For many years I have enjoyed the luxury of the hammock.

I used to be a ground sleeper when we camped or I paddled to some islands. That was until I found the joy in the hammock.

It was many years ago on a multi day sup trip that someone had a top tier hammock. I tried it and was immediately sold. Once in it I thought, why would anyone sleep on the ground when they can sleep in the clouds? So to speak.

That was about ten years ago and I have not looked back or slept on the ground since. I do not think I will again unless I have to. Which, I think will be rare. I am still using my original War Bonnet El Dorado hammock and under quilt and love it as much as I did the day I got it.

Don’t get me wrong. It has not always been a perfect relationship and still is not perfect to this day. Hammocks are a different breed and every slinging situation is a little different. Why just a couple of weeks ago I found myself without the proper trees to hang the hammock on both sides so one side was hooked to a fence! Yup. Not the perfect set up but it worked.

You figure out how it works pretty quick and that the most important fact is to try and avoid calf ridge as much as possible. Makes sense. If you dont pay attention to the taughtness of your ridge line there is a chance you might have some issues in the middle of the night.

Either way if you have not tried a hammock I would say give it a shot and see if it is good for you? It is not for everyone but almost everyone could enjoy the feeling of swinging between two trees.

This is my recent setup on my fav little from island. awesome.

Recently, I had a fall on my gravel bike while commuting and broke my femur. My NOF to be exact. Which, stands for the neck of femur. Just below the ball of it. Let me tell you that that was not fun and I am happy the pain is almost over.

It is three weeks since the accident and just over two weeks since the surgery. The time from accident to surgery was some of the most agnozing pain I have ever endured. Just outright non-functioning pain.

Basically, no mobility and I was literally unable to move. First collapsing on the road then dragging my body to the curb where I collapesd. Then when trying to stand up did I realize I was in trouble as I could not stand up and fell down. Bruising my hand. Which I also did not need to do.

I tried to get up again with the aide of my bike but quickly realized that it would not work and fell again. I layed there for who knows how long before I called the non emergency number. I esplaind my situation and they said sorry, but you have to call 911. That was the first time in my life that I did and never want to again.

I got the surgery and I can tell you that was something no one should go through. Sure there are many painful things in life we have to do, but that is one you should avoid. If possible.

There are many firsts that I had happen during that ordeal and I am happy to say I hope I do not want to experience again.

Here is a minor list of them to the best of my poor ability at remembering some of them. Not in order btw.

A ride in an ambulance, several in fact. Four in total. A flight in an air ambulance. A spinal epidural. Being fed via intravenus. Pooing in a bed pan. And not the big shiny one you typically see. The little uncomfortable little blue one. Hospital food. Yes, I have never been admitted for any length of time longer than an er visit. An over night stay. Imaging guidance to monitor the anesthetic prior to the epidural. A cocktail of drugs that I can not remember or spell correctly but some where, morphone, hydro-morphine, fentanyal, fnb’s, fib’s, toradal, tramadol, gabapentan and who knows what else.

Overall a lot.

Though the experience was riddled with acute amounts of pain sustained over many days I can not say enough about the care I received and was given. Everyone went above and beyond and I can not thank them enough.

In particular to the fact that I am Canadian and this happened on Canadian soil. For if this was to have happened in america I would have to probably sell my house.

So, what is my take-away from this experience? Don’t fall off your bike on concrete. Ha. Accidents happen and try to deal with them as best you can. Especially if it is your fault and do the best to recuperate and get well.

Be safe out there people and wear a helmet. Fortunately, I was wearing mine.

This is my sweet gravel bike, which btw is totally fine. All things considered, I can not wait to get back on.

Final words as in life, if you fall down, brush yourself off and get back up again.

Ok, maybe a little longer than that. That being my lake freezing. This year it has definetely not been a stellar year for temps holding true. It seems so from my perspective though I think we should give it a few years.

I like to look at it in the way that I have to accept it and there is not much I can do but dress appropriately. Yup. That’s about it. Dress for the weather and accept it. There you go. Have a good day.

No words to mince or feelings to be hurt but truth. Buckle up and get er done. Don’t forget relative eye wear as well. Very important!

Now get out there.

I am very lucky to have been able to have a handful of custom made paddles produced for me. They

were made in the same factory as Black Projects so you know I feel good about that. And! The quality

and design are some of the best out there and best even many of the famous ones. The blade design

is unique and effective. Smooth and powerful. I have 3 actually. Two blade designs are different as I

have 12 x carbon twill shaft on one and the others are the standard 3 x. The 12 is for racing or some

serious training and sprints. I like to use the stiffer shaft when I am timing myself as well. Just so

much more of a powerful paddle shaft. Responsive and direct. As long as your technique is good then

it will be good.

If anyone is interested I have two paddles left in the 3 x twill shafts. Give me a holler and we can see.

ps yes, that is a piece of garbage I picked up from my lake.

Crossing two straights recently on my trek via sup to Comox was exhillirating to say the least.

I always try to be optimistic in my daily life no matter what the circumstance. I find that being that way lets me enjoy my failures and success as they should be, natural. Without influence or bias, just a life living.

So, that long winded intro was mentioned as a testament to my tenacity and willingness. The need that I can do it. And I do. Since moving to Powell River I have enjoyed the waters here imenclly. From lake to ocean, straight to channel, river to inlet I have paddle many of them. Experiencing nature in ways I hadn’t imagined yet. The waters here were my paradise. Year round.

Having islands in my reasonable proximity is also an extra gift. I started doing that when I moved here. Exploring coastlines of foreign shores with rocks and trees as my pins. Circumnavigating and crossing.

I started crossing the Malaspina Straight regularly and parts of the Georgia Straight as well. Mostly going from Powell River to Blubber Bay on Texada Island. Doing that many, many times since moving here.

There was always the thought of doing the Georgia Straight during that time. I knew I would eventually do that crossing. It wasn’t long.

The only consideration for me, was weather. Rightfully so. One has to make sure everything lines up when you are 10k from any shore. I don’t care about rain as long as the wind is not to harsh. This trip had the winds change and become more intense once I turned passed my point of no return. Ha.

I paddled on and kept my head down and eyes on the ferry dock. The wind and waves were pushing me quite a bit off course. I held steady and paddled on. Finally reaching the ferry terminal only to watch the ferry leave literally 5 mins before I got there. The extra length of time it took to get there cost me.

I used missing the ferry as my excuse to go to a big box store and get some supplies and grab some food. I wanted something worthy of my efforts. I contemplated getting a pre-made chicken pot pie, or a montreal smoked meat sandwich. The problem with them both was the excess I had to deal with in order to get a meal. The pie was huge and I did not have a bag. The meat sandwich would have me buy 3 loaves of bread.

I went to near the cashiers so I could see the food menu and low and behold, they now served a Montreal smoked meat sandwich!!! Well, my choice was made for me at that moment and I ordered two!

I had a great ride back with sightings of whales and beautiful scenes of the surrounding area all the while enjoying that perfect sandwich.

It comes but it is rare. The breeze of the sunset, blowing past palm trees to lapping waves.

Laughter crashing on rocks. Trees swaying to natural currents. Oceans and Coast come

together.

Together they are, a beautiful unison, harmonious in nature.

Fortunate to enjoy such natural wonders placating me while I train.

The hindrance a help and the help a hindrance.

I paddle on, I paddle on in a summer breeze.

You see, it is my wife who took the best pic of me. Not only once. As you imagine but in many locations.

My personal photographer is a nice luxury. I usually have to pay people. I have trained her eye and she is getting quite good. I wish to thank her for her patience. It ain’t easy working with me. Near or far.

This beauty that she nailed was when we were in Maui and I was getting ready for my M2M race. This was a training day and I was doing the fabled Kihei Run. It wasn’t really firing but I got some push and it was good training.

Training in Hawaiian waters is unique for a host of reasons but I think we can all agree on the happy temperature it is. The inviting blue with the relaxed temperatures make all your problems melt away in waves crashing on to distant beaches.

The sheer variety of waves and down winders there is just phenomenal. Unlike anywhere I have ever been before. I am sure there are some similar places throughout the world. I guess I enjoy it so much for its water sports and it’s relative proximity, really.

Thanks so much for reading my posts and looking at my pics.

Stay tuned for some fun adventures!

arne

I was stoked to see a really good pic of me from my recent race in Hawaii. One of my buds at the finish line nailed this beauty and it makes me happy to have it. In particular with Waikiki in the background.

It was a tough race and this photo represents my efforts. The last few hundred metres was head on to what seemed like 30-40k winds. Phew.

Again I am very pleased with my result overall regardless of the fact that not many entraints were even in the sup categories.

Again, I just competed in the Oahu State Championships in the Stock Sup division. I placed third!! ps there was only three of us as the other competitor was in a different category. Fortunate for me ehhh?

What a great trip and race. Hawaiian waters are something truly special to me and I relish my time on the water there. Every time I visit those inviting waters I learn so much.

May I see you again soon sweet waters of the some what south.

A month has gone by and I have not written about my most recent accomplishment on my sup.

I went to Oahu to compete in the Oahu State Championships. The race was 20k long, they wouldnt let me race the 30k. It was a good thing. It was mainly OC-1 and OC-2 and surfskis. And, a handful of sup-ers. 4 to be exact!

I have been training hard for this race as the conditions here are almost not even relatable. So much more extreme there. Sure we have krazy weather here, it is just different there. Because I have raced in Hawaiian water previously I have a vague idea how to handle myself out there.

Though, that is not always the case when you play with the Hawaiians.

I did fantastic all things considered and I am stoked with my finish. Again, there were only four of us in the standup paddle board groups. One of the the paddlers was in the unlimited category given me an automatic 3rd place!!! Sure I wish there were more people but, sup has faded in the competition world as of late.

Regardless, I am happy and really enjoy spending time in Hawaiian waters. Not sure what race is next but stay tuned as something is brewing.

cheers. ag. ps the Duke!

Ok, I know that sounds weird and it kinda is, but, let me explain. First, I am referring to Stand up paddle boarding. And what I mean by that is….

During the winter months, yes, I paddle year round, I wear gloves. Well, that really protects my hands from calluses and there build up. Which, when you think about it it seems ok. But, in reality when the warmer weather returns I have to be careful to build them up correctly and carefully as it can be very problematic. One wouldnt think so.

What happens when you start to build them up if you do your training wrong they can be misformed and develop unusually. Which can be a big problem. If they dont form properly from either to tight of a grip for too long pushing the distance to great early on the can be deformed to the point of pain and stop me from going.

Sounds bizarre but it is totally true. I am doing good now and on track but it is a little nerve racking as a little blister or mishaped callus could side line me for a number of days. And when I am trying to drive my k up that is a concern.

So wish me luck that by April I will be all set with them. Weird, yes.