Blog

  • “Rapid” writing

    Smart people may notice a similarity between the latest cover of “Canoeroots” magazine and the cover of “This is Canoeing” DVD! It’s the same photo of Becky Mason paddling on Quebec’s Lac Vert on both ( although magically she’s traveling in opposite directions!). I think this is the first time that a photo I’ve taken has been on a magazine front cover so it’s pretty exciting! I have also really enjoyed working with the folks at Rapid Media over the last few months. They sponsored “This is Canoeing” and their designer Beth Kennedy did a beautiful job of the cover of my DVD.

    Rapid Media in Canada produce 4 magazines; Canoeroots, Rapid, Adventure Kayak & Kayak Angler. I contributed articles to the Spring issues of the first 3 of those. Here is the article about Hailey Thompson, a 15-year old who has already competed for American in a world championships and who I had the pleasure of filming for “This is Canoeing”. She gave a lovely talk at Canoecopia of how she got to where she is, and how much she appreciates all the help and support she gets.

    For ‘Rapid’ magazine, I wrote about how women were allowed to compete in the world championship canoe slalom event for the first time last year, and how women are still battling to be allowed to compete in the Olympics.

    For AdventureKayak I wrote articles about the ‘Dream homes’ of Paul Caffyn on the west coast of New Zealand, and Shawna & Leon environmentally friendly house on Orcas island.

    If you buy ‘This is Canoeing’, you get a free on-line subscripion to both ‘”Canoeroots” and “Rapid” magazine, worth US $19.90. The details of how to claim your subscriptions are in the extras menu on Disc 2.

    I’m giving my first London talk tomorrow night (Thursday) at 7.30pm at Brookbank London. I’ll be talking about some of my seakayaking and canoeing adventures, with seakayaking video clips from Kamchatka, Tasmania & New Zealand and canoeing clips from the new award winning ‘This is Canoeing’ DVD.

  • Thumbs up for “This is Canoeing”

    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. 

  • Walking the Stacks

    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!

  • Ferry to the Skerries

    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?