In the last post titled “Ode to an Erg” Heather sang the praises of the device that she and I rely on when the weather turns icy and/or we’re short on workout time. The Kayakpro Speedstroke Gym kayak ergometer is hands down the most realistic replacement for actually getting on the water and getting that [...]

Hours after welcoming Jazlyn into the world last spring, we bought a kayak erg. At the moment of the arrival of our newest child, I think we realized, we were going to busy! And, boy we were right! Every second of my day and night are accounted for. So, walking down to the garage and [...]

Disclaimer: this is going to read like a sales pitch. It is not. I’m in no way affiliated with Stellar surfskis, not sponsored, no kick-backs, nothing. I love my Epic V10 as much as any man can love a boat. It’s the perfect boat for me. But then, sometimes, when you least expect it, another [...]

The highlight of my races these days is paddling across the finish line to the sight of my family cheering me on. They are easy to pick out, find the tallest person, note the cute-as-a-button baby girl strapped to his chest, and the tow-headed boy at his side yelling, ‘Go Mama Go!’ Then, I ask [...]

There’s something extra special when a paddling event combines with a fundraising effort. It’s the magic in and on the water. The humility — and charity — in the face of nature, that most experienced paddlers feel. The singular reason that defines both why most paddlers paddle, and also why they would choose to leverage [...]

We seem to go through GPS receivers like candy. If I had a pile of all the GPS’s we’ve bought, then stuck somewhere (?) when they quit working — 99% of the time because they got wet — I’d probably have a hill big enough for the kids to go sledding down this winter! And [...]

Some races you go to for the competition, or the beauty of the place… but the Sound Rowers Mercer Island Sausage Pull is all about the post race BBQ sausage feast! I’ll explain more about the sausages later. We ARE there to race, too. So, a bit about that. There is a 6-mile short course and a 14.5-mile long [...]

After having my forward stroke fine-tuned by Greg Barton himself on Friday, on Saturday morning Brandon and I raced the Sound Rowers Lake Samish Salmon Roe. We had decided to race the 5.5 miles together, in a tandem Stellar surfski. (Thank you Drew and Stellar Kayaks for the boat!) With over 150 racers, and almost every type [...]

Imagine if Lance Armstrong dropped you and your biking friends an e-mail saying: “Hey, if you guys are up to it, I’ll come on over and do a workshop with you guys on your technique!”  Oh yeah, and then he adds, “No charge!” In our world of paddling, that’s EXACTLY the level of gift bestowed [...]

This past year, with the hard work of a few local paddlers, Bellingham’s first outrigger canoe club became a reality. Bellingham Bay Outrigger Paddlers’ first OC6 canoe arrived in April. Busy with sweet baby Jazzy, racing surfski and SUP, chasing Hayden and all the many joys of life, it wasn’t until three weeks ago that [...]

It’s not just for SUP this year! PADDLE GRAND PRIX is open to ALLL paddle-craft. August 27th, two weeks from this Saturday, at Boulevard Park in Bellingham. NOW HERE’S THE THING: Entry fee is $35, and ***every red penny*** of that $35 goes STRAIGHT into Marshall Seaman’s and his family’s hands to help make a [...]

The first time I did the Oceanman was in 2009. It is one of the races that keep you laughing and humbled while you race. Swim, paddle, run, SUP doesn’t capture the personality of this multi sport race. Those are the physical elements. But, half way through and in between events, race director Gary Parsons keeps [...]