Twenty Beaches Surfski Classic

The start is cool and the ability to catch the smallest of swells is inspiring. High cadence appears to be the name of the game, good core rotation. A real selling point to have an under the hull rudder system.

A lot like watching paint dry or grass grow unless you get it. Watching the pros, a lot to learn from this video - The Capt'n

Happy Festivous...

Merry Christmas!! - The Capt'n

Battle of the workshops

The challenge is on between SandyBottom and The Capt'n as we go head to head with our kit boats.
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SandyBottom hit it hard with Paul and set up their downstairs as a workshop. The Capt'n followed suit hit it hard with Jack and set up shop as well in the kitchen.
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The Capt'n is going old school with the basics... only thing missing is paper clips and string; Looks like SandyBottom has a slight lead.
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See it unfold at: http://www.sandybottomkayaker.blogspot.com/
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It's a Parody; here's your sign - The Capt'n

Magic of the moment.

Costa Rica, On our way up to Monteverde for some zip lining. A rainbow appears as a reminder that the beauty we seek is in the magic of the moment. Thirty seconds later we might have missed this.
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It's all happening - The Capt'n

Boats boats boats everywhere!!

Deals Good till 1-15-10
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Time to clean out the boat house!!
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Will hold for p/u or assist in transport in July 2010. Super Boo and I will be at the 5th running of the MR340. If you’re coming to Rutabaga's Canoecopia in March 2010, we are minutes away.
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Bell Yellowstone solo (red) Aluminum (gold) gunnels - $550.00 - good condition
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Bell Mystic tandem ultra light clear gel coat over tiger weave Kevlar -Aluminum (gold) gunnels - $1100.00 - great condition
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(40) Sevylor Tandem / solo - yes 40 Sevylor Inflatable Kayaks K2 (grey) class lll self bailing boats - lots of 10 - $1000.00 lots of 5 $625.00 individually $150.00 p/u only... you pick the boats you want. They are stacked high and wide indoors for your shopping pleasure. Good condition
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Sawyer Summersong solo Olive green Aluminum (black) gunnels Kevlar with custom portage yoke and maroon CCS skirt, slider seat. Old school keeper. $1,200,32.00; OK I really don't want to sell it, but here goes $1250.00 Firm Triple dog dare you to find a classic for this price in this condition. Good/great condition
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Azul Sultan expedition kayak - glass carbon construction HV Greenland style kayak valley hatches knee braces, skeg. Maroon deck, black accent stripe, and artic white bottom. $1500.00 extremely good condition
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Old school sailboard - board only - $100.00
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No the Kruger Sea Wind and Kruger Cruiser are not for sale... sorry.
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brian0017 AT yahoo DOT com / 608-334-7996
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The Capt'n

In a state of euphoria

OK.. in a state of adventure travel euphoria, I purchased a boat kit... Not to be out done by SandyBottom and her two projects going at once phase. (skin on frame and the new Grand Diva by B&B Yacht's )

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I stayed local and worked the magic with the boys up at QCC Kayaks - Wisconsin... I know what your thinking... The Capt'n in a kayak; surly you jest! ... Not so fast my uncomfortable paddling friend's... QCC doesn't build boat kits.... or do they?

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It's magic... The Capt'n

Are you thinking what...

Here is a taste of what was a marvelous adventure. Wind swept beaches, aqua blue waters and the smooth sounds of ice jingling ever so gently in our glasses.

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Are you thinking what I'm thinking? Yep another week would have been real nice with all this weather we have blowing in the next couple of days.
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That's weird, I'm dreaming in Spanish and I don't even speak Spanish - The Capt'n

What happens in...

I need to put this out there...

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What happens in Costa Rica, should happen in the rest of the world... Never felt so much hospitality.... then I went to Texas!!

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Not to be out done, Texas was a hoot!! I have never met so many hospitable people as I did on this trip. Our globe trotting adventure melded the best of both worlds. Put Costa Rica and Dallas Texas on your places to visit.

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I had all these great jokes about Texas too.... Dang!

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We're back!! - The Capt'n

pack'n heavy

See ya on the other side of a great adventure trip.... we gone - The Capt'n

So you think

Snow Blast Video - Click Here

Gorgeous out right now, sun shines bright, 2 degrees: Perfect for a Penguin !! - The Capt'n

The wheels are a turning

Here we go! The EC is a motivator for all sorts of people to do amazing things. Whether its your goal to finish, get fit or build a boat, it instills the drive to do it; your slice of the pie!

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Looks like Dawn "SandyBottom" has been holding out on me. I e-mailed her a week ago or so and she never mentioned anything about building a new kayak for the Everglades Challenge. Very sneaky... :-)

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The Stewart's have built numerous adventure craft. From outrigger canoes, coastal cruisers to a variety of kayaks. It's always fun to watch their builds on-line. Check it out, SandyBottom's blog - click here

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So its got me to thinking.... You can never have too many boats. Build something? Hmm? Well we know how my Class A hydroplane turned out, not so good until my dad stepped in. Then there was the Boy Scout bird house and chest fiasco of '68. The wheels are a turning...

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Let me think this through a bit - The Capt'n

Let it snow let it snow let it snow...

Great day to be out playing in the snow! We got hit with lots of snow anywhere from 10" to 14 " out by us. The worry is the dropping temps. It will be 30 degrees colder by morning and that plays havoc on all sorts of things. Especially the roadways. Lots of expanding and contracting going on... Pot Hole City!!
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Trees are covered and so is most everything else. Beautiful to look at but heavy snow like this takes down branches and even trees. We lost a blue spruce at our office today. Almost took out a maintenance worker in the process. When the wind picks up tonight, snow laden trees come a tumbling down!
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Spoke with Mark over in Irons, MI. He's in for more of the same. With lake effect snow off of Lake Michigan he's looking at another 18" to fall. He's doing some cross training... shovel shovel! -
Believe me it is wet and heavy! Poor Bas.....
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Mark was last seen curled up in the fetal position near a ragging wood fire. We spoke only for a moment as Mama P had just made him some hot cocoa and got him some dry socks and jammies.

lights camera ...action

All about Jake

The Portage to Portage - a 5000 mile solo kayak journey around the Eastern United States.
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What a nice send off for Jake who was starting a 5000 mile+ journey around the great loop of The east coast.
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Humble, thankful and well supported by friends and family, Jake started his journey by selling his trip's T-shirt to help support and underwrite some of the costs. Boo got in on the action and snagged a shirt.
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The sun shown bright which brought warmth to the occasion as some 50 or so by-standers wished him luck and wrote catch phrases on his kayak. Young children climbed in and out of the kayak to the delight of on-lookers snapping photos. Lots of positive energy in the area as a nervous mom and dad stood by.
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The stand up paddler goes by no name but added mystery and intrigue. A wave of the hand and a dip of the paddle... and he's off.
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Wow - The Capt'n

What is it ..

What is it with people who claim to have been at Woodstock and have never even stepped foot in New York? What is it with people that claim to have known Verlen Kruger and couldn't tell you the difference between a bent shaft paddle and just being bent? I just don't get it.
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Here is another example of complete erroneous information put to paper. - Click here
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So for the record, I never met Verlen, never went to Woodstock.
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If you click on the image it will enlarge; it's a letter that was written to the editor.
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Though I must say I do like the author's style of writing. It reminds me of the time I was sitting down with Ernest Hemmingway and...
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That is all I have to say about that - Forest Gump, Bubba Gump Shrimp Inc.

Portage to Portage - The Launch

SUNDAY DECEMBER 6TH - 12:00 NOON
RIVERSIDE PARK PORTAGE WISCONSIN
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The Portage to Portage - a 5000 mile solo kayak journey around the Eastern United States.
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Jake reports on his blog:
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Please let me know if you're thinking about coming to the park to see me off. I've been told there is an excellent place for burgers and pizza near by (called the Tamarak) so folks can grab a bite to eat after the big launch.
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The weather on Sunday is supposed to be rather wintery so if you have any thoughts of paddling with me be sure that you're properly equipped. Also do let me know if you're going to be joining me on the water so we can figure out car shuttles for the end of the day.
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If others plan on paddling it will probably be a fairly relaxed social pace for only about three hours or so.
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Plan A:
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I have 5 nocturnal teenage girls sprawled all over the floor. Teenfest 2009 is in full swing with Emily throwing a sleep-over bash.
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This may leave me a window of opportunity to head North and see Jake off. Snap a few pics; study the character and resolve of a man that picks the coldest day of the year to head out for a 5000 mile paddle.
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Plan B:
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Hot cocoa and pie. Warm down comforter and the DVD Donovan's Reef. followed by a nap that would impress even the sleepiest of bears.
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We make these tough choices; I'll go to the rule book for clarification. - Rule Number #17 - Sleep is overrated.
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Get off your Okole! - Hawaiian

Behind the plow

Something macho about cruising down the highway in snow with a canoe on the roof of your car. Oh yeah we got snow!
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Like most middle class paddle types, our days are filled with work, being behind the plow so to speak.

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But today is Friday! Girls are coming out for a massive sleep-over... Blue skies on the way... Could end up being a banner weekend for winter paddling, a winter wonderland!

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Red lights flashing!! Danger Wil Robinson Danger!!- Lost in Space, the Robot

Pura Vida!

Big water, Big rivers Big adventure... Gotta get me some!!
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As luck would have it, I've hitched my portage cart to yet another couple of adventurous souls and will be heading down to Costa Rica shortly for what is sure to go down in the adventure book as BDS's most awesome adventure!

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Here's the plan:

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We have no plan.

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No real itinerary. Travelling light, mandatory headlamp and compass; pocket full of coin... and we're off.

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I'm the token male on this adventure; accompanying a couple of lovelies - Debbie and Sarah. They think I am some sort of adventure travel legend, hmm? A guru of sorts; wonder how they got that idea? wup wup... Truth be told they are both well travelled. Both very adventurous indeed.

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Note: Just been notified we'll be bringing numerous suitcases of Christmas presents down. Now I know why I was invited... they need a mule to carry all this stuff!!

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Look to the sea... or look to the trees. We'll either be on a zip line, on the water or in some Cantina telling tales of adventure.

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Well we do have a bit of a plan. We need to be back in Dallas on the 19th for Sarah's graduation from SMU. We also have local contacts as Debbie and Sarah have extended family down in Costa Rica, so we got a ride organized out of San Jose. Giddy up... We'll make the rest up as we go along.

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Just keeps getting better and better- The Capt'n