A Neptune Ranger breaking the wave barrier on the Californian Coast
Back in March of 2011 those scallywags of the US west coast, the Tsunami Rangers, issued a challenge to find, scale and take a photo at the peak of “Neptune’s Castle“, a rocky islet somewhere on the Californian coast. Some twenty years earlier the Tsunami Rangers had done the same and hadn’t been back since. I wrote a reply calling for antipodean paddlers to take up the challenge, and had quietly made approaches to local Californian paddlers about teaming up to win the quest.
It takes a good sized set of Kahunas to ride the lips of waves like this!
In September of the same year a group of Bay Area paddlers decided over tequila and marshmallows to form a team for the attempt, a team that would take it’s name from the Castle itself. Then, using satellite imagery and local knowledge, located, paddled to and scaled the peak, claiming the victory as their own. Neptune’s Rangers were born and a new chapter in extreme ocean white water was written.
You know the rock gardening is extreme when you need to scale the cliff to escape!
The team is now well and truly established and have started filming their antics for the world to see (check out their Facebook Page). Like all extreme sportspeople, they have their share of both fans and knockers, but one thing’s for sure, their antics sure make entertaining viewing!! I’ve been a fan of extreme rock gardening for some time now and it’s great to see some more teams out there enjoying these dynamic coastal areas. If you’re not convinced, stream the next video in HD, widen it out to full screen, turn the volume up and enjoy the crazy action as they get hammered by some freakish surf. All look’s like good fun to me! Cheers, FP
Images & video used with permission of Bill Vonnegut (Neptune’s Rangers)
Tags: Neptunes Rangers, rock gardening
Ku-Ring-Gai Chase National Park, a jewel of northern Sydney
A visitor from the UK gave us the perfect excuse to head out to Sydney’s beautiful Ku-Ring-Gai Chase National Park for an early morning paddle. With Grumm and his Father-in-Law Keith in my Wenonah Minnesota II canoe, the Riddler in my Aquanaut sea kayak and me in the Stellar SR surfski, we looked like a motley bunch heading up into the hills of the National Park. Regardless, we had a lovely time paddling our way through the pristine wilderness of the park before heading back for a bacon & egg roll breakfast – lovely! Cheers, FP
Paddlers of any physical condition can enjoy the outdoors in a canoe
Paddling is a great way for family members to bond. If they don't kill each other!
Exploring rock pools by boat, going places normal hikers can't reach
Paddling with friends is a wonderful shared experience
Grumm gives the Stellar SR surfski a go. A touch tippy perhaps Grumm??
Flat water is a good chance to work on the initial stability required for ski paddling
Feel a part of the great outdoors with a boat. Perspective is everything!
Everyday on the water is a good day. Get outside and have some fun.
A return to Kayak Chicago, the setting for Chapter 10 in my book "The Fat Paddler"
One of the greatest aspects to being a paddler is how fun it can be to explore foreign places by kayak. Visit almost any city in the world and somewhere there will be a hire place allowing you to experience the city from the water. Chicago is one of my favourite places to paddle, as the Chicago River winds through the centre of downtown (known to locals as ‘The Loop’), giving you an incredible view of immense glass towers and beautiful architecture.
Paddlers setting off at sunset for a night cruise through Chi-Town
Often city kayak centres will offer specific tours – in Chicago you can do architecture tours, crime & gangster tours (highly recommended!) and fireworks tours. The benefit of these is hearing first hand from guides about the history of the city you are visiting. Or you may just prefer the personal visual feast of a foreign city at night, with the sounds of local revelry carrying across the water as you glide by in the darkness.
Night paddling is a beautiful way to experience a city
On a recent return visit to Chicago I decided to paddle its rivers again. For me, this was a second night paddle in this city and I was just as mesmerised as I was the first time. Only this time I had five friends with me to share it with, and I almost got more pleasure watching their reaction to such a novel experience. All agreed that it was both a stunning way to see the city… as well as far more tiring than they expected – ha!
At the Chicago River downtown junction, looking east towards Lake Michigan
Chicago River downtown junction, looking south into "The Loop"
Another bonus of paddling cities is that you often get to see a little of the underbelly hidden away from the general public. Rivers running under bridges and through industrial areas often give you access to urban conditions and art that you wouldn’t ordinarily see as a tourist. Graffiti is more raw and better reflective of the darker side of the city – experiencing it will bring you far closer to your destination.
Larger than life graffiti on the concrete banks of the river. It was twice as high as I was.
After a few hours meandering through the city, there’s not much cooler than finding some local nightlife for a relaxing meal or beer afterwards. In Chicago, one of the greatest jazz and blues cities in the world, visiting one of the many jazz/blues clubs will give you a further appreciation for the real culture of the place. And let’s face it, it’s a brilliant way to end a great evening’s activities! Cheers, FP
A Chicago blues and nightlife institution - Kingston Mines (main room)
The Kingston Mines back room - harder, edgier blues rock. Yeeehaw!
Tags: Chicago, kayak chicago, night paddle, paddle tours, travel
King of the Coast 2011, Sunshine Coast Qld
Some paddling crew from up north brought this event to my attention some months back. Whilst my ski racing skills are probably not quite there yet (ok, probably never!), you can’t help but admire the pace and swell running of these guys. Top it all off with some brilliant video work by the famous Rambo and you get one entertaining race!
The race ran for 18km downwind from Point Arkwright to Mooloolaba and had over 200 paddlers onboard, paddling everything from SUPs to kayaks to OCs and of course ocean skis. The event raised money for the Sunshine Coast Children’s Therapy Centre and drew widespread attention from the Sunshine coast locals. Check it out! Cheers, FP
(Thanks to KOTC, SCCTC and Rambo for the use of images & video)
Tags: King of the Coast, KOTC, Rambo, Rambos Locker, Sunshine Coast Childrens Therapy Centre, THINK
The Team Fat Paddler concept - fun, friendship, and paddling for charity.
10 paddlers and over 20 landcrew worked together to create one team.
Trav and FP get dressed up for the "Best Dressed Craft" competition
The pre-race pep talk - "good luck tonight, and remember to have fun!"
The TFP flagship - Trav and FP in their canoe, "SWAT"
The start of the 2011 Hawkesbury Canoe Classic
And it's on! Paddlers start the journey up the Hawkesbury River.
Dedicated landcrew (the Kayak Widows) await the arrival of their paddlers
Landcrew Captain, Burnsie. Taking control of meals throughout the night.
Grumm at the Sackville checkpoint. Only 80kms to go now!
Hungry paddlers. "Where are my sausages???"
Nat and Pete, fastest paddlers in TFP, get back on the water before everyone else
Ned, after failing in 2009 and fighting nausea throughout the night, crosses the finish line!
Team Fat Paddler crew join up over the last 20kms and finish together as a team.
FP finally beats the Classic in a canoe, finishing in 17hrs 52mins.
Mr and Mrs FP at the end of the race. Awesome support honey!
How was that for you Grumm?? One very relieved paddler (and Nathan in background)
Consoling Nat after his withdrawal at the 85km mark. He'll smash it in 2012!
Tags: HCC2011
