Imagine back to the energy and courage needed when you did your first race. You were nervous, pumped up and probably had butterflies in your stomach. Now imagine if you were listening for the starting horn to begin but relying on someone with a remote control to steer your craft. Why? Because you were totally blind! This just happened. And we are so completely inspired by this and can't wait to share below exactly what took place this past weekend in Newport, Ca. We interviewed RJ De Rama, the Executive Director at Makapo Aquatics Project and got the scoop. Enjoy!
Companies that 'get it'!
Paddle Articles
An inspiring first - A visually impaired paddler raced OC1 with remote controlled guidance
The Ice Bath - Could it be the one thing your paddle training is missing?
We know paddlers do some extreme things to hone in their performance and allow them to train at their best. Every so often we reach out to paddlers such as one of our Team Ambassadors Jordan to pick their brain as to what THEY do? Well, Jordan had something we were interested in learning more about. Both in how it affects him, and what it took to set it up in his home. So with no further adieu...
Paddler Problems - Nutrition and Paddling
Oh, the glorious challenges of endurance racing! As any athlete knows, the human body can only perform for so long with no fuel before breaking down. In the outrigger 9-man season - the true endurance portion of the outrigger year, it's not uncommon to be out on the water for over 3 hours, and thus it is very important to eat wisely.
If you have never been out for a significant amount of distance, the lack of preparation can be a shock to the system. One of the major differences in a long paddle is that DURING the race you have a significant amount of time to rest, refuel, re-hydrate, and catch your second (or third) wind over the long event.
Paddler fueling preferences come in all varieties - which one are you?
CP Race Recap - Gorge Downwind Champs
Cali Paddler is proud that its borders extend well beyond state lines. Much like water, we meander throughout the world looking for fun events, challenging races, and scenic places to be on the water. And so this past week, we were stoked to have the chance to see what all the fuss is about regarding "The Gorge". So check out our little recap about why this event, venue and scene is unlike any other, and why we can't wait to attend in years to come!
CP Race Spotlight - SundayX3 - A Community Race Series (and a model for others to follow)
The SundayX3 Race series, also known as SundaySundaySunday, is entering its 5th summer. A three part summer series of races that has focused on the paddlers and their wants and needs vs. big corporate direction. The result is a family friendly, competitive, and well-organized race that keeps on getting better each year.
CP Race Recap - Davenport Downwinder - Santa Cruz Ghostryders Waterman Club
[ We have wondered about this race for years. And with the wonderful experience recap below by Team Ambassador Loraine Gruber, we now have an idea about the vibe and scene is like. All craft, rippin wind, point-to-point? Sounds pretty epic! ~CP ]
I’ve not been this anxious or nervous about a paddleboard race as I was before this past weekend’s Davenport Downwinder, an iconic event organized by the Ghostryders Waterman Club out of Santa Cruz. The 14-mile race starts in Davenport Landing and heads south, finishing alongside the Santa Cruz Wharf. It is a true community event supporting the Santa Cruz Junior Lifeguards and bringing together all types of paddlers...prone, stand up, surfski and OC1.
CP Explorations - Santa Fe Dam
Cali Paddlers are known for their passion of exploration. A desire to paddle our waters, and pay respects to the amazing wildlife and nature that lives in our waterways. Thank you to Bret Warner from Stand up to Alzheimer’s for exploring this great state and sharing new areas to paddle. -C.P.If you live in Southern California then chances are you have been stuck in afternoon traffic on the 210 and passed by the massive Miller/Coors factory. It is, after all, hard to miss its mammoth containers lining the freeway that proudly bear the companies name and logo. Regardless of any possible beer snobbery, I could see how this factory typifies the urban sprawl that lies east of LA. What also typifies inland SoCal, however, is that there is a nature escape right behind the factory where you can easily forget that you are in the middle of the city.
Youth Spotlight - California Dragon Boat Association
In a continued effort to shine a well-deserved light on the future of our paddle sports, and in anticipation of the upcoming high-caliber youth-only dragon boat race in San Francisco, we spoke with some of the top youth role-models in our sport. Enjoy being blown away by their candor and wisdom. And be reminded like we were, that paddling is not just a sport, but a parable for succeeding in life.
Annabel Anderson Interview and Ultimate Summer Workshop
[ This coming weekend Annabel Anderson is having a workshop in San Diego at Aqua Adventures, and we wanted to get the scoop from her on what folks can expect, as well as ask her some questions about paddling and life. We invite you to get to know her a little better below with this interview by our ambassador Loraine Gruber. We are pretty sure once you do, you will want to join her this Saturday April 21st 8:30-11:30. ]
CP Race Recap - Catalina Wild Buffalo Relay
A 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.
Paddle Pledge Non-Profits
