Blog Archives

Lifestart Kayak for Kids - good fun for a good cause. Get onboard!

Team Fat Paddler to take on the Lifestart Kayak for Kids this weekend with its biggest team yet

It’s that time of year again! Yes, the Lifestart Kayak for Kids 2011 is a mere days away and the team is all set to paddle across Sydney Harbour in…

Andre in his new sea kayak design, the Hybrid 550

A Chance Meeting with Andre Janecki and his new sea kayak design, the Hybrid 550

After recently leading Team Fat Paddler on a mission out at sea, we snuck back into the Harbour and  stopped in at Watsons Bay for a sneaky coffee break. Whilst…

Lastly, a little paddling lesson for Miss4. With her Badger Paddle in hand, she quickly learnt how to paddle the canoe forward down the river. Well done sweety.

Getting Kids Outdoors – Camping and Canoeing

My two daughters, aged 3 and 4, are already digital natives. They can use my iPhone with ease, program the cable TV and work the DVD player. I don’t even…

Training grounds for Kiwis and Aussie - southern cliff zones

Aussies and Kiwis unite to conquor Neptune’s Castle

I received a cryptic email last night from Commander Soares of the Tsunami Rangers. The short note urged me to respond to the Big Sur Challenge, a call to the…

Important rules when paddling near cliffs - always wear a helmet... and an ugly shirt.

Things to Watch Out For When Paddling Near Cliffs

With my usual paddle mates either away for the weekend or too hungover to get out on the water, I took off for a solo paddle and decided to go…

Team Fat Paddler ring-in for the next Greenland National Kayaking Championships

Profile: Helen Wilson, Greenland rolling instructor

In the sleepy liberal town of Arcata in northern California can be found world-renown Greenland roller Helen Wilson. A multiple medal winner at the Greenland National Kayaking Championships (2008, 2010),…

Last light over the East Sydney skyline.

Sunday Sunset Surfing Sessions

I’m usually an early morning paddler so I don’t see many sunsets from the water, but I received an invite for an evening paddle from my close mate Nat (a…

It's hard not to stop and stare - sunrise paints the water gold

Pittwater Dawn with Global Paddler and Folbot

I recently heard from Scott Rawstorne from Global Paddler that he was passing through Sydney on his way to Tasmania and was keen for a paddle. Scott is the co-author…

Team Fat Paddler - Alan, FP and Gelo. Scary!

Team Fat Paddler Does Warrior Dash Australia

Despite my clear preference for being water-bourne, this is not a story about paddling. Rather it is about getting outside and reminding yourself what it is like to truly challenge…

High mount for maximum visibility when amongst the waves

Review: Kayalu Kayalite Deck Light

As winter approaches and my early morning paddles grow darker, I thought it best to throw out my rusted old light rig and invest in some night-paddling kit that many…

Confessions Of A Wave Warrior - Eric Soares

Book Review: Confessions of a Wave Warrior – Eric Soares (Tsunami Rangers)

Recently I was lucky enough to catch up with Jim Kakuk, co-founder of the Tsunami Rangers, over lunch here in Sydney. His parting gift to me was a copy of…

Sunrise from the sea..... could there be anything more magical?

Sunrise Paddling With Sharks

You just never know when an adventure might befall you, but one thing for sure is that you have to put yourself out there in case it does. On this…

When its as hot as today, you need a silver umbrella hat!

Hot Summer Lumps and Bumps

After my trip to the Great White North it was nice to get back to the fierce heat of Sydney in January. My old mate Nat had finally taken delivery…

FP slowly getting into this storm roll stuff. Loving it!

Greenland Rolling Classes with Helen Wilson

I’ve done one lesson on rolling in my entire life. I’ve practiced a bit on my own of course, on no more than 8 occasions, and would say I hit…