My mother, like most, enjoys telling stories of the cute things I did as a kid. She likes to say that when I was three years old, I was able to identify, and correctly pronounce, all of the dinosaurs pictured in my treasure trove of dinosaur books. Each night, she would read the books to … Continue reading I SAW A GREAT WHITE!
Tag: Standup paddling
The Finback Whale Encounter
It was a warm day, flat and calm on the open ocean, a perfect day to look for whales. The visibility, both in and out of the water was phenomenal. Catalina Island’s features, although 26 miles away, were easily seen. Any anomaly on the surface of the water could be spotted from miles away, and … Continue reading The Finback Whale Encounter
Tips for Paddling with Little Ones
Avalon To Kate, my four-year old, Sunday has always been known as “crepe day, paddle day” which is, to me, a far better name for the day after Saturday. You can guess from the name what happens at our house. Every Sunday morning, I make crepes, and then we go paddle. I have been taking … Continue reading Tips for Paddling with Little Ones
Uber Paddling
If you have an inflatable SUP and an Uber app on your phone, then I have a mission for you. I have completed this mission on several occasions from Newport Beach Harbor to Laguna Beach, and this is seriously fun. When you’re done, I guarantee you will walk into work feeling freekin’ fantastic. Here’s what … Continue reading Uber Paddling
How I Succeeded in Circumnavigating Catalina (Circumnavigation Part Deux)
A sudden gust threw another whitecap over the nose of my paddleboard, slowing me to a stall. I teetered, hunched down, and dug deep into the foam with my paddle. I felt like Bill Murray in Groundhog Day. I still had the bad taste in my mouth from the last time I tried to paddle … Continue reading How I Succeeded in Circumnavigating Catalina (Circumnavigation Part Deux)
How I Failed to Circumnavigate Catalina
I got it into my head that I would circumnavigate Santa Catalina Island by myself on a SUP. Once I had the idea, and thought about those miles of gorgeous uninhabited shoreline and glorious solitude, I could not dislodge the notion. The untamed part of the island called to me. I longed to paddle around … Continue reading How I Failed to Circumnavigate Catalina
Paddle Camping Gear Checklist
I am a big fan of checklists. I like making them, and like checking them off. And I often think that planning for a bitchin' paddle camping adventure is just as cool as the adventure itself. Maybe I just like going to REI once a week. In any event, to give you an idea of … Continue reading Paddle Camping Gear Checklist
Paddling Santa Rosa Island
An adventure, when successfully completed, leaves a mark. The mark reminds you of your capabilities and it gives you a true sense of what real danger is. The confidence you gain softens the edges of anxiety that creep up on you in your daily life. When you do something gnarly, something that scares you, and … Continue reading Paddling Santa Rosa Island
Adventures in StandUp Paddling 