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Crazy lazy hazy Days of Summer in the Hoot |
G'Day Fun Seekers
I know fall is coming, but for now..... FORGET ABOUT IT!
We have space in our Beginner Lessons and Island Daytrips - all it takes is one phone call, and you'll be gliding over sparkling waters in a sporty little kayak with an amazing and cute instructor by your side. Maybe some of us aren't that cute - but we're good with the one-liners.
If you want to really learn quick - consider our Paddle Canada Level 1 Kayak Skills course coming up August 21/22. Think of it as a paddler's boot camp. The director is Kevin Utas, one of our top instructor/guides - and he can take a couple more folks so ramp it up and come along.
We have two spots left in the upcoming Paddle Canada Level 2 Kayak Skills course August 27-30.
Jack Elliott and Peter Wassermann are teaching - two guys I have paddled with for years and would trust my life with. If you're an intermediate paddler looking to consolidate and fine tune your skills for multi-day tripping - this is for you.
A plea to you young'uns. We have a Youth Quest kayak trip planned for August 31 - Sept. 3 - being led by Kevin Utas, and assisted by Justin Mullen and Sarah Creasor. There are two signed up at the moment and normally this is a sellout. Maybe cause it's close to school time? Well listen up - what better way to finish off your summer than swimming and paddling and eating out in the islands away from teachers and parents? Call now and we can sign you up for a spectacular ending to the summer. How's that for a sales job?!
Back to the less than young.....our September Moments cabin-based kayak trip (Sept.20-24) is a fine way to enjoy the islands of northern Georgian Bay when the water is still warm and summer bummers have gone home. Best of all, you get to come back each night to a comfy bed. I think a lot of folks don't realize what a special time this is - and opportunities to enjoy it with great food and cabins don't come along often. Call for details.
Canadian Professional Paddling Conference - Minden Wildwater Preserve Sept.24-26. One of those events you'll kick yourself later if you miss it. For paddling instructors of all disciplines and all I can say is you should come for a really fun, relaxed weekend. See for yourself at paddlebuzz.ca Ok, i'll give you one little tidbit - a former Weather Network meteorologist is presenting on active weather for paddling - this guy is awesome - in addition to guest instructors from all over Canada teaching the latest techniques, tricks and tips in paddling instruction.
The Georgian Bay Storm Gathering is gathering steam (georgianbaystormgathering.com) We present this with PaddlingInstructor.com and is the final kick at the can for intermediate kayakers looking to share a weekend with like-minded folk. Add in cozy cottages, a big hot tub with a fresh Georgian Bay Fish Supper - who cares about storms! There is an early bird discount - and you can contact the Squall to register.
Hokay - you might wonder why you haven't heard from ol' Tim for a while. Well - I decided to have myself a bone infection just for fun. I'm getting back to normal....alright, enough with the jokes and am really looking forward to fall paddling. Thanks for listening......tim
ps- all boats are on sale - tim's tips? well I'm in "dire" need of some, so here's your chance - just let 'er rip. |
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Tip #1
Got an old two piece kayak paddle that just won’t come apart – tie it to a piece of rope and let her soak. After a few days, chances are it will come apart no problem. Or – if it drifts away in the night, you can go get yourself a new carbon paddle!!!
Tip #2
Ignore the weather forecasters – put on your sunhat and keep your raincoat handy. Forget planning anything – just go paddle. If it’s rainy, you’ll have the water to yourself –so that’s good. If it’s sunny and warm – you’ll be happy anyway. Either way, you win.
Tip #3
If you have a Kayak, old Windsurfer, Sit on Top or Canoe – you’re now the proud owner of a Stand Up Board!! Sure, just stand up in what you got – find a big paddle and use what your momma gave you.. It’s a great full body workout – trust me…… |
The Bay is warming up wonderfully - a great time to be out there.....
PADDLE PARTY - view photos!
Our Paddle Party has passed into the mists of history…..in other words, I can hardly remember what happened, but I’m pretty sure it was all fun and good. We had over 300 people in the tent for Fred - and he was in fine fine form. Once again, a big thanks to everyone who came out – and especially to al those who led sessions. For me, the funnest part was the no holds barred – “knock ‘em sock ‘em” Kayak Cross. I think I’m gonna write a letter to the IOC and see if we can get it in the next Olympics!
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Tip #1
Give your thermarest to your buddy – he’ll think you’re great – then go get an Exped Down Filled air mattress. I’m being a shameless retailer – but with arthritis creeping in, I’m always on the lookout for a better sleep – and these things are bloody amazing.
Tip #2
Bring a small tube of cake icing along in your “ouch” kit. If your paddling buddy is showing signs of needing a quick sugar hit, this stuff absorbs pretty easily. And throw in some Polysporin – if you get a cut during the day, it’s easy to treat it with antibiotic cream and a bandaid, without digging in to your big first aid kit.
Tip #3
Multi-tools rock. I have used one for dislodging a stone in a skeg well on open water – cutting rudder cable – tightening a loose nut – grabbing shock cord out of a broken tent pole and picking a sliver out of my hand. Should be standard operating gear for anyone going outdoors. |
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Hoot and Blat for mid May |
Hoot and Blat for mid May
Lots of new gear and boats arriving and terrific things happening……..
Valley Kayaks
Fresh off the boat from England, a dozen came to live with us – all of them seem quite smart – and quick to learn. I took the poly Nordkapp out a couple of nights ago in 30 knot winds, and I think it taught me a thing or two…..it’s fast, surfs great – and takes a bit of energy to move around – ol tim needs to pump some iron…..
Nano Surf Technology
No, it isn’t merchandising from the Mork and Mindy Show – just some very high tech stuff to put on the bottom of your boat to go like Jack the Bear. For about $35. You really can go faster than your friends (everything else being equal of course!)
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Nano technology has hit paddlesports. I can't tell you for sure if it works or not, but I do believe Mark Scriver when he tells me there is a new coating you can put on your boat that will significantly reduce friction. From Surf Nano Products, it's entirely eco-friendly (I always marvel how they say that - hey, my big toe is eco friendly too!!) We'll carry and try it this spring....but I was just thinking - how about skis that don't glide so well? To heck with all that fluoro stuff - let's go organic. I wonder if I could spray some on my artifical hip and really tear up the trails.... Don't tell anyone, but the next olympics - dyer will own the podium big time, you watch. |
ps - forgot tim's tips.....hmmmmm - ok, here's one - when someone is cooking a wonderful winter stew in an electric crockpot and you come into the kitchen - best thing is to not put the pot on the stove and turn the stove element on. There's this funny plastic smell and a gooey mess to clean up....
tip #2 - ok, this is for real now, the other was purely hypothetical. If you are outside and your hands and toes go numb - get your core heated by putting on another jacket or thermal layer. The extra warmth encourages blood flow to extremities and warms them up. This happened to a little girl in my jackrabbit ski class last weekend. Early on she took off her jacket as she was too warm. Ten minutes later she was complaining of frozen fingers and toes. We put the jacket back on and quicker than you can say "jackrabbits jump gingerly on jellybeans" - she was all toasty in her toes and fingers. A simple fix, but sometimes we forget the simple things. |
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Spring on the Loose - hooting and blatting |
Ode to Breakups of the Happy Kind
This past weekend we skied out to the Mink Islands. Heading up over rock and snow of the southern chain, I could here a familiar sound - big waves crashing on the western shore. So there we were in bright sunshine with fine powder and firm crust carving almost legible telly turns - and backdropping this magic was wide open Bay!
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Hoot and Blat in the Cold |
HI Winter Fans!
This Thurs. Feb. 11 I'll be speaking at the London Paddle Shop (Nova Craft)from 7-9pm and wanted to invite you if you're bored. It's free and the long-winded title (much like the speaker) will be "Tall Tales, Tips & Tricks for Paddling Georgian Bay" Through songs, stories, artifacts and amazing four season Bay photos we'll take you on an armchair paddle and ski. You'll even see Captain Jack starring in a TV show - that's worth the price of admission right there! More Info
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Tim's Tips
Tip #1 - Don't Read These Tips....
Last time, some people thought I was serious about folks paying $300/month for us to retrain your misbehaving kayaks. So to those people - please send us your delinquents right now cause we need money and I'll do whatever it takes. Behind my back they call me the "kayak whisperer" so you can pretty much guess how good I'll be.
Tip #2
If you're still with me, you might need to get out more...
Tip #3
Making a fire outside in the winter is tough - especially at the end of the day. To help you over the first half hour of being on your knees, blowing madly, breathing in smoke and the only flame is a girl or guy you remember from a high school dance - forget highschool and stamp out your imagined fire area in the snow. Take small cut logs and lay them down side by each. This creates an insulated platform where you can start your fire and forget your imagination. Sounds obvious but a lot of us don't do it - you're left with your imagination and a cold supper... |
 Tim's Tips for November
1. Send your kayak to White Squall Winter Retraining Camp...
2. Drysuits Are a Lifesaver but you got look after them...
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