I just finished watching the second volume of the University of Sea Kayaking (USK) DVD set, “Greenland Rolling with Maligiaq & Dubside”.  It covers 21 of the 35 rolls/skills included in the 2011 Greenlandic National Kayaking Championships.  Most of what I had to say in reviewing the first volume of this 2-DVD set would also [...]

Often, there is the perception that open pool sessions are really only for the more skilled kayaker who wants to practice rolling over the winter, or perhaps wants to learn how to roll. While pool sessions are very useful for those two goals, beginning paddlers should also take advantage of pool practice over the winter.  [...]

On a cold, rainy fall day at the end of the paddling season, here are a few things that a canoeist/kayaker can be thinking about.

If you’ve worked on improving your skills all summer, perhaps it’s time to consider purchasing a dry suit to extend your season.
If you prefer not to paddle in anything but warm, [...]

A week ago I gave a talk on “Managing the Surf Zone and Paddling in Waves”.   It was very well attended and got me thinking that there are probably a lot of kayakers who didn’t make it to the talk who would still like some suggestions on getting more comfortable in rough conditions.
Not everyone who [...]

At the last few pool sessions that I have attended, it seems that practically all of the sea kayakers have been working on Greenland-style static braces (balance brace) and the sculling high brace.  As I have mentioned in previous posts, Helen Wilson’s “Simplifying the Roll” DVD has been extremely helpful in providing some very useful [...]

Last week I posted a video on the characteristics of recreational kayaks that set them apart from sea kayaks and whitewater kayaks.  Today, I’m posting the second video installment which will talk about sea/touring kayaks and how they differ from other types of kayaks.  Yet to come are videos on whitewater kayaks and sit-on-top kayaks.  [...]

It’s getting to be the time of year when those who are planning to buy a kayak for the 2011 paddling season need to be doing research for their upcoming purchases.  Laacke & Joys usually starts having kayak sales during the Milwaukee Boat Show in January, and Canoecopia will be coming up in Madison on [...]

**There was a mistake on the times of the pool sessions when originally posted on the Badger State Boating Society website.  Several of us arrived at 7:30pm for the pool session on November 28th and were told by a custodian that the building was closing up and the session had been in the morning.  I [...]

Earlier this week, I was watching Carl Vopal finish up a few shots for a video on how to install the “Paddling Partner” ballast system for kayaks.  He is planning to end this video by demonstrating how the ballast assists in performing braces because the boat has a tendency to want to right itself when [...]

In the last week, I had a student ask me for a couple private lessons to work on a sculling high brace and a static balance brace.  Besides lucking out by having gorgeous weather for both lessons, it was also a fortunate coincidence that I had recently watched my new Helen Wilson DVD, “Simplifying the [...]