I need to make an apology to a couple of well meaning paddlers from Santa Cruz.

Right after I trashed my Vantage this weekend at Kalapaki Beach on Kauai, I was approached by a couple on vacation here that witnessed my act of stupidity.

We chatted for a few minutes about what happened and they mentioned they were fellow paddlers from Santa Cruz. I have to apologize to them. I realized the next day that I was a total ass to them. They just wanted to say ‘Hi’ and see if there was anything they could help with. I on the other hand just wanted to take my severely damaged boat, smash it into pieces small enough to fit into a trash can and swear off paddling for ever.

If any paddlers in the Santa Cruz area read this and know the couple here on vacation that I treated rudely, please tell them I apologize and that I’ll be in California for the next two weeks. So, if they would like to meet and tell me how big of an ass I was, I guess I have it coming.

How similar is something traveling through the air compared to something traveling through the water. One is called aerodynamics. So what is the other called, aquadynamics? The reason I ask that is I like to golf. I also like to paddle. I was looking at a golf ball one day at the range and it hit me. The many dimples on a golf ball help improve the aerodynamics of the ball as it travels through the air allowing it to go farther and faster with a single stroke of the club. There is less wind resistance around the balls surface as it travels through the air as compared to a ball with a flat spherical surface. Could that same principle be applied to the hull of a canoe? in effect making it more aerodynamic in the water (or aquadynamic if that's even a word). The hull is of course flat. Would putting dimples similar to a golf ball on the hull of a canoe improve the overall speed and distance it would travel with each stroke of the paddle?

I really screwed up this time. I miss judged the breakers and did some real damage to my Vantage.
The boat can be fixed, but the ama is most likely totaled and the aft aluminum i'ako is broke. Yes, I broke an aluminum i'ako.
I'll need to have it looked at by someone who knows better than me, but just incase, does anyone know where to find a carbon Wave blade ama with the screw downs and the i'akos to go with it that fits an older Vantage?
Enjoy the attached photos. If these photos prevent just one idiot, myself included, from miss timing the shore break it'll all be worth it. Well, not really............

I am surprise that no one has started the topic for the upcoming Molokai Relay this weekend. What is the word? Mens? womens? OC2?

The Great ICubed (Island x Island x Island) Race Results
(Maui to Molokai to Oahu)

It sure as hell wasn’t for money. Nor was it for the prestige - since this race was virtual and hardly anybody was doing it. But for whatever their reasons were, these “trendsetters” can definitely take pride in knowing that if this race takes off in the future as an official race, they were the first to do it! “Hats off” to those who did it.

Name               Maui2MolokaiRace   PAA Race     Total
Mael Carey         2:57:11.81         3:58'36.71   6:55:48.52
Mark Frazier       2:59:09.31         3:59'58.78   6:59:8.09
Ivan McIvor        3:12:40.75         4:51'48.71   8:04:29.46
Joe Zenk           3:16:24.93         4:51'24.65   8:07:49.58
Charlie Beccerra   3:25:26.90         4:51'54.11   8:17:21.01

nothing seems to rile up the paddling masses than a rep or manufacturer overpitching their product (real or perceived)... being that paddling is still relatively small sport, where there isn't a huge distance between the maker and user, it would seem to be a good thing to be able to talk to the people selling or making the products we use.. but sometimes it seems that ANY sort of discussion of product gets flamed out or get demands to buy adspace from keizo.

but sometimes there IS something that is helpful.. and yes, someone sells it. and sometimes it answers a question... then again, there are many times where it gets shoved down our throats- i call bullshit on that like everyone else.

i personally think that people trying to make a living from paddling will grow the sport- i applaud them for trying. i guess there are fears that paddling going down the oversold road of surfing ... somehow i don't see that happening but that's just me

since i'm usually on the liberal commie side of discussions, it's funny to be defending the capitalists... what are your thoughts on what is acceptable to post and discuss products. obviously the primary product being the canoe.

i guess you can say "just be cool, and everything will be all right".. but you know how that turns out in real life... a lot of pricks strutting around..

sorry to keep reposting, just want to make sure people see this if they need a spot!

the trailer from Oahu set up by Darren Orr listed on the KWC is full, so we are setting up a new trailer from Oahu. please email or call me if you are interested in getting a canoe or kayak on this trailer. Hopefully we will send the trailer on monday so it will be there in time for the warmup races.

email to: kwcoahutrailer@yahoo.com
or call 348-3773

I have been was thinking on this today as I read a good artical about "cardio" with the great example of Lance Armstrong. Nothing new but it is interesting to realize that it is primarily the efficiency of the MUSCLES rather than the cardio respiratory Vo2max that really makes you "fit" at a certain movement. So you have the guy who can be a top finisher in a marathon and yet get totally gassed doing a short ocean swim. Or be Lance with one of the highest Vo2max ever recorded but get killed in the marathon because the muscles are not efficient in that movement pattern and make demands on the system that even the greatest heart and lungs cannot overcome.

Thus the wisdom of Crossfit for those who take part in the WOD you really get an amazing spectrum of preparation for so many things...even if critics may say jack of all master of none.

I have always been a big fan of the nordic track skiiers. (if you can find one in good condition) If you max out the stride you are really working all the big muscles in the body through a huge range of motion and it seems to carry over better to other activities. I seemed to have pretty good newbie endurance on the OC-1 from using it even thought with my weight my boat is like a damn submarine plowing through the water at 5mph. So here are my novice observations, please add your experience and what experienced OC-1 guys do on the dry land to excel and keep the body healthy.

1) Cardio crosstraining: Nordic track, Concept II, or kettlebell snatches.
2) Shoulders: External rotation, YTWL drill and band pull-aparts for rotator cuff
3) Back: I have no idea. I have been doing Zercher squats, deadlifts and sandbag carries for years, and back is strong. (If I stopped these I would lose weight and probably go faster.) I imagine good paddling form is key here, though looking at JRs photos he seems more rounded and folded over than just about anyone on the water.
4) Other? Pullups and rows?

There are some interesting paddling specific training drills on Rambos site, check it out. Thanks for any thoughts.

Who thinks that just like in surfing the sport of paddling has some real big wannabes. Seems that alot submit to forum topics with some garbadge ideas, advice and knowlege which they have collected from others who told them?

Kiaora, can anyone assist or be willing to help us Kiwi's out in obtaining copies of your up and coming paddling programme. We'd love to view it down here especially for those cold wintery nights... pse email pe_ora@hotmail.com

happy to pay...

naku noa

Paora