Active Sea Kayaking » 2008

MEC GEAR SWAP: 19 october 2008

September 29th, 2008

MEC Victoria will be holding it’s second Gear Swap. This year for the first time, you are welcome to rent a table and go sell your used gear as well, that is if you are fast enough…. as there is only a limited number of tables….
But the best is not selling, it’s buying of course!
MEC Victoria will be selling all kinds of gear, returns, rentals…. barely used and big discounts!
And other outfitters such as Active Sea Kayaking and Blue Planet Kayaking will also be selling their 2008 gear, paddling and camping equipment, lightly used….
There will be kayaks, drysuits, PFD, skirts, and much much more….
For more info, follow this LINK TO MEC.
The Gear Swap:
Sunday October 19, 2008
12pm – 4pm
Parking is free on the street on Sundays.
Locale: James Bay Community School Centre, 140 Oswego Street

And just to remind everybody, year around keep an eye on MEC gearswap on internet, big source of pleasure….
HERE!!!!

CIRCUMNAVIGATION OF VANCOUVER ISLAND

September 26th, 2008

Hello Everybody. Just to let you know, there is a paddler going around Vancouver Island solo right now. Not just a paddler, but an expedition paddler, also World Champion of Surf Kayak ….. Sean Morley is here.

He is planning on beating the speed record around the island, averaging 5 Knots/hour in his Rappier20 (that’s the name of the boat, from Valley kayak).
Anyway, there is much to tell about the man, and his boat, and past expeditions, but I am in a hurry and Sean has a really good website and Blog… So you should go have a look at it: www.expeditionkayak.com/

ON TOP OF THAT, SEAN IS CARRYING A SPOT, SO YOU CAN SEE EVERY DAY HOW FAR HE’S MADE IT….. try this LINK and if it doesn’t work go to the blog

On this, have a good time on the water, I am on the run but will add more detail about Sean, his circumnavigation of Vancouver Island, and his funny looking boat….

JUST A NICE PICTURE…..

September 26th, 2008

When I first saw it I thought, I have to share that one….

MOVIE PREMIERE: THIS IS THE SEA 4 (IN VANCOUVER)

September 5th, 2008

UPDATE, THE SHOWING DATE HAS BEEN CHANGED!!!!
Hello fellow paddlers, here is some good news: Just got an e-mail from Ecomarine Ocean Kayak Center:
QUOTE:
We wanted to let you know about a fantastic action Sea Kayaking movie
premiere happening here in Vancouver that we will be hosting! Ecomarine Ocean Kayak Center presents

This is the Sea Vol. 4 w/Justine Curgenven

WATCH THE TRAILER….
-When : Saturday Nov 1st
-Where : Jericho Sailing Center Association, 2nd floor banquet hall
-Time : Doors open at 7:30pm, movie starts at 8pm
Drinks (alcoholic and other) and snacks will be available on the evening as
the Galley restaurant will be open for the night.
Tickets are $5 and will be available as of Sept. 2nd at Ecomarine. There are
a limited number of tickets available for this event.

HALLOWEEN PARTY! There will be a prize awarded for the best costume in
attendance.
Justine and her partner Barry Shaw will be doing the judging for the prizes!
END OF QUOTE:
If you are not familiar with Justine achievement, start by visiting her blog.
The movies (well, only the trailers of course!) she has produced can be accessed on this website under RESOURCES-VIDEO or just click here for now.
This is how she described the contents of This Is The Sea 4 on her blog:
-There are 3 fascinating expedition stories; Haida culture & humpback whales around British Columbia’s Queen Charlotte islands; island hopping from Australia to Tasmania across the Bass Strait, & a 2400km trip around the stunning South island of New Zealand complete with intimidating surf & a helicopter evacuation.
-Rough water rolling, Greenland rope gymnastics & commando kayaking with DUBSIDE, Kayak fishing in San Diego, Rock hopping in Baja, kayaking fun with father and son in Norways stunning fjords, paddling the Dead Sea in Israel, Seakayaking the Grade 4 Ottawa River, Lake Superiors Apostle islands AND MORE….
So obviously, this will be a fun evening, lots of inspiration, paddling videos, and a great way to support a shop (Ecomarine) that’s been supporting the Sea kayak industry for a long time.
HAPPY PADDLING.

WATERPROOF PENTAX CAMERA REVIEW: W20 AND W30

September 4th, 2008

Let me share my personal experience, in case you are wondering if you should purchase a waterproof camera from PENTAX or OLYMPUS.
Well, if you want to buy a waterproof camera, it will have to be an OLYMPUS because to the best of my knowledge, Pentax doesn’t have one.
Now, I have tried, twice. The first camera, Pentax W20 lasted about 6 months, and the second one, W30 was with me for less than 4 months.
Not to worry, the good folks at Pentax have a warranty department. So after paying for shipping back to them twice, I am being told quite nicely (it’s appreciated!) that they can fix it for only $260, about the price of a new Olympus!
So I was tempted to say yes, but then remembered on average they lasted for only 4 to 5 months…. at which point I changed my mind.
Well, yes, I’m like that sometimes!
So if you are going shopping, just so you know… the great shop “Lens and Shutter” will sell you a camera but not deal with your warranty issue. Why stand by your product once you got paid? Right!
And then, that leaves you with the Warranty department, which means you are out of luck!
I have 3 paddler friends using OLYMPUS cameras, waterproof and shatterproof, they haven’t complain once yet, the decision is yours of course.
The good news is that the protective case I had built for my Pentax will fit the OLYMPUS camera without too much work…. can’t say I am not lucky!
If you have comments and/or stories, please e-mail me.
Happy paddling and good pictures.