Author: Justine

There are a few more reviews of “This is Canoeing” appearing on the internet and in magazines. People seem to be really enjoying the DVD which makes me happy!

This review is from Ceufad, the magazine for members of the WCA – Welsh Canoeing Association.

Also thanks to James Wier, the well known British OC1 canoeist who has been British champion and European Champion at OC1 freestyle. James now runs courses in Switzerland.  He has reviewed the DVD on his website here.

The popular kayak & canoe news website Playak has also written an independent review here.

The YouTube clip has now had over 18,000 views and 23 five star ratings. 

This Saturday morning was windy and pretty miserable and a few of us decided to go for a walk on Holy island instead of braving a paddle. The afternoon cleared up nicely for us and we walked the route that we usually paddle, starting at Porthdafarch beach and following the cliffy coast past South Stack and North Stack. South Stack race was clearly visible on the ebb. For most people seeing the sea from the land is their normal perspective, for us it was nice to see a familiar and beautiful paddle from a different angle. We even enjoyed a spot of kite flying!

Yesterday I paddled to the Skerries with Barry & Nick Cunliffe. It was an exciting ferryglide against the tide, with the wind behind us. Great for getting over jet lag! The return journey was even more exciting as the tide was in mid-flow and there were definitely a few breaking waves that we tried to avoid.

Today I am back at my desk catching up with paperwork. If you are in North Wales, don’t forget there is a free screening of “This is Canoeing” tonight at 7.30pm at Surflines. 

You can see a condensed version of the DVD – an hour of the best stuff. Nick Cunliffe & Matt Giblin will also be showing a couple of chapters from their new kayaking DVD, Kayak Essentials.

Bring a friend and a beer?

What a busy few days! Canoecopia followed by a paddle on Lake Michigan & a flight home yesterday. It was fun to paddle alongside downtown Chicago with Alec Bloyd Peshkin, Bonnie Perry & Paul. It was a bit chilly at the start so we played a spot of frisbee to warm up. Once on the water the air temperature wasn’t too cold but the water was pretty icy! I evolved a paddling style which kept my hands away from the waves as much as possible! We explored Lake Michigan’s ‘caves’ (under the pier), and did some ‘rock hopping’ (alongside the harbour walls). It was amazing how the sound of traffic and the city faded away just a few hundred metres away from the shore & if you looked away from thebuildings, you could have been anywhere. The fresh breeze helped with that.

When we got back from the paddle, Alec & Paul did a roll in the Lake. Brrrr – rather them than me!

I got home yesterday morning and managed to stay awake all day to try to fight jet lag. I even did some work. Thanks to Alec for some of the pictures. Check out the BP blog for more.

 What did I do today? Went kayaking!!