surfski novice

Paddling Pasco is a free paddling meet-up group through the Pasco County Parks and Recreation Department.  The local paddles bring out 20-50 paddlers for every event.  The group is dedicated to paddling all of the local bluesways of Pasco County as well as county rivers.  The only fee if any is a parking fee.  Shuttle service is free provided by at time by the county and other times by Port Richey KIA depending on the size of the event.  This group also coordinates many local races & paddling events. Paddling Pasco Dec 21st Oelsner Park to Green Key paddling trip details: The next Paddling Pasco group trip is scheduled on Saturday December 21 st .  We will be paddling from Oelsner Park in Port Richey to Robert K. Rees Memorial Park (AKA Green Key). Here are some details. ·         We will be launching at 3:15 pm from Oelsner Park. All must be ready to go at 3 pm. ·      ...

My surfski decorating choice for the 14th Annual River Lights Boat Parade was the "Santa Sub" a 23 foot Christmas lighted submarine look alike to honor the Veterans of Pearl Harbor. Pictures to help anyone easily make your own boat parade PVC and vinyl kayak submarine. The base is made of 1" PVC and pool noodles. Ribs are light PVC held in position with cross tied cable ties and grooved into the base PVC,  all joints fixed with goop adhesive, the exterior is disposable PVC table clothes and duct tape. The sub is outlined in lights and interior lights as well.  I recently built this submarine for the River Lights Boat Parade in New Port Richey Florida.  I paddled this downstream to the parade start with kids saying, "look Daddy a submarine!"  It won 2nd place so it's definitely very unique.  I suggest that you cut the catch a few feet further forward to get a longer and more correct stroke or close it and use a short paddle inside.  Another option is t...

Pasco Paddlepalooza April 25-27, 2014 http://pascopaddlepalooza.com One of the biggest paddling events in Florida in Pasco County! Friday evening group paddle from Gil Dawgs Marina to Durney Key and back to Gil Dawg Marina. Gil Dawg Marina has live music, tiki bar & food available all weekend. Saturday Durney Key Challenge (short / distance races) kayak, SUP, Surfski Island race. Take ferry from Gil Dawgs Marina to the island. All racing will be from Durney Key island. This unique island race is around stilt houses and a challenging floating obstacle course. Awards ceremony at Gil Dawg Marina. Race starts from Durney Key so you must arrive early enough to take your boat or Gil Dawg boat Fee for Gil Dawgs boat is only $5 to ride out.  If you want a ride back instead of paddling, it can be arranged for $5 also. Registration begins 830-10am, Captain's meeting 10:15am, Race waves start at 10:45am http://www.saltspringsalliance.com/DurneyKeyChallenge/ ...

WPA Region 5 tentative race schedule 2014 Shark Bite Challenge Dunedin, FL April 5-6, 2014 http://sharkbitechallenge.com   Scallywag Challenge Gulf Shores, AL April 12, 2014   Florida State Paddleboard Championship Cocoa Beach, FL April 19, 2014 http://www.fspbchamp.com/   Key West Paddleboard Classic  (National Points race) Key West, FL May 3-4, 2014 http://lazydog.com/index.php/paddleboard-classic/   Florida Cup St. Pete, FL May 16-18, 2014 http://www.floridacup-sup.com/   Paddle for Humanity Deerfield Beach, FL June 2014 http://www.paddleforhumanity.org   Paddle Stars Daytona Beach, FL July 25-27, 2014 http://paddlestars.com/   Big River Regional (Regional Championship Race) Baton Rogue, LA August 30, 2014 http://www.bigriverregional.com/

Paddlers from all over the state of Florida are coming to paddle in the River Lights Boat Parade December 7th 2013 at 630 pm on the Cotee River, New Port Richey FL.  Prizes for 1st thru 3rd place for best lighting and theme.  We are anticipating 50-70 paddlers of all kinds:  Stand-up paddleboards, kayaks, OC-1, Surfski, Paddle boats, etc.  Clubs from as far away as Ft Myers have already confirmed they will be attending. For information & registration, go to: www.riverlightsboatparade.com Come see the Epic powered Santa Sub this year! no...that's not it pictured above... That was last year's Epic Reindeer. There has never been a kayak submarine like this one. ummm...likely never been a kayak submarine before. Come see for yourself a fully lighted Christmas paddle parade!

Early posting of paddling events for Surfski, OC-1, Stand-Up Paddleboard for Florida 2014: Also soon to be announced event dates: Salt Springs Classic April date TBA Durney Key Challenge April date TBA Event Date Location Event Coordinator Crafts Type of Event Contact Information Notes West Coast Champs 03/01 to 03/02 Clearwater, FL Jean Raas OC-6, OC-1, SUP, Surfski, Kayak Sprints and Med Distance, Clinic jraas18@gmail.com Confirmed Date Tarpon Relay 3/22/13 Tarpon Springs, FL Karl Vogel OC-6 Relay - Distance riverracers@hotmail.com Date TBD Shark Bite 4/5/13 to 4/6/13 Honeymoon Island, FL Karen M. OC-6, OC-1, SUP, Surfski, Kayak Distance Iron www.sharkbitechallenge.com OC-6 on 4/6 Florida Cup 05/17 to 05/18 St Petersburg Rob M OC-6 and OC-1 rob.mirlenbrink@yahoo.com OC-6 on 5/18 Florida Hoe Distance 6/7/13 Miami, FL Tim/Jaro OC-6 Distance - Relay jarovolny@yahoo.com Confirmed Date Liberty Challenge 6/21/14 Ne...

Caribbean surfski paddling events coming up for Fall 2013 and Spring 2014 24 November 2013 - Gwada Cup #1 (Guadeloupe) - 7km - Petit Bourg 15 December 2013 - Gwada Cup #2 (Guadeloupe) - ??km - St Francois 22 December 2013 - Anguilla Channel Run (St Maarten) - 18.25km - Cul-de-Sac to Plum Bay 12 January 2014 - Gwada Cup #3 (Guadeloupe) - ??km - Basse Terre 19 January 2014 - Border to Border - (St Maarten) - 19km - Oyster Pond to Cupecoy 1 March 2014 - Ze Race (Guadeloupe) - 55km - Marie-Galante to Basse Terre 16 March 2014 - Surf Classic - (St Maarten) - 1 hour - Le Galion 21 April 2014 - Crocodile Rock Race - (St Maarten) - 12.75km - Guana Bay to Kim Sha 27 April 2014 - Defis Kayak (Guadeloupe) - 30km - La Desirade to St Francois 11 May 2014 - Oyster Pond Channel Race - (St Maarten) - 1.5 hour 22 May 2014 - Raid Romain (Martinique) - ??km 22 June 2014 - Guadeloupe Championships (Guadeloupe) - ??km 4 August 2014 - South of the Island - (St Maarten) - 17.5km - Philipsburg to Plum Bay 1...

Double Dawg Dare (1st Annual) 2013 Biathlon 5K run followed by 3K paddle.  Excellent event for runners & kayakers For info go to  http://www.dawgdare.com/ Awards post race party with food, beer and fun. New Port Richey FL To register for the race, go to www.active.com Do the entire course yourself, the Double Dawg Dare  ...or split it up with a friend.  You run & friend kayaks. ...or just do the run or just do the kayak race.  Prizes in every division, every age group. Satellite map of Double Dawg Dare race course  http://www.scribblemaps.com/maps/view/W4HMlqEze1 See you there...yes, I'm definitely doing the Double Dare!!! ---------------------- ...ok endurance athletes I'm back from the race and really pumped up about next year's race.  This race became a sprint to the finish battle as I suspected.  Very fast paced and extremely challenging.  All experience level competitors came out for this great event....

The Quick Silver Watermans Deerfield Beach is one of the more competitive races in Florida. See link below for more information: https://www.islandwatersports.com/blogs/quiksilver-waterman-southeastern-series/

This is a great article that can help many of us avoid this issue to start with.  I felt this was definitely worth reposting.  After posting this to facebook, I spoke with paddlers who experienced hip stenosis and other ailments that were most likely directly linked to how they were paddling.  We know that improper hold of the paddle can cause carpel tunnel syndrome as many other activities can as well.  Other parts of the body can be affected by improper technique, posture, etc.  See this interesting article on numbness or pain in the legs from paddling: http://www.ebtc.ie/painful-numb-legs-when-kayaking/

Two exciting events quite different from one another will be held on September 28th in Florida: Race around Palm Island Intercoastal and gulf race with $3000 in prize money for SUP, OC-1, Kayak and Surfski racers.  Races 13 mile, 3 mile and 1.5 mile.  Award party and BBQ afterwards at Palm Island Resort. http://racearoundpalmisland.com/ Double Dawg Dare Biathlon 5K run followed by 3K paddle.  For info go to  http://www.dawgdare.com/ Awards post race party with food, beer and fun. New Port Richey FL To register for the race, go to www.active.com Satellite map of Double Dawg Dare race course  http://www.scribblemaps.com/maps/view/W4HMlqEze1

Check out this great endurance race in Kentucky October 19th 2013 http://www.cumberland101.com/

Rob Mirlenbrink will be holding a free distance training workshop at the Dunedin Community Center August 24th from 12 to 1:30pm.  The Dunedin Community Center is located at 1920 Pinehurst Road, Dunedin, FL 34698. Whether you are a beginner or like me have raced many times throughout the state, this class will enhance your ability to paddle the distance.  Rob has endurance raced all types of craft from Surfski to Outrigger to SUP and much more... Info on the class: We've been getting a lot of questions from people who are going the distance for the first time this season, so we've decided to offer this FREE event for you! Join Rob Mirlenbrink, our distance expert, for this informative session about how to prepare your body for a distance paddling event.  The workshop will cover topics like:  *exercise physiology (the way the body functions) in a distance event *training concepts and planning *sports nutrition concepts *mental preparation *tips and tricks of...

I found this great link showing proper technique for remounting your Surfski in flat water or high waves.  I do it this same way.  This works in high waves and wind. http://pdl.vimeocdn.com/70214/336/148494327.mp4?token=1376926537_1b24c89395c55c5178dfee9f613b6ba8

There are several great events coming up this fall: Sunday August 25th 750am Captain's meeting Paddling Pasco Bluesway Program Anclotte River Sponge Docks Paddling Adventure  - Paddling from Anclotte Gulf Park to the Alternate 19 bridge along the Sponge Docks and possibly stopping at Paddling Pasco's private island.  For more information go to http://www.pascocountyfl.net/index.aspx?NID=1642 or contact Rick Buckman at fbuckman@pascocountyfl.net Friday August 16th 6:00 - 9:00 pm Durney Key Sunset Paddle  - A group of 20-30 kayakers of all ages will be paddling out from the Salt Springs Park to Durney Key which is at the mouth of the Cotte River (Pithlachascotte).  A second group of 4 paddlers will be paddling a longer route from the Sims Park dock to Durney Key joining the main group.  For registration, map & times see the link below. http://www.saltspringsalliance.com/upcoming.htm Saturday September 21st Coastal Cleanup Paddling Pasco  - A gro...

Saturday August 3rd Clearwater Sailing Center.  Registration $30 for adults, $10 for 12 years old and under. 730am registration 830 captains meeting 900 am racing begins with 6 mile distance course 915 am short course 2 miles 10 am kids race 1200 pm awards ceremony Intercoastal waters racing SUPs, Outrigger, Surfski. SUP and Surfski demos all day, prizes.  See you there.

I am mostly a surfski paddler... similar to a K-1 but for the ocean.  I have raced for many years and every year I learn more and more about my stroke.  I also race OC-1, OC-6 and Dragon Boats.  In this article, we will only address kayak, K-1 and Surfski paddling stroke style. Last year, I realized that I needed to focus on sprints to get a better race start.  This year, I believe I am focusing on an even more important and more basic part of the stroke, the catch, stroke and release . My stroke was not clean enough, not generating as much power as some of my fellow paddlers paddling at the same pace.  Their boats were going faster!  I recognized something was wrong so I went to work fixing it.  It took nearly 6 months of focused work. Steps to an efficient paddling stroke used by the pros: 1) One of my training partners said it best, "draw your paddle like a bow and arrow."  To draw this bow you must turn your...

Paddling Pasco Bluesway Program is offering a group paddle on July 6th 2013 for experienced paddlers.  Paddling from Hudson Beach, Florida USA north 5.3 miles to the future Sunwest Park.  The trip will be in open water, mostly shallow.  Launch 2pm so please drop off boats to the southwest parking lot area of Hudson Beach no later than 1pm.  Vehicles will need to be parked at the exit location, the future Sunwest Park by 1:30pm.  Shuttle will be provided to get you back to the launch location.  There is no charge for this trip. This is not a beginners trip to the open gulf and length of trip.  Paddlers are encouraged to pay close attention to weather, heat and wind conditions.  Please bring water, a snack, pdf, whistle, etc.  We will maintain an easy but steady 3 knot pace with a break or two. Additional info:  The future Sunwest Park is located north of Hudson Beach on Old Dixie Highway.  There will be some directional si...

April 2013 Oscar Chalupsky and Greg Barton will be conducting Surf ski Clinics in Naples, FL, Pinellas Park, FL (Tampa/St Petersburg) and Jacksonville, Fl: April 15 - Oscar at Naples Kayak Company naplesoutfit ters@...  239 262 6149 Forward Stroke April 16 - Oscar at Naples Kayak Company naplesoutfitters@ ...  239 262 6149 Open Water Clinic April 17 - Oscar at Bill Jackson' s Pinellas Park FL adventure@.. . 727 576 4169 Forward Stroke April 26 - Greg at First Coast Outfitters Jax, FL joecrespi@.. . 904 502 7733 Forward Stroke

The new Think Paddling Hat is here.  I just purchased one as my daytime training hat to protect my neck from sun, keep highly visible and train comfortably with maximum ventilation.  You can purchase one from Think online for $25.

With the 2013 Salt Springs Classic fast approaching, I thought it would be nice to look back on some of the great pictures from 2012...