The F1 Skin on Frame kayak - amazingly nimble and fast for such an ugly boat!
I had the pleasure of catching up with Tom Nicholson of Elver Paddles this past week, who was in town catching up with family for Christmas. Tom recently slaved over my new Aleut paddle and also made the Greenland paddle I used for the 2009 Hawkesbury Canoe Classic – two beautiful and functional traditional paddles that I rate very highly amongst my quiver.
The Elver Aleut Paddle (below) compared next to a Joe O'Blenis GP (above)
Tom had brought with him his F1 Skin On Frame kayak, a seemingly wide, squat ugly beast of a boat that I for some reason felt a certain kinship with. I had brought the Stellar SR and was about to test her amongst the waterski boat wake of upper Middle Harbour, a test that would ensure I’d get wet later in the day.
The Stellar SR on top of the Fat Mobile. So long, so white, so skinny. Unlike me!
We paddled out from the Roseville canoe ramp and head downstream. I was astounded at how fast Tom could get his F1 to move – for an ugly fat bastard the thing could seriously move! Whilst we paddled we discussed our thoughts on the Aleut paddle as well as comparing it to the normal Greenland paddles that Tom makes, which was great because I needed something to take my mind off the fact I was really struggling to stay on the surfski in the confused wake of the mad waterski boats around us!
FP and Tom with their respective boats on a protected Middle Harbour beach. Time to swap!
We pulled into a beach and swapped boats – Tom now on the Stellar with the Aleut paddle, and myself squeezed into his F1 and using a carbon fibre Northern Light Greenland Paddle that Tom is now repping here in Australia. The boat felt incredible, fast and nimble with defined chines that bit into the water and made it a heap of fun to paddle. Likewise the carbon Greenland paddle was a pleasure to use, lightweight and strong and easy to wield.
The view from the cockpit - note the spare paddle and kayak sail ready for use
Tom meanwhile was having a blast in the Stellar SR, flying along with the wind at his back into the now choppy waters of Bantry Bay. I couldn’t hope to keep up with him as he pushed the surfski downwind, but when I did finally catch him the grin across his face said it all – he was having an absolute blast.
Tom looking absolutely chuffed at the speed and fun of the Stellar SR surfski
To add to the excitement of the day, on our return to Roseville back in our respective boats I was finally thrown from the ski by some boat wake and had the joy of trying to remount to the snickering of Tom nearby. I got to put the bullet venturi to the test and watched with a smile as the full cockpit slowly drained of water as I tentatively paddled away. And then at the end of the paddle, Tom and I got to share a laugh about the day before going our separate ways.
To say we were an odd couple on the water would be an understatement. On one hand, we had a boat constructed in an ancient fashion, with a timber frame lashed together and its skin stitched in over the top. On the other hand, a vacuum-bagged composite ski designed for speed. And yet on the water we were just two paddling mates having a bit of fun. I may be paddling a surfski now, but I’ll always paddle for the friendship and good times. Cheers, FP
Tags: Aleut Paddle, F1, greenland paddle, Northern Light Paddles, Skin on frame, SOT, Stellar SR, surfski
Another amazing year of paddling for the Fat Paddler
As we embrace the start of 2012, I thought it time to look back on what has been a truly incredible year for Fat Paddling.
January 2011
The year started with a deadline, with the final manuscript of what was to become The Fat Paddler due into my publisher in the first week of the year. As discussions on the editorial process got underway, I boarded a plan heading for the USA and Canada, where I met up with an incredible bunch of people from the paddling industry. I got to paddle (and sink!) a canoe on the icy waters of Lake Ontario, snowshoe in the freezing cold snowscape of Thunder Bay and of course do kayak rolling lessons with Helen Wilson and Joe O’Blenis.
Rolling classes with Helen Wilson in Thunder Bay, Canada
February 2011
With summer temperatures soaring on my return to Sydney, Team Fat Paddler decided to head to sea in the early dawn, paddling past a bull shark on the way. We also took part in an amazing event known as the “Warrior Dash” for a land-based challenge, where our mate Gelo ended up dislocating his shoulder, before closing out the month with a more gentle morning on Sydney’s beautiful Pittwater.
FP and Gelo, with Warrior Dash 2010 finishers medals.
March 2011
In March I decided to take my kids for their first camping experience and a great canoe trip hunting water dragons. We met up with Andre Janecki and got to watch him putting his newly designed Hybrid sea kayak through its paces. Then Team Fat Paddler hit the fundraising trails before taking part in the Lifestart Kayak for Kids on beautiful Sydney Harbour.
2011 Lifestart Kayak for Kids - not quite as sunny as last year
April 2011
As winter approached Team Fat Paddler were challenged in more interesting ways. A visit and a rock gardening lesson from Jim Kakuk of the Tsunami Rangers introduced us to fun in ocean white water (for some of us, more of an addiction!). The team then took on the Bridge to Beach race in truly frightening conditions, with plenty of capsizes to keep us all on our toes. And then at the end of the month, I took delivery of the first Wenonah Encounter canoe to hit Aussie shores.
Captain Kuk leads the way for some rock gardening in Sydney Australia
May 2011
The month started with a video collaboration with the Tsunami Rangers, where I was able to remix and post a mash-up of their “Greatest Hits” DVD. FatPaddler.com then published its first ever guest post with TFP member Nat comparing the Epic V8 surfski with the THINK Fit. We welcomed a new team mate, Mikey “The Inspector” Stelzer, before I managed to totally smash myself up in a rock garden.
There's something awesome about rock gardens. But they can be painful too!
June 2011
As the cold weather settled in, Team Fat Paddler head out for their first team “Commando Camping” outing, where they had to set up camp in the pouring rain and in the middle of a swamp! I also started testing Wenonah canoes in the search for a good race boat for the Hawkesbury Canoe Classic.
Commando camping, somewhere on a river somewhere in Australia
July 2011
We sadly farewelled team mate Gelo with some rock play before he returned to his homeland of Greece. I also started looking for a new rock gardening and white water playboat, deciding on the Liquidlogic Remix XP10. Then Sydney got battered by giant ocean swell which gave us a great opportunity for surf and play inside Sydney Harbour.
Surfing the winter storm swell under the Winter sun
August 2011
What a month! It started with the official launch of my book at the Sydney International Boat Show. I also took delivery of the Remix and got to paddle her for a full week in all sorts of conditions including surf, rocks, river white water and amongst dolphins. Then Team Fat Paddler expanded both interstate and overseas, with the Canadian chapter taking on the “Conquer the Dog” event in Ontario.
Team Fat Paddler representing in Ontario, Canada (MIDN Steve, MIDN Sammy)
September 2011
Another international trip saw me canoeing in Canada with Badger Paddles, night paddling on the Chicago River and exploring the rocky coastline of Los Angeles. On my return I took delivery of the Wenonah Minnesota II race canoe, and commenced canoe paddle training for the Hawkesbury Canoe Classic.
A return to Kayak Chicago, the setting for Chapter 10 in my book "The Fat Paddler"
October 2011
Despite what seemed like constant rain, I continued canoe training including paddles through both the Ku-Ring-Gai Chase National Park and the incredible Shoalhaven Gorge. I also attended the farewell party for Cas and Jonesy before they flew out for their next challenge, walking across Antarctica. Finally at the end of the month, ten paddlers of Team Fat Paddler took on the 2011 Hawkesbury Canoe Classic, raising over $15,000 for charity as well as bringing plenty of colour and fun to the event.
The Team Fat Paddler concept - fun, friendship, and paddling for charity.
November 2011
With November always being a recovery month after the Classic, Team Fat Paddler spent some more relaxing time introducing new paddlers to the joys of the water as well as partnering up with Benefit Fitness to help push the message of paddling for fitness. We also put a bunch of kayak paddlers on the water for the first race of the 2011 Summer Series, taking out a number of podium places under somewhat controversial circumstances!
Team Fat Paddler.... I think they're going to need a bigger podium!
December 2011
In the final month of the year I spent more time paddling amongst my beloved rocks, introducing new Team Fat Paddler member Martyn to the joys of rock gardening as well. My book The Fat Paddler was released on the iBookstore in ebook format globally and reviewed by David Johnston of PaddlingInstructor.com fame. The team took on the 2nd race of the 2011 Summer Series in Rose Bay with another couple of podium places (this time without controversy). And finally, I announced our new big challenge for 2012, the Island Shamaal in Mauritius, a surfski ocean race that I’ve already begun to train for.
Ocean Whitewater - where surf and swell hits the land, there shall be froth!
What will 2012 Hold?
With 2011 being such an amazing year, it’s hard to imagine how 2012 could hope to get any better. The Mauritius challenge that we’ve set however is a huge one, with surfski racing being an entirely new challenge for us, so for at least the first half of 2012 that will be my entire focus. Of course we’ll still take on other events along the way, including the remainder of the Summer Series, the Lifestart Kayak for Kids, the Bridge to Beach and of course the 2012 Hawkesbury Canoe Classic. Team Fat Paddler will continue to grow stronger and we’ll continue to fundraise for our supported charities, as well as having bucket-loads of fun along the way. Happy New Year everyone, and here’s to an awesome 2012! Cheers, FP
Tags: 2011 Summer Series, Bridge to Beach, Canoe, Hawkesbury Canoe Classic, Lifestart Kayak for Kids, Mauritius, surfski, Team Fat Paddler
What will the fat man bring YOU this Christmas??
2011 has been an amazing year. From the two visits to Canada this year, to paddling the cliffs of Los Angeles, my final days paddle with Gelo, the incredible Hawkesbury Canoe Classic and of course the release of my book. And not forgetting the interstate & international expansion of Team Fat Paddler, with a whole raft of awesome people coming onboard.
But it’s important to remember not everyone is as fortunate as we are. The poor, the injured, the homeless, and the plain old lonely will have a difficult day this Christmas. So always be thankful for what you have and the joy you get to experience every day in your lives – take time to look at magnificent orange clouds at sunset, smile at a passing child on the street, embrace the wonderful world that is around us all.
May you all have a wonderful time this season, enjoy the time with loved ones and maybe, just maybe, Santa will drop a new kayak down the chimney!! Cheers, and many happy returns, FP
Tags: christmas
The Summer Series is an inclusive race for all paddlers, regardless of craft
Last weekend Team Fat Paddler took part in the 2nd race of the 2011 Summer Series at Rose Bay. This great Sydney-based series is different to many of the races out there – where else can you have a start line with elite ski paddlers chatting casually to SUP paddlers, kayakers on sit on top fishing kayaks and hefty fellas on outriggers? Its an event that defines what paddling is about – friendly folks competing for the class win on beautiful waterways and then sharing a sausage sandwich at the end with race organisers, sponsors and fellow paddlers.
Dez from Blast Paddlers giving the pre-race briefing, course details etc
Team Fat Paddler has enjoyed it’s involvement in this series and were excited to get another couple of podium places on the day. A huge thanks to Dez and the crew from Blast Paddlers for putting the series together as well as the brilliant involvement from sponsors including Carbonology, Stellar Kayaks, Prokayaks, SUP Love and Oz Standup who bring their boats/boards along on the day for people to try out. And of course ASN – Neutral Bay for the turbo-charged performance drinks at the start – haha!
Sexy boats to drool over and even test, especially the Stellar and Carbonology skis
We can’t wait for the next few races, and if you feel like taking part in a race event without the competitive pressures of other events, then this is the series for you. We’d love to see you out on the water (and at the bbq afterwards of course!). Cheers, FP
Rose Bay at 5.30am. A spectacular sunrise for the Summer Series Race 2
Team Fat Paddler's Commander Alan lines up at the start of Race 2
A locally made Bladerunner OC1. It's captain had been paddling for a whole 2 weeks!
And some bigger boats too - a full blown OC6 ready to charge!
Alan gets a 2nd in the Mens Kayak class, beaten by the slightly older fella on the right!
Lt Cmdr Nat got his first surf ski podium place as well. Congrats Nat!
Meg, good friend of TFP, takes out the Womens Kayak div for the 2nd time. Congrats!
Tags: ASN Neutral Bay, Blast Paddlers, Carbonology, OZ Standup, ProKayaks, Stellar Kayaks, Summer Series, SUP Love
Ocean Whitewater - where surf and swell hits the land, there shall be froth!
I don’t often paddle solo but with all my team-mates otherwise unavailable, I took to my local rocks knowing that today’s conditions would be lumpy. A direct easterly 1.5m swell pattern was washing straight off the Tasman Sea through Sydney’s Heads and up against Grotto Point and Gelo Cliffs, keeping it awash with whitewater and then, every 5-10 minutes or so, a bomber wave would come through and explode against the shore. Being solo I had to stay a little further out of the froth than I would have liked (trust me though, I still certainly got amongst it!).
Team-mate Nat taking a breather after practicing his "ski recovery" drills.
After a few hours exploring the waves and froth of Gelo Cliffs, I returned to Grotto Point where I found fellow member of Team Fat Paddler Nat (of sydneysurfski.com fame) putting his new ski through its paces in the swell. Whilst he practiced falling off and getting back on, I set about catching the surf that was jacking up and breaking directly on top of the Grotto Point rocks (mostly submerged just below the surface due to the high tide). Then on my last wave of the day I ended up ploughing nose-first into a rock, wiping out, bouncing across the rocks upside down and then finally swimming my boat to the protected cliffs behind the rock garden for a breather, laugh and recovery.
I learnt a lot from the mishap, mainly around the type of safety mods I want to make on my boat. I also learnt that a long timber paddle in surf and rocks can make rolling difficult! But most of all, the morning confirmed how much I love not so much the sea, but that magical zone where the sea interacts with the land. Cheers, FP
Note: this video is dedicated to Jim Kakuk for introducing me to rock gardening, Eric Soares for his continued advice, and my old rock gardening paddle-mate Gelo who I know would be missing this badly. Watch the video in HD at full screen to get a true feel for paddling my local playground.
Kayaking Ocean Whitewater and Wiping Out from Fat Paddler on Vimeo.
