Getting Started
By Christopher Cunningham
Editor
A Pain in the Neck
Not long after finishing her training session at Deception Pass (“Tide Races” January 2011 newsletter), Melissa checked in with her doctor about pain in her neck and shoulders. The doctor found three vertebrae out of alignment and some inflammation in the disks between them. There was no single injury that created the problem but Melissa thinks that her very active schedule of paddling and backpacking lead to an accumulation of strain on her neck. “It has been a real downer,” she writes. “I have seen more doctors the past few weeks than I have in my whole life. It appears that with lots of rest, relaxation, ice, anti-inflammatories and neck-strengthening exercises I’ll be on my way to recovery. I was so sad to miss the Deception Pass Dash. I'd been looking forward to it for a long time, but long-term wellness was the deciding factor in sitting it out.”
Melissa had been considering the Dash until the eve of the event thinking she’d at least start the race and see how she felt. Ultimately she made the right choice and stayed home. It makes sense to leave shore when you know your capabilities are a good match for the conditions but paddling out to see how things will go isn’t a good idea. If you have doubts and uncertainties—whether they’re about your physical capacity or about the conditions you might face— pay attention to them. They’re important tools to use in your decision-making. By foregoing the Dash Melissa assured that she’d not aggravate her injury. She also avoided having the doubts she had about her ability confirmed by the unforgiving currents in Deception Pass.
You can read Melissa’s account of her kayaking hiatus on our Getting Started blog at www.seakayakermag.com
Sea Kayaker Store
February 2011 issue ~ Currently on the Newsstands
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: Not Your Average Afternoon.
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
This issue is currently available on the newsstands or from Sea Kayaker in print or digital (PDF).
Don’t miss the April 2011 issue ~ Available in early March
Nova Scotia’s Atlantic Coast: In the Heart of the Maritimes by Scott Cunningham
Aleutian Expedition: The Andreanof Islands by Stanislov Chladek
Ride ‘Em Cowboy: Making Your Scramble Recovery More than a Pool Trick by Roger Schumann
A Whole New World: Kayaking as Therapy for Kids by James Tibensky and Andrea Knepper
Gear Review: Klip-n-Go Kayak Strap
Review by Joel McNamara
Kayak Reviews
Delphin 155 by P&H Custom Sea Kayaks
Xcite by Tiderace Sea Kayaks.
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Sea Kayaking Calendars — Going, going…
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
The 2011-2013 Sea Kayaker Magazine
Readers Choice Awards Survey
By Christopher Cunningham
Editor
Have you taken our Readers Choice Awards Survey yet? Complete the online survey and enter to win the prize. And what a prize!
A Kokatat GORE-TEX® Meridian Dry Suit and
Kokatat PFD of your choice
for you and your paddling partner — 2 dry suits and 2 PFDs Total!
The survey can be found on our website. The code required to open the survey is published in  the Readers Choice Awards ad in Sea Kayaker magazine. We ask that only readers of the magazine fill out the survey. Circulating the code without the magazine is prohibited and survey entries submitted as a result will be disqualified.
We only ask that you get the code from the magazine whether you subscribe to it, buy it at a newsstand or borrow it from a friend or library. We appreciate your cooperation in keeping the selection process fair.
The Readers Choice Awards will be presented on June 25, 2011 at a special ceremony here in Seattle, Washington at the Northwest Paddling Festival, a new event co-presented by Sea Kayaker magazine.
One of a Kind
By John Focke
2.5 Kayak Retrofit
My 2.5 kayak was strip constructed and home built originally as a single, for accessing wade fishing in the salt marshes of Galveston Bay in Texas. Grandchildren precipitated a refit to accommodate one or two adults with a small child. The deck was removed and a new 2.5 deck (black) insert was fabricated and retrofitted. The kayak is 18' 6" long, and 25" at the max beam.
What’s Cooking?!
Vegetable Soup with Coconut Milk
Coconut milk adds tropical flavor to this delicious soup. Because the recipe uses root vegetables that stay fresh for a long time, this soup can be made toward the end of a longer trip. The hit of vegetables will be a welcome treat!
Click here for the recipe.
From: Camp Cooking: The Black Feather Guide, Eating Well in the Wild
“Distilled from decades of experience, experimentation and good eating in the wilderness, Black Feather Camp Cooking was designed and written to help you successfully plan, pack and prepare everything you need to eat well in the wild. Enjoy.”
By Mark Shriver, Wendy Grater, Joanna Baker
Buy the book at the Sea Kayaker Store!
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