Rudder v. Skag

by Erik Olsen on

It is one of the great eternal questions, a conundrum that has puzzled the greatest minds in human history, befuddled the colossi who have bestrode the earth as we mere mortals have peeped about. Rudder vs. Skeg?
Yes, if you are in the market for a sea (or touring) kayak, you must face this choice (of the choice of neither). But what criteria should you use? How can you really know which is the better choice? You’re thinking hard about it now, I know. Stop. Wait. Breathe. And now Watch.

Yes, over at greatoutdoorprovision.com they have tried to resolve this most difficult issue, and they do so not only with aplomb, but also with video. I won’t give away the secret answer here. you’ll have to go watch for yourself.

Photo of the Day (12/12/2006)

by Erik Olsen on

OK, folks, this is the first of a series of posts I’m going to do on my very recent paddling trip to Baja California. I got back on Sunday night after a deliriously awesome five days paddling in the turquoise waters of the Sea of Cortez. This post is a simple one. A picture, which may or may not be worth 1000 words, of my two pals crossing a nice little stretch of water with a crop of redstone in the foreground.

Rafting “the Fu” (in the Andes)

by Iva Skoch on

Apparently, if you’re a kayak-maniac (you know who you are), you’ve heard of “the Fu,” aka the Futaleufu River, spilling down out of the Andes from Patagonia, through Chile, into the Pacific.

Some of the river’s rapids are so technically demanding that they weren’t ridden until 1985 (by a U.S. Olympic kayaker, nonetheless). Well, now that he’s blazed the trail, he’s set up Expediciones Chile, an outfitter designed to help you accomplish the same feat.

An FT reporter did just that, with a little help, and lived to write about it. You can sample the 40+ miles of whitewater and breath-taking scenery that the river offers, including Class V’s spilling right down from the mountains. Tours start from $1,600 USD for an 8-day trip (travel there not included). He recommends using the service and the trip, but recommends leaving your ego behind.

Kayak Portraits

by Erik Olsen on

It’s been a while since I last checked in with one of my favorite magazines: Canoe and Kayak. There are almost always great articles and photos there that discuss the best places to paddle, review of gear and often profiles of prominent paddling figures. In regards to this latter, I point you to a series of paddler profiles that you will enjoy.

The first is a profile of Simon Osborne, who took a rather ballsy trip circumnavigating the United Kingdom. Yes, and he did so with little or no paddle experience, and all for a good cause, too: leukemia research. Another one is of paddler Justine Curgenven, who led the first only women’s-only circumnavigation of Tasmania. And then there is Nigel Foster, whose brief story of paddler v. bear will make you think twice about paddling up North. All good little savory bites of paddling nutrition this Friday morning.

How to Roll a Kayak

by Erik Olsen on

Of all the things a paddler must know (other than your basic forward stroke…and how to watch out for boats…and how not to get hit by a killer whale), the roll is probably the most important. Of course, I’m talking more about river kayaking than touring, although knowing how to roll a touring kayak can certainly come in handy. The roll is a rough move. I learned how to do the Eskimo roll in a pool in college, and then took to the nearby rivers and improved my technique. Though I do have to say I soon immigrated away from river kayaking and into touring and never really had a good, solid roll.

But if I were to get back into it, and if you’re interested in learning how to roll, or at least reading a site that provides some tips that you might employ when you next get into a boat, you should check out this very well-done HOW-TO and video on rolling.  The article is written by Kent Ford, the creator of the infamous Kayak Roll video.