BaffinPaddler - http://baffinpaddler.blogspot.com

Here goes! I'm starting to practice the Balance Brace without a spotter. Even though I'm not perfect, I'm making progress. I had to make a choice between camera man or spotter because the camera man is sometimes also my spotter. So most of the time, I choose to have a spotter since I haven't learned to roll yet. It's easy to fall over and go upside-down when you start learning the Balance Brace . I find it isn't very forgiving for mistakes. I like having someone to spot me, coach me, and also have someone to film each practice session. It's a great way to learn and progress. It takes a village! But we don't always have a village around to help us. I'm a big fan of Helen Wilson's video, (from Greenlandorbust.org) "Simplifying the Roll" , a multi-level guide to rolling a kayak where you learn the basics in simple terms and can move on from there. She also demonstrates how to troubleshoot common problems with the roll (I have al...

Maelstrom Vaag 174 sea kayak, Loon, Lac Monroe, Mont Tremblant, Quebec, Canada Simple question. "Why do you paddle?" You may question it sometimes. "Why am I doing this!" It can be an up and down road.  The answer for me is: It's all the times that make me think and feel . . . "This is why I paddle!" Picnic table on sandy beach, Lac Monroe, Mont Tremblant, Quebec, Canada I'll admit. I love luxury. When you spot an unoccupied picnic table in the distance on a sandy beach, you may find yourself thinking, "This is why I paddle faster!" Later, I'll write about and post some video on another great adventure.  Learning how to Balance Brace a sea kayak in nice spots. (Here it is: Balance Brace practice in the Maelstrom Vital 166 in this beautiful spot.) Maelstrom Vital 166 sea kayak, sandy beach, Lac Monroe, Mont Tremblant, Quebec, Canada Why not? If you're going to get sideways and look at the world upside...

Lac Monroe, Mont Tremblant, Quebec, Canada You're on vacation right? The hot, lazy days of summer have taken hold of you. The gear is always wet. It doesn't get any time off. Rolling practice and balance bracing means even more wet gear, and wavy, curly hair that is always tangled. You're already dreaming of a dry suit for fall. Back at camp and at home, people, including yourself exclaim, "There's wet gear strewn everywhere!" You don't want to see pics of that beautiful mess, right?! It doesn't bother the neighbors at all. Yep! You're a paddler. Enjoy the best of summer . . . doing the stuff you love best! Maelstrom sea kayaks, Lac Monroe, Mont Tremblant, Quebec, Canada Nuf said! Large marsh, Lac Monroe, Mont Tremblant, Quebec Happy paddles. The BaffinPaddler