Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Gone fishing

GONE FISHING,BACK IN THE NEAR FUTURE.
MAYBE


Due to a well needed vacation and the opportunity to go kayaking in Alaska, this blog will be closed until I get back.
Here are a few pictures of the last couple of days paddling at Optimist, 


Izzy showing off his new head protection gear

Notice the new chimney being erected on the beach for the Israel Electric Co.

We had a small wave yesterday

What a great smile

After taking this picture my Canon D10 stopped working
One day before flying off to paddle in Alaska my trusty? Canon D10 packed up.I had organised extra batteries for the trip and was congratulating myself on how my camera was still working when many others had already stopped.
So now I`m in a quandry, what to do?
I have a Pentax optio that I use for work, its specially adapted for close up photography, but has the usual functions and is waterproof as well. I will take it with me and then when I get back will do some research on new waterproof cameras.
Does anyone have any suggestions on which is the best one to get?
And now off to paddle in Alaska, bye bye.


Monday, June 11, 2012

try it, you may just get hooked

It looks so easy to the uninitiated, seeing kayakers playing and paddling on the water.What they don`t know is how much technique is involved in getting that kayak to do just what you want. They soon find out when they take their first lesson.




Of course some pick it up easier than others, but mostly they all go through the same stages of learning.
It`s rewarding to give a first lesson to a newcomer and see them progress in front of your eyes, from the first moment they sit in this unstable boat all tense and afraid of capsizing to feeling more in control and relaxed after only one hour in the kayak.





And most of all to realise how much fun it is. Almost  everybody has fun, except some who get seasick or cant let go and relax .
And it is a lot of fun, as soon as they gain some measure of boat control and learn to brace in the waves the level of fun increases.
Each lesson is tailored  to the individual and modified to deal with their ability, sometimes its faster and sometimes slower. Our first lesson is basic safety, boat control and direction control and what to do when you capsize, then if they want to they can begin going out with the group and learn on the go.
We always have a guide with the newcomers at least for the first few outings  and its amazing how fast they begin to improve . The only way to learn is to be out on the water, as much as possible.
We are lucky to have warm water and sunshine, this makes it easier to make that first time out a great experience.
Give it a try, you may just get hooked.


Wednesday, June 6, 2012

wer`e all going on a summer holiday

Summer holidays again, and Optimists love to travel.At present we have a group paddling between the Greek islands round Milos, but from the pictures Amit sent they seem to be spending a lot of time just lazing on the beaches

Wow, what a beautiful campsite, I guess the Taverna is just behind the ridge

And at the end of the month we have another group going to paddle in the Prince William Sound of Alaska. We were there 2 years ago and the memories are still strong

No Tavernas round here, but the ice is great, just add Scotch

Anticipation is growing for another Alaskan adventure, leaving the HEAT of home and immersing in the wonderful cold wilderness again.