At 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 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.
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Tips For Paddling In and Out Through Surf
At 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 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.
Ares vs. Antares - Impressions and comparisons of the Kai Wa'a OC1 Canoes
It is not often we can hear first hand from someone their thoughts on testing and owning two recent canoes designs. And usually when we do read such reviews, it is full of marketing jargon, from a company spokesman, or someone who is elite and doesn't have the same priorities the majority of us share. So when we had the chance to ask a very solid paddler, Brian Bender, his impressions and thoughts on the new Kai Wa'a Ares and Antares, and how they compared, we pounced. For Paddlers. By Paddlers. Enjoy! -CP
CP Review - Blue Goo by OnIt Pro
If you have a canoe, surf-ski, paddleboard or any watercraft for that matter, chances are you have come to realize taking care of the craft is important. Not only to pro-long its life, but also for your psyche as you realize on race day that every advantage is needed to be your best. Recently we took the dirtiest outrigger canoe we had ever seen, a vintage John Martin OC2 from the 90s that paddles great but had been left in the rafters for far too long without some TLC. It was dirty, neglected, and hosing it down with water just didn't seem to help restore its sheen anymore. We have a race coming up in a couple weeks with it...what oh what is a paddler to do? So we thought we would try out some Blue Goo from OnIt Pro and share our results.
CP Review - ZKG Amphibious Paddle Shoes
Cali Paddler is stoked to have had the chance to try out some really cool water shoes. That look like normal shoes, but dry super fast and are comfortable. The shoes are from Zhik and called the ZKG Amphibious Shoes. And like their name are designed to work in the water and on land. Check out what we did to test them recently! You would be hard pressed to give a tougher test.
Nine keiki. One canoe. The race...Monterey Bay Crossing!
[ Cali Paddler is always impressed at the dedication and drive shown by our young paddlers. Not to mention their coaches and parents who support their paddle lifestyle. We are so proud at this upcoming endeavor, the MBX race from Santa Cruz to Monterey. If you haven't heard about this epic race check out some previous articles here. Thank you Jocelyn Wilson for this great intro of the dedicated paddlers! ]
Two years later and I’m back writing about my experience with MBX, except this time it’s about our keiki. Now, I’ve only been coaching these kids for about 2 years. By coaching, I mean I’m basically their den mom and assist Mike Smith, Head Keiki Coach for He’e Nalu. It’s pretty much it’s own insanely quirky family, including our amazing, supportive parents! So, when we had a crew of 9 keiki come up to us, explaining how they wanted to participate in MBX (Monterey Bay Crossing), there was no second guessing if these kids could accomplish it or not. They’ve proven enough times that if they set their minds to it, they can surpass any obstacles in their way. I’ve been privileged enough to be a part of this amazing adventure and now I share it
with you.
CP Fitness - Just Add Water
[We welcome back the team of Shanimal Fitness, with a special guest appearance from Rosa Parks Hartnett (World Class Dog Paddler), who share's some of the best tips and knowledge for keeping your mind as sharp as your body. Give your self an edge and listen up. ~CP #paddledogwisdomer]
Athletes who diligently train their minds compete at their best more consistently. Studies show they experience greater enjoyment and increase their odds of victory. As a person progresses to the higher level of their sport, physical skills tend to balance out among competitors. How then, does the athlete distinguish her/himself from the competition? This is where we discover that having a superior mindset is the key to gaining the upper-hand.
CP Explorations - Catalina Island
For many years now, I have wondered what was on the other side. Beyond the little pocket town of Avalon and gates to dirt roads and bison. Far past the waters where the half day fishing boats stop. Catalina Island marked to me a giant body of land begging to be explored by water. I just knew there were coastlines with giant mountains and cliffs, pocket beaches that may not have ever had people walk upon, and of course, crystal clear water teaming with sea life. So when I became friends with Ernie after the Salton Sea Race and the CP Retreat in March, I asked him if he had paddled the islands perimeter since he moved there this past year. And when he answered "no", the next question was immediate...“would you like to?”
Molokai 2 Oahu - Tips and Inspiration from Carter Graves
[Cali Paddler is always inspired by those who take on big challenges in paddling, and share their experiences with the rest of us, so that we can succeed in our own challenges and push the envelope in paddling. We recently reached out to Carter Graves, 2-time Molokai 2 Oahu Prone Champion (women's open stock), and asked her to share with us her biggest take-aways from this race. So that perhaps more of us here, can someday accomplish such great feats. Thank you Carter! ~CP ]For me, the unpredictable and crazy nature of the conditions attracts me even more to come race M2O. The crossing is so much more than a race, but an opportunity and challenge to test not only your physical capabilities, but your mental and psychological as well. I have learned so many things through my three crossings that I have been able to relate to the rest of my life. First, the race has taught me...
CP Review - Inflateable SUP from XTERRA
Every been curious about what it is like to paddle an inflatable SUP? Want to know the impressions of one from someone who is used to fast race boards and traveling far on paddles to explore as much as possible? Well, look no further, because we just finished a 10 day trip with lots of paddling, various conditions, and all sorts of water types. Check out our impressions of the 10' XTERRA board. What did we like, and not like? And did it pass 'the family test'?CP Fitness - Shoulder Impingement
[ CP Fitness welcomes again Shanimal Fitness to help us find solutions for shoulder pain caused by impingement. Enjoy! -CP ]
Paddlers and athletes who have shoulder impingement a lot of times will have surgery to unhinge or release the shoulder. Shoulder impingement is when a paddler lifts the arm and the humerus bone impinges or pinches the rotator cuff muscles under the coracoarcromial arch. This can cause tears in the rotator cuff. Usually if you go to a surgeon they want to do surgery, that is their job. Basically, the surgeon destabilizes the shoulder by removing very important structures at the top of the shoulder. So you have a shoulder that no longer impinges, but is now unstable as this ligament holds the top of the shoulder bones together. This then sets up a new problem that also beats up the rotator cuff.
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