Maui News – Monday, August 27, 2007
By CLAUDINE SAN NICOLAS, Staff Writer

KAHULUI – A recreational paddling group was forced to move quickly after a 5-foot wave swept toward it as the Hawaii Superferry’s Alakai made its way into Kahului Harbor.

“It’s something different. We’re not accustomed to it,â€� said Edmund Enomoto, one of two steersmen in canoes traveling in Kahului Harbor on Sunday morning.

Enomoto said he and several other paddlers, many of them members of the state champion Hawaiian Canoe Club, have been coming together on Sunday mornings to paddle for fun. (more…)

An easy and fun way to strengthen your paddling skills is to paddle on flat water. Whether you are out on the water in a canoe or kayak, a calm river or lake, paddling can not only be peaceful but can help you to also increase confidence in yourself and your boat.

One of the best ways to increase the strength and endurance of the muscles we use in paddling is to paddle regularly. 

Strength Building Paddling Tip: When on a river, paddle upstream against the current then take a leisurely paddle back to your put in point (which is now also your take out point).

Talk about a dream adventure - check out this UK paddler’s blog. It’s a chronicle of his voyage around the South West of England.

I am spending 2007 at sea! I am researching, photographing and writing a sea kayaking guide to the South West of England; from the Bristol Channel to the Isle of Wight. I hope to use this blog to keep folk updated as to my progress and hopefully to reveal some of the wonderful scenery, culture and wildlife of this little corner of England.” - Mark Rainsley

England, as you may know, is surrounded by water with lots of islands found in its winding and at times treacherous waterways. A kayak trip around any portion of England would be an awesome adventure. We’re jealous Mark!

Check out some photos of the country’s dramatic and beautiful coastline. Read Mark’s fascinating account of his on-going trip.

Mark’s blog: Southwest Sea Kayaking

I’ve been paddling kayaks for over 20 years, even though the boat of my youth was an 18 foot aluminum canoe. Paddling allows me relief from the daily grind. There are times that I am paddling within yards of a road, yet it seems that I am miles from civilization. Paddling in my kayak, permits me to get close to wildlife.

I first learned that Blue Herons will roost in trees while paddling the Cumberland River in Tennessee. A seal, that was as curious about me as I was curious about it, followed and watched me for miles in a secluded bay in Alaska. I’ve run into a “rock� that turned out to be the biggest snapping turtle that I have ever seen. I have surprised deer and I’ve given moose a wide berth, I was lucky enough to see a hawk take a swimming snake and have passed within feet of eagles and within yards of osprey nests. Never pausing, never disturbing just moving steadily and quietly.

I have paddled many of the same waters that are well known in our history (more…)

This information is a courtesy of…Discovery Girls Magazine, Volume 5, Number 4.  Article written by: Sarah Verney

When you’re on the water you are bound to get sunburned so check out these tips for sun safety.

Look for SPF 15 at least -higher if you’ll be in the sun for more than an hour or two or are fair-skinned. And your lips burn too, so us a lip-balm with SPF 15 or higher. Choose a “broad spectrum” sunscreen- it’ll block both UVA and UVB rays.

The suns rays are reflected off water and sand so when you’re on the water, go for a higher SPF and reapply often. It is best to use a waterproof, sweat-proof sunscreen because you never know when you might take a spill. (more…)