the grand river kayaker

Some people find gold at the end of rain

Grand River Kayaker — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 21:04:56 +0000

Some people find gold at the end of rainbows. Others find #HootSuite. http://hootsuite.com

How Can You Tell If Your River Guide is Really a Sith Lord?

Grand River Kayaker — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 16:32:48 +0000

River Sith Lord Darth Tonkin

Let’s be honest, sometimes you can just tell when your river guide has been seduced by the Dark Side of the Force, but how can you be 100% sure? Here’s some tell-tale signs :

1. When staring straight into a Class IV rapid, does he turn to you and say “I find your lack of faith disturbing.”?
2. Does he refer to his boss as “The Emperor”?
3. Does he dress all in black and stride around like he’s invincible?
4. On his typical clients : “I have studied you, and found weakness!”
5. On his working conditions : “You do not understand the power of the Dark Side. I must obey my Master.”
6. On apprenticing with more experienced guides : “The circle is now complete. When I left you I was but the learner, now I am the master!”
7. Does he have the ability to change the direction of the river’s current or the wind with just his mind ?
8. Is his double-bladed paddle red, rather than blue or green?
9. Can he choke people from a distance?
10. Does he wake up an extra 30 minutes early to make sure his black-and-red makeup is perfect and his horns are brushed?

If any of this sounds familiar, your guide may have been a member of the Order of the Sith, and a practitioner of the Dark Side of the Force!

Southcoast Paddlesports Symposium Tickets ON SALE

Grand River Kayaker — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 14:21:23 +0000

Tickets for the Southcoast Paddlesports Symposium and the Reel Paddling Film Festival go on sale today, February 17th, at 10:00 am.

MAY 5th, 2012 – REEL PADDLING FILM FESTIVAL
Regular Admission : $12.00 in advance, $15.00 at the gate
Film Festival/Symposium Combo Tickets = $17.00 in advance, $20.00 at the gate
(that’s just $5.00 for the Symposium with your Film Festival ticket!)
Click Here To Purchase Tickets

MAY 6th, 2012 – SOUTHCOAST PADDLESPORTS SYMPOSIUM
Regular Admission : $12.00 in advance, $15.00 at the gate
Student/Senior Admission : $8.00 in advance, $10.00 at the gate
Students = ages 8 to 18, Seniors = 60+, children under 7 are FREE
Film Festival/Symposium Combo** Tickets = $17.00 in advance, $20.00 at the gate
(that’s just $5.00 for the Symposium with your Film Festival ticket!)
**Please note there are a limited number of Combo tickets available.
Click Here To Purchase Tickets

For general information about the Film Festival and Symposium, including the weekend schedule, list of exhibitors and workshop schedule, please see the Southcoast Paddlesports Symposium page.
Please note that a valid ticket is required to register for all workshops, clinics and presentations, and advanced reservations are strongly recommended as there may be minimum and/or maximum participants for each, and the schedule is subject to change.

Canada Coast Guard Regulations for Kayakers

Grand River Kayaker — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 17:23:56 +0000

Here’s the scenario: You’re out kayaking on Lake Ontario, enjoying a relaxing day paddling along the shoreline. As you and your partner chat about the weather, an OPP patrol boat approaches and the officer asks you to produce your mandatory safety gear…Do you know what you need, where it is, and how it works? The fine in Ontario for not carrying the appropriate safety items has gone up to $750.00!
The regulations are set by Transport Canada and enforced by the Canadian Coast Guard and provincial police marine units. The laws are different in different countries, and you should be aware of the regulations specific to the places you are paddling.
It’s important to note that while the safety gear listed below is mandated by government regulations, this gear can and does save multiple lives every year. It should be regarded as important and necessary to your safe and enjoyable paddling experience. It may be tempting to cut corners and purchase the bare minimum and least expensive “legal” gear you can find, but this can be a disservice to yourself, your families and the rescue services that may have to come looking for you one day.
Here at Grand River Kayak, we always paddle with more than the bare minimum, and there are other rescue and safety devices not on this list that we have found to be invaluable; paddle floats, rescue stirrups and towing devices. While there are no regulations regarding helmets, they should be considered mandatory in any rough water (whitewater, surf, rock gardening) situations. Talk to us about the options available.
We have attempted to interpret the Coast Guard Regulations as they apply to human-powered personal watercraft.
Original text taken from
http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/marinesafety/debs-obs-equipmentsize-unpowered-192.htm

For all kayaks, canoes and SUP’s* under 18 feet in length :
1. Coast Guard approved PFD
2. Paddle or appropriate propulsion device
3. Sound signalling device
4. Bailing Device
5. 15m (50 feet) of buoyant heaving line
6. A waterproof white light *(in low light or low visibility conditions)

Some of the mandatory safety gear for kayaking in Canada

For kayaks, canoes and SUP’s* over 18 feet :
All of the above requirements PLUS :
7. Six (6) Canadian-approved flares of Type A (Rocket Parachute), B (Multi-Star) or C (Hand) Note: Flares are not required for a pleasure craft that is operating on a river, canal or lake in which it can never be more than one (1) nautical mile (1.852 km) from shore
8. One waterproof flashlight
Interpretations :
1. “A personal flotation device or lifejacket carried on board a human-powered pleasure craft operated in whitewater must be inherently buoyant.” – This would seem to indicate that self-inflating vests are not permitted for kayaks, canoes, or SUP’s* used in whitewater conditions.
2. “A bailer or manual bilge pump is not required for a pleasure craft that cannot hold enough water to make it capsize or a pleasure craft that has watertight compartments that are sealed and not readily accessible” – Sit-on-Top kayaks that cannot become swamped, and SUP’s* would be exempt from carrying a bailing device.
3. Navigation lights are only required if the pleasure craft is operated after sunset, before sunrise, or in periods of restricted visibility (fog, falling snow, etc.). For a human-powered vessel, this requirement can be met with a watertight flashlight – Keep in mind that the point of a light is to make sure YOU are visible to OTHERS in low light or low visibility conditions, not the other way around. The downside to a flashlight is that it puts the onus on YOU to turn it on and signal your presence when you feel it is necessary. This involves putting your paddle down, etc. We highly recommend a combination of head lamp and a mounted marker light that is turned on and left on after dark. A lightstick or small LED light mounted to your PFD is also an excellent idea. Remember, YOU benefit the most from being visible in the dark.
4. Pleasure craft less than 12m (39’4”) in length need a sound-signalling device if they are not fitted with a sound-signalling appliance. The sound-signalling device can be a pealess whistle, compressed gas horn or an electric horn. – We recommend that you wear a whistle on your PFD. It’s quick, accessible, and doesn’t require instructions to make it work!

You can buy simple “Marine Safety Kits” which generally consist of 50 feet of rope, a whistle, and a waterproof flashlight, contained in a plastic bucket of some form. The bucket IS your bailing device, and might be practical for canoes, but the smaller cockpit opening on many kayaks makes bailing with a bucket tough work.
Feel free to ask us, and we’ll be happy to compare the quality and practicality of safety gear for your specific boat and paddling plans.

*SUP’s (Stand Up Paddleboards) : the regulations have not been formally set for these relatively new (in Canada, at least) watercraft. Until formal regulations are released, we are treating SUP’s the same as kayaks. Probably SUP’s will not require quite as much gear, and there is a movement out there to consider the board itself as an acceptable form of floatation provided the paddler is wearing a properly fitted leash, but this hasn’t been decided yet.

Questions Regarding Pleasure Craft Licenses
Do I need proof of competency to operate a non-powered pleasure craft? No. The “Competency of Operators of Pleasure Craft Regulations” only apply to pleasure craft fitted with a motor.
Do I need proof of competency to paddle a pleasure craft fitted with a motor and the motor is turned off? Yes.
Do I need proof of competency to operate a sailboat? You need proof of competency if the sailboat is fitted with an auxiliary motor, even when under sail.

Good Advice from Transport Canada :
Make sure you are seen on the water. Even in bright, calm conditions a kayak can be nearly invisible. It is especially difficult for power-driven vessel and large vessel operators riding high in the water to see kayaks. Choose bright colours such as red, yellow or orange for your flotation device and kayak. Also, remember to keep signalling devices within hand’s reach in case of emergency. Sea kayakers should be aware of their environment (water temperatures, tides, currents, wind and maritime traffic). http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/marinesafety/debs-obs-quick-quick_human_powered-308.htm

Advice from Grand River Kayak :
Get the right gear, learn how to use it, and get you there and get paddling !!!!

Relaxing Evening Kayaking on the Grand River

The World’s Coolest Tent !

Grand River Kayaker — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 19:29:35 +0000

We think these sleep systems are fantastic, and it’s easy to see why they won Best Camping Shelter in the Sea Kayaker “Reader’s Choice Awards” and has been called “The Coolest Tent In The World!” by dwell Magazine

Super lightweight, compact, easy to pack and easy to set up. These hammock systems are a kayak camper’s dream come true…unless there aren’t any trees/supports, etc where you are going. There are weight saving/space saving advantages to not having to carry tent poles and a separate tarp, but you DO have to have the ability to set up and suspend the tarp…if your campsite is a bare hunk of rock in the middle of a lake, this poses some challenges. Otherwise, Hennessy Hammocks really are the coolest tent in the world, you can accessorize them with additional insulation for cold weather camping, and Hennessy’s unique “Snakeskins” which make set-up and take-down a snap!
Here’s what other kayakers are saying : Click Here

New side entrance zipper closure with with heavy duty #10 zipper and two double sliders.

This is our most popular model with patented features including mesh pocket on ridgeline and webbing straps to protect the bark of trees. Asymmetrical shape and 30% larger rainfly than the Scout model. New 70D catenary cut rainfly to reduce weight and wrinkles. This is an all-purpose hammock – great for backpacking, family camping, expeditions, kayaking, motorcycling, and any other purpose which requires comfort and durability at an affordable price.

Specifications

Height limit: 6′ tall / 180 cm
Weight limit: 250 lbs / 115 kg
Packed Weight: 2 lbs 9 oz / 1160 g
Packed Size: 4″ x 7″ x 9″
Hammock fabric: 210 D oxford nylon
Hammock dimensions: 100″ x 52″‘ (diagonal)
Mesh: 30D polyester No-See-Um netting
Suspending ropes: 10′ long 1600 lb. test polyester rope
Webbing straps: 1.5″ x 42″ long black polyester
Rainfly weight: 10 oz / 280 g
Rainfly fabric: 70D polyurethane coated polyester ripstop
Rainfly dimensions: A parallelogram with – short side – 58″ – long side – 87″ – short diagonal – 85″ long diagonal -130″
Color: Hunter green hammock with hunter green fly and black trim
Stuff Sack: Logo and set up instructions printed on ripstop polyester bag (18 g., 5/8 oz.)
What’s Included: All Hennessy Hammocks come complete with attached mosquito netting, detachable rain fly, support ropes, and stuff sack with set up instructions on back. Hennessy Hammock also provides complimentary standard 42″ long “Tree Hugger” webbing straps to protect the bark of trees. Because these accessory webbing straps are complimentary, they are weighed separately from the hammock.

Click Here to Purchase

Grand River Kayak Christmas Open House & Sale

Grand River Kayaker — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 15:23:24 +0000

CHRISTMAS OPEN HOUSE AND SALE – TODAY ONLY !!
Join us at Grand River Kayak for a little Holiday cheer, and get the best deals of the year just in time for Christmas!! There will be hot chocolate, coffee and Christmas treats to keep you warm while you shop!
Get the perfect gift for the paddler on your list (or yourself)!!
Get incredible deals on kayaks, SUP’s, paddles, gear, and stocking stuffers!!!
Pre-Book and pay for any Guided Tour or Lesson for next season and SAVE 25% off the regular price. This INCLUDES Kardio Kayak classes AND Yoga/Kayak nights !!!
STOCKING STUFFERS : Browse our books, DVD’s, water bottles, LOTS under $20.00
Get a $ 50.00 LCBO Gift Card with purchase over $ 1000.00 (before taxes)
Looking for Gift Certificates? SAVE 10% on ANY Gift Certificate purchased.
ONE DAY ONLY – SATURDAY, DECEMBER 10th, from 9:00 am till 5:00 pm
We hope to see you there !!!

What’s In A Name?

Grand River Kayaker — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 18:52:37 +0000

Nike or Nikon? Cameras or shoes? Everybody knows the difference.
Right?
If you’re a small business struggling for recognition in the digital age, you’re name is your calling card, the way customers find you, the way search engines find you. It’s your identity.
Of course, your name is only one way that search engines find you on the internet, but it can be confusing when several businesses have similar names, or similar terms with-in their names, such as locations, catch phrases, or activities.
I can’t tell you how many times we’ve been confused with Grand Experiences or Grand River Rafting, both from the Paris/Brantford stretch of the Grand River.
The Grand River Conservation Authority’s website is grandriver.ca, our’s is grandriverkayak.ca. Google most times doesn’t see the difference…Haldimand County’s logo contains the catch-phrase “A Grand Experience”. Easy to see how that might get mistaken for the name of a canoe/kayak/raft outfitter who’s in the next county up the river in Brant?
Most outfitters on the river are pretty good about correcting a confused customer, but it does create some uncertainty for those looking for a particular service or location. I’ve heard stories of one outfitter stealing another’s business when a customer called the wrong business to follow-up on a booking. I even had one kayak brand’s salesman show up here 90 minutes late for an appointment after telling me he’d accidentally followed his in-car GPS to the wrong place!
To clear up any potential confusion, we are Grand River Kayak, in Dunnville, Ontario.
We don’t have any other locations, are not affiliated with any other outfitter on the river.
We specialize in kayaks and SUP’s. We don’t rent, sell, or offer guided guided trips by canoe or raft. Our territory starts where the Grand River enters Haldimand County north of Caledonia and follows the river to it’s mouth at Lake Erie. We also offer paddling lessons and guided trips along the north shore of Lake Erie. If you are looking for a trip on the upper Grand River near Cambridge, Paris or Brantford, we’d be happy to make a referral to an outfitter on that part of the river.
We are a small, family owned and operated outfitter who’s first concern is our customer’s satisfaction and safety. We guide and teach small groups that ensure our guides and instructors can maximize their interaction with our customers.
We place a priority on protecting, rather than exploiting, the environment. The rivers and lakes are everyone’s responsibility to maintain and protect. We ask that our customers properly dispose of their garbage, and leave nothing in the rivers, lakes, and shorelines where we travel.
As paddlers, we can help you select the right kayak, paddle or piece of paddling gear to suit your needs and budget. We carry some of the best brands in the paddlesports industry : Boreal Design, Seaward Kayaks, Riot, Current Designs, Ocean, Necky, Old Town, Liquid Logic, Surftech, Werner, Aquabound, Kokatat, Immersion Research, Seals, and more!
Drop in and see why you won’t ever confuse us with another store again!

They Say You Never Forget Your First….

Grand River Kayaker — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 20:07:56 +0000

I guess the same is true of your first “serious” kayak.
For me, that kayak would have to be the Boreal Design Baffin.
Anyone who pays the slightest attention to the kayaks I paddle will know that I tend to lean towards hard multi-chine, moderately rockered, Brit/Greenland inspired designs…the Baffin is the epitome of this style of boat, in my humble opinion.
As an instructor, predictability and performance are key features. I want a kayak that will do what I want it to do, when I want it to do it, without surprise when I’m in front of a group of students. The Baffin’s multi-chine is perfect for demonstrating degrees of edge, it will lay over confidently with a sculling brace, rolls well, it’s fast, smooth, like a sports car in the water.
In short, I teach in the Baffin because it’s predictable and it makes me look good.
That’s not to say this kayak is short on performance or fun, because it’s got plenty of both!
My wife, Tanya, and I bought the first generation rotomolded Baffin back in 2008. Since then, I have paddled dozens and dozens of kayaks, and I still go back to my Baffin. Early this year, Boreal Design introduced the all new Baffin Series; they took the original Baffin and built it in 3 sizes, in a variety of material options from plastic to fibreglass to Kevlar. Now there’s a Baffin to suit every paddler! Wow!
The original first generation poly Baffin is now the mid-sized P2. There’s now a smaller P1 suited to smaller paddlers, and a larger P3. Like Boreal’s popular Epsilon Series, the goal was to take a single design and scale it up or down. This formula works flawlessly with the Baffin Series. In addition to three different sizes, the models are available in either rotomolded polyethylene or composite construction. I was pleasantly surprised to find that the mid-sized fibreglass Baffin C2 feels and performs almost identically to my beloved plastic Baffin. The only major difference between the plastic and composite lines are the thigh braces, which are integrated into the composite cockpit coaming and padded, whereas the thigh braces are separate and plastic in the poly boats.
On the water, the C2 is slightly faster and smoother (as you would expect from any fibreglass hull) but the feel is identical to the original.
One of the most distinguishing designs cues has to be the very low back deck, the cockpit coaming rakes back from the front deck and slopes to meet a back deck that is just inches above the waterline. Combined with a backband, this is perfect for back deck rolls of all kinds. It does present a bit of a packing challenge on longer trips. Finding room with the rear storage volume is like trying to pack two weeks worth of stuff into your carry-on luggage – not impossible, but fun. On a five-night in my original Baffin, I had a deck bag, and extra gear stored in the footwell to get everything in, but it was a fantastic trip and the Baffin happily took everything Georgian Bay threw at it!
The low back deck reduces windage, and the kayak tracks straight enough in most conditions that I rarely find the need to use the skeg. Boreal’s unique “dial” skeg deployment has never failed, and the kink-free dyneema cable used in placed of the traditional stainless or aluminum cable is a simple stroke of brilliance.
The hatches on the Baffin, like all of Boreal’s boats is the most supple rubber, easy-on, easy-off, never-leaked on me design I’ve ever run across. Standard features on both plastic and composite models in all sizes are day hatch, skeg, aluminum foot rails, recessed deck rigging, and a foredeck compass mount that accepts the Brunton 70p compass. The composite kayaks also have Boreal’s signature printed seam tape.
I’m planning to add a Baffin C1 to my quiver for playing around in the rough stuff. It’s slightly smaller than the P2 or C2 that I would typically paddle, and it’s a bit faster (narrower) and more manoeuvrable (shorter with a hint more rocker) so it I can’t wait to surf one!
I’m lucky enough that I can “just” squeeze my 5’-10”, 170 lbs. frame into the C1.
To sum up, if you’re shopping for a kayak that is dynamic, comfortable, capable, and just plain sexy to look at, you owe it to yourself to give the Baffin series a look (and a paddle). My only major complaint with my original Baffin was that it was limited to a certain size of paddler, and was only made in plastic. Boreal offers the Ellesmere in composite, which is similar but not the same. With the introduction this year of the complete series, I have no more complaints!
I can’t say that about many things….

Check out the Baffin on Boreal Design’s website

A PFD That Goes Anywhere and Does Anything : Kokatat Ronin Pro

Grand River Kayaker — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 17:16:31 +0000

Given that the fit of any PFD is a very personal and subjective issue, I can only offer MY opinion of the Ronin Pro, and the standard Ronin, from my own perspective. If you are considering this, or any other PFD, you owe it to yourself to try one on, and take it for a test paddle if the shop can accomodate that. Partnering your PFD with your boat is important, since every kayak has a different seat, different cockpit depths, etc.
I’ve been wearing the Kokatat Ronin Pro PFD for the last 4 seasons.
This is my go-to vest for guiding, instructing, touring, and SUP. I was instantly comfortable with the Ronin’s unique offset front entry. Like a double-breasted jacket, it is a centre front entry, but has a tab that pulls over and zips slightly to one side.
The vest has an internal harness, full back that provides spinal protection and comfort.
I like the fact that this guide’s vest is outfitted with an integral quick-release tow belt. I use the North Water “Sea Link” PFD Quick Release tow system. The Ronin’s tow belt passes through the tow system’s D-ring, and I typically clip the oversize gate biner onto my shoulder strap for easy deployment and access. In case of entanglement, a quick pull on the release toggle allows the belt to pull free and disengage the tow system without fuss.
Two lash tabs, one one the chest, the other on the back shoulder, give you options for placing river knives, safety lights, and more.
A large “duplex” pocket on the front provides compartmentalized storage with a front-zip and side zip entry. The front pocket has a lanyard attachement…the perfect spot to lash in your car keys!
The standard Ronin vest is essentially identical to the Pro, minus the quick release belt and tow tether pocket.
Both the Pro and standard Ronin have reflective accents, adjustable shoulders, and have 500D Cordura exterior fabrics.
The colour selection is different depending on where you live: in Canada the Ronin Pro is only available in Mango or Radish. In the U.S. it’s also available in Coal. Next year, it will be available in a new colour called “Canvas”.
In a nutshell, this PFD has served me well and I don’t really have much to complain about. Kokatat’s quality is first-class, the comfort of this PFD suits me well, and the full back on this model doesn’t interfere with the low back-band style of kayaks I typically paddle. Even in boats with a higher seat back, I’ve never experienced any discomfort or ride-up with my Ronin Pro.
Would I recommend it? For folks who want or need the Pro features, it’s certainly worth taking a closer look. If it fits you and your boat, you can’t go wrong.
And since Kokatat is releasing the Ronin Pro in a new colour for 2012, I guess it’s time to add another one my kit!

Made in….?

Grand River Kayaker — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 21:50:12 +0000

How much importance do folks put on where things are made these days?
There was a huge outcry just a few short years ago when kayak manufacturers starting moving their production to China and other Asian countries. Retailers and outfitters kicked up a fuss, but to what end? Did we stop ANY of them from moving their operations off-shore, despite our protests?? Well, no…not really.
In this dawn of the global economy, when the price of shipping product all the way from places like China doesn’t begin to touch the savings realized by producing their products at a fraction of the cost of North American factories.
The issue as I see it is that folks talk a big game about wanting to buy domestic and support the local economy, but when the time comes to open their wallets, the Asian-made product wins on a price vs. price basis every time.
It’s unfortunate that some companies are getting away with playing the smoke-and-mirrors game with consumers. Some “Scandanavian” kayak builders unabashadly have all of their products made in China, but not one single boat is marked as such….
So the questions is this; where do we stand as a nation on this issue? Is “Made in China” just the way it is?
The economy isn’t great, and everbody wants to save a dime. It’s great to want to buy “Made in Canada” quality, and nobody can blame us for wanting to pay “Made in China” prices….right?
It’s a moral dilema. China has quickly become the single largest producer of consumer goods on the planet, and kayaks, paddles and paddling gear have not escaped that reality.
Educate yourselves, folks, and be honest aboout where your moral compass stands.
There are some excellent Canadian kayak manufacturers still out there on the market, the like of Seaward, Boreal Design, Atlantis, Delta and more. Reality is, you’re going to pay more for those brands than some of the others who have elected to move their factories to Shanghai and pay $5.00 a day for labour, and escape from any environmental regulations that subtract from the bottom line here in North America.
As a retailer, all we can do is balance the desire to support domestic manufacturuers with the reality that we have to make sales (aka profit) to stay in business, and consumer sentiment is more likely to make hard decisions based on the cost of ownership than on patriotism.
Come and see us. We’d be happy to discuss the Country of Origin of any brand, whether we carry them or not. Do we have kayaks made in China? Yep, you bet. Ask us, we’ll tell you which ones. How about SUP’s made in Thailand, China, the Phillipines? That’s pretty much where EVERYBODY is building stand up paddleboards!
It’s all about understanding the issues, and making informed choices.
Some brands would rather you didn’t know where their products are made, and that’s a form of false advertising, in my opinion….
I look forward to hearing from our friends, customers, and aquaintances about where you all stand on this topic…..