A group of hard core Northern Michigan paddlers decided to organize for a “Virtual Chattajack” this year. I was fortunate enough to get the blow by blow details from a great friend and fellow paddler Billy Bellinger. Below is his story, broken down into 4 parts. I wanted to share this not only because it […]
Safety
One Year Paddle Calendar
I’ve always been curious to see what a one year view of my paddling looks like mapped out on a calendar. Finally with COVID-19 quarantine in effect, I’ve had the extra time to put it together. Winter paddling may not be for everyone, and it is certainly not without risks, but this past year has […]
PFD Overview & Understanding: ISO versus USCG
Summarizing the Key Points about the PFDs We Sell I recently posted a Facebook update to let everyone know I’m now carrying the Nelo branded personal flotation device (PFD). This post generated a lot of discussion around Newtons and ISO versus US Coast Guard certification. While I am far from an expert in […]
Cold Weather Paddling, Not for the Faint of Heart
Proceed with Caution, Enter at your Own Risk Although I would like to think that we are almost out of the cold water paddling season in the Great Lakes, the reality is that we still have at least six more weeks with dangerously cold water. This past year I’ve logged more time in cold water […]
Billy B’s Surfski Leash System
Surfski Leash System – Critical Always, but Especially as We Move Into the Cold Months While safety is always critical when paddling a surfski, as we transition into the colder months the margin for error paddling in the Great Lakes becomes razor thin. Billy Bellinger, a good friend of mine and very experienced Lake Michigan […]
