Werner Blog

Looking back at 2011 and Looking forward to 2012

When you look back a year it is much more than just 52 weeks, 365 days...It holds so many memories and emotions.  As you look back on 2011 we hope both your triumphs and set backs serve as a spring board to start yet another New Year.  From the family at Werner Paddles we want to first thank our customers for all your support over the years and of course in 2011, we can't do it wihout you.  For all of our friends out there may the start of 2012 open new doors to a great future.  .

Werner Team Paddler Nicole Mansfield, surfing Uganda.

"Just looking over my Uganda photos and wanted to share with the Werner Paddles peeps.  These first 2 shots are of Bujagali falls, which we were fortunate to paddle only 2 days before they started being submerged by the Bujagali dam. 

I had known for years that the dam was in place and could begin flooding the upstream rapids anytime now.   There was no exact date, so I could just as easily arrived 2 days after they went under water.  It was bittersweet to experience such an emotional event.  When we returned to Bujagali Falls 2 days after paddling the rapids, half of the falls was underwater and trash was floating in an eddy recently formed above where dry rocks were.  Witnessing the drowning of a Ugandan tourist attraction was painful because not only will no one experience the natural beauty again, but also the community who benefited from tourism will not benefit from the power the dam will provide. 

Unlike most kayaking trips, which usually involve an overwhelming amount of logistics, traveling to Uganda to paddle the White Nile and surf the "Nile Special" was incredibly straightforward.  We had an amazing and relaxing time staying at the Hairy Lemon, which was a beautiful island with great food, friendly people, awesome wildlife, and a mere 15 minute paddle away from the Nile Special. 

I have been dreaming of visiting Uganda for years and now that I've been there, I can't wait to go back.  It's great to be able to surf the same incredible, eddy-accessible wave everyday.  I was able to learn some new tricks like the clean blunt and wished I could have stayed another month to learn some more."

Thanks Nicole for the great post, we all really appreciate it.

Werner Team paddler, Dave Fusilli's fun video and stories of white water past.

Post Uganda and 2011 Pyranha Van tour, Werner's own Dave Fusilli is hanging at home in Clarion Pa with travel companion, and our friend, Craig Kleckner for the Holidays.  Padling has been a way of life for Dave since he was grom and he always speaks highly of how he owes his Mom and Dad for his love for paddling.  Here is a great little story and video Dave put together while hanging at home.

Word and video by Dave Fusiili.

"I paddled Mill Creek for the 1st time around the age of 8.  Mill Creek is about 2 miles over the hill from my parents house in Clarion PA. It’s pretty much a class 2 with a few class 3 rapids. The real nice thing about this run is you can get off the river and be in the hot tub in like 5 minutes!  I always enjoy paddling with the family and local friends from my hometown here.  I have a funny story about it.  This must have been one of my first times down the creek and I was with my Mother.  It was high water in there, rain, lightning, just a real shit storm.  Myself, at the time being a very young timid paddler was quite scared, actually I think I was crying.  I didn’t want to continue down the creek.  At this point my Mother got out of her boat, took off her sock, and with the sock tied my boat to her’s and pulled me down there creek.  I’m not sure if she would remember this, but I will never forget it.  I guess that’s what family is for!!!  Thanks Mom!" 

Check out the real "Fusilli Mill Creek Experience" here with this great short video.  Thanks Dave!

 

Werner SUP Team paddler, Dave Boehne, reports from the San Diego winter race scene.

On December 17th Werner team paddler's Dave Boehne and CD Kinley made the hour drive south from Dana Point to San Diego to compete in the San Diego Canoe and Kayak clubs winter race, the Tecolote 5000.

"Team Werner had a great race during this Holiday Season at theTecolote 5000.  It's kind of a fun format because you compile points from 3 different events, SUP distance, SUP sprint and prone paddle board sprint,  to crown an overall champ. I ended up taking 1st overall. I surprised myself, along with others who had actually trained, with the Prone victory it was my first time ever on one! Stoked! CD did well in his age group and being his 3rd race was stoked with his result as well...

Dave Boehne
1st Overall Tecolote 5000
1st Distance 3000M 12’6”
1st Sprint 200M 12’6”
1st Sprint 100M 12’ Prone

CD Kinley
1st Distance 3000M 12’6” (19/Under)
1st Sprint 200M 12’6” (19/Under)
4th Sprint 100M 12’ Prone

CD working hard with his Werner Nitro and paddling a custom Steve Boehne Infinity race board.  Not only are the shapes really working but the guys in the spray booth are coming up with some SICK colors and patterns.

Happy Holidays from the family at Werner Paddles

No matter how you celebrate the Holiday Season my it be filled with family and friends, health and laughs.   Cheers!

Werner Paddle's SUP athlete, Nikki Gregg, named "SUP Connect" Woman of the Year.

Please join the entire family at Werner Paddles as we congratulate our friend and Team Paddler Nikki Gregg (Pictured above in the "Alice" position.) for winning the 2011 Sup Woman of the Year award from Sup Connect.  Read the entire story here and see the tough competion that Nikki pulled ahead of with votes from you the SUP fans.  A shout out to all the girls who were involved in the contest, you have all done so much for the sport and made us cheer and smile, thanks! 

From the Office Team at Werner Paddles HQ in Sultan, Wa. "Happy Holidays."

Before we get too deep in the cheer can we just take a moment to notice the yellowy-orangeish glow beaming down upon the gang here?  (Trust me if you visit the Pacific North West as mush as I do, or live there full time, you would be just as excited!) 

Werner Paddles prides ourselves on being "Handcrafted" in Sultan, Wa USA.  But not only do we house production in Sultan but our entire support team.  How would your local dealers be able to provide the world's best paddles without the help of these folks?  Who would answer your questions when you call us up?  Well with the warmish wishes for a Happy Holiday and a healthy and awesome New Year, allow me to introduce them.  (From left to right.)  Francine "I got a great deal on these antlers" Jones, Purchasing.   Don McClain, VP (Trust me this guy IS Mr. Claus to us!"  Shannon Davis and Jessie Towne as elves, Customer Service.  Invading the elves' "personal hat space" Teresa Werner, Accounting.  Our shortest customer service person, Kelli Oleson.  Jill "Watch me rock this Holiday sweater!" Sampson, Accounting Manager.  Dean McMullin, Quality Control  (He couldn't stop the snowmen from melting though.) 

Seasons Greetings! From some of my favorite people and the best team in the business.

Winter pool skills with Werner's Kelsey Thompson

Here is a great piece from our white water World Team Paddler, Kelsey Thompson, on how to perform your "Back Deck Roll."  Whether you are a white water boater or a touring boater playing in more advanced conditions, as Kelsey explains this technique is a fast way to get kayak upright quickly.  Read through this lesson and give yourself something new to work on in the pool this winter.

Pictured kayaker is Kelsey Thompson and these are his words.

The Back Deck Roll is one of the fastest rolls a kayaker can preform. It requires little to no set up and finishes in an aggressive forward position ready for your next stroke. Before learning the “Dry” Back Deck Roll I recommend you learn how to do the motions of the roll without keeping your head out of the water. Although this is a cool move and will likely impress your friends 99% of the time you won't be able to keep your head dry during an unplanned flip.

 Start the roll leaning on your back deck looking toward your stern the way you'll be flipping over. Your paddle should be placed parallel to your boat with your power face's pointing down towards the water.

 From this position you'll lean your body under you kayak which should start the roll. As you begin to flip sweep your leading blade (which should be planted at your stern) underneath you boat while pushing down on it and begin to snap your hips into the roll to bring the stern of your kayak over your head. At the same time you should be pulling your knees to your chest slightly, this will pull your stern out of the water. You should be leading this move aggressively with your head. Be sure to keep your arms tight to get the most flexibility out of your hips. Reaching way out gives you more leverage but makes it harder to edge your boat.

Once you're completely upside down you'll need to switch blades to keep constant upward pressure on your stern and finish the roll. Engage your trailing blade while cocking your wrist back to ensure that it is climbing to the surface of the water and not diving. You'll now have transferred your power to this blade which will finish the roll. The tricky part of the dry roll is that you won't only be sweeping your paddle across the surface of the water to perform the roll but you'll also be pushing down on your blades to keep your head and stern out of the water. For this reason it is very important that your blades have a climbing angle constantly bringing them to the waters surface.

 As with any roll as you start to pull (or in this case push) on the stroke that will bring you upright you'll need to flick your hips to return your boat to an upright position. This will create a stable platform to finish the roll from. Once your boat is upright you can swing you body out to the side of your boat and onto your front deck where you'll return to a stable, upright position. Commit to finishing on your front deck, coming up to the side often means falling back into the water.

Things to consider:

 This move confuses a lot of people but it's really not that hard. It is not a speed thing, I often see people struggling with their back deck roll because they are trying to rush through it with poor technique. Try to slow it down and get the steps right, you'll be surprised how slowly you can perform this roll with good technique.

 The hip snap for this roll is a little different than a standard roll as you're going from an upright position to an upright position in one fluid motion. As your boat flips over you're hip snap will start quickly, then slow down in the middle while you transition from one paddle blade to the other, then finish quickly again as you return your boat to an upright position.

 Learn how to Back Deck Roll before you try to Dry Back Deck Roll. I almost always see people skipping step one and trying to go straight to the Dry Roll. You don't learn to run before you can walk, figure out how to roll from an upside down position to upright on your back deck before you try to do the entire thing without getting your head wet!"

Thanks Kelsey.  Anyone who wants to get some awesome Werner Paddles coasters post a photo of yourself working on the Dry Back Deck Roll in the pool to our Facebook page and then email me your adress.  Good luck!

 

 

Safety Tip: While under water putting your forearm in front of your forehead will protect your face from rocks in this more vulnerable back deck position.

Werner Paddle's Team kayak angler, Rob Choi, with a fish and deer "tail" from Virginia.

Read the full story at Rob's blog, Angling Addict.  Thanks for a great post!

Are You A Fan? Like Werner Paddles and SUP Magazine on Facebook & Win!

Ring in the New Year by entering for a chance to win a Werner SUP paddle of your choice and get a free years subscription to SUP magazine.

Getting in on the game is simple: Click over to Werner Paddles Facebook page and become a Fan. Do the same at SUP magazine. We’ll draw one winner on January 2, 2012 and announce said winner by January 5. 

I know you love us already; now you just have to "like" us and SUP Magazine for your chance to start 2012 off right!