The Amateurs

"The Amateurs" by David Halberstam

I found this book to be very entertaining, it tells the story of a group of rowers who are fighting to get a spot on the U.S. National Rowing team. This book will let you into the world of rowing and give you an idea of how the politics work in making an Olympic Team. You will be shocked to find out that the best of the best may be left out of a boat. In this sport its about who gets along with who and if the two best rowers can work together as a team. You find out that sometimes it depends on who the coach is and who he gets along with.

If you are looking for a book that will tell you how to row and how to do this and that, sorry this is not the book for you!!! This books focus is on the relationship of the rowers to one another and how hard they train and work. It also provides a look into the personalities of the athletes and how hard they are to get along with. You will find out that rowing is a loners sport, most of them like to train alone.

I liked this book and hope a few of my readers get the chance to check it out. I give this book 3 1/2 KAYAKS --- It would have been 4 but there is one section of the book that seems to drag on forever. Once you pass that section it is smooth sailing. Have a great day and PADDLE ON!!!

Cockpit Cover

I finally got a cockpit cover for my kayak. I had looked for one several times this past month and had trouble finding the right size. I went to Dick's Sporting Goods in Columbus OH; Grove City and Easton and had no luck. All of there covers were to big.

I had to pick up some family members from the Tri-State Airport in Huntington, WV yesterday. There is a Dick's Sporting Goods in the Hunting Mall so I decided to go and check it out. Lucky for me they had it. I got the very last one in that size.

Side note the Huntington Airport is really small, I thought it would have been bigger. Have a blissful day and PADDLE ON!!!

The cover is Large by Field & Stream

We had a few people try kayaking for the first time on the OBX trip. This is a picture of Joe in my kayak with Amy's paddle. We also got Hanna out on the water and she loved it.

It reminds me of my first trip down the river on a kayak. I went to a canoe livery with Keith and Amy. On our way there we discussed what type of water craft we would be using for the day.

Keith and Amy were set on kayaks, which also ment that I would have to get a kayak as well, no way I was going to do a canoe by myself.

Keith, Amy and I decided that we would each get a kayak and once we were on the water if I was feeling uncomfortable we would return to shore and get a canoe. I liked this arangement and it made me feel like taking the chance on the kayak. I have always loved being on the water however the thought of being in a kayak always scared me. I always wondered what if you flip and you get stuck in the kayak underwater and you can't get out!!!

I got in the kayak and made my way out on the water, it was different then what I had expected. I stayed close to the bank and maneuvered a few turns and realized that I loved it...their would be no returning this craft back to the banks for a canoe, nope not at all.

Of course I was still a little nervous about getting stuck in the kayak if I flipped. That was also taken care of on my first trip. On that trip I flipped and the good news, was that I came right out. I think it was good for me to flip on my very first kayaking trip, it made me more comfortable with kayaking. I wasn't going on every trip wondering what was going to happen to me if i flipped. Well that is the story of my first time out on the water in a kayak. I would love to hear from some of my readers about their first trips. Well as always have a great day and PADDLE ON!!!

Kayaking Job

Today was another day of me looking for a job in kayaking as a guide or doing anything. I would love to get a job doing this. I also put in for other jobs as usual however it makes me feel better to end the day with a good search for a kayaking job. I know that all of the jobs for this season are probably all ready filled. I will just keep applying and maybe they will keep it on file for next year. Any of you bloggers' out their got a job opening in kayaking let me know...I am taking interviews. :) Well have a joyful day and as always PADDLE ON!!!

ANOTHER OBX PIC

This is me in Tim's kayak once again. I loved this kayak it was so much fun and it tracks threw the water so easy. However, I think I want a kayak that will turn quicker. I may want to look at kayaks that are in the 14-14.5ft range, maybe!!! Thats not to say that I am ruling out getting a kayak that is 16ft or over. As always have a great day and PADDLE ON!!!

OBX PIC

Hanna in Amy's kayak and I am in Tim's, notice the size difference in them. I am not for sure if I want a kayak as long as Tim's. I would like to try out a 14ft kayak and see how that is, 16.5 may be to long.

OBX PICTURES

This is Hanna, me and Sarah Kayaking in the sound. Hanna is in Amy's yak, I am in Tim's and Sarah is in mine. It was a great day and time to be out on the water, very clear.

Gear

While I was in OBX I got some new gear. It's hard to find gear here. I was very happy to get a new pair of water shoes. I have always had trouble finding them in my size. I have not used them yet I am saving them for when my other pair is wore out.

I also got a water shirt because I got a nasty rug burn type mark on my side the very first day from the skim board. Those are death traps...I will stick to kayaking. All the other guys had them minus myself and Joe and none of them had any marks or burns. I thought this a good sign. I found one at a very good price in a small little shoppe, not in the big fancy stores.

I also got a bran new PFD or life vest. My best find of the whole trip. Once again this is another item that is hard to find here. I can find them at the local department store but they really would be cheap and not that safe. I have been wanting a PFD that is made for paddling sports and now I got one. It has a spot for my keys to hook to then I can zip them up inside a pocket; double security!!! It also has a pocket for a whistle which is built into it. It has the shoulder straps so that you can make it the right size so it doesn't ride up. The sides adjust and have a mesh fabric so that it gives way to fit nice with your body. This allows more movement with less work. It perfect...oh and its yellow :)

I finally got me a Kayak T-shirt, its blue. I found a great price on it at Kitty Hawk Kites. It was nice to finally get some kayak wear. Well as always be safe, have fun and PADDLE ON!!!

Tim's Kayak

This is me in Tim's Kayak, its 16.5 ft. long and orange. I loved riding in this yak.

It took some time to get use to. When I first hit the water I was a bit nervous.

The yak seemed a bit tipsy, more then I was use to. You need to remember, one thing about my Otter is that it is real stable, very forgiving. This boat is not! If you move or tilt too the side you will notice it.

Once you get the feel for the kayak she paddles like a dream. I couldn't believe how fast I cut threw the water with so little effort. The guys with me were paddling twice as hard as me and having trouble keeping up. I loved it, it was so nice to finally get the chance to take out a yak that nice and long.

Turning was very interesting in this yak. I found out when you are turnning something this long it takes some time. I am use to my Otter which can turn very quick. I noticed to make the turns easier in this boat you have to pull up the fin. You have a fin that you can put down to help you track better in the water; which it does great for straight lines. When it comes time to turn you need to pull it up and the turn is much easier.

I loved using this boat it was so much fun and I hope to get one as well...MARK NEEDS THIS!!!

Feel the power have a great day and PADDLE ON!!!

Outer Banks

I just returned from the Outer Banks. I was there from the 5th - 12th. It was an amazing time. I went with a few friends, Jimmy, Amy, Keith, myself and a car load of toys; kayaks, Boigie boards, skim board and remote control boat.

We were going to meet up with a few more people down in N.C., we had ten people in our beach house and another house with six friends. Our house was on the side with the sound, perfect for KAYAKING :) and our friends beach house was next to the ocean. This gave us access to both bodies of water in the banks... it was awesome.

I went kayaking on our first day at the house. The water in the sound was rough the first night, however we went out anyways and stayed close to the shore. We were crashing threw the waves and sometimes bouncing with them. It felt like you were on a small roller coaster. This sensation felt great along with the water spraying in my face covering my glasses at times.

Our first time out in the sound was brief due to the conditions and the fact that the sun was setting. I will be telling you more that went on, on this trip however I am still thinking about how to go about that. To many things to mention. As always have a great day and PADDLE ON!!!

The Gang @ Three Creeks Park

L-R Mark, Matt, Keith and Sarah. We were at Three Creeks Park getting ready to launch on Alum Creek

Matt & I @ Three Creeks Park

Ready 2 Go

Who's ready to hit the water?


I AM