Alder Creek Kayak & Canoe Blog

A whale of a tale:

By Dave Slover

One morning we went out on the SUP's, just a bunch of kids dorking around and adults
happy to be happy. Just off shore were a mother Whale and her new baby. The baby's
have to stay at the surface to breathe much more often so the mom's hang out and
support them to keep them from sinking. As we paddled closer we could hear the
inhale/exhale of their breathing and see their backs at the surface. Then we saw a
tail in the classic dive move and assumed the show was over and they were moving on.
Much to our surprise the mother whale did a full breach just a couple seconds later
only about 100 yards out from us. WOW!!! A school bus flying out of the water that
close is quite spectacular. Just to make sure we saw the whole thing she did it
again a couple minutes later. This was a morning we will always remember.

Stand Up Paddle Board

I can't wait for the weather to improve a bit so I can get back out paddling. At
Alder Creek we will be sponsoring assorted "Paddle With the People" clinics on SUP
this spring and summer. We'll also have demo days and Intro to SUP classes during
the summer and will be adding them to the mix at our 18th Annual Paddle Festival on
April 24th and 25th. We have boards for sale and available to rent in stock and
ready to go.

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!