Werner Blog

Southwest Kayak Symposium This Weekend

The Southwest Kayak Symposium is held in San Diego, CA on beautiful Mission Bay will take place this weekend March 27-29. The symposium will once again make use of the exceptional facilities at Campland on the Bay which include 650 feet of beachfront access for kayak demos, plenty of area for manufacturers booths, acres of protected water for classes, speaker tents, on-site tent or RV camping for as little as $10/person/night, food concessions, laundry, hot showers, game rooms, swimming pools and spas, and entertainment venues!
Some of the top names in kayaking will be joining us for this very special event, including Jen Kleck, Russel Farrow, Dan Gavere, Marsha Henson and Ronnie Kemp. This event is perfect for novice paddlers to seasoned veterns.  Demo boats and paddles, take a class, listen to a speaker and have a blast.  We look forward to seeing you at the Werner Paddles booth where you cand get your free custom fitting for a paddle based on your paddling style, boat and body.

Kainoa Beaupre Checks In From The North Shore

Aloha gang, Kainoa here to fill you in on the latest happenings in Hawaii. Since I arrived back home to Oahu what I thought would be all boardshorts and slippers turned into jeans and a hoodie as if I never left Cali. The weather here in Oahu was the coldest its been in a really long time. Only as of mid March have I been able to get rid of my long sleeve wet suit top, and thats only been a hand full of times.

On a more positive note I've been catching some really great end of the winter swells in the country(North Shore Oahu) at breaks like Laniakea, Leftovers,  and some secret spots on the east shore of Oahu. I also had the pleasure to spend a day in Makaha with one of the most spiritually in touch human being, Troy Palamalu. Uncle Mel Pu'u hosted a BBQ and surf session for all of us and the day was perfect. The waves were small, but perfect to teach Troy how to surf and do Standup paddle surfing. All that's left to say about Troy is he is a pure Athlete!! Kainoa Mcgee took met up with Troy for a surf session and his comment about Troy when giving him pointers was"Troy listens and does everything he's told". Troy Palamalu is the real deal, and it was an "honor" to have met him and hang out with him and his Ohana (family). John Grace of Penstock Productions was also in town to work on a film project for Werner.  I introduced him to some of the well respected waterman in Hawaii and I feel we captured the concept really well.

In my arsenal of paddles I've been using my favorite paddle the Spanker and it's been a real comfortable fit for my style of surfing. Since one of my most popular moves is to do a slide tail maneuver I end up contorting myself into a really awkward position where I'm very laid back into the white water of the wave and laying heavily on my paddle. Because the Spanker blade is so wide it enough surface area to enable me to lay onto it as well as push me back up to the upright position. This is just one of the many reasons I'm so particular about my paddles. I will be giving some more of my input each month, but for now Aloha and Malama(see ya and take care).

New Kayaks Open Up New Experiences

What are people calling these two new kayaks from Pyranha and Liquid Logic, hybrid? crossover? We just call them awesome.  The Fusion by Pyranha and the Remix XP by Liquid Logic offer paddlers the ability to safely navigate modest white water while, with the easy flip of a switch, drop a tracking aiding skeg and put some miles in on placid flat water.  "The Werner Tybee in either carbon reinforced nylon or fiberglass reinforced nylon in a 205 or 210 length is the perfect paddle for these new boats," says Danny Mongno.

The concept of a switch hitting kayak has been tried before but never quite to the level of these two great designs.  Certainly people who know they are covering a lot of calm water want a recreational or touring kayak and those who are river junkies will go for a full fledged river kayak, but these really give people a solid option who just need a little of each.  Both boats offer more ample cockpit space, an actual dry hatch with bulkhead in the rear and a drop skeg. 

We talked to Dinver McClure at Pyranha Kayaks. “I grew up on the river, don’t get me wrong I love my creek boat.  But how cool is it to throw two Fusions on the roof when I go on vacation with my son and be able check out the lake, catch some bass and still play on the river?”  Woody Calloway and Justin McGiver of Liquid Logic both took the XP on self support missions down the Grand Canyon this winter and yes the hatch works and the skeg wasn’t bad either on all that flat water!

Stop by a shop near you and check out these new kayaks and see how they can expand your enjoyment of the outside world. 

Sea Kayak with Gordon Brown – the DVD Series

Top UK sea kayak coach Gordon Brown is filming a series of instructional DVDs, the first of which will be released later this year.

Following the phenomenal success of his book, Sea Kayak - a Manual for Intermediate and Advance Sea Kayakers published by Pesda Press, Gordon spent two years developing the format for DVD. Shot entirely on the Isle of Skye, the first production concentrates on paddle technique and will combine the narrative of a multi-day expedition along the coast of this spectacular island with his unique and effective style of coaching.

The instructional sequences show progression from calm water to rough, with Gordon explaining the refinements needed to cope with the changing conditions.  Cameras on the front, rear, above and even inside the kayak capture every nuance, while shore and boat based cameras allow detailed slow-motion analysis of technique.  Rescues, towing and more will come in subsequent productions.
Gordon says: “It is challenging to translate one-on-one coaching into a style which works on DVD.  But this means I can share two of my passions - sea kayaking and the beauty of the Isle of Skye.”

The DVD is being shot and edited by Simon Willis who runs Sunart Media.  Simon is a former BBC video journalist and known to sea kayakers around the world through his podcast website SeaKayakRoutes.com.

Gordon and his wife Morag owns and run Skyak Adventures, on the Isle of Skye, Scotland.  He is an internationally renowned sea kayak coach, teaching and paddling across the globe. 

For more information on the series contact Simon Willis at Sunart Media. Best of luck to you Gordon, we know we will have our names on the waiting list.

Record Waterfall Decent on the Today Show

Here is a post from Werner Team Member, Ben Stookesberry....

If you didn't catch a glimpse of Pedro's 127 foot world record fall on NBC's Today Show this morning (March 24th), you will have a chance to check it out this Thursday morning the 26th of March on the Today show.  Ben and Pedro will be live in NYC talking about Pedro's Massive descent and their recent ground braking waterfalling expedition in Central Brazil. After that you will have to wait until the April 18Th premier of Hotel Charley Volume 4: At Your Own Risk to check out the boys from Clear H2O Films pushing the boundaries of the sport.
 
After the April 18Th premier in Hood River, Ben Stookesberry and Jesse Coombs will be taking their latest film on tour in the US to kick of 2009 paddling season with an amazing snow pack and water across the country, an amazing community of whitewater enthusiasts, and a film that is set to blow the doors of any preconceived notions of what is possible in a kayak.
 
Stay tuned to the Werner Paddles Blog for the exact timing of Ben and Pedro's Today Show interview and the full tour schedule and teasers from the upcoming film Hotel Charley Volume 4: At Your own Risk.
 

Ernie Alverez Takes A Hard Won First Place In Puerto Rico's SUP Contest

This was sent to us from Carlos Gonzalez at Beach Cats in Puerto Rico...

I wanted to let you know that this last weekend we had Puerto Rico's first contest that included SUP Surfing.  The contest took place at old San Juan legendary break Playa La 8. Conditions where somewhat extreme, 12‘ to 15’ faces on 4 wave sets, wave selection was critical since all sets included at least 2 closeouts.  Playa La 8 is known for hitting hard at 7’ at 14’ it doesn’t only hit you it want to break you in half.

Ernie showed patience and poise waiting for the best wave and then charging them with a combination of turns that made everyone look twice to realize that he was doing this on a SUP and NOT on a 6’ shortboard, sticking his paddle on the face and completing bottom turns, cutbacks, roundhouses, smacking the lip hard. 

The top 2 places of the Finals heat was hard fought between Javier Gorbea and Ernie Alvarez, Mario Oronoz and Eliezer, Ernie kept his plan of picking the best wave because at this size getting back to the peak was not a guarantee, he picked the best wave of the set carving hard turns and completing the wave to the end, Javier did not plan to give in to his friend Ernie, but after his first wave he notice that Eliezer had broken his leash and consequently lost his board, Javier took it upon him self to rescue the board until help from the shore arrived.  After that Javier was back at the peak charging waves to put forward his best effort forward for the coveted first place but Ernie’s best wave of the heat on the eyes of the judges proved unbeatable.

Ernie got first place, Javier got second place, Mario got 3rd place.  I am going to try to get some pictures and send them to you, by the way Ernie was paddling with his Werner Spanker, he cannot wait for his wave design carbon Nitro to arrive. I inform him that Beach Cats would be getting them a bit ahead of schedule in early April, and was pumped to learn that one of those was his already.

Washington Water Trails Caribbean Evening Of Fun

 

Washington Water Trails in conjunction with Cascade Canoe & Kayak is hosting their annual Auction and Dinner.  This year they have a Caribbean themed evening of fun planned.  Join them Saturday April 4th at the Community Center at Mercer View.  The key note speaker will be U.S. Representative Jay Inslee as Keynote Speaker.

Browse two silent auctions during the champagne and hors d'oeuvres reception. As you scope out the evening's hot items, including a custom fit Premium Paddle from Werner, enjoy live entertainment and fabulous company. Sip local micro brews or wine during your dinner from returning chef Henry Gordon of Balabuste Catering. After a competitive and delicious dessert dash, the funny and fast-paced David Silverman takes the stage and hosts a live auction, featuring an array of one-of-a-kind items and great getaways. We invite you to put on your tropical attire and join the fun!

Get your tickets today! Admission includes a champagne and hors d'oeuvres reception, two beverages, and choice of entree: Caribbean Stew, Jerked Chicken, or Caribbean Vegetable Cakes.

Canoecopia Sales & Attendance Indicates Strong Paddlesports Category

Kayak, canoe and paddling accessories manufacturers attended Canoecopia, the worlds largest consumer paddlesports show, March 13-16, 2009.  “At Werner Paddles we look to early season sales in Florida and consumer events hosted by Mountain Man, Rutabaga, Jersey Paddler and Kittery Trading Post as key indicators for the upcoming season.  If the 2009 early season trend holds true, consumers are out there ready to spend,” says Jim Miller Werner Paddles Marketing Manager.  Both traffic and dollars were up at this year’s Canoecopia.

Here is what a few manufacturers had to say:

“We were very pleased. Overall, Canoecopia was a really good show for us.  We were busy the whole time and we sold more dry suits this year over last year.” - Michael Duffy, Director of Sales and Marketing for Kokatat.

“There was a lot of activity around the Easky 13’ and 15’ touring boats and the Fusion our new hybrid river running/touring boat.  It was a really good show, I am feeling solid going into the season,” - Jim Hagar, Sales Director of P&H.

“Perhaps it is the mid-west, but people really responded to the fact that Werner Paddles are manufactured in the US and that we are giving back by partnering with non-profits through our Healthy Waters initiative.  We did not have any problem moving people up from our recreational product to our Premium and Performance Core lines.” – Jim Miller, Marketing Manager, Werner Paddles.

There are two trends that resonated with many manufacturers; people are looking for activities close to home (staycations), as well as activities that allow for family together time.  “Families are being cautious, but not afraid to spend on paddling gear.  They view paddling as a way to get everyone out, without breaking the bank,” says Werner’s Jim Miller.

You can see a video of the show that Byran Smith and Lise-Anne Beyries of Reel Water Productions put together here.

 

Costal Urge - Urges You To Clean Up

 

Coastal Urge in Wilmington, NC is helping to promote a harbor clean up.  So we are doing our part to try and get the mesage out.

The Standup Paddleboard Harbor Cleanup is open to all SUP'ers.  To participate meet at the Fish House
on Saturday March, 28th @ 10am. Coffee and pastries will be provided by Starbucks, on-the-water support by Sea Tow, trash bags and gloves supplied by Cape Fear Surfrider Foundation.

Be smart and please wear protective footwear.

Eastern Horizons - World Premier at Canoecopia

With the success of his first feature length kayaking film, Pacific Horizons, it didn't take long for Squamish BC's Bryan Smith to start planning his paddling routes along the East Coast of the US and Canada. 

In partnership with Rutabaga Paddle Sports, Werner Paddles, P&H Sea Kayaks and Kokatat, Bryan's latest film Eastern Horizons will premier Saturday March 14th, 8:00pm at the High Noon Saloon in down town Madison WI.  The movie has been honored by the Reel Paddling Film Festival's, Kayak Movie of the Year. 

It is hard to call it a sea kayak movie.  Although Bryan and the entourage of paddlers he joins up use sea kayaks as their exploration vehicle, the film truly captures the spirit of adventure, the mystique of the locales and the people he meets their.  The film spans the Atlantic Ocean, capturing the wildlife rich swamps and mangroves of the Carolinas to the icebergs of Newfoundland; from surfing the "zipper" at Tybee Island, Georgia to playing in the tidal flows around Nova Scotia's Bay of Fundy; and from capturing the iconic urban landscapes of New York City to the remote fishing villages of Quebec's north shore.

Eastern Horizons will inspire paddlers and non-paddlers alike to get out and explore the ocean!  While at Canoecopia, be sure to stop by the Werner Paddles booth to meet Bryan as well as other athletes who star in the film.  We are just as excited about the films premier as you are, so we look forward to seeing at the High Noon.