Brandon returning from a paddle around Isla Coronado in Baja. Safety is a choice. And being prepared for anything is a GREAT choice to make – especially during storm season! In this 3-minute video, Brandon shows you how to rig your surfski or kayak for an instant field repair that will restore full functionality of [...]

Q: I picked up a Kokatat drysuit… now help with the gaskets before I die! A: Congrats, Graham!!! As for the gaskets, one word: Scissors. Don’t be scared. They’re meant to be cut down to fit, and that latex is stronger than you can imagine. Just take off 1/4″ at at time or whatever you [...]

Here in Bellingham, between Sunday and Monday the weather dropped from sunny and 75F to a cold, wet 55F. And, before you know it… it will be 45F, then 35F…. well, you get the point! Living the adventure life in the Pac Northwest, we live by the motto; “DON’T CHANGE YOUR PLANS,JUST CHANGE YOUR CLOTHES” [...]

Heather asked me to describe how I added deck-lines and a toggle to our Epic V-10 Sport, so here goes…. Written By Dan Moos, Puget Sound, WA paddler. Since Pat (Dan’s paddle partner and the owner of this V10 Sport) and I have had a background in rough water rescues (at the coast and in [...]

Surfski Safety Statement: Decklines, bow handles and BOMBER leash attachment points… Deck lines, bow and stern handles and leash attachment points are the future of surfski design. It’s a no-brainer as more and more of our time is spent “adventure paddling” and not in the relatively safe, chaperoned arena of “racing.” When Sterling and I [...]

The First Annual Whatcom PaddlersSurfski Rescue Games About a dozen surfskis and two OC1’s gathered at Marine Park for the First Annual Whatcom Paddlers Surfski Rescue Games. The air was in the mid 30’s F and the water was glassy and about 44F. The majority of paddlers came dressed for immersion in various layers of [...]

Surfski Rescue Technique: Deck Rescue Variation In countries such as Australia, surfskis were originally used as tools for lifeguards to aid swimmers in distress, because the fast paddle-craft could quickly and efficiently reach swimmers in challenging ocean waters. Now, because surfskis have beeen modified to be faster, lighter racing crafts, they have been stripped of [...]

Surfski Rescue Techniques: Deck Rescue Heather and I practiced some surfski deck rescues after the Deception Pass Dash Race, with renowned BCU coach Leon Somme guiding us on some of the finer points of the technique. It’s AMAZING what a big difference it can make when done correctly, in terms of stability and forward speed [...]

Vancouver Island surfski racer, Kathleen Petereit, shares what she carries in her surf ski to be properly prepared. “I have two hatch bags for safety stuff, one for light training runs and the other for offshore. Both bags are always ready to go and I keep them in my van so I can just pop [...]

Texas Ultra Marathon Canoe Racer West Hansen on going FAST AND LIGHT! “…it’s been said countless times (however it bears repeating) that the ultimate safety tool is experience, planning and good judgement. ” ~West Hansen~ West winning the Missouri River 340West HansenHome: Austin, Texas Occupation: Owner – Hansen Barn Construction (www.hansenbarns.com) Education: Southwest Texas State [...]

Bellingham paddler, Rick Lingbloom on being properly prepared for a 2-day, 72-mile self-support trip in the Canadian wilderness this summer. How he has modified his Huki S1X surfski What’s in his safety and repair kit A great hydration system and A simple field rudder repair Rick warming up for the Soundrowers La Conner race. Photo [...]

What does South African paddler Rob Mousley carry on his surf ski to be properly prepared? Rob’s pink paddle blades are visible for miles… When Brandon and I read “Millers Run – Without the Fun” on www.surfski.info, we thought it would fit perfectly into our ‘Properly Prepared HPK Paddler’ Series. We asked authour, Rob Mousley, [...]