DownwindPaddling

PPP Episode 13: Training for the Gorge with Oscar Chalupsky

In this podcast I sit down with Oscar Chalupsky in his home in Porto Portugal on the last night of a three day visit. The primary focus of the discussion is for Oscar to provide coaching and guidance to prepare me to have the best race possible at the Gorge Downwind Champs in July. […]

Downwind Paddling: A Never Ending Evolution

Downwind Paddling: A Never Ending Evolution This summer I didn’t have the bandwidth to blog about downwind paddling, but it certainly wasn’t for lack of interest. As I sit down to write this, I’m on a 13 hour flight to Tokyo, so what better time to recap my summer of downwind paddling. Yesterday […]

Merry Christmas from TC SURFSKI, having a very mild weather holiday week in Leland, Michigan. Lucky for us Santa came through with just enough wind for a downwind on West Bay on Christmas Eve. Hope everyone else is enjoying the holiday and taking the opportunity to get outside. #HappyHolidays #WestBayFun #SantaDelivers
connect.garmin.com
Last day to get 10% off all on-line orders at tcsurfski.com. Just enter coupon code: xmas19 at checkout. There is a good chance we can still get packages delivered in time for Christmas. #Mocke #Vaikobi #Epic #Nelo #Vaaka
NEW- VCOLD Hydroflex Top- Unisex
We've got some amazing boats at amazing year end inventory clearance prices. Give the gift of paddling, it will enrich your life forever. Just ask any paddler! #EpicGPX #EpicV5 #EpicV10Ultra #EpicV10L #BeginAJourney #InWaterThereIsSerenity
Photos from TC SURFSKI's post
Just in time for all you last minute holiday shoppers, we just received a few of the all new Vaikobi VXP RACE PFDs. We've also stocked a few of the new Hydroflex Tops, and restocked on favorites such as the vOcean Short, and vCold Flex Top, and Pants. As always, FREE 2-3 day shipping on orders over $100
tcsurfski.com
Not sure I’m quite ready for the harbor to look like this. But the wind is blowing so time to gear up and get out there! #NovemberPaddling
https://www.facebook.com/tcsurfski/photos/a.445288588940127/1730779050391068/?type=3
Happy Halloween! 15% off all Mocke Products and Free Shipping over $100 at TC SURFSKI. Enter coupon code: spooky at checkout. Offer only valid today! #Mocke #Equinox #MockeRacer #LifeLineLeash #NeoprenePaddleVest #NeopreneTop #HighVisVisors #FlyDry
tcsurfski.com
Rocking downwind today from Glen Arbor to Leland. Love this route for all the different challenging conditions it throws at you. 4-7 foot on average with some 9 footers in there. Must have caught one of those when I hit 17.2 mph, an all time top speed. Could not have been more comfortable in the V8 Pro, it is such a great boat. #FallDownwind #GlenArborToLeland #V8Pro #15MilesOfSurfing
Distance 15.45 mi | Time 1:41:52 | Speed 9.1 mph | Elevation 932 ft
Happy Labor Day. Hope everyone is enjoying the long holiday weekend! If you need to stock up on fall gear now is the time. 15% off all online orders through today. Enter coupon code: fallwaves at checkout. #Vaikobi #Epic #Mocke #Nelo
The downwind season is upon us! Absolutely stunning day on Lake Michigan paddling the V8 Pro from Glen Arbor to Leland. My only regret is that I didn't add another 13 miles and go all the way to Northport. Lots more wind tomorrow and Thursday. If anyone wants to come out to Leland and paddle let me know. Waves should be 3-6 foot for the next couple days! #DownwindLakeMichigan #GlenArborToLeland #FutureWorldClassRace
Distance 16.07 mi | Time 1:55:01 | Speed 8.4 mph | Elevation 554 ft
Great video on an even greater race. Many thanks to Dan Novak and team for all the hard work in putting this race together. Get it on your summer calendar for 2020!! You won’t be disappointed
Grand Traverse County Parks and Recreation
Check out these great reviews on the Epic GPX. We've got one Ultra left in stock on end of season clearance for $2,595 ($400 off retail). This is the perfect lightweight, fast, and stable boat for paddling the inland lakes and rivers of Northern Michigan. Contact me at [email protected] if interested
paddling.com
It’s really hard for me to sit in the boat and watch a good wave go to waste. Might as well join the fun while my daughter Willa learns to wake surf. It takes some power to keep up when they immediately accelerate to 11 mph. But the wake surf boats throw a beautiful second and third wave once you get on. #PureMichigan #AllSurfingIsGood #WeekendWithGreatFriends #Moomba
Super fun day paddling the Nelo 520xl in the Gorge Downwind Champs race. I tried to showcase what this boat is capable of. It definitely surfs like a champ and I think I only buried the bow one time. The increased volume is just right and the stability is ridiculous. Many thanks to Michelle and Maggie at Paddle California for bringing the boat up. #Nelo520xl #GorgeDownwindChamps #SurfingBliss
https://www.facebook.com/tcsurfski/photos/a.445288588940127/1619933864808921/?type=3
We now have limited quantity of the Vaikobi Paddle Board Shorts in Stock. Just in time to get a pair and be styling at the beer tent Gorge Downwind Champs - SUP #CoolAndComfortable #Vaikobi #Style #BeerTent #GorgeDownwindFestival #FreeShippingOver100
tcsurfski.com
Many thanks to Dennis Paull and the Cheboygan Waterways Festival for the 7th year in a row of awesome downwind paddle racing. The conditions weren't big, but this is what makes this race so great. It is an adventure, but certainly doable for most paddlers. I'd love to see this race get to 50. How can we make it happen? I volunteer to build a website, just need the racers to write their stories and we'll make it come to life! Here is my Garmin Track: https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/3796294943 #CheboyganOpenWaterChallenge #Downwind #SurfskiRacing
connect.garmin.com
Stats from a short out and back in 1-2 foot waves on Lake Michigan today focused on powerful strokes Oscar Chalupsky style. It is amazing how low you can keep your HR when you learn to use your legs and core for power, eliminate unnecessary movements, and leverage the waves for a free ride. I've been paddling for 12 years, and still gain immensely from listening to Oscar. We teach his methods to all students as well. Even if you've done clinics in the past, you will always benefit from a refresher course. #PaddleWithPower #OscarTechnique #TcSurfskiLessons #ClassicSummerConditions
https://www.facebook.com/tcsurfski/photos/a.175749459227376/1600105703458404/?type=3
Beautiful day for paddle racing in Northern Michigan. We had to divide and conquer to support both the 45th Parallel Paddle Festival in Suttons Bay and the R3 adventure triathlon in East Jordon. Many thanks to Ryan Deering for representing at the 45th while I was getting destroyed on the hills in East Jordon. Congrats to all who got out on the water today!! #R3AdventureTri #45ParallelPaddleFest
Photos from TC SURFSKI's post
Another M22 Challenge in the books. What a race and what a day we had for racing. Many thanks to the organizer and volunteers who make this race happen so smoothly every year. So exciting to see close to 80 Surfskis out racing. Nothing has done more to introduce Surfskis to the Midwest than this race. #M22Challenge #surfski #AmericasMostBeautifulRace #FortunateToBePartOfIt
https://www.facebook.com/tcsurfski/photos/a.445288588940127/1583889201746721/?type=3
This podcast hit the airways a few weeks ago, but in case you missed it, the tables were turned and I was in the hot seat. I sometimes feel like a broken record trying to get the message out there, but I'll continue nonetheless. The Great Lakes offer world class surfski conditions! Make this the summer to check it out. #PeakPaddlePerformance #SurfskiGreatLakes #WorldClass #EndlessSurfing #NoSharks #NoWeeds
tcsurfski.com
It has been a cold spring, but the surfski racing season is heating up with the M22 Challenge this weekend. If you've got the paddle triathlon bug, check out our listing of races through the summer. Next up is the East Jordan R3. If there is interest, we will make some rentals available. Contact us. #PaddleTriathlonSeason #EpicSurfskis #DontLoseYourRaceOnTheWater
We’ve Got You Covered! Kayak triathlon options have exploded across Michigan in the last three years. Led by the iconic M22 Challenge, race organizers have discovered how fun and accessible these races can be. The surfski is well proven to be the ultimate triathlon kayak. It is known around the wo...
Midwest paddler Greg Greene kicked butt in this race. Demonstrating that you can develop the skills to paddle the bigger ocean conditions paddling predominantly on the Great Lakes Awesome work Greg!!
Ocean Paddler TV
If you haven't subscribed to our monthly newsletter, its probably worth 2 minutes of your time. It only arrives once a month and includes all specials that we run as well as a highlight of the latest blogs, podcasts, and surfski related events.
mailchi.mp
The challenge of mastering downwind paddling is endless. I know there can be confusing messages around it. In this blog I’ve tried to add some clarity based on my own experience. Let me know what you think. #downwind #ContextIsEverything #AlwaysLearning #SlowDown #ExpirementOften
tcsurfski.com
First time out on my road bike this year. Hard to get any better than fresh swept Leelanau county roads on a warm and windless spring evening. Hard to believe M22 Challenge is just over six weeks away. #LeelanauRoadbiking #SuttonsBayBikes #M22ChallengeTraining
https://www.facebook.com/tcsurfski/photos/a.445288588940127/1544336175702024/?type=3
Surfski paddling requires good core strength. This is a good thing, but does mean that beginners can struggle to get comfortable in their boats. The Epic Back Pad is a great way to add additional support and improve your posture, which will ultimately lead to more enjoyable paddling! Available on-line now at TC SURFSKI. #CoreStrength #EpicBackPad #BetterPosture #BetterComfort
tcsurfski.com

DownwindPaddling

PPP Episode 13: Training for the Gorge with Oscar Chalupsky

Downwind Paddling: A Never Ending Evolution

Recent Blogs and Podcasts

PPP Episode 33: Starting a Surfski Journey in Middle Age with Greg Greene

PPP Episode 32: SURFSKI on the Great Lakes with Nick Murray

Context is Everything When Interpreting Downwind Paddling Instruction

Paying Asking Price Doesn’t Mean You’ve Compromised

Stay Informed, Our Newsletter Only Lands in Your Inbox Once per Month, We Promise!