Alder Creek Kayak & Canoe Blog

Stand Up Paddle Camp

Maui, Hawaii - Jan 29 to Feb 7, 2010

By Dave Slover

Last month we took our annual family vacation and went to Maui. Hawaii.  There is
nothing bad when you are talking Sunny skies, 80 degree temps and unlimited water
sports. The Pacific Northwest is a wonderful place but a week in the sun is a great
way to get relief from the gray winter doldrums. We rendezvoused at a condominium
complex called Puamana in Lahaina. Our group consisted of 7 adults in our 30's and
40's and 7 kids aged 6 to 10.

Since Alder Creek has just started carrying Surftech Stand Up Boards and Werner
Stand Up Paddles we thought it would be a good idea to develop and refine our skills
a bit and to see what this new "boating" "Surfing" "Exercise" phenomenon is all
about. We rented 4 boards of assorted sizes, each had a different length, width,
thickness and rocker profile. Our buddy Jim Miller from Werner paddles brought over
the highest quality carbon spanker SUP Paddles in adjustable lengths. In Hawaii
people do not use PFD's, but if you were going very far offshore it seems like it
would be a good idea. We did not have to worry about neoprene for warmth but we did
wear NRS hydrosilk shirts to protect us from the sun. During the week our group lost
more than one pair of sunglasses and multiple hats to the surf zone.

Each day at camp we would get up and paddle for an hour or so of primarily
flat-water exercise, skills building and family fun. We would then go to the local
beach park and practice surfing in knee high waves. Everyone enjoyed the Stand Up
paddling and found it easy to master. The kids would either go with a parent or two
on a board. They loved it! If we had rented smaller boards, they would have been
paddling and surfing right next to us. We had a couple of amazing experiences with
whales up close and turtles swimming under our boards. The water is so clear and
beautiful that you can see 20-30 feet down.

We also found plenty of time to fit in outrigger canoeing, a 'Rigid Inflatable Boat'
ride to snorkel and whale watch, hikes in the rainforest and even a forest zip line
tour. For a week after our return home we were still exhausted, surely a sign that
we had a lot of fun!

Jackson White water kayaks are designed to create a safer white water river runner and creek kayak. Take a look at this short film by Eric Jackson as he talks about this injury preventing bulkhead system. This system makes running white water in a kayak safer and more fun. This bulkhead system can be found in the Hero Series and Rocker Series by Jackson Kayak.

What our customers and friends like the most about this whitewater bulk head system is the ease of use. Since the bulkhead is based on a simple adjustment, rope and jam cleat, this makes for a comfortable system that is very very easy to use. The Uni-Shock Bulkhead by Jackson kayak is one of the best systems on the market today. Come into Alder Creek Kayak and Canoe to Demo a Jackson White Water Boat today!

Take advantage of the warm weather and our sweet deals:

15% off Werner Paddles

30% off Palm Drysuits.

Feature Presentation: Race Around Austrailia

Join Alder Creek for an evening with “the woman in black”, none other than German born, international paddling legend and Canoe & Kayak magazine’s “Paddling Hero”, Freya Hoffmeister!  Freya will indulge us with a harrowing account and slideshow presentation from her most formidable expedition yet- her record setting solo circumnavigation of Austrailia!

At 9,400 miles, the Australian circumnavigation is regarded as one of the planet’s toughest sea-kayak challenges. At various times Freya faced massive storm-swell, tropical heat, crocodiles, and a shark that she says took a nibble of her 18-foot sea kayak. Perhaps the most remarkable challenge was three stretches of sheer limestone cliffs, each more than 100 miles long with stiff prevailing headwinds and no reasonable place to land. She was at sea for more than 30 hours to cross each section. Her most brazen exploit was a 350-mile open-ocean crossing that took her six days, and saved her weeks of plodding along the coastline.

A former Miss Germany contestant, competitive gymnast, body builder, and sky diver, for the last seven years Freya has reinvented herself as a world renowned expedition kayaker and adventurer. Rest assured, you will leave inspired!

When: Thursday, Feb 18th
doors open at 6pm, show begins at 7pm
Where: Mcmenamins Mission Theater & Pub, 1624 NW Glisan St
cost: $8 (all proceeds support Freya’s adventures)
FREE raffle!