K1 Modifications

I found these photos of a custom 'pull-bar' at Peter's Paddling Blog. Might just keep me from being tossed out all the time.



...found these gas-pedal rudder controls HERE.


Review of ONNO pedals HERE.

A collection of links to follow up on HERE

Brentwood Bay and Pool Session

I'm feeling pretty damn pleased (and a bit achy) but I'm now able to keep that K1 shell upright and even managed to do a few lengths of the pool, forward and backwards in it without it throwing me. Took me six hours of non-stop high-sculling to get to this point. Without a doubt this is the finest (in both senses of the word), most beautiful, hull I've ever placed my butt in/on. This is also the most unforgiving beast I've ever ridden. Although it feels like I could paddle her with a feather, one slight mis-stroke and I'm instantly tossed out into the water, with an entire kayak, full of water, half-floating beside me. I'm wanting a removable massik, a spray skirt, and a well-built sea-sock if I'm going to keep learning with her. Floodable volume... reduce, reduce, reduce.

She's designed for a paddler 20kg heavier than me, so it feels like I'm dancing on a razor's edge as the waterline beam is VERY narrow as she sits high in the water. I'm planning, ?hoping, I can get to the point that I can throw her around empty as she'd be beautiful with a 20kg gear load, OR a partioned and baffled 10 liter ballast tank of fresh-water built along her keel and 10kg of gear. ;O)

Just an idea though, as she's not even mine... yet.

Kirton Kayaks Moskito 85 K1 Racer





This Sunday was spent out on Brentwood Bay with a group run out to Senanus Island, and later a second splish-splash up Tod Inlet. Six hours.

Pool session was another two hours.

Time on water - 8 hours (over three outings)
Time volunteer guiding - 6 hours

Trying a K1 racer - Pool Session

Tonight I'm putting a couple or three hours into learning how to balance and scull a K1 racing kayak, tomorrow I'm taking her out for a paddle from Brentwood. Made by Kirton under license from Nelo of Portugal, it's skinny, skinny, skinny, and tippy, tippy, wet... Oh and did I mention skinny and wet?

Wish me luck... this should be good for giggles and grins...



If you ain't getting wet you ain't learning... ;O)

*edited to update*

Alrighty then, three hours of sculling this beastie, thrown off a dozen times, but I kept at it. Can't paddle forward yet without going swimming.

Time on water - 3 hours
Time volunteer instructing - 1.5 hours

Kayak Bill

Time on water - Forever

Alison Sigethy

Every once in awhile I see something and I say "THAT'S IT! That's where I'm going with this sport". This is what I imagine myself doing when I paddle in the early early hours of morning.

Alison Sigethy can dance in a kayak like no-one I've ever seen... I highly recommend you click on it for the full-size video.




...and before anyone calls me a sissy-man ;O)



I forgot to mention my new-old paddle. It's a break-apart, Aleut-styled, long-paddle. 114" long with a good strong brass ferrule. By the looks of the 14 piece, laminated construction, and yellowed varnish I'd guess that it's at least as old as I am. Can't wait to get out in the rough with this one! $20.

Pool Session

Another pool session... but with a twist. I was paddling a loaner 'Nordkapp LV' as poor 'Tassie' is still undergoing her winter (spring?) maintenance and repairs. I miss my kayak but the Nordkapp is an interesting paddle. Not for me, but I can understand the reason for it's loyal following.

Helped a nice couple in white-water boats with their sculling, rescues, and rolls. Which they both nailed! Sure is fun seeing someone you've worked hard with, and works hard at it, pull it all together and roll successfully. Thanks guys.

Time on water - 3 hours
Time Instructing - 1 1/2 hours

Brentwood to Finlayson Arm

Met up with Mario and went for a paddle to Senanus Island, then up Finlayson Arm, Squally Reach to Elbow Point and back. Was paddling a 'Spartan VI' prototype kayak generously loaned to me by Peter, as 'Tassie' is in the shop for a delaminating patch.

Time on water - 5 hours