During a paddle back in the '80s with Chuck Sutherland, the Johnny Appleseed, the Pied Piper of Mid-Atlantic coastal kayaking, he asked me whether I was keeping a log of my trips. I was beginning my infatuation with area day-tripping--it was maybe my twentieth outing--and I answered "no"--it had not until then ever entered my mind to write down any notes on the trips I'd made. Chuck, then the editor of ANorAK, the Journal of the Association of North Atlantic Kayakers, made no reply, but I immediately took his implied suggestion to heart, and have been ever glad I did. Those first twenty or so trips were still very fresh in my mind, so it was easy to jot down a brief outline/paragraph of the day's weather, sea conditions, wildlife, itinerary, companions (as appropriate), and whatever else seemed noteworthy. I've found, by keeping a log, that one can multiply one's enjoyment of any given journey--first is the pleasure of trip itself, then comes reliving it while writing it down, then again reliving and re-enjoying it every time one browses back through the log. I recommend this practice whole-heartedly to anyone who finds that coastal kayaking is a very important part of the well-lived life.

I agree. My journals are salt stained and worn but help with my memory!

I've never regretted my boating or climbing logs. They've not only proved useful memory joggers but have also made the difference in getting jobs.

I recommend them strongly to my students.

So no one else out there keeps records on their trips?!

Stormy,

I too keep logs - my sailing logs go back to the 60's and have most of my adventures well documented. While sailing they are open for anyone with me to read or make additions to. When running youth training cruises the log becomes the legal record of the trip and is signed by the duty officer.

My kayaking logs are a little less formal tending to be more of a journal. Before a trip my log is often where I'll record tide and current data making sure it goes with me.

Of late I've even taken to journaling hikes.

Logs and journals are a great way of remembering details long after a trip. As well I often pull quotes from my logs when doing photo albums after a trip.

We have a paddling group and the trip account generates member discussion and enthusiasm. I list the paddlers, conditions, tide, time, distance, etc, and try to mention each individual in the write-up. Once I give up my day job, I plan to post on a regular basis to my website.

They do become journal like don't they. They are great assistance for memory too!

I keep a diary on the computers of personal significant events in kayaking. When I have general impressions of my boats and my progress, I make notes. They are strictly for my own edification.

Not thought of keeping a log before but your post has spurred me into action - setting up a simple database on my Mac (using Bento for any other mac users out there) to do just that.

Great idea!

i print my routes from my garmin gps and write all my notes, and then they all go into a 3 ring binder. nice to look back on.

Derek, I also keep my log as a 3-ring binder: "hard copy". I'd be very sad if through some accident a digital-only record of my trips got erased or otherwise messed-up. Besides, I like to sometimes just curl up with my logbook on some cold, nasty winter afternoon, and re-live trip after trip. I find that I can recreate many of the trips in my head, with the memory-triggers of the log entries. May you have a long and happy and well-remembered kayaking career!

yes it would hurt to loose all of the trips. I do keep printouts in a binder and I also keep digital. I have gave copies of some of my trips to other people with my notes on them and they really enjoyed the routes and said the notes are very useful. I now try to also keep a journal and sometimes make a power point when I get bored. nice to have pictures to go along with everything.