Well I am sure there are not many people out there who don’t disagree with me that I sure am happy to kiss 2020 goodbye.

It was a tough one on all of us. We survived and will continue on.

Thats what we do. We are humans. And until the last dying spark goes from our hearts we must fight for this life that we have till the end. Fiercely. Like our warrior forefathers. Fighting for their lives.

Let this be the best year ever for all of us and prosper as well.

May we find peace and contentment.

cheers to us all and this new year.

Not going to hide it or change the fact. It is what it is. I do like this time of year as the signalling of the change of seasons is a wonderful spectacle to be had.

Whether you like it or not, winter, is a beautiful time in Whistler. All the grey and rain stop to make way for the great nature equalizer, the blanketer of all nature. A time when the air is crisp and mountains more than dotted with snow. A quiet that comes over the town before the season starts with the excitement building within its locals hearts and minds.

Everyone walking around smiling for a change instead of the blank stares that one receives as of late.

When the snow covers the mountains completely it is just breathtaking.

Hope everyone has a chance to see the winter wonderland for what it is up here and dabble in a little revelry.

I would also like to announce another fantastic sponsor to the fold! Aquapac!! I have used their products for years and rely on them! I would like to thank them deeply for their support and a fantastic product! Thank you!!

#aquapac

I will try to not wine or cringe to much but some might expect it. Its that time!!

snow,

elegant blanket

with gleaming cold purity

sharing calm and peace

This is my attempt at a snowy Haiku. It is the start of winter up here in Whistler and I couldnt be sadder. The thought of my lake being frozen for months on end is something I am coming to grips with but never enjoy. Alas, it is Whistler and I should be happy for my snow hound friends that are twitching like the fall leaves falling. I am happy for them but mourn my loss. My temporary loss.

Ha. Dont feel sorry or sad for me because I know where to get my fix. It is a little further and a little colder but with the right gear per usual I will be fine. So, fear not friends, I will be fine, cold, but fine. As for the skiers and snowboarders that are getting excited, well, lets wish you a great year of boundless fields of powder and empty lift lines.

Now get waxing your gear and get ready!!

cheers

Well I do not have to tell many paddlers what it is like to wear a wet suit or dry suit. If you don’t know you are either not a year round paddler or you do not really care that much.

I do and could not live without out both! They are both so great and offer so much comfort and support when I need them.

Many people ask if I wear a wet suit mostly. I say no, very rarely if ever! The only time I will wear a wet suit is if I am surfing, period.

I will use my dry suit for everything else. I personally love my dry suit and the concept. You have to admit that putting on a water proof suit before you get on the water is pretty cool.

That is the reason I love mine. Convenience Simple. On or off. Perfect.

If you can’t afford a dry suit then a wet suit with some adjustments could be just what you are looking for!!! With some other specific layers one could easily use the wetsuit year round. All the best and remember mind over matter and always remember the weather forecast for the day. cheers

If you know Gambier Island you know. It is the largest of the chain of islands in the Howe sound. A beautiful yet turbulent water way at times with wind and wave to challenge the best.

Now I am not saying anything really unique in regards to my abilities, but, I did just solo circumnavigate Gambier. I feel pretty good comparatively. The distance was not the tough bit this time, it was the wind, the swell for a while. Either way it had to be done, weather be dammed. I was going to do it no matter what! It was in my mind to do it and I was going to.

I started off at 8:30am. I quartered the majority of the way to the north point of Gambier. Going by the Bird Sanctuary. Just before the point I started getting a bit of a push from some swell that was driving me there just a little faster. Made it to the backside which was sweet!! So calm and nice. I paddled on.

Then, on entering Andys Bay mother nature decided to slap me in the face with winds that were from 20-25 constant k of demoralizing wind and swell! Cleared that to then get hit with the same thing but worse in New Broughton Bay! The swell was bigger and the water was super sloppy with the rebounding water from hitting the wood barges moored there and around the island. I figured that it took me 3 hours to navigate those two bays! More than likely 20k upwinds in terrible conditions! It was tough! I just moved slowly and methodically. Constantly trying to redirect my line to the safest path through it!!

Finally coming around the south west point of Gambier had me head down and bent to it! I slowly passed West Bay, then Center Bay and Port Graves Bay. Then the deceptively long stretch to get to the end of Halket Bay.

The final push had me dig deep and keep it together as my traps were on fire! The extra work I had to do in the west bays helped tucker me out and burn those muscles something fierce!! Fortuantley I did get some gentle glides back to Lions Bay!!

7.56 hours! 48k! One power bar. 1400ml of water. Thats it!! Yup!! Wicked paddle with many great nature moments to keep me happy and entertained!! What a day and the icing on the cake seems to be to the fact that so far I have not heard of anyone else solo circumnavigating Gambier before!! Nice feather in my cap!!

Ok, whats next? I will have to ask you to wait and see!! Cheers for now while I plan my next adventure!!!

Summer solstice came and went without the usual fanfare.

Not sure if I am getting older or I just do not care about partying like I used too. Staying out late and barking at the moon with the other Solstice celebrating locals, dancing to the late night rythms as they pulse on over sized speakers.

Yup! Did not even watch a movie. Heck, dont even know what we did but I know that it was not eventful or memorable. Otherwise……… The one thing I do know is that I went paddling and I hugged my wife! The two most important things in my life right now. In Summer that is. She obviously wins as the one who gets and deserves more attention, but, you know me buy now.

And just like that we are on to Sup talk. So, got Kahuna’s Elaho model and took that out a bit. Fun little river board that is nimble and fun. Think Porsche on 99.

With out further ado I must wish everyone a great summer and a safe one! Always check the weather forecast, bring sun screen, water, bug spray? food? What ever you think you could need on your summer vay cay you should bring! Nothing worse than thinking of an item or tool or drink that you didnt bring and now regret.

I remember my first Sup multi day and on the first night I realized I under packed my liqour rations. We pulled in the for the first nights camp and I realized that not only did I not bring enough but also flavors. I was not a fan of!! WTF?? I was on one of the coolest adventures ever and I did that. Dumb ass. I vowed from then forward to never do a mistake like that.

Ever.

That is why planning to me is so important. When things take a turn for the either unexpected or unplanned for happen you will be prepared as best as possible. And be safe while airing on the side of caution, always.

Wow, are we seeing the end to lock down? Or, is it just the beginning?

For paddlers it is not the most challenging issue as we usually paddle solo, but, for many, it is. I was thinking about that the other day and wondered on ways to help people enjoy time on the bodies of water solo.

I personally count! Yup! Almost every stroke.

The reason I do that is to maintain uniformity with my paddling. If one paddles 53 times on the left and on average paddles 24 strokes on the right that might develop some issues physiologically. It is pretty important to be conscientious of your strokes and how many you do on each side. I average 20 to 30. I do more when I am crossing a windy section or rougher tides but then I make sure to compensate by doing the same amount on the other when I can.

Another wonderful idea is to take a tally of all the wild life and flora that one sees on their paddle. I like to make sure I focus on breathing as well as smelling the surrounding air. Being on the water usually gives us some unique scents and is wonderful to experience some of the blooming flowers or just the richness of some of the local trees.

Whatever you do, have fun, tap your toes, sing a ditty, just have fun and be safe.

Green Lake, Whistler, BC.

I guess since everyone knows what we should be doing we should make the right decisions in these difficult times.

It is very hard for me right now as I love to post photos and videos of me paddling. It seems that that is no longer a good idea. Reason being is that it still promotes the fact of activity. Don’t get me wrong, it is ok to be active and focus on physical activities but, as far as posting those photos, I will have to agree with most that it is not the best idea.

We should concentrate on turning our lens inward, on our lifes now and the limited movements daily. I for one do not want to fear the wrath of the general public for enlisting others to be flagrant in regards to proper distancing protocol. I do want to be active but I think it prudent to be cautious of what we post.

That being said, I will now only post old photos and other seemingly relevant images and text.

All the best to us and let us all get through this together!!

Remember that the time we spend apart now will allow us to be together again tomorrow.