I recently discovered through Ottertooth.com that the Natural Resources Canada website recently scanned the entire 1:50,000 and 1:250,000 collection at 300dpi and is available for free.
The website is is really slim on the pretty graphics but you can navigate through the file tree and find the topographic map number you are looking for. Each map is around 60-85 megs when unzipped. If you don't know the map number you need, you can get it via the click able map of Canada.
I own a Werner Ikelos Bent Shaft Paddle and I absolutely love it. I have always had week wrists (poor computer workstation!) so the bent shaft is a real blessing.
Several years ago paddles a cheaper paddle that was 230 centimetres long and switched down to the Ikelos which is 210 centimetres. Dropping off the extra length has made all the difference as I now get a whole lot more control then I ever did before. I'm now a strong believer in going as short as possible and I feel that the majority of new students are being handed paddles that are way to long for them. Shorten up people!
My only beef with the paddle is that I seem to be wearing out the ferrule. When I hold the paddle up in the air, and shake it back and forth, it rattles like crazy and with a slight touch of the button it falls apart.
I'm very excited as I just discovered that author, Kevin Callan has finished up another great book to be released this Fall.
Wilderness Pleasures: A Practical Guide to Camping Bliss looks why we love the wilderness and how everyone from rigged canoetrippers to family car-campers can get more enjoyment from their time outdoors.
Orion Safety Products has issued a safety warning specifically for their Skyblazer hand-launched red aerial flare based on reports that the safety sleeve on the unit became detached from the launch tube during firing. Some users reported bruised knuckles, a punctured finger nail and a lacerated finger.
Does the cynical paddler in you think that paddling today is an exclusive club only for old white guys with salt n' pepper beards (who at the same time refuse to listen to Salt n' Pepper? Best band ever!)
Well time have changed because back in 1908, Hampton, Maine was the home to a canoe club that was so exclusive that only the coolest and most powerful members were allowed. Membership was capped at 100. Name of the club? Welcome to the Conduskeag Canoe and Country Club.
I got the Instructors Forum back up and running. To celebrate the rebirth of the instructor forum, I started a new section called "Ask the Pros". Every once in a while I will post a question to all of you instructor pros out there and we are looking for a quick response. To get things started, we seeded it with two questions around instruction and paddling games.
Also, just because it is called the Instructors Forum, doesn't mean that it is only open to instructors. Anybody is welcome to join in.
2009 is going to be a big year for new Kokatat products. Unveiled for the first time at the Outdoor Retailer show this past August, look for Kokatat to make available new paddling footwear, cool socks to keep your feet dry and a new dry suit specifically for kayak anglers.
I found this video tonight and was completely blown away with the level of organization the author gives to his food prep. Included is a complete menu and packing ideas for an 8 day canoe trip.
Last week Derrick wrote a small piece on his blog about why he feels that instructors don’t do a great job teaching rolling. A couple of days went by and yesterday a follow-up article was posted with some great suggestions on how we can make both learning and teaching rolling more fun.
Since, I was the one to trigger the follow-up article through a comment on the first, I thought I would weigh in on the issue and talk about it from my perspective.
Early this morning when I went to check the marine for today, I found out that Canada is super windy. I have never seen so much red but I shouldn't be surprised as its fall and fall means wind.
I do feel really bad for Lake Superior. All alone with no wind to play with...
I'm very excited as I just discovered that author, Kevin Callan has finished up another great book to be released this Fall.
