Paddle Articles

Emergency Steering - DIY Rudder Cable Backup System for OCs and Surfskis

Emergency Steering Broken Rudder Cable Solution

Emergency steering device for broken rudder cable

There are times where we are out on our canoes and surf-skis and our rudder cable breaks. It happens. And a perfectly great day can turn bad real quick. There are many creative quick-fixes one can do, and we will discuss several of them at the end of the article. But there is one in particular we'd like to focus on that can really not only help you hold a line, but create the ability to turn in a semi-controlled manner. And the great thing is...you can dial in very quickly and easily, because it is installed and ready to use when the moment comes! Thank you to Cali Paddler Frank who took the time to craft and share this great write-up. Enjoy!

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CP Review - Goodboy Paddlesports V-Bar Rack Review

Goodboy Paddlesports Oc1 Surfski Kayak Roof Rack ReviewWe transport our canoes and surf skis practically as much as we paddle them. Sometimes we are so lazy after a good long paddle that we even leave the canoe on the roof (guilty). So wouldn’t it be important that the rack we use to carry the craft is safe to travel with, easy to load, and oh yea, affordable would be nice too right?

Well, for the past few months we have been seeing more and more racks by a company called Goodboy Paddlesports (formerly Good Boy Kayaks). And with several long trips coming up, we decided there was no better time to test one out and share our feedback with you all than now. So please enjoy the review below, where we take you through the unboxing, installation, and use. Mixed in with some good old fashion customer service.

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SoCal Winter Series Preview - La Jolla Invitational

SoCal Winter Race Series
This series of race previews is an 'unaffiliated' effort to share experiences from each of the races that comprise Southern California's Winter Series of Races for OC1, OC2, Surf-Ski, SUP and Prone Paddlers. - This week we spotlight the La Jolla Invitational! All ocean. Beach Launch. A great opportunity for those first timers wanting to try oc1, surfski, prone or sup.
And be sure to check back for other race previews as they come up this winter. Gonna be a fun season! NorCal, if anyone is interested in contributing similar paddle and race previews, we'd love to team up!

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California Race Preview - Hal Rosoff Classic hosted by NAC

Hal Rosoff Classic Paddle Race
For this race, we reached out to some our friend Kel Thompson from NAC, to make sure all the history and various race courses is accurate. So much awesome, we didn't want to feed you incorrect data. We also had the honor of getting info from the Rosoff family about Hal which we are stoked to share. And of course, be sure to read our usual Cali Paddler tips to make sure our personal flavor and spice is felt and enjoyed! Enjoy!

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CP Race Recap - Catalina Wild Buffalo Relay

Catalina Wild Buffalo Relay - Race RecapA little while back Cali Paddler did a thorough race preview of what paddlers could expect with this race. But to be honest nothing is quite as exciting as getting to hear what it was like by one of our own. Who doesn't like to talk paddling after spending all day paddling (#ifyoupaddleyougetit). So one day after finishing this 41 mile journey, Micah Winslow shared his experiences with us. Take a few minutes to get the scoop and see if it is a good fit for you in 2019.

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CP Explorations - Lake Perris

CP Explorations - Lake PerrisOften times when paddling the lakes of Inland Southern California you will be one of the only paddlers in the water. If you go early enough there is a good chance you could have some of the lakes to yourself.  Lake Perris is where I go when I need respite from this solitude. It is by no means like Mission Bay on a Sunday afternoon where one could jump their way to shore along all the 32” wide rental SUPS, but even when I have gone to Lake Perris at 6:00 am in 30/40 degree weather I have seen other craft on the water.  It is a meeting place for the long established Valley Wide Kayak Club, a super friendly group that usually does a 5ish mile paddle there on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. It is the only Inland Lake I have ever seen an OC-1 on, or someone on a racing SUP, at least besides myself. Additionally, it is decidedly less windy than any of the mountain lakes like Silverwood or Big Bear...

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Surfski Tips For Paddling In and Out Through Surf

Surfski Tips For Paddling In and Out Through SurfAt some point or another, you might enter a race where you have to enter through the surf to get to the start line. Or maybe you go for a paddle and want to beach along the way, but there is some surf to account for. This can be intimating to some. And others may not understand how a simple extra second can make all the difference. Here are some important surfski tips, dos and don'ts and lessons learned the hard way which may help you safely get to your destination and not have to worry so much about that upcoming race with a beach entry.
Brought to you by Sammie Barlow of Epic Kayaks San Diego

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30th Annual Santa Cruz Paddlefest, Incoming!

Santa Cruz PaddleFest
Cali Paddler is honored to have Teresa Rogerson share with us her stoke about the amazing upcoming event Santa Cruz Paddlefest. An event this special in its history and the paddle diversity it encourages, deserves our attention. As does a proper recognition of waveski, surf kayak, all the pioneering craft and paddlers that have brought us to this 30th anniversary! Don't know about these amazing paddle craft? Learn more here! And to really appreciate them...come out to the event! It is 4 days of EPIC (March 17-20)!

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SoCal Winter Series Preview - Oceanside Becky Stuart Invitational

Becky Stuart Race
This series of race previews is an 'unaffiliated' effort to share experiences from each of the races that comprise Southern California's Winter Series of Races for OC1, OC2, Surf-Ski, SUP and Prone Paddlers. - This week we spotlight the Becky Stuart Memorial! 95% ocean. Fun jetty condition finishes. A great opportunity for those looking to take on some ocean racing.
And be sure to check back for other race previews as they come up this winter. Gonna be a fun season! NorCal, if anyone is interested in contributing similar paddle and race previews, we'd love to team up!

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Help help where’s my ama? (An outrigger paddler tries surfski)

Outrigger Paddler Tries SurfskiI had the most crazy nightmare. I was out on my outrigger canoe. Looked up at the sky for a second, and next thing I knew when I looked down, my ama was no longer there! Gone. Not there! I panicked that my paddle crutch was gone. Promptly huli’d. And woke up in a cold sweat!

They call them surfskis, and I found it was time I give these speed demons a ride! I mean after all, I have yet to find a paddle craft I didn’t like. Why would this not also be awesome? And beside, trying my luck with my oc1 in the shallows without its ama for 'fun' was mostly just 'wet' (the fun was had by those on the beach laughing at me).

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