Blog Archives

The dolphin watched us from below

Wild Dolphin Encounter at Shelly Beach, Manly

You never know when the ocean might throw up some magical experiences, and this morning around 6am we got one of the best when a wild little dolphin frolicked with…

Fat Paddler Best of 2013

Video: Fat Paddler Best of 2013

It’s hard to believe that another year has gone by, and with the dawn of a new year we get the chance to look back and reflect. For me personally…

Rockin the Hayden Fat Boy in stormy wind chop and surf

Wet and Wild Surfski Paddling on the Hayden Fat Boy

The call went out for the Team Fat Paddler crew to get some surf in at a distant southern Sydney break where the waves are long, green and easy (and…

The Mirage 583 Freeride sea kayak

First Look: Mirage 583 Freeride Sea Kayak

It’s been some time since I’ve paddled sea kayaks as I’ve been paddling surfskis for the past few years, but today I got to experience a very different type of…

Jostling for pole position in the Wenonah

Mission Accomplished – Hawkesbury Canoe Classic 2013

The 111km Hawkesbury Canoe Classic is tough for all competitors. It’s not just the distance, it’s the challenge of doing if throughout the night when your body thinks, quite adamantly,…

Trying to stay on the Hayden Fat Boy in cross-chop... not easy!

A New Paddling Challenge: Switching to Spec Skis

At the start of 2012 I started to paddle surfskis for the first time. Over the following couple of years I fell in love with them – the speed through…

Adventurethon

Adventurethon – Paddling, Trail Running, MTB Riding

These days there are plenty of events to cater to the adventure needs of the outdoors lover. From the small fun-runs to the multi-day endurance events, there’s a myriad of…

Spec Ski Paddling - Manly Beach

Surfski Inspiration: The Surf Lifesaving Movement

After a fun session surfing my Stellar SR ocean surfski at my favourite Manly break, I dropped down to the Manly LSC with a camera to absorb the activity that Spring…

Surfski paddlers on the horizon on an early-morning training run down along the northern beaches

Another Surfski Rookie Discovers the Joy of Surf

I didn’t realise how important the ocean had become to my mental well-being until a week ago when my wife insisted I take my surfski out for a surf. I’d…

The calm after the storm - Tea Gardens Sunrise

DNFs and Other Misadventures at the 2013 Myall Classic

The Myall Classic is a marathon race held on the NSW Central Coast, starting from the small town of Tea Gardens. It’s often spoken about as the warm-up event to…

Rodd Point sunrise, Sydney Australia

Wenonah Dreaming – Canoe Exploration and Adventures

For the past month or so my paddling has revolved around canoe training, in preparation for the 111km Hawkesbury Canoe Classic in late October. Fellow canoe paddler Ben “The Ninja”…

The new Stellar S2E surfski - Stellar's 2nd double surfski

New Surfski Announced: The Stellar S2E Double Surfski

I’ve just received word that Stellar has announced another new surfski to their range, and their second double surfski after their original Stellar S2EL – the all new Stellar S2E….

Avon Descent 2013 - Western Australia

Only in Australia: the Avon Descent 2013

To outsiders, Australia is a wonderful if not crazy land of deadly animals, raging surf and the tough men & women who survive it all. Aussies love nothing more than…

Blast paddlers pose for the stern to nose surfski shot

In Pictures: The Australian Launch of the Stellar SEI Intermediate Surfski with Blast Paddlers and Matt OGarey

Last saturday at the Balmoral Blast in Sydney I had the exciting task of covering the Australian launch of the new Stellar SEI surfski. Slipstream Surf owner and paddler Gav…