Feature
Semper Paratus
By Christopher Cunningham
Editor
A recent post on our forum (Safety-Lessons Learned/Stupid Kills) is an account by a former Marine who paddled out to Boston Harbor. Marines have a well-deserved reputation for being tough, and in their training they learn a lot about survival. Our Marine got caught by a sudden shift of wind and for a while at least, managed to stay upright in rising seas. Eventually breaking waves got the best of him and he wound up in the water in street clothes. You can read about his swim to shore and safety on our forum. Semper Fidelis —Always Faithful, is the Marine Corps motto. If you’re kayaking you should keep the Coast Guard motto closer to heart: Semper Paratus —Always Prepared.
Getting Started
By Christopher Cunningham
Editor
“Off” Season Paddling
Winter was late in coming to Seattle, but as November came to a close we finally got our first spell of cold and snow. Most of the kayakers around here will  call it quits for the year. The water temperature will drop, of course, but not that much. It just goes from cold to colder. In the summer the water temperature is in the mid fifties (Fahrenheit); in the winter, mid forties. Melissa has been trying a few different dry suits throughout the year. To transition to winter paddling she’ll go with a dry suit with latex gaskets, add thicker insulating layers underneath the suit and wear neoprene gloves and a hood.
We’re fortunate that winters here are relatively mild compared to the Great Lakes and the East Coast. As the water gets colder it gets much clearer and there’s much more to see underwater. The windy days are much more frequent during the winter so the chance for paddling rough water is much better than it is the rest of the year. Kayaking during the “off” season can be much more fun than paddling during the sunny doldrum days of summer. I hope to get Melissa out during a weekend Southwesterly when the wind’s not too biting and the waves are sharpening up over the West Point shoals. When that happens you’ll be able to read about it on our “Getting Started” blog at seakayakermag.com
Sea Kayaker Store
December ’10 Issue
31 Days of Rice, Butter and Lingcod: Soloing the North and West Coasts of Vancouver Island. Fishing and foraging in a remote region in a skin-on-frame boat. by Kiliii Yu
Pocomoke Sound: Paddling the Pokomoke and Nassawango: This sliver of Chesapeake Bay offers miles of opportunities for meandering. by Ralph Heimlich
Kayakers as First Responders: A couple in a tandem come to the aid of
capsized sailors in Maine. by Ray and Leslie Wirth
Sea Kayaking in America: the 1920s and 30s: A fascinating glimpse at
the folding kayak craze. by Joel McNamara
Troubleshooting the T-Rescue by Sharon & Alec Bloyd-Peshkin
Kayak Reviews:
Namu M by KayakPro
Hatteras by Impex Kayaks
This issue is currently available on the newsstands or from Sea Kayaker in print or digital (PDF).
Great info in the February 2011 issue
~ Available in early January
Paddling in the Desert: Exploring the Green River's remote canyons by James R. Sheffield
South Georgia Island: A Journey of Perseverance.
A solo circumnavigation attempt in isolated waters by Hayley Shephard
Technique: Surfing with Sea Kayaks.
How to find and play on waves wherever you paddle by Gregg Berman
Safety: Halloween Wind.
An afternoon exercise paddle in Baja turns into a battle for survival by Bart Allen Berry
Technique: Heel Hook Self-Rescue by Christine Burris
Gear Review: Freedom Electric Bilge Pump.
Review by Christopher Cunningham
Kayak Reviews:
Samba by Eddyline
Amnick by Seaward Kayaks
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Subscription Offer!!
New and renewing subscribers everywhere—purchase a one-year subscription to Sea Kayaker magazine and get the Special Collector’s Edition — Freya Hoffmeister: Her Circumnavigation of Australia FREE!
This special collector’s edition is a compilation of Sea Kayaker magazine articles detailing Freya Hoffmeister’s historic circumnavigation of Australia in 2009. Order early so you can receive the Special Collector’s Edition in time to wrap it up and have it under the tree. (This will mail separately from subscription copies.)
Hurry - this offer expires December 14th!
Save $3.95 (and the shipping and handling cost too!)
Four Gift Ideas for the Holidays!
Be sure to shop early so we can ship early!
Under $100
Rescue Laser Light $89.99
 The Rescue Laser Light from Greatland Laser is a signaling device that operates like a laser pointer, but instead of emitting a beam focused to a single point, the flare produces a fan of light. The device signals up to 20 miles and is waterproof to 80 feet. Weighs 3 oz and compact size at just over 3 inches.
Previous model reviewed in Sea Kayaker magazine August 2002
Under $50
Paddle Your Own Kayak by Gary & Joanie McGuffin $34.95
Over 600 color illustrations compliment this comprehensive book, reviewed in the December 2008 issue of Sea Kayaker magazine. It covers techniques, including navigation, camping and much more for the novice  and experienced paddler.
Under $30
DVD Pair: This the Sea & This is the Sea Two for $25.95 (Usually $29.95 each)
While supplies last!
Justine Curgenven's first two action-packed DVDs about sea kayaking in beautiful andchallenging  waters all over the globe.
Sea Kayaker T-Shirt $19.95
Black T-shirt with white graphic of a Greenland kayak frame on back. 100% preshrunk cotton. Long sleeve.
Sea Kayaking Calendars — 2011 is almost here…
The 2011 Kayaking Calendar offers a year's worth of stunning photographs of some of the most scenic waterscapes around the globe. Each day has enough space to write in your schedule too!
Order one for family, friends or yourself!
More Info
What’s Cooking?!
Trip Insurance
Many years ago my husband and I and four friends took a paddling trip on the West Coast of Vancouver Island. While camping in the Broken Group Islands we found ourselves storm-bound. Back then there were a few bare-bones park cabins that folks could use. The high winds and rain were a lot easier to bear in the cabin than they would have been if we’d been in our tents. Another group of paddlers took refuge with us in the cabin. It was a lucky break for us because one of them had brought a Dutch oven and decided the storm provided the perfect opportunity to bake a dessert. We all drooled as the wonderfully aromatic chocolate smell wafted about. My paddling partners and I kept glancing at each and eyeing the camp stove, not knowing if we'd be invited to share dessert. We felt quite lucky that there was plenty for everyone in the cabin! As Michael Gray says in his book, “Good food is also a safety device. You don’t believe me? With certain groups, if I forget the chocolate my life may be in grave danger. Thus, I think of tasty food as trip insurance.”
One-Burner Brownies
There is nothing like a hot fudgy brownie on a cool evening after a day of challenging weather.
Click here for the recipe.
From: Hey, I’d Eat This at Home!: A Fresh and Fearless Approach to Wilderness and Home Cooking
By Michael Gray
www.uncommonadv.com
Michael Gray has been a kayak guide and instructor for nearly three decades. He’s well known for his camp-cooking presentations at sea kayaking symposiums.
From the Advertising Department
New Promotional Partnerships for 2011
By Paul R. Riek
Advertising and Promotions Manager
I’m pleased to announce that Sea Kayaker magazine has made a few partnerships this year that will help cross promote with several of our loyal advertising partners.
“Getting Started” at Deception Pass Dash: Dec 4, 2010. Hosted by The Outdoor Adventure Center and held at Deception Pass State Park, Washington.
Sea Kayaker magazine’s Paul Riek and our paddling protégé Melissa will be taking advantage of the Deception Pass dash to chronicle her ever-increasing skill set for the benefit of our “Getting Started” blog.
“Getting Started” at Golden Gate Sea Kayak Symposium: Feb. 18-20, 2011. Hosted by River and Ocean and held under the Golden Gate Bridge and on the water.
Sea Kayaker editor Christopher Cunningham and our paddling protégé, Melissa, will be attending this symposium to take advantage of the wealth of knowledge provided by the many excellent instructors there.
A special thanks to the sponsors participating in our year-long “Getting Started” blog project: Johnson Outdoors ~ Thule ~ Snapdragon ~ Werner Paddles ~ Kokatat ~ Gopro ~ Kayak Academy ~ Northwater
Canoecopia: Mar 11-13, 2011. Hosted by Rutabaga and held at the Alliance Energy Center in Madison, Wisconsin. Sea Kayaker magazine and Werner Paddles will once again be conducting the “Win a Prescription-Fit Paddle” drawing at Canoecopia. This year’s event will have a a different twist as we’ve combined our booths at Canoecopia.
PaddleSport Expo: March 25-27, 2011. Hosted By Jersey Paddler at the Garden State Exhibition Center in Somerset, NJ.
Sea Kayaker magazine and Suspenz Kayak Storage will be combining booths and conducting a drawing for a kayak storage rack at PaddleSport Expo.
Sea Kayaker magazine, independently owned and operated since 1984
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