Archives
There is something powerful about separating ourselves entirely from that which is familiar and for us as human terrestrial creatures, the watery world of the ocean is as unknown and foreign as can be.
It’s time to get out for sunset paddles and kick the leaves underfoot, finish that one last project and shine brightly before the simple stark renewal of winter is upon us.
As the sun begins to climb higher in the sky heralding the beginning of longer days and inviting the green spirals of forest ferns to emerge from their winter sleep in the forest, I too am drawn out into the light to join the marine life that is beginning to stir with great vigour brought with the coming of summer. [This is how I feel after a 2-day paddle with the young and talented… Read More
It has been a whirlwind of a month which has most recently landed me back in Victoria BC, Canada (my home waters), but I feel I am only just arriving here and in order to truly arrive, I feel I need to reflect on my magical times in Scotland. I didn’t know it was a dream of mine to paddle in Scotland, until I paddled in the Small Isles last year…. Read More
“It is so tempting to stay in bed when you are only accountable to yourself.”
I’ve been paddling, or trying to paddle, the Cardigan Bay coast in Wales. It has been tough going with weather forecasts haunting my journey. I’ve only been able to make it 40 Nm and have been land bound for 3 of 5 days. I will have to return to finish the coastline. It feels very worthwhile! These are just a few clips of my Vlog project… Raw, unedited and real. Kayaking is… Read More
Check it out!! James Manke, Roger Chandler and I met up with the Phantom Riders from Argentina for a little surf while we were in Chile! Check it out! Big thanks to Pueblo Expeditions and #SKPS #intothewater
It has been a whirlwind these last few months. I say that with the lightest of hearts and with the utmost gratitude! I had a wonderful time at the Bay of Fundy Sea Kayak Symposium in Argyle, Nova Scotia – hosted by Committed 2 the Core. The hospitality and food there is unbeatable, not to mention the faces of a vibrant Sea Kayak Community! Then I was whisked down to Pacific City,… Read More
I started working as a Sea Kayak Guide out of Vancouver Island over 10 years ago. In one of those early summers we (myself and a two other guides) bought charts for our dream trip. It was a trip that was accomplishable in about 8 days; a timespan that might accommodate the short periods of time we had off between working days. The route included some of the more rugged and committing coastline… Read More
Adventures outside of Canada this year have dominated my time. From the coasts of Anglesey and the Llyn Peninsula in North Wales, up towards Scotland and the Inner Hebrides, to the waters off the coast of Tasmania and Australia and even some time spent paddling the oceans and rivers of Chile, it has been non stop paddling this year taking me to a diverse range of beautiful and challenging waters. So it… Read More
Sometimes, when adventure calls, you must answer. I have always been what my mother called a ‘seeker’; my life, it seems, has been based around saying yes, going with the flow and trying to enjoy every moment for what gifts it offers. My adventure to the UK this past winter has taught me so much! It has humbled me as a paddler, created learning opportunities beyond my wildest dreams and shown me… Read More
It’s not every day that a girl gets to go to Scotland and paddle in some of it’s most stunning locations. I hadn’t really imagined paddling in this place before, but Nick Cunliffe and I made it a mission to explore as much as we could in the time we had. I’ve heard of some of the exciting tide races like the Falls of Lora, the Grey Dogs and the whirlpool in… Read More
I had the pleasure of heading out with 9 other paddlers, some locals from Sydney (the New South Wales Sea Kayak Club) and a few from Queensland, out from Watsons Bay…around South Sydney Head and along the cliffs towards Diamond Bay. There was a good collection of paddlers and I felt a bit nervous as most of them were in Tide Race Pace 17’s and there were a few Rockpool Taryns in… Read More
Tasmania!?! The globe trotting adventures continue with an adventure to Australia. I’ve been taking in some of the coastline, messing around in longboats on a few rivers and involved with some training with the local club. What a blast! I can’t wait to check out more of this beautiful ocean!!! I’ve been loving my Werner Sherpa for Coastal Play Sessions, messing around rocky coastlines, surfing the incoming swell…even taking the sea boats… Read More
Location: Pucon, Chile My first adventure to Chile some years ago gave me a taste of some of the white water that Region X (10) has to offer. The Futaleful Valley delivered with beautiful canyons, challenging rapids and a thriving white water community. I have been longing for more and so when the opportunity arose to travel to the mountain town of Pucon, Chile, set beneath the still active Volcano Villarica, cloaked… Read More
Simposio De Kayak Pacifico Sur Location: Valdivia, Chile When I received an email in my inbox in regards to a Sea Kayak Symposium to be hosted by Pueblito Expeditiones in Valdivia, Chile, I did not hesitate once in making my decision to go. I have had the opportunity to paddle in Chile once before in 2008 when I was guiding a few trips in Region XI, the second most southern region of… Read More
It has been a long summer of Sea Kayak Instruction, personal paddling, time with friends and family and the beginning of an Academic Adventure… so of course, I thought it would be great to head out with 3 good friends and 6 Sterlings Kayaks across Canada. We will travel from Victoria BC to Halifax NS, a part of Canada I have still yet to see. The catalyst for this trip is the Bay… Read More
Kate Hives 