“Yesteryear"

That is just a marker in time…’Yesteryear’! Nothing definitive or too descriptive but more a reference than anything else.  Just a spot you don’t necessarily have to assign too much metadata to. A good memory marker however.

I remember this photo from the NL 2008 kayaking retreat because Alison and I thought about going over to that berg and breaking off from the group. Ohh we were bad! We use to have huge discussions at our board meeting about people breaking off from organized paddles. I was notorious for this. My adventurist side always got the best of me and it was great paddling with Alison because I always had a partner in crime. There are probably more cons than pros when you do this and I don’t even want to discuss the merits of it here but I was more reminiscing about paddling near bergs, which we will not get to do again this year.....maybe I hear there is one in Bonavista a patient told me today.. 

This is Alison again as we haven’t seen her white kayak in some time now but hoping she will have some presence on the water this year as we bob along our coast. You got to like looking back at file footage. It always inspires me to get back on the water. It is still cool here in NL but all our snow is gone and we are looking so forward to our Kayaking Symposium in May and the good times to be had with it.

"Kayaking and Low Blood Pressure"

I am not sure if there is any scientific data out there, and I am not going to contribute any, but I think that when a person is in kayaking mode there may be an associated lowering of blood pressure. How did I get there? Well it is my experience that when most kayakers are kayaking, and I mean in the general sense, talking about it, actually doing it, telling a story, blogging, dreamin' bout it, plotting a course, plotting to get a new piece of gear without the spouce knowin' less of course she is a kayaker then ya need two, bailing, rolling, instructing anything associated with kayaking, a smile almost seems synonymous. I would think and this information does come from studies and that is laughing or making people smile is very therapeutic in extending the lives of people who are terminally sick, that guttural action and moving of membranes and connective tissues, viscera and muscles does wonders for those incapacitated or compromised in some way.

Much like they say that if you own a dog you can add about five years to your life, I figured we'd get two so I could have an extra ten, but I digress. It is also said that petting a dog can lower ones blood pressure by calculable measures and perhaps this is the relaxed content feeling that not only the dog has as this is performed, much like the sensation that I know most avid kayakers feel when they are "kayaking" in every sense of the word. Thus my deduction that maybe kayaking does lower one 's blood pressure just cause it makes ya feel so good.

Ralph and Dan in the above pictures I know love kayaking. Ralph I've paddled with on a number of occasions and Dan mostly during our pool sessions this winter but it always has been an enjoyable time. So when there is a "Kayak Journal of Health" I hope lowering blood pressures is a topic for discussion.

"Greg's Return"

Well it is with great anticipation that we welcome Greg Stamer back to Newfoundland this June for his circumnavigation of the Island. Greg was a guest at our retreat last year and is well known in the kayaking COMMUNITY for his work on Greenland kayaking and kayaking expeditions around the world. Greg in this image, at the retreat last year, is explaining to club members the Greenland Kayak and a bit of its history.
Greg also offered a very informative Greenland paddle instruction on the water at Terra Nova last year and his skills are well....amazing. We got to try some of his Greenland paddles as well as some that were made by club members. Hopefully there will be an opportunity to paddle with Greg on some of his route this June.

"KNL Retreat 2007"

Freya at last years retreat demonstrating some Greenland rolls. I obviously rotated this image for a unique look. From this perspective it looks as if Freya is embedded in a huge wall of mottled rock or glass. Entombed in time perhaps! We're looking forward to great clinics this year from Bryan Smith and Fergus Coffey.

"Kayak Newfoundal Labrador, Retreat 2008"

Received the retreat info yesterday and we are a go for May 16th to 19th, 2008; 8th annual, in the Terra Nova Park area. This is a beautiful spot in NFLD with access to the Terra Nova River in yellow on the Topo map at bottom. There is also access to the ocean and various coves and inlets that will be utilized for sea kayaking. This years guests are Bryan Smith and Fergus Coffey. We look forward to hosting this event and if anyone is interested the registration begins 1930h on May 16th followed by the icebreaker meet and greet.
Early Bird registration includes KNL nylon paddling cap with new logo. Must register before April 16th for early bird. More info can be obtained at The Outfitters Adventure Gear and Apparel, one of our sponsors for the event. They will also be providing rentals of river boats and seakayaks at great discount pricing for the weekend. Contact 709-579-4453 or visit http://www.theoutfitters.nf.ca/

"Kayaking Bandit"

Danm Smokeys!

The Lord giveth.........and so do the Fuzz.

Couldn't resist Tony. This was the start of our Trinity Paddling expedition. Even this could not get us down. We were in the zone. Unfortunately at this moment...the speeding zone.

"Sophi"

Sophi you are a charmer! I know you are having a bad hair day and I'm sorry I took this picture. Paul she is the greatest and I guess in dog years she rates with us.

"Tap...Tap"

Tap...Tap, yeah she be ice alright boys! Dave you the man!

"There Be Ice"

John and Dave taking a break during our Trinity paddle May Long weekend 2007.

"Fresh and Salt Wat-a"

Just before our lunch break in Trinity we had a moment to wash the deck of our boats with freshwater. Simply grand.

"Berg Limba"

The bergy bit doesn't fall to far from the berg. Tim Benson, Paul's son of course, cruisin' under the berg.

"Bergs Of A Feather"

These berg bits were grounded in Trinity NL, when we explored there during the May long weekend 2007. Truely beautiful and captivating.

"Reflection"

I saw this image during a walk in Traytown, NL during the Newfoundland Kayaking Club's retreat, May long weekend, 2007.

"Greenland Kayak Zen"

Freya Hoffmeister Demonstrating her kayaking agility with a Greendland Paddle and Kayak. The engine and the vehicle , so to speak!

Freya is internationalyl known for her winnings at international Greendland Kayak Championships in Greenland and else where. She has a great arsenal of rolls and Greenland Kayaking abilities. Her partner Greg Stamer taught an awesome Greendland Paddle stroke course at the NL Kayak Club Retreat this past long weekend at Traytown, NL., May 18-21st 2007.

"Greenland Kayak Paddler"

Freya Hoffmeister Greendland Kayak Champion during a demonstration at Sandy Pond in Terra Nova National Park in NL.


Freya preparing for a roll.