Here - Wavelength Paddling Magazine

this month's features:8 Aleutian imagesHeading far west into the Aleutians16 PortfolioImages from Michael Powers22 Into the NightRainforest Chroniclesby Dan Lewis24 The dark side of paddlingKayaking at nightby Adam Bolonsky28 Nutrition strategiesHealth and Fitnessby Rob Stevenson34 Elephants of the seaWildlifeby Chuck Graham81634Regular items:6 News23 Instruction26 Tours and Services36 Kayak-friendlyaccommodation38 Skillsetby Alex Matthews40 Paddle Mealsby Hilary Masson42 Fishing Anglesby Dan Armitage44 New Gear46 Books and VideosContentsFall 2010 Wavelength Magazine 3

the First WordWaveLengthmagazineFall 2010 Volume 20, Number 3PM No. 41687515Editor John KimantasCopy Editing Darrell BellaartWriting not otherwise credited is by Wavelength.Cover Photo:Michael Powers captured hiswife Nani in a reflective momentduring a sunset in Baja. Powers,a member of the TsunamiRangers, presents highlights ofhis photography portfolio onpage 16.WavElEngth is an independent magazine available free athundreds of print distribution sites (paddling shops, outdoorstores, paddling clubs, marinas, events, etc.), and globally onthe web. Also available by subscription.Articles, photos, events, news are all welcome.Find back issues, articles, events, writers guidelines andadvertising information online at wavelengthmagazine.comsubscribe$20 for 1 year – 4 issues$35 for 2 years – 8 issuesWhile Wavelength Magazine is made availablefree, subscriptions ensure the magazine is deliveredto your home and that you will never miss an issue.To subscribe, visitwww.wavelengthmagazine.com/Subscribe.htmlor call 1-866-984-6437.Advertising rates and submission guidelinesavailable at www.wavelengthmagazine.comISSUE AD DEADLINE DISTRIBUTIONWinter 2010 Oct. 1 Nov. 8Spring 2011 Feb. 3 March 8Summer 2011 April 4 May 11Fall 2011 July 1 Aug. 1A product of:Wild Coast Publishing#6 10 Commercial St.Nanaimo, B.C., Canada, V9R 5G2Ph: 1-866-984-6437 • Fax: 1-866-654-1937Email: kayak@wavelengthmagazine.comWebsite: www.wavelengthmagazine.comby John KimantasMarking the first of two milestonesI had a family celebration of sorts on the weekend as I write this, with a good oldfashionedBritish pub roast beef dinner and a Kilkenny to wash it down (the Kilkennywas appropriate – knock on wood – as I will be in Ireland at about the time you read this,possibly hoisting one near where it is made). The celebration was to mark the two yearanniversary of taking over at Wavelength Magazine. Talk about no regrets.It really wasn’t that long ago that I took a beginner’s self-rescue course from BudBell at Sealegs in Ladysmith, then rented a kayak and headedout to some islands just north of Nanaimo, eerily aware ofhow much water was below me. It was a little disconcerting, asI recall. When was that? About 2002, give or take a year. Notlong ago at all.Back in 2005 I quit my job to go kayaking up the BC coast,not really sure what was ahead but sure there was somethingbetter than spending my life in a dreary office (with dueapologies to my coworkers, but let’s face it, we didn’t call it ahamster cage just because we had no windows. And let me tellyou, there is nothing worse than being in an office with no windows on the sunniestdays of the summer). Paddling off into the wild blue yonder probably had a fewpeople shaking their heads wondering what would come of it all, and even I didn’tknow. But I had an idea, no matter how vague, that I could carry it forward somehow.Magazines might not be a blue chip investment for the new millennium, consideringwhat’s happening in the larger picture of the industry (ie. crashing industry-widemagazine subscription numbers and overall dropping readership). But if there’s abright spot, Wavelength is at the epicenter. Consider: our free distribution modelallows us to mirror our content online without restriction, and as we all know onlinereadership is exploding. When I first started at Wavelength we had PDF versions ofthe magazine available on our website for download, which was sort of a novelty, andhelped add a bit of extra readership. We now have a very slick online page-flip formatthat we are making available on a variety of host sites such as Yudu.com andScribd.com, where their millions of online magazine readers can search us out. Pluswe have a new Embed Program where any kayaking-related site can host our magazineonline, adding content and traffic for our hosts – very much a win-win situation. Fromall this we have the very realistic goal to be the best-read kayaking magazine in theworld, and we’re not that far away as it is right now. Not bad for what was considered asmall regional player in the paddlesports publishing world.Not only are we making the online magazine more available to the world atlarge, we’re developing new online capabilities. If you haven’t visited our websitelately, please take a look at the demos we have. My favorite: a static magazine article,and suddenly the kayaks in the photograph start paddling away... It’s very cool, butvery soon we will be layering in so much extra content in the online version (video,slideshows, etc.) you’ll want to read both the print and online copies.Wavelength Magazine turns 20 next year, which is a chance to celebrate anothermilestone. We’ll be looking at the past and to the future. And it’s a wonderfully brightpast, and future, indeed.- John Kimantas© 2010. Copyright is retained on all material (text, photos and graphics) in this magazine.No reproduction is allowed of any material in any form, print or electronic, for any purpose,except with the permission of Wild Coast Publishing.Some elements in maps in this magazine are reproduced withthe permission of Natural Resources Canada 2010, courtesyof the Atlas of Canada. Also, our thanks to Geobase for someelements that may appear on Wavelength maps.Wavelength Magazine is dedicated to making self-propelledcoastal exploration fun and accessible. Safety and travelinformation is provided to augment pre-existing safetyand knowledge. A safety course and proper equipment areadvised before any exploration on water. See a list of paddlinginstruction locations at www.wavelengthmagazine.comVancouver Islandshoreline near Yellow Point,not far from our Nanaimo office.4 Wavelength Magazine Fall 2010

Fall 2010 Wavelength Magazine 5

newsGreat Island Race attempts delayedIt had all the trappings of a classic event:two separate but simultaneous attempts toset the speed record for circumnavigatingVancouver Island.Colin Angus was set to depart from PortHardy in mid-June, with Joe O’Blenis tostart roughly the same date from Comox.Colin was rowing a specially built expeditionrowboat; Joe was to recapture the solospeed record he set in 2007 in a kayak.The goal is to be the fastest to completethe 1,150-km circuit of Vancouver Island,which means beating Sean Morley’s currentrecord of 17 days, 4 hours and 49 minutes.Sean set that in 2008.However, training difficulties plaguedboth Joe and Colin. Due to a persistentback problem, Colin is postponing hisattempt for a year, with a planned start inmid-June, 2011. Joe has now pushed backhis start date to mid-August of this year,meaning he could be underway as you readthis, if all goes according to plan.Wavelength Magazine will be postingupdates of Joe’s attempt online. For moreinformation on the Great Island Race andprevious attempts, see the Great IslandRace page at wavelengthmagazine.com/islandrace.htmlthere’s still time toClean up the CoastThere’s still time to register forWavelength Magazine’s 2010 CleanUp the Coast contest to win a greatselection of prizes, from paddles andrescue equipment to a scale modelkayak and a Desolation Sound kayaktour. Prizes will be awarded this fallto individuals, club event participantsand retail event participants who helpremove trash from beaches.The event was created to raiseawareness of the opportunity forkayakers to take part in coastalstewardship. To see a full list ofprizes and to register, please visitwavelengthmagazine.com/clean.6 Wavelength Magazine Fall 2010

newsFall 2010 Wavelength Magazine 7

adventure Kayakingstory and images by Rob averyAleutian images“The habitations are holes dug in the earth, covered with a roof, overwhich the earth is thrown; when they have stood for some time theybecome overgrown with grass, so that a village has the appearance of anEuropean church-yard full of graves.”– Remarks and Observations on a Voyage Around the World from 1803 to1807 by Georg Heinrich von Langsdorff.photo by Stan Chladek8 8 Wavelength Magazine Fall Fall 2010 2010

the aleutian islandsFall 2010 Wavelength Magazine 11

adventure KayakingVol. 9 states: “The weather of the AleutianIslands is characterized by persistentovercast skies, high winds and violentstorms. No other area in the world isrecognized as having worse weather ingeneral than that which the Aleutian Islandsexperience.” It piqued my interest andmotivated me to find a way to travel fartherinto the Aleutians.A few months later I was contactedby Stan Chladek, a veteran kayaker andexplorer, to supply Valley Nordkapp kayaksfor his upcoming kayak expedition to theAndreanof Islands in the western Aleutians.I jokingly said, “I may stowaway in one ofthe hatches so I can come along.” And soI became the fourth member of the teamand was given this incredible opportunityto paddle and experience, first-hand, thebirthplace of kayaking. We wanted todiscover for ourselves who the Aleut were,how they lived and learn a little of theregion’s history.Launching from Shagak Bay on thenorthwest coast of Adak, we lookedacross Adak Strait 12 miles to the island ofKanaga and had a clear view of Kanagavolcano at 1,307 metres (4,288 feet). TheCoast Pilot for the region states, “KanagaVolcano could be utilized as a means forforecasting bad weather. The volcano peakis seldom absolutely clear of clouds. DuringApril 1934, it was observed that invariablythe day or night before a gale the peakmade its appearance, shorn of all cloudsand with wisps of steam around the crater.”The volcano is a magnificent sight, but alsoa harbinger of the contrasts we were toencounter during our three-week sojourninto new waters exploring the west coastof Adak Island and those of Kanaga andTanaga Islands.We were not the first white explorersto visit the western Aleutians. In 1741 theRussian government commissioned theDanish captain Vitus Jonassen Bering for“a voyage of discovery” in two ships, theSt. Peter and St. Paul, to chart the NorthernPacific. This expedition landed very brieflyon a few islands, including Adak, andclaimed Alaska for Russia. The Germannaturalist, George Wilhelm Steller, who wasa member of the expedition, kept extensivejournals of the voyage and gave his nameto many plants, animals and landmarks heAbove: contamination is still very much inevidence from oil drums abandoned at aWorld War Two era radio outpost on AdakIsland; right: orange sea cucumbers in therich Aleutian Islands intertidal zone.found during the voyage (for example, theSteller’s Jay, Steller sea lion, gumboot chiton(Cryptochiton stelleri), and the now extinctSteller’s sea cow). Many of the survivingsailors of the expedition brought back seaotter pelts for trade and thus started thegold rush for otter furs. Later, with the seaotter population at near-extinction levels,the Russians introduced Arctic foxes tosome of the islands with the intent ofalso harvesting them for their luxuriousfur. In 1867, when the U.S. purchasedAlaska from Russia, the foxes and nativeAleut population were largely forgotten.However, the foxes flourished and havehad a significant detrimental impact on thenesting bird population (with no naturalmammals, no trees or predators on theislands, the birds nest on the ground andare extremely vulnerable).Halfway through our journey we madecamp at Hot Spring Bay on Tanaga Islandnext to an abandoned fox trapper’s cabin.Our intent was to explore the surroundingarea to search for the site of an Aleutvillage and have a bath in the hot spring.The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service builtthis cabin in 2004, next to the ruin of aRussian-era camp, as a summer residencefor modern fox trappers employed toeradicate the feral foxes from Tanaga. Thetrappers were successful and the ravishedbird population has rebounded. However,18 years ago on the neighboring island ofKanaga the program was not successful.While the US Fish and Wildlife Serviceattempted to eradicate the foxes, somesurvived and they continue to breed today.We saw several dens and foxes at everybeach we camped at on Kanaga. The birdlife and bird count is markedly differentbetween Tanaga and Kanaga, illustratingthe impact that an introduced speciescan have on native fauna, even if justmiles apart. Other islands, like Adak andKiska, also have rats, introduced via ships,which now prey on the nesting birds andthese predators are extremely difficult toeradicate.It was a rather sobering realization thatthe eradication of foxes from the AleutianIslands marks the true end of the Russianinfluence in the area. While nature is slowlyrecovering, sadly, the Aleut population andthe culture of this hardy race are gone.u12 Wavelength Magazine Fall 2010

the aleutian islandsFor kayakers by kayakersRecreation maps that bringthe BC coast to life.New for 2010! Broughtons/JohnstoneEach map renderedin full color bothsides on 22x36”heavy stock andcomes in a handyresealable slip bag.others in the series:• Clayoquot Sound• Broken Group Islands/Barkley Sound• Desolation Sound andthe Discovery Islands• The North Coast Trailand north VancouverIsland.New for 2010! The Gulf Islandsat better kayaking/outdoor stores everywhere ororder online: wavelengthmagazine.com/orderonlineFall 2010 Wavelength Magazine 13

adventure KayakingDuring our trip, color was everywhere.The contrasting hues of spring werebursting through winter’s grays andbrowns as the birds and flowers made theirindividual displays in an effort to survive.The hills were turning green before our eyesand the sky was a constantly shifting patternof blues, grays and white. Below the water,the ocean was also displaying its range ofcolors with sea stars, crabs, anemones,kelp and sponges. Every beach, nook andcranny in the rocks and even the uplandsabove the tide line were dotted with brightcolors too, but these were not the huesof spring. These were man-made colors.Modern man’s impact was everywhere andvery evident; even in this, one of the mostremote refuges anywhere. While the BeringSea and North Pacific are giving up theirharvest to an uneducated consumer market,the fishing fleet is giving back in its ownunique way. Fishing debris in the form ofneon buoys of all sizes, nets and lines wereon every beach. While the large, soft buoysmade wonderful beach chairs (deflate thema little and they are just like beanbags!),they should not have been there. We wouldhave gladly done without the comfort inexchange for a more pristine environment.Part of the reason for my trip, andalso my own way of giving back to theenvironment, was to conduct a beachsurvey for the Marine ConservationAlliance Foundation (www.mcafoundation.org/marine.html). This will enable thefoundation to document the impact ofthe commercial international fishingfleet in this remote but not so pristinearea in order to solicit funds for cleanupoperations. As we paddled around thecoastline, I was snapping pictures of boththe natural wonders of the Aleutiansand the thoughtlessness of man. Withthe Aleutian Islands lying between therich marine environments of the NorthPacific and Bering Sea, the tide constantlyflows back and forth between the islands’narrow passes. The islands form a naturalsieve between these giant bodies of water,which not only traps nutrients for marinelife but catches any flotsam and jetsamthat passes by. This area is one of the fewbreeding grounds for the Steller sea lionand fishing debris creates the real dangerof entanglement by discarded and brokenExploring the intriguingcolumnar basaltvolcanic shoreline atNaga Pointon Kanaga Island.nets. The sea otter, harbor and fur seal,and countless whales live and traverse thiscoastline and are also vulnerable to injuryand drowning by the nets and lines. I wish Ihad not seen all this color, but hopefully myreport to MCAF will make a difference andwill make the coastline a little less colorfuland safer in the future.Toward the end of our trip, we campedin The Bay of Islands on Adak and pokedaround the area, again looking for old Aleutvillage sites. We headed over to a nearbycove where a site once existed. On a lowbluff above the cove we saw what lookedlike rusty oil drums, so we landed to take alook. Hundreds of 55-gallon drums werecompletely rusted through and had longdischarged their diesel fuel into the earth.This was an abandoned World War Two14 Wavelength Magazine Fall 2010

For more information:Getting there: Alaska Airlines offers (weatherpermitting) twice weekly service fromAnchorage to Adak.alaska maritime National Wildlife refuge:alaska.fws.gov/nwr/akmar/index.htmFox and other invasive species program:alaskamaritime.fws.gov/whatwedo/bioprojects/restorebiodiversity/restoremain.htmaleutian Islands Biosphere reserve:alaskamaritime.fws.gov/wildlife-wildlands/wildlands/biosphere.htmalaskan area weather:www.arh.noaa.gov/For direct links: Visit the online version ofWavelength Magazine atwww.wavelengthmagazine.com and click onthe text above to save typing.radio site, complete with the radio, antennaarray, generator and fuel tanks. The buildingshave collapsed and been blown away by theAleutian winds, but the leftovers and thecontamination remain.Just over the bluff, we found the Aleutianvillage site comprised of a series of smalldepressions in the ground where their“barabaras” had once been. What a starkcontrast from the U.S. military site, left only 60years ago, to this ancient Aleut village. It is a sadreminder of what we have become.There is so much to learn from this remoteregion. It is an area full of contrasts: it hasa rich environment; fauna and flora; activevolcanoes; an interesting history and extremeweather. I spent only three weeks in thisamazing place: visiting Aleut village sites;observing the wildlife hunted by the Aleut forclothing and food; paddling the same waterthey paddled in their skin-on-frame “iqak”;making the same crossings they made; dealingwith the same environment in which theylived. I have gained a deep appreciation forthe Aleut but I have only the beginnings of anunderstanding of these people. I hope to goback…I plan to go back… I will go back.

Photographyby Michael Powershen a rare tranquil day like todaycomes to the often tempestuous Straitof Juan de Fuca, it becomes magical.The bow of our sleek double kayakslices smoothly across the mirror-like surface of thewater, and long ripples radiate out in all directions toundulate hypnotically beneath the light of the summersun. Our sea kayaking team from California, theTsunami Rangers, paddles languidly westward towardshistoric Cape Flattery on the distant horizon.Riding with me today in the front cockpit of myopen-deck Tsunami X-2 double kayak is a young kayakguide named Sasha, who has traveled all the way fromNew Zealand to paddle with the Rangers. We followthe others on a slalom course through the rock gardensthat line the rugged shoreline, searching for a protectedcampsite for the night. Sasha’s enchantment with theother-worldly panorama of storm-weathered stone andserpentine kelp forests unfolding before us is palpable,and I strive to capture the magic of the scene with mylittle waterproof digital camera.Sea kayaking and watersports in general evolved fromthe most basic of human needs: hunger. Millennia ago,ingenious stone-age hunter/gatherers began to craftvessels from driftwood, animal skin and bone so theycould pursue the game they could see abounding in the16 Wavelength Magazine Fall 2010

PhotographyOregonCoastThe Tsunami Rangers are known for close-up, action-packed photos and videos of kayakers crashing through waves andover rocks, but sometimes it is refreshing to step back and take a more contemplative, wide angle shot that places yoursubject in the context of a scenic environment. Here in a beautiful and well-hidden little cove on the southern Oregon coast,surrounded by high cliffs and inaccessible except from the water, I disembarked from my kayak and climbed up on a rockpromontory to capture a wide angle shot of Ranger Tim Sullivan as he prepared to re-enter the sea.20 Wavelength Magazine Fall 2010

BaidarkasunsetMichael Powers portfolioOn a summer paddling adventure among the San Juan Islands, we arrivedat tiny Patos Island just before sunset. I landed and ran to set up my camera,equipped with a 300mm telephoto lens on a tripod, while my companionscontinued to paddle their baidarka-style double kayak as the sun was setting. Iknew from experience that shooting from shore with a long lens would makethe sun appear large in relationship to the kayak in the foreground and add adramatic mood to the photograph.Sunset danceSometimes the photo magiclingers long after the paddling isdone for the day. At a well-hiddenmicro-beach on the southernOregon coast, the sky continuedto grow even more vivid aftersunset, inspiring the TsunamiRangers to break into a martialarts reverie. I mounted my SLR ona tripod and shot the after-glow.about Michael PowersMichael Powers is a professional adventure photojournalist, widely published,and a commander in the Tsunami Rangers, an “extreme condition” sea kayakingteam. He and fellow Ranger commander Eric Soares wrote the book Extreme SeaKayaking, published by McGraw-Hill.Fall 2010 Wavelength Magazine 21

night paddlingI imagine pterodactyls must have soundedway back when. River otters come up to eatcrabs they’ve caught, floating on the surfacemaking a delicate crunching noise notunlike humans at a crab bar.Some of the scariest paddling I’ve everdone has been on the open coast at night.During an expedition down the WashingtonCoast in November one year, we were tryingto make it to an archaeological dig at Ozette.Headwinds delayed our progress, and it waspitch black at suppertime when we arrived.Our friends were staying with thearchaeologists, and we could see the lightsin their cabin, so we headed in towardthe light. We could hear surf crashing allaround us in the dark, but what choicedid we have? In the morning we woketo see the low tide exposing a ledge ofrocks covered in boulders. A canoe run tothe village had been cleared through theboulders centuries earlier, and by headingfor the light we had come right in on thecorrect line! I’ve made a point since thenof getting off the water before dark whenpaddling open coast.If you want to enter the world ofkayaking at night, my advice is to wait untilyou are an experienced paddler, familiarwith the gear and kayaking in general. Pick alocation without wind, waves, current, surf,fog, or traffic. Preferably choose a place youpaddle a lot, so you are very familiar withthe topography. Choose paddling partnerswith similar or greater skill levels. Stay closetogether and maintain audio and visualcontact – glow sticks are handy. Countingoff can be helpful with a larger group, butinevitably someone forgets their numberand the rest of the group has to chime in –“Dave, you’re number four!”There are many reasons to find yourselfpaddling in the dark, whether a boldadventure in a controlled setting, a scarymisadventure, or an expedient attempt toInstructionKayak Academy (Seattle)Experience IS Necessary! Since 1991, the KayakAcademy has been providing the best sea kayakexperience you can get. Count on us for all yourpaddling gear.Phone: 206.527.1825 or toll-free 866.306.1825Web: www.kayakacademy.comEmail: info@kayakacademy.comHooksum Outdoor SchoolWest Coast outdoor leadership Training. Qualityskills training and Hesquiaht traditional knowledgefor those pursuing a career or employment in theoutdoors. Certification courses include: Paddle CanadaSea Kayaking Levels I & II, Advanced Wilderness FirstAid, Lifesaving, BOAT & ROC(M). Visiting Kayak & HikingGroups: Base your Hesquiaht Harbour adventures fromour Longhouse. Meals and overnight stays availablein 2010.Phone: 250.670.1120Web: www.hooksumschool.comEmail: info@hooksumschool.comcatch favourable conditions with an alpinestylepre-dawn start. If you feel called bythe night spirits, proceed cautiously and youmay find you’ve opened up another worldof paddling opportunities.

Safety and PlanningBy adam BolonskyThe dark side ofEqUIPPING YoUrSElF with theskills and equipment you needto paddle at night has manyadvantages, not the least of which isthe chance to lengthen your paddlingdays as the approach of winter bringsshorter days. You can stay out after darkif you want. If you’re a miles burner whoneeds to make miles on a daily basis,you can comfortably push on aftersunset, or leave before dawn, in regionsaround the world where late afternoonsea breezes or conditions after sunrisemay be daunting. and if you’re a fisher,becoming comfortable paddling at nightwill give you a leg up on the season’sbest migratory pelagic fishing – those 36inch-plus bluefish and striped bass that,here on the east coast at least, are at theirmost active at night.one skill is important: the ability tokeep your hips loose for better balanceand mobility in waves, chop and swell. Bylearning to paddle with loose hips andknees pressed against the underside ofthe foredeck or splayed out against eitherside of the cockpit, the more readilythe kayak sways and dips beneath yourupper body. meanwhile, keep your uppertorso upright and balanced. Paddle withloose hips and your kayak will absorbthe motions of rough water, leavingyour upper body level. You can paddlemore efficiently and have your arms andshoulders in position to lay down a brace.and with that kinesthetic sense of whereyour body lies in relation to the horizon,you’re less prone to seasickness.loose hips means you’re relaxed in thecockpit and better equipped to deal withnighttime paddling’s challenges, amongthem a reduced ability to judge the speedand height of swell and waves. Paddlewith your eyes closed for a few hundredyards every once in a while and you’ll findthat your hips will loosen, and that yourbalance and confidence while paddling indarkness will increase steadily.Night paddling means you’ll also needpaddlingExtend yourkayaking seasonby paddling in thedark but play itsmart – follow afew simple rules fornight paddling funto invest in a few pieces of specializedgear. First off, to be legal on the waterbetween sunset and sunrise, you needto be able to show a white light visible ina 360° circumference. although lightingregulations in local jurisdictions likelakes and ponds, municipal harbors, etc.often fall under the jurisprudence oflocal rather than federal law enforcementand so may require different lightingschemes, in most cases you’re legalon water at night with an inexpensiveC-light. Typically powered by aabatteries, the velcro-strapped C-lightis about the size and diameter of a felttip marker, and small enough to strapto the shoulder of a PFD. manufacturedwith waterproof gaskets, they includea plump, bulbous lens which magnifiestheir low watt glow into a distinct, hardshard of bright light.That will cover the federal lightingrequirement for boats under 18 feet in24 Wavelength Magazine Fall 2010

length. Just keep in mind that lightingregulations for waters under localjurisdiction can be quirky. Not infrequenthas been the night when a sea kayaker litto federal standards with a white C-lighthas been stopped and cited by local lawenforcement. In violation of local if notsimply misinformed versions of lightingschemes, some kayakers have foundthemselves stopped at night for notcarrying green lights to starboard, redlights to port. So be sure to check localregulations by making a phone call tothe local harbormaster if you anticipatepaddling at night in waters where you areless likely to encounter the Coast GuardThe last rays of the day in NuchatlitzProvincial Park, Vancouver Island.John Kimantas photoand more likely to encounter local lawenforcement with their own versions ofwhat’s legal at night.Now that you’re as legal as can beexpected in most waters, other lightsyou’ll want to carry are a matter ofadditional convenience and safety.among them are glosticks, lED lampsand a red night vision light. Together theymake for better group cohesion, fasternavigation and easier landings at nightcome time to drag your kayak abovethe high water mark. It’s a good idea tobuy an lED headlamp that you can usehands-free. landing will be easier if youcan see what you’re hauling your kayakover, and setting up camp for the nightwill go faster if you can see what you’redoing. lED headlamps are a particularlygood choice; most have very long batterylives and multiple brightnesses. The bestfor kayakers are submersible, waterproofand of rugged durability.as for group cohesion, and to ensurethat members of a group can keep trackof each other, it’s a good idea to buy adozen or so chemlights, also known asglosticks. They’re inexpensive. activatea couple of chemlights with a snap or ashake and tie one to your bow toggle,the other to the stern. The two faint dabsof yellowish light are just enough brightfor everyone in a group to keep tabs oneach other. Just don’t make the mistakeof using green or red glosticks which canbe mistaken for port and starboard lights.They will mislead other boaters, and mayget you cited for improper light use.another piece of night paddlinggear handy to have is a night compass.Seattle Sports makes a pretty decentif somewhat delicately made nightcompass, called the Nightquest, whichhouses a red night vision binnaclelight. You’ll also want a short-burstemergency strobe and eight strips ofSolaS retroreflective tape. SolaS tape,an acronym for the Safety of life atSea treaty signed worldwide after theTitanic disaster, is rugged, durable andwaterproof. apply a strip to each side ofyour paddle blade and to the starboardand port sides of your bow and stern. allwill reflect back bright, distinct flashes ofif illuminated by moonlight, a flashlightnight Paddlingor other source of light.To add more visibility to yourselfand your boat, it’s also a good idea toconsider retrofitting your deck lineswith the reflective dacron line used asstakeout lines on mountaineering tents.also be sure to buy a PFD with sewn-inreflective bands which make you easier tospot should you become separated fromyour kayak after a capsize. With SolaStape on your boat and reflective stripson your PFD, you’ll be that much morevisible to the powerboats, ferries andfishing vessels that run at night. Everyonein your group will be visible.Finally, it’s good practice to carryan emergency strobe light. Universallyrecognized as a distress signal, strobelights emit short bursts of high intensitylight readily seen by overflying aircraftand nearby boaters. activate the strobeafter you make contact with rescuepersonnel via VHF Channel 16, or, inmore dire consequences, rocket flaresif you need to signal an emergency.Don’t be tempted to use a strobe as anightlight though – they’re meant onlyfor emergency signaling.If you’re looking for lights that meetmany night paddling needs at the sametime, many companies sell multi-functionlights. The Hydrostar lights, for example,from Seattle Sports, use lED bulbsand a twisting base switch to switchbetween strobe functions, flashlights ofvarying intensities, and red night-visionlights handy for illuminating charts andcompasses (or fishing gear) at night.The roughly 6.5-inch tall lights havesuction cups for attaching to the fore oraft deck, and include spring clips andlanyards for attaching to PFDs. They’rereasonably well made if rather bulky. Theonly caveat is to choose a multi-functionlight carefully. For example, of SeattleSports’ three multi-function lights, onlytwo emit strobe bursts both verticallyand horizontally, making the remainingmodel useful only for vertical hand-heldsignaling.

tours and ServicesTours and Services: British ColumbiaRelax and travel with the expertsThe best way to enjoy the coast is by tour. Let the professionals take care of the details, takeyou to the best locations and provide you with the luxuries not possible on a self-guided tour.Plus you don’t have to worry about transporting your kayak and gear. Please say you saw thelisting in Wavelength Magazine when you contact a tour operator. Thank you!Wilderness Sea KayakingFamily sea kayaking tours with wilderness retreatcamping comforts, spectacular kayaking options,diverse wildlife, cultural activities, and professionalguides. Sharing the remote Kyuquot area, NorthwestVancouver Island since 1972!Phone: 1.800.665.3040 or 250.338.2511Web: www.westcoastexpeditions.comEmail: info@westcoastexpeditions.comLund Kayak Tours & RentalsKayak tours, lessons, rentals & marine delivery.Desolation Sound, Mitlenatch Island, Copeland Islandsmarine parks. Personalized service, stunning scenery,fascinating history, delicious organic lunches. Family /child friendly programs.Phone: 1.888.552.5558 OR 604.483.7900Web: www.terracentricadventures.comEmail: fun@terracentricadventures.comKayak Haida GwaiiAmong the world's top paddling destinations, GwaiiHaanas is an awe-inspiring oasis of wilderness at thesouthern tip of Haida Gwaii. Enjoy memorable, safeand affordable multi-day kayak adventures.Web: www.gckayaking.comEmail: paddle@gckayaking.comPhone: 250-559-4682Gabriola Sea KayakingKayaking adventures in the Broken Group, ClayoquotSound , Broughton Archipelago, Kyuquot Sound ,Nootka Island and the Gulf Islands. Unforgettablepaddling and great people since 1995. See you onthe water!Phone: 250-247-0189Web: www.kayaktoursbc.com26 Wavelength Magazine Fall 2010

tours and ServicesTours and Services: British ColumbiaOdyssey KayakingBC Ferries port; Gateway to Northern and CentralBC Coast destinations. Sales, Rentals, Lessons, Tripplanning, and Custom Tours. 8625 Shipley Street(across from the Post Office) Port Hardy.Phone: 250-949-7392 or cell 250-230-8318Email: odyssey@island.netWeb: www.odysseykayaking.comKayak Desolation SoundRent kayaks from waterfront locations in Lund orOkeover Inlet. Try the Famous Aquarium Kayak Tour orsnorkel at Urchin Alley. All-inclusive multi-day trips intoDesolation & Mountains.Phone: Toll free 1-866-617-4444Web: www.bcseakayak.comEmail: info@bcseakayak.comElements Women's TravelAdventure tours for women. Unique day and multi-daytours in the coastal waters of BC. Custom itineraries forwomen, all designed to 'get into your element'!Phone: 250-245-9580Web: www.elementstravel.comEmail: info@elementstravel.comPaddle with sea ottersKayak transport between Zeballos and Nootka Island,Nuchatlitz Park and Friendly Cove. Kayak rentals.CEDarS INN rooms and restaurant in a historicZeballos lodge. Good food, friendly service.Phone: 1-866-222-2235Web: www. zeballosexpeditions.comEmail: info@zeballosexpeditions.comTours and Services: East CanadaSealegs Kayaking AdventuresSealegs’ Eco-Adventure Centre offers waterfront accessat Transfer Beach Ladysmith. Guided wilderness tours,rentals, lessons and sales from our pro shop. Multi-dayadventures, FREE lessons with tours and rentals.Phone: 250-245-4096 or 1-877-KAYAK BC (529-2522)Web: www.sealegskayaking.comEmail: info@sealegskayaking.comTours and Services: AlaskaTours and Services: TropicalTours and Services: YukonKanoe People Ltd.Explore Yukon's great rivers and lakes! Rentals, sales,guided tours and logistic services. Cabin rentalssummer and winter on the scenic Lake Laberge.Outfitting on the Yukon for over 35 years.Web: www.kanoepeople.comEmail: info@kanoepeople.comPhone: 867-668-4899Kayak Transport Co.a mothership Serving SE alaska. Kayaking fromthe comforts of a mothership for a week. Paddlingour boats and exploring fantastic scenery and wildlife.Eating fresh caught Alaskan seafood. How good doesit get?!Email: staff@kayaktransport.comWeb: www.kayaktransport.comPhone: (206) 719-0976Fall 2010 Wavelength Magazine 27

health and FitnessBy Roy StevensonNutrition strategiesWhether training to race, or to just paddle longer, carefulattention to your diet can vastly improve your recovery timesports nutrition has come a long way, and is easilyone of the most researched disciplines in exercise science.Literally thousands of research papers have been written onrecovery nutrition.We need to pay attention to recovering properly from our kayaktraining simply because the human body is not designed for theextended, rigorous, high-intensity workouts that we put ourselvesthrough. It’s a wonder we don’t break down more often than we do.The benefits of recovering properly from these hard trainingefforts are clear. The kayaker who recovers quickly can train hardagain with a shorter recovery time, add more quality training inhis schedule, suffer fewer injuries and gain an enhanced immunesystem. All this translates into a fitter, faster and healthier paddler.The strategies we use to speed up our post training recoveryare rehydration, glycogen resynthesis and protein and antioxidantsupplementation. These techniques replenish our muscle fuelsupplies, hasten the repair of muscle damage and combat freeradical formation in our cells.But the devil is in the details. You can pop vitamin pills, drinkprotein powder shakes, guzzle sports drinks, and eat all thecarbohydrates you can stomach, but if you don’t eat and drink theright kinds of food, drink and supplements at the right time, you’llbe wasting your time and money. It’s not just what you eat but whenyou eat it that counts in your recovery. Here’s how to use recoverynutrition to get the most out of yourself after your hard trainingand long kayaking efforts.Post-training rehydration: replace water, electrolytesYour first priority is to fully replace muscle and plasma fluid andelectrolyte losses immediately after kayaking. Weigh yourself beforeand after your training effort and make sure you drink the lostweight back within an hour or two of finishing. In fact, aim to drink125 percent of the weight you lost from sweating because you stillcontinue to sweat while you are rehydrating.28 Wavelength Magazine Fall 2010

Proper training nutritionRecent research shows that we absorb more fluid whenelectrolytes are added to water, thus achieving better restoration ofbody water. Sodium in particular helps retain water and stimulatesthirst.Use carbohydrates to replenish glycogen storesCarbohydrates consumed immediately after and from two to fivehours after exerciseThe Goals of Nutritional Recovery:• Replace fluids and electrolytes• Replenish energy stores (glycogen,ATP, etc)• Hasten muscle, tendon and ligamenttissue repair• Reduce residual delayed onsetmuscle soreness and pain (DOMS)• Return immune system to healthystatusenhance muscleglycogen restoration.This is most effectiveif ingested fromfluid, because fluidabsorption is fasterthan digestion ofsolid foods. EdwardCoyle, Ph.D., exercisephysiologist at theUniversity of Texasin Austin, says thefirst two hours after your workout are the most crucial for gettingglycogen into your system.“The muscles absorb glycogen like a sponge,” he says, but “fourto six hours after training the absorption rate starts to decline.”Choose carbohydrate-rich fluids to replace your water losses,electrolytes and muscle glycogen. Reading the labels of sportsdrinks is important because many of them are simply soft drinksin disguise, with excess amounts of sugar and caffeine. Select fruitjuices or reputable sports drinks according to your preference – andthere’s no rule that says you can’t drink both.You’ll know you’re rehydrating adequately when you starturinating again, which can be several hours after training. Urineshould be clear and pale. Despite the refreshing taste, beer (or anyother alcohol) is counterproductive to good recovery because itsdiuretic effect prevents you from rehydrating properly at a criticaltime.a carbohydrate/protein mix replenishes glycogen fasterResearchers have discovered that carbohydrate-rich fluids, whenmixed with protein, have an important benefit. They’ve found thata mixture of protein and carbohydrate taken immediately afterexercise tops up our glycogen and amino acid stores much fasterthan a carbohydrate solution alone.The general consensus is that carbohydrate-protein mixes doublethe insulin response and increases the rate of glycogen synthesisby 30 percent. Since insulin is the hormone that takes up sugarand deposits it into our muscle cells, it follows that a solutionthat creates a high insulin response will build high intramuscularglycogen levels, and do this quickly.How much protein is needed for this synergistic glycogenbuilding effect? We recommend that athletes ingest 0.4 grams ofprotein per kilogram of body weight immediately after training andagain two hours later.The protein is best absorbed in the form of whey or caseinuMain background image modified with stylized filter.race day at Deep Cove Kayaks, North Vancouver / photo by Viviane NishikioriFall 2010 Wavelength Magazine 29

health and Fitnesssuppression and oxidative stress caused bykayaking.Antioxidants, produced naturally in thebody, or obtained from our food, blockmost free radical reactions. Evidenceexists that certain antioxidant supplementsreduce free radical damage in athletes. Onestudy found that five months of vitamin Esupplementation in racing cyclists reducedmarkers of oxidative stress induced byextreme endurance exercise.Some studies show that Vitamin E canreduce leakage of cell membranes to resultin less creatine kinase (an inflammatoryenzyme) and several other indicators ofoxidative stress. Another study foundthat three grams a day of Vitamin Cadministered for two weeks before and twoweeks after damaging eccentric exercisesignificantly reduced onset muscle sorenessand pain in their subjects.Monique Ryan, in her excellent bookSports Nutrition for Endurance Athletes,summarizes: “For endurance athletes they(supplements) are crucially important.Because of your training and stress itimposes on your body, you may need higheramounts of vitamins and minerals thansedentary people. And, as an athlete, youhave a highly vested interest in keeping yourimmune system healthy so that illness doesnot put a halt to your training.”She continues, “Vitamins and mineralsare essential for metabolizing energy,building body tissue, maintaining fluidbalance and carrying oxygen in the body.guidelines for vitaminsupplements• Take your multivitamin supplementwith a meal to enhance absorption.• Choose a supplement in which themajority of vitamin A is actually betacarotene.Vitamin A, or retinol, shouldnot exceed 3,000 IU daily.• A blend of synthetic and naturalsupplements is fine. Look for a mixof vitamin E from tocopherols andtocotrienols. Don’t pay more for “timerelease”or “chelated” products.• If you take antioxidant supplements,keep doses to 100 to 200 IU ofvitamin E and 250 milligrams ofvitamin C.• Choose a multiple vitamin inwhich the vitamin D source is D3, orcholecalciferol, the type that is bestabsorbed.Vitamins and minerals also play a role inreducing the oxidative stress that is broughton by endurance training.”Immune system recoveryOnly one nutritional substance has beenshown to enhance the immune system inathletes. That is drinking a carbohydratesolution during and after enduranceexercise. Drinking one litre per hour oftypical sports drinks has been shown tolower blood cortisol and epinephrine levels,reduce adverse changes in blood immunecells and lower anti-inflammatories such ascytokine.Proteins also play an important rolein helping our body fight off infection,especially in the two hours or soafter exercise when we’re particularlysusceptible to catching upper respiratorytract infections. As proteins make up theinfection-fighting agents like macrophages,immunoglobins and white blood cells,ingesting proteins after strenuous exercisewill in all probability help us fight anyintruding infections and bacteria.I’d suggest that you adopt a holisticapproach when devising your nutritionalrecovery program, and attempt to usecarbohydrate/protein sports drinks, fluidswith adequate electrolytes, and antioxidantsupplements as indicated. If you persistwith this program you should find thatyour health is improved and your kayakingperformance is significantly improved aftera few months.

Fall 2010 Wavelength Magazine 33

WildlifeBy Chuck GrahamThis growing colony of northern elephant seals along thecentral California coast began in November 1990 withjust a dozen animals. Today there are over 12,000. FromVancouver Island down to Baja, California, there are 17northern elephant seal rookeries.Elephants of the seathe beach at Seal Point on SanMiguel Island was standing roomonly. Make that wallowing roomonly. Every inch of sand was covered bynorthern elephant seals. As I paddled bythe crowded, craggy cove, I came upon aswirling submerged rock. Or so I thought.Suddenly, two bull elephant seals broke thesurface on either side of my kayak, their bigbloodshot eyes rolling back in their heads,their floppy snouts snorting saltwater beforesubmerging once again.Encounters with elephant seals werenearly non-existent 200 years ago. From1818 to 1860, elephant seals were huntedby whalers to the brink of extinction. Theirblubber was coveted for its high-quality oil,which was used for lubricating machinery,lamp oil and for paint, soap and waterproofclothing. One 4,000 pound bull elephantseal could yield nearly 25 gallons of oil.Entire rookeries were easily slaughteredbecause of the elephant seal’s awkwardnesson the beach. Whalers used boat hooksto herd the pinnipeds to shore where theywere beaten with heavy clubs. Stricken withfear, the elephant seals instinctively headedOnce considered extinct, northern elephant sealsare finding new life in Mexico and Californiafor the safe haven of the sea. However,this only played into the hands of thewhalers, saving them the trouble of havingto transport the heavy carcasses from thebeach to their ships. Many helpless pupswere trampled while the adults tried toescape.By 1892, elephant seals were believedto be extinct, so seal hunters turned theirThe size differential between the male andfemale. Sometimes pups get crushed bybulls looking to mate with females.attention to other marine mammals.However, fishermen found a small rookeryof between 20 to 100 elephant sealson faraway Guadalupe Island off BajaCalifornia.The Mexican government was the firstto provide protection for the massivepinnipeds on the desolate islet. As thecolony grew at an estimated six to eightpercent per year, elephant seals colonizednew sites and expanded their rookeriesnorthward into California. However, ittook until 1972 for the United Statesgovernment to pass the Marine MammalProtection Act to protect seals fromhunting and harassment. With the additionof the Elephant Seal Closure Law, the sealsare ensured protection. It also protectssignificant waters securing much-neededhabitat for aquatic species. Its mission is tomanage marine areas to protect current andfuture generations of all marine mammals.u34 Wavelength Magazine Fall 2010

elephant sealsan alpha male rearing back displayingits dominance within its territory. Notethe raw, scarred neck from countlessbattles with other bulls.SuMMeR Fall 2010 Wavelength Magazine 35

Chart BHeadwindSpeedSpeed MadeGoodBased on2.5 knotpaddling speed0 knots 2.5-0=2.5 knots5 knots 2.5-0.5=2 knots10 knots 2.5-1=1.5 knots15 knots 2.5-1.5=1 knots20 knots 2.5-2=0.5 knotsTimePaddlingTo cover 6nautical milesSpeed MadeGoodBased on3 knot paddlingspeed2.4 hrs 3-0=3 knots3 hrs 3-0.5=2.5 knots4 hrs 3-1=2 knots6 hrs 3-1.5=1.5 knots12 hrs 3-2=1 knotsTimePaddlingTo cover 6nautical milesthe mathematics of windSpeed MadeGoodBased on3.5 knotpaddling speed2 hrs 3.5-0=3.5 knots2.4 hrs 3.5-0.5=3 knots3 hrs 3.5-1=2.5 knots4 hrs 3.5-1.5=2 knots6 hrs 3.5-2=1.5 knotsTimePaddlingTo cover 6nautical miles1.72 hrs2 hrs2 hrs3 hrs4 hrsbig difference to the overall time you spendon the water. So sometimes you’ll want towork harder in order to save energy in thelong term. Other times, a little math mayquickly convince you that avoiding strongheadwinds altogether (in favour of stayingashore or modifying your planned route) isby far your best option.Finally, in my experience, kayakers arevery inaccurate when estimating windspeed. We almost always guess that the windspeed is far higher than what it actuallyis. Get into the habit of looking up windspeed after a day on the water. The internetis great for this. It’s often easy to consultseveral automated lighthouse reports, soyou can get a good “real world” idea ofwhat wind speed you actually encountered.By doing this post-paddling research on aregular basis, you’ll start to have a far betteridea of true wind speeds and their effectson the water. I’ve recently acquired a handheldanemometer and the ability to recordwind speeds in my exact location, and inreal time, has greatly improved my accuracyin gauging the power of the wind.

Paddle Mealsby Hilary Massonthe Silva Bay Solstice Paddle and Potluck is proof once again that foodtastes better outdoors.Summer SolsticePot Luckon gabriola island themaritime culture is multigenerational andlarge crowds are drawn to events like theSilva Bay Solstice Paddle and Potluck. It isso nice, as a young person myself, to livein a community where kayakers of all agesand skill levels get together to celebratesummer and be on the water together forsunset. Sharing food on the beach is oneof my favorite parts of being an expeditionkayak guide for the past eight years. It iswell known that food always tastes betteroutside, but it tastes even better whenyou’ve paddled with a group to an amazinglocation in nature!The solstice paddle, an average Mondaynight on Gabriola, had a phenomenalturnout with about 35 people kayakingand three motorboats full of other friendswho joined in the festivities. We paddledabout 45 minutes outside of Silva Bay toa crescent shaped bay with sunset views,unloaded the picnic blankets, small coolerbags and mesh market bags full of tastytreats. There was an eclectic array offood, just like the mixed age range of thecommunity!Here are some of my favorite vegetarianpotluck recipes for such occasions: agrilled eggplant parmesan appetizer and avegetarian stuffed portobello mushroomdish. Both of these two dishes work welltogether because the same marinade canbe used on both the eggplant and theportobello, and they can be grilled togetherover a fire, in an outback or Dutch oven oreven barbequed.grilled Eggplant ParmesanI look for the smaller in diametereggplants to make bite-sized rounds for thisappetizer. Wash the eggplant and slice in1cm-thick slices. Let them soak in marinadefor at least 15 minutes before grilling.While the eggplant rounds are grilling,slice tomatoes in thin rounds, and grate onecup of mozzarella cheese. Bring fresh basilin a plastic bag with the stem wrapped ina moist paper towel so that the basil lastsduring the transport by kayak.When the eggplant is cooked and tenderall the way through, place the tomatoes andcheese stacked on top, sprinkle with chilipowder for garnish, and continue grillinguntil the cheese melts. Remove from heatand place a basil leaf on top. Let cool, thenMarinade2 cloves of garlic crushed¼ cup olive oil4 tablespoons of balsamic vinegar1 teaspoon tamari or soy sauceGround black pepperSpice to taste with chili powdergrilled Eggplant Parmesan1 medium eggplant sliced2 medium tomatoes sliced¼ cup of fresh basil leaves1 cup mozzarella cheeseeat as finger food for a great appetizer overa small fire, or on a hibachi barbeque. Trythese also in a sandwich with your favoritebread.vegetarian Stuffed PortobelloMushroomsEach of the portobello mushroomsneeds to be cleaned and prepared byremoving the stem and all the gills. Thenmarinate the mushroom caps for at least 15minutes before placing them on a grill cleanside facing down. The stuffing can be madein a frying pan separately, starting with the40 Wavelength Magazine Fall 2010

Paddle Mealsvegetarian Stuffed PortobelloMushrooms4 large Portobello MushroomsMarinade (see previous recipe)1 teaspoon olive oil2 cloves of garlic crushed½ onion diced1 small zucchini diced¼ cup of fresh parsley chopped1 cup panko bread crumbs1 cup of grated mozzarella cheeseSalt and pepper to tasteolive oil, garlic and onion. Once golden adddiced zucchini. When this is tender, addparsley, and panko bread crumbs (which isa course Japanese bread crumb great forfrying oysters and fish. It is also good tocarry in your kayak for spontaneous seafoodmoments). Then stir in the cheese. Flip overthe portobello mushroom and stuff withthe vegetarian mix. Grill until the cheeseis melted in the stuffing, remove fromheat, and enjoy. I normally like to cut themushrooms in half or quarters to share asan appetizer, or this can be eaten as a fancygrilled eggplant parmesan; below:vegetarian stuffed portobellomushrooms.vegetarian main dish with a knife, fork anda plate. Try adding canned crabmeat to thestuffing if you’re looking for protein after along paddle.

Fishing anglesby Dan armitageFall’s fishing frenzyrivers come into their own after the dog days of summer,making autumn a great time to wet a line on your nextpaddle trip. With cooler air temperatures come morecomfortable conditions under the water – for fish anyway – andmany gamefish species in both lakes and rivers that were lethargicthrough the hot summer months sort of “wake up” and put on thefeedbag in anticipation of winter.In addition, some migrating salmonid species that frequentedlakes, reservoirs and even the ocean will make an autumn assault upfeeder streams to spawn; other river species that spend the summermonths in moving water make the swim downstream to hole up inthe deep, still waters of lakes and bays for the colder winter months.Both actions make rivers the place to be fishing come fall.Perhaps the most popular target of autumn river anglers acrosstheir range these days is the steelhead, a rainbow trout that ishatched on stream-fed gravel bars and swims downstream to spenda season or two in lakes or the oceanfed by the tributary. Once in the openwater, the steelhead feeds on foragespecies and grows quickly to sizeslarger than their inland, stream-lockedbrethren. After a few seasons in openwater, when the steelhead mature,they return to their home stream asthe spawning urge arrives. There are“fall run” and “spring run” steelhead,so named for when they make their annual migratory move outof the lakes and into the tributary streams in preparation for thespawning ritual. There is even some movement up streams this timeof year by spring run steelhead that hope to feed on the eggs ofanother popular river fish, the Chinook salmon, which spawn in theautumn.Once you find water containing steelhead, you can tempt thesefamous fighters in a variety of ways with a variety of baits. Speakingof bait, one of the best is maggots or other larval baits bunched42 Wavelength Magazine Fall 2010SteelheadfromConneautCreek,ohioFall ConcernsThe same factors that make kayak fishing fun in the fall alsomake it a bit riskier. Water temperatures can be shockinglycold even when air temps feel comfortable, so use a PFD andtake extra care to make sure you don’t end up in the wateraccidentally. Also, keep in mind the wonderful solitude you’llfind this time of year translates into fewer fellow boatersaround to lend a hand if you need assistance. Fish and paddleconservatively and be prepared to get yourself out of – or offof – any jam you might confront!onto a small jig or a plain hook and fished under a bobber. Thesame is true of salmon eggs, either out of a jar or from a freshcaughtfemale, placed in mesh bags and hung from a hook. By usingsplit shot and experimenting, find just the right amount of lineunder the float to allow the bag to tick along the bottomthrough chutes and below riffles. If done right this simplerig is downright deadly. Because the baits are fragile and attimes it can be important to keep the line between the rodtip and the bobber off the water for a natural, drag-freedrift, these baits are often tossed with long, limber spinningrods that may measure up to 14 feet. However, just aboutany tackle you can cast can catch these lake-run rainbowsonce they enter the rivers each autumn. You can also tossspinners and flies at steelhead, either blind fishing or tossingthe lures above fish you can see tailing in the current.Because you can often find them far up streams where the wateris small for fish that may weigh a dozen pounds or more, I like tobeach the kayak and wade for steelhead. I don waders to sneakup to pools and runs that hold fish. I may use spinning gear or flytackle, but no matter what I have in hand when I hook the troutI know I’m in for a show. The fish will often charge up riffles soshallow that the steelhead’s back is out of the water and the franticthrashing leaves a rooster tail in its wake, and some jump clear ofthe water to try to shake the hook free.In addition to steelhead, many popular gamefish get – andremain – active in rivers between now and the Christmas holidays.As water temperatures cool the fish will congregate in the deeperpools; that’s where the prey fish are likely to be found, followed bythe predators that anglers are after. Riffle areas continue to offerthe oxygen and aquatic life that baitfish and predators require, andare among the last areas to freeze, so be sure to angle in the poolsbelow whitewater this time of year.

Wavelength’s guide to a better world:1. Cycle to work. Or betteryet, kayak to work.2. Run like a three-year-old.3. Always have anadventure on thehorizon.4. Never change plans becauseof rain. Just pack properclothing and a love of nature,then enjoy.5. Laugh and love asyou paddle: whereveryou can, whenever youcan.We’re here to inspire!Subscribe to our print edition to make sure you never miss another copy. Buy a giftsubscription for someone special for Christmas and we’ll send a personalized West Coastgreeting card. Visit www.wavelengthmagazine.com/Subscribe.html for details.Yes! We have an iPad friendly versionfor download online! It’s free!Subscribe:nameNORTH AMERICA:INTERNATIONAL:_______________________________________________ADDRESS ___________________________________________CITY ________________________________________________PROV / STATE ________________COUNTRY _______________POSTAL / ZIP CODE ___________________________________PHONE ______________________________________________email ______________________________________________$20/1 YEAR – 4 ISSUES $35/2 YEARS – 8 ISSUES$30/1 YEAR – 4 ISSUES $54/2 YEARS – 8 ISSUESPlease note personal information will not be shared, sold or marketed for any reason at any time. Email addresses are used only for subscription renewal notices or delivery difficulties.Call: 1-866-984-6437 • Subscribe or renew online at: www.wavelengthmagazine.com/Subscribe.html. It’s easy and safe!Mail a check (or cheque) to: Wild Coast Publishing, #6 10 Commercial St., Nanaimo, BC, Canada, V9R 5G2Are you one of thethousands reading usonline? Support usby subscribing to ouronline edition. It’sfree! Plus in 2011qualify for specialoffers, a chance atgreat prizes as welladditional editorialcontent only availableonline. Click here tosubscribe (online only).Fall 2010 Wavelength Magazine 43

new gearCurrent DesignsIf you’re like us, and painfullyaware that a good kayak can movedown the ranks as an option if theseat isn’t comfortable enough, you’llbe happy to hear what’s in store fromCurrent Designs. New for 2011 is the“Revolution Seating System, ” an axisrotating seat that may be the best thingsince bucket seats for cars. It is quicklyadjustable with a lever-lock system soyou can customize the seat positionto your personal preference, while theDimension Adjustable Seat Back isfully articulated for height and angle.Contoured plush foam padding coverthe bottom and sides. The RevolutionSeating System will be available in all CD’srecreational and transitional models for2011. www.cdkayaks.com/AerobedIf you’re a fan of nifty dual functionproducts, this new Pakmat is worth alook. The carrying case doubles as thepump! Whendone, deflateand stuffback insidethe pump/case. The setuptime is about60 seconds, aclaim verifiedin our test.Made of phthalate-free polyestermaterial. www.aerobed.comKayak KabooseHere’s something for the kayaker whohas everything, and wants to take it along.You can either A) buy a bigger kayak withmore storage space or B) attach a KayakKaboose to the back end.This aquatic cargo carrier weighs in at15 pounds and boasts a 138-litre carryingcapacity in a tidy six-foot long waterproofcontainer that looks a bit like a crossbetween a baby kayak, a pontoon and aminiature submarine. An articulated hitchallows unhindered rolls of either the kayakor the Kaboose for safety, and the Kaboosecan be detached mid-trip to retrieve items.It’s clearly a niche product that willappeal mostly to lake trippers andrecreational paddlers, or maybe theoccasional expedition kayaker. But bewarned: you’ll have to drill into your kayakif you want to tow the Kaboose, so nolending it out for casual use.www.kayakkaboose.com/You can win your own Kaboose inWavelength’s Clean Up the Coast contest atwavelengthmagazine.com/clean/44 Wavelength Magazine Fall 2010

new gearDelta KayaksNew from Delta Kayaks this year is the Delta 10, a newrecreational kayak with some extras that will appeal to thediscerning short and stubby kayak fans out there. At 37 pounds, itfeatures a large rear storage compartment and a front dry storagepod under the front deck. An added attraction is the “Sea View”window nestled between the two extruding hull segments in theDelta 10’s catamaran hull configuration. www.deltakayaks.com/Peregrine KayaksEvery so often it’s like Christmas around the Wavelength officeas we unravel a test product. And Santa might have been extra goodto us early had not this sample from Peregrine Kayaks ultimatelybeen destined for a Wavelength reader instead of our gear closet.The source for our interest: the Peregrine C2 paddle. Entirely ofcarbon construction, its continuous carbon weave is designed for anoptimum strength-to-weight ratio. Built in a medium-sized touringstyleblade, a nice touch is the shaft adjusts from 215-225cm inlength thanks to a sliding connector. Just choose the length, chooseyour feather, lock and you’re on your way.You can win this finely crafted paddled from Wavelength in ourClean Up the Coast contest at www.wavelengthmagazine.com/Embed us!looking for ways to buildtraffic to your kayakingwebsite? Embed thecurrent issue Wavelengthmagazine. See our embeddingadd fresh web content. instructions and options onlineGive visitors reason at wavelengthmagazine.com/to linger – and to return. embed.htmlEarn a free online directory listing in return for embedding us!Fall 2010 Wavelength Magazine 45

Books and videosnavigation:Sea State andWeatherFreedom of the SeasVol. 1www.skils.caA few select how-to manuals havehelped shape modern sea kayaking, and it ishard to ignore the contributions of the likesof John Dowd, David Burch and DougAlderson, to name a few. But assuming theneed to update, repackage and reformulateour collective expertise in sea kayak skills,the experts at Skils have perhaps nailedthe formula in terms of presentation andscope.The first volume in their new howtoseries tackles Navigation: Sea Stateand Weather with a level of technicalinformation sure to appeal to bothbeginners and veterans. Clouds, currents,clapoitis – very little is missing from thissoon-to-be sea kayaking bible. The Skilsteam of Michael Pardy, JF Marleau, AndrewWoodford and Piper Harris have combinedtheir collective experience and knowledgebase in a presentation augmented with amyriad of illustrations and photographs.camus:(chum-us)adj.Very satisfying, whenyou’ve been well fedwww.nuuchahnulth.orgIf you’ve kayaked the west coast ofVancouver Island, chances are you’vewittingly or otherwise paddled Nuu-chahnulthterritory. So if you’re tempted totry some local food, which could rangefrom the more common salmon to salalberries and kelp, you may want to try sometraditional recipes. The Nuu-chah-nulthTribal Council has put together a selectionof traditional food recipes in camus, withproceeds benefiting Uu-a-thluk, a FirstNations organization for sustainablemanagement and development of oceanresources. Interesting and possibly yummy.Fans of This is the Sea and its threefollowup titles will find the celebrationcontinues with a focus on canoeingand some of the sport’s most talentedpaddlers, whether it’s wilderness touringor challenging whitewater. The two-discDVD has about three hours of video in 12films. Follow a 1,000-mile birchbark canoejourney, northern wilderness expeditions,a voyageur adventure and awe-inspiringwhitewater.Filmed by Justine Curgeven it featuresKaren Knight, Kevin Callan, BeckyMason, Mark Scriver, Paul Mason, AndrewWestwood, Bob Foote, Ray Goodwin,Hailey Thompson, John Kaz, WendyGrater.^this isCanoeing12 Adventure Films byJustine Curgenvenwww.cackletv.comPaddle toSeattleJosh Thomasand J.J. Kelleypaddletoseattle.comAlready a favorite of viewers at paddlefilm fests where it has picked up a myriadof awards, Paddle to Seattle follows friendsJosh Thomas and J.J. Kelley as they buildtheir own Pygmy kayaks and paddle themfor 97 days from Alaska to Seattle 1,300miles through the Inside Passage. It is the witand humor that helps make this a charmingadventure. Available for sale online as well asfor view at film fests across North America.EmploymentSea KayakingFromMountains toOceanDan BaharavMurrelet PublishingEveryone who kayaks enough will nodoubt eventually have enough contentfor a decent book; add the discriminatingeye of an ecologist and a whole newperspective opens up. Such is the case withDan Baharav’s narrative of trips throughthe North Cascades, San Juan Islandsand the Olympic coast. Dan combineshis experiences kayaking with nuggetsabout the various coastal watersheds,adding another layer of interpretationfor those traveling the waters of thePacific Northwest. The blend of tripsand ecological/hydrological insight makesit quite different from a guidebook, butpossibly just as useful. You can find notonly great destinations, but probablyinformation you didn’t know, even if youare a regular paddler of these areas.Winter Guiding in Belize ‘10/’11Island Expeditions is looking for professional guidesto work winters in Belize. Sea kayak, river experience,marine biology or strong naturalist background.Minimum two seasons multi-day guiding experience.Email resume: tim@islandexpeditions.com or call604-452-3212.Assistant Retail ManagerA North Vancouver based kayak and cross country skiretail store is recruiting for the position of AssistantRetail Manager.The successful candidate must have retail salesexperience in Ocean Kayaking, Cross-CountrySkiing and snowshoeing. Extensive knowledge ofPoint of Sales systems, inventory control, productmerchandising and customer service through superiorproduct knowledge. Must have reliable transportationand be flexible and able to work weekends. Diplomafrom an Outdoor Recreation Management Programrequired. Wage Range is $16 - $20/hr based onexperience and qualifications.Please respond by fax to 604 987 225546 Wavelength Magazine Fall 2010

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