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.

Well, as I continue to break ice and skirt frozen parts of my local lakes I feel the need ofr warmer weather. That wont happen for a while and I will certainly make do with what I have here now.

It is truly amazing to have soooo many options. Most, don’t. What I mean is that when most peoples local lakes freeze, that’s it, they are done till the spring thaw or they drove to a possible part of the sea. For some, that is not an option and they have to transition to another sport for the interim.

Me, not so much as I have 32 lakes around me boarded by the ocean. Which, is open 24/7 granted that the wind and waves are doable. Even if my local lake freezes I can head to any number of lakes that are just too big to freeze. Though they are a little colder, I still enjoy them for the variety they offer.

I really feel lucky to have so many options. We did sacrifice much moving here but, the payout for me is huge and I really enjoy it. Being shut down from my local lake had me a little bummed that I could not walk to my local lake and had to drive 4 minutes to one of the big unfrozen ones.

That, is finally over at is warm and raining now, snow and ices least favorite words. Not mine. So, it seems so far that I will only put my dry suit on one time this year which is such a blessing! Not that I don’t like wearing it but rather the cleaning of said suit if I fall in to the ocean. Falling in in a lake is a non issue but for the ocean it is imparitive that one washes all their gear immediately after a fall in the salty soup. The salt as it does all things can destroy a suit and its weather guarding.

Now, I put my usual cold weather gear on and hopefully say goodbye to the dry suit for another year. May you have such luck as well and also have a great day. Fingers crossed for warmer weather and no cold water foot wear. Bring on the bare feet on the board.

Cheers.

Once again my lake is frozen. Its that time of year when I lament the cold. Not because it bothers me or I dont like it but simply because my local, not so far lake, freezes.

Its not so much of a drama that it really concerns me but know I have to dress differently and more appropriately. No wetsuit but drysuit, no booties but rubber boots, no bare hands, winter gloves or mitts even! I can handle it and do enjoy the regime of robbing and disrobbing the extra layers.

Drysuit is the new norm. Well, not new for me, just this time of year and when I go in the ocean. I dont wear a drysuit on my local lakes but when I am on the ocean in the winter, I always wear my drysuit and pfd. It just makes sense. If I am kilometres from shore and something happens it wont? be that bad as I just want the protection from the drysuit. I layer well and prefer to be warm over cold.

I do enjoy the winter paddling as I mentioned because, I generally dont overheat. Not that I do in the summer but it is really nice to paddle in the dead of winter on semi frozen water. I enjoy looking out and seeing snow capped peaks, the mist my breath makes and the quite of my environment.

It may not be for everyone but if you dress right and are prepared then it can be a wonderful thing. I do not suggest breaking ice as I do though. hahahaha

cheers