adventure to the Max, on our Facebook page and Instagram and now on Youtube.