The Mystique of Mustique

by Erik Olsen on


I’d never even heard about the place before, this

private little island getaway called Mustique (odd name, too…like
musty and mystical). But my guess is the stars and wealthy that go here regularly would probably be happy that the hoi
polloi like myself don’t know much about it. (According to the piece, both Mick Jagger and Tommy Hilfiger have
homes on the island). Of course, that’s now no longer the case. The New York Times today is running it’s cover article
on the island, suggesting that it is a hot new destination, providing, of course, that you have the bank account to go
there. The island’s site lists it “featured villa”, which will set
you back $16,000 a week…chances are you’d leave your Lonely Planet at home.

Apparently, there’s not a whole lot to do there, although the diving is said to be good. Most visitors spend their
days on the beach, by the pool, or wandering the beach in search of shells (whoopie!). But if anything, it might be
nice to know of the place so you can tell your friends you know where Jagger like to vacation.

Build Your Own Badarka

by Erik Olsen on

I’ve posted here before about sites that offer help to build your own canoe. It’s not easy,
but for the dedicated paddler, it’s a doable job. All that needed is a plan, the right materials, a large garage and a
patient spouse or significant other.

I have a cousin that has built several kayaks at his home and he spends hours out there carefully laying down the
strips of fiberglass and sanding the thing and so on. Well, this weekend, if you happen to be in NoCal, you can visit
California Canoe & Kayak and attend the nine-day boat
building class there. 

You learn how to build a bona fide Baidarka and get to keep the boat you make, perhaps take it out in the SF Bay and
see if it, like the stories you’ll tell your friends about building it, can hold water.

Paddle Race April 30

by Erik Olsen on

It bills itself as the
largest paddle race in the
Southeastern US. The Outdoors Inc. Canoe and Kayak Race features more than 500 paddlers on the starting
line all of whom hit the mighty Mississippi with gritty determination.

 

The race, which was voted the “Best Race in America” by Paddler Magazine is happening this April 30 in Memphis.
Here is a video of last
year’s event…a bit hokey, but hey, it’s Memphis.  

Learn from David Hearn

by Erik Olsen on

Are you learning to paddle or an experienced paddler who has hit a plateau and you really
want to take your paddling to the next level? David Hearn is a paddling coach
who can help. He coaches whitewater paddlers of all ages interested in further developing their whitewater playing and
river running skills. He also helps slalom athletes improve their success on whitewater race courses.

David provides year-round coaching for actively training and racing whitewater slalom athletes at home in the
greater Washington, DC area, but also around the country. Check out his site and improve that J-stroke.

Paddling the Broken Group Islands

by Nino Marchetti on

One of the best joys of paddling is getting to go places that are only accessible by boat. Such is the case of the
Broken Group Islands, a chain of over 100 islands and rocks set in the
Pacific Rim National Park Reserve of Canada. Writer
Matt Jackson takes us there in this well written MSNBC/Canoe & Kayak
piece. Takeaways from his adventures include not messing with the sea lions, enjoying the best tidal pools have to
offer and generally being blown away by the beauty of Canada’s Pacific Northwest region.