Different realm

  Sometimes you find yourself in certain places that don't seem to be of this world. This picture of sunset is one of those for me. The water was almost glass, misty fog rolling in. Seemed to be a place far away, calm and serene. An abyss of color and light. Moments like this almost always seem to bring internal reflections. Then just as soon as it came, it's gone. The noises that you somehow didn't notice around you slip back slowly. A boat cutting the water, a barking sea lion, a distant car radio. Your piece of mind distracted once again by things. But how great it is to be able to experience moments like these! Just looking at this picture I can feel my lungs fill deeper with air....

Zen and Color. 

Fin review

 The Chuck Patterson Great White fin does exactly as it claims. A great fin design that allows it to stay stable, yet can easily be maneuvered when needed.

 I took the fin out for two separate tests. One on a downwind run, and one in flat water.

 The first thing I noticed in the downwind run was that the fin kept the board loose while dropping in on bumps. Once in the trough between bumps I found the fin easily let me change direction if I needed to follow, or catch another upcoming bump on the left or right. The fin also kept a very straight track. Some fins are great for downwinding because they don't veer off course, but sacrifice maneuverability when needed in tight spots. This fin has both. You can concentrate on catching and gliding, knowing that the point you're aiming for is still on track. The fin also had speed and didn't seem to have any drag what so ever. Easily gliding from one bump and into the next.

 The next run was over flat water. Some fins seem to work great in one set of certain conditions, while they lack in others. But not this fin. It held speed in flats just fine. Tracked a straight course just as it had in the downwind run. Even into a slight headwind (5 to 8 knts) it held course, and made it easy to concentrate on paddling by not having to switch sides every 3 strokes.

 All in all this is a very impressive fin. At first I liked the aggressive design, hoping that the fin would live up to the name. I had some doubts as some fins work great in some areas and not in other areas. But this handled everything I put it through. It was much better than I expected it to be, and a nice surprise. It does exactly what it says it will. If you're looking for a fin that can go from one set of conditions to another, or just want an all around good fin, this is it. Great fin worth the money. 

You can purchase it here.

The conditions of the downwind test. Fun bumps in about 20 - 25 knt wind.

The fin.

Winter Sunsets

It may be getting colder, and the sunsets closer to the afternoon. Remember there is still plenty of beauty to see. Crisp winter sun.

Cold winter Shilshole sunset. 

The real locals.

 I was sitting around one day thinking about grumpy locals you see near the ocean. Every surf spot has at least one. The guy who just can't be happy even though they live near the ocean and surf all the time. They always seem to be swearing and wearing a frown. Hating on anyone that would dare smile and have fun with the same thing they do. It got me thinking...do the animals of the ocean act this way too? I doubt it, but wouldn't it be funny. So I thought of the loudest most obnoxious sea creatures I could in the local waters here. The kind that are always making some kinda fuss. And that's what follows...The real locals. Prints will be coming up if anyone is interested.

The stinging jelly.

The squawking gull.

The barking sea lion. 

Alki Races

Been a little while since I've posted lately. Busy summer. Lots of racing, lots of training. Put together this quick vid of the race at Alki. Great weather, glassy fast conditions. More posts will be on the way when things slow down a bit.  

Paddle to Port Orchard

One of the reasons I haven't been updating this as much is the warmer weather. I won't go as far to say it's been great but it's improving. Hopefully if it keeps up we should see summer by August. Last year I had been eyeing a route that I wanted to paddle. Shilshole to Port Orchard. Seemed easy enough, just long. My first attempt at this went not as planned at all. Winds that day didn't want to cooperate in any way, blowing from the south. I was basically paddling into a 15-20 knt head wind the whole time, and fighting a little current. I made it about half way and couldn't continue. Exhausted and frustrated I had to stop. This year I wanted to try it again. So I got my  friend Sam to pilot a boat, grabbed everyone that wanted to go on the boat, and tried it once more. This time things went as planned with no winds on the way there and sunny skies. Dolphins swam by in the shipping lane, seals everywhere, friends and my wife encouraging me to hold pace, it was great. Held a 4.5 average pace. Hit around 5.5 in some spots. Got to PO in about 3hrs 15 min(give or take a few). On the way back the winds picked up and we were able to drop sails and cut the engine. Couldn't have asked for a better day. Thanks to everyone who came along! I hope you all had as much fun as I did. Big thanks to Sam for getting the boat. Thanks to Taryn for taking the pics. And special thanks to my wife for all the support and belief in all of my paddling adventures.

Flying along with Seattle in the background. 

Sweeping glass

Finish and done. 

Aliens like the water.  

Happy crew! 

Smiles and the finish. Love you wife! 

My route. 

Downwinder

  For a little while now I had been looking at an Edmonds to Shilshole down wind run. Looked like a lot of fun on the map, I had no idea how much fun it would be. I waited for some sun to show, and got Shawn Jennings to go with me(after some harassing). We launched under crystal clear blue skies and mountains in the backdrop. As we launched a bald eagle flew bye just above eye level, around 25 yards away(give or take). Amazing. I've often seen these while on the water but never this close. We both headed for open water and the wind picked up at our backs. Next thing you know we were connecting bumps to the end of our route. We actually put together a few rides that were probably around 10 secs. Just flying along the top of the water. One of the best runs I've done. Can't wait for the next one! Hopefully get some more people on it! When all was said and done I saw one of the biggest sea lions I've ever seen, schools of fish, and got yelled at by a grumpy fisherman! Couldn't have been better.

This is how we roll.  

Shawn around mid paddle. 

Shawn again.

Picture in the news

Got my first picture in the news today. Thanks to Travis Mayfield and Stoke Harvester for making this happen!

http://ballard.komonews.com/news/business/new-business-gets-ballardites-water-keeps-owner-flip-flops/644606

Lighthouse background

Another free background for your viewing pleasure. Just right click and save.

Yesterdays paddle

Finally got a new racing board after saving for a good while. Tried it out the other day with Mrs.Woods and J Brown. Super fast and glides on any bump. Can't wait for some races! Big huge thanks to Stoke Harvester for helping me get the board/ Few pics from the paddle..more to come.

Elizabeth strikes a pose.

Jon chillin while Elizabeth does a sun dance.

Elizabeth paddling in the sun.

Sunsets

Just a few images from some of the sunsets going by here in the Northwest.

Loving the colors of spring! 

Paddle Training

With the weather getting better every week, it's time to start getting longer distance paddles in. The sun is up longer and the winds are usually not too bad. My friend Jon and I did this route this last Sunday. Nice 9 miler(give or take a quarter or less)to give you a little burn. Good stuff!

9 mile route in red. Fun! 

Spring is on the way!

Seems like the sunny weather is finally starting to get here(even though it's raining now). Finally the temp is starting to get warmer on paddles, and the wind is dying off. A few pics from a recent sunny weather paddle. 

Jon's brand new board(on the right). 

Launching point.

Jon paddling across the channel.

Sea Creatures that lie below the surface!