Blog Archives

So much fog, there was no horizon for hours

Hawkesbury Canoe Classic Training in the Berowra Fog

With the Hawkesbury Canoe Classic slowly approaching, the Team Fat Paddler crew has started (begrudgingly) on the distance training. A few of us will be racing in open canoes which…

Travis in his Wenonah Recon

In Pictures: Riding the Penrith White Water in a Wenonah Recon Canoe

In the lead-up to the 2000 Sydney Olympics, the western suburbs were treated to the building of an international class white water stadium at Penrith which would showcase the world’s…

Mauritius - the greatest paddling backdrop ever?? (Img credit: Rob Mousley)

Mauritius Ocean Classic 2013 – Race Day

TFP member Nat continues his adventure in Mauritius… After spending most of the week pushed to the limit of my ability in large swells on one hand and headwinds on…

MOC - Shorties 001

Mauritius Ocean Classic 2013 Pt2: Sporty’s Relay

Another post from TFP member Nat whilst in Mauritius! Paddling in a beautiful tropical location like Mauritius with crystal clear warm waters and great runs is every paddlers’ idea of…

2010 - FP and Angelo pose before the start of HCC

Hawkesbury Canoe Classic 2013 – Unfinished Business

After my first Classic back in 2009 I decided I wanted to change my experience of the race. I wanted to put the fun back in, make it more about…

Paddling with legends such as Dean Gardiner, one of the great parts of Mauritius

Mauritius Ocean Classic 2013 Part 1: Training in Huge Seas

Story from Nat Bradford, posting live from Mauritius “It doesn’t look as big as the first day last year” I said somewhat incorrectly. Sitting on the beach with Dean Gardiner…

Charging green lumps at Manly

A Winter Surf Snapshot From Manly Australia

Winter is upon us in Australia and the morning feels Arctic, but there’s no doubt it can be a beautiful time of the year here in Sydney. I managed to…

Hmmm, sea urchin holes!

When Surfskiers Meet Spikey Australian Ocean Life

I always get a chuckle discussing Australia with friends from other countries. There’s a perception that anything that moves Down Under can kill you, and to a certain degree, they’d…

The return trip - sunny, warmer, and full of laughter

Real Canoe Adventures with Young Kids

My 6 year old daughter seemed a little flat the other day so I offered her a little daddy-daughter one-on-one time via a canoe adventure. All of our paddles have…

Miss 6 in the steering position on the Stellar SR

Introducing Kids to the Surfski with Fat Paddler

Of all the boats I have, the last one I think of for my kids (aged 5 and nearly 7) is the surfski. Usually I take them out in an…

Gelo and the Ninja enjoy the warmth of the fire

Commando Camping II: A Midweek Micro Adventure

A recent Facebook post by our adventurer mates Cas and Jonesy captured my attention a few weeks back. The post was about “micro adventures“, where you take off after work…

Running the slot in the hunt for the greenroom

Surfski Surfing: Shooting the Slot in the Hunt for the Greenroom

We’re so blessed here on Australia’s east coast, where those of us who love the beat of the ocean get to play in good surf most weeks. I love taking the…

Even outdoor-challenged partners can have some fun in a canoe

Canoe paddling as a way to get kids outdoors

In the modern age of technology it’s pretty hard to drag your children away from the lure of ipads, the internet or games like Minecraft. With school holidays upon us…

FP and Ben get on the party wave together

The Team Fat Paddler surfski crew take on the Autumn swell

One of the best parts of paddling in a team is that everyone gets to benefit from the group. Experienced paddlers and surfers get to help out the less experienced…