Dan Henderson's Canoe/Kayak

Masters Camp

2012-02-08T09:17:00.001-08:00

the Cascade Kayak Masters Camp is next month. Info can be found at http://www.canoe-kayak.com/downloads/2012-masters-camp.pdf

2012-02-07T14:00:00.000-08:00

Drove up to Index to see the Outdoor Adventures facility. They are doing great work. Beautiful country and just an hour from Seattle. There's a really good site for a beginner-level slalom course.

Great Day!

2012-02-06T13:15:00.002-08:00

After training this morning - Steve, Eric and Eugene on Lake Washington with the Olympic Mountains in the background.

Glorious February

2012-02-05T18:40:00.001-08:00

Typical of February, the skies here in Renton have parted and the sun is shining brightly. February is consistently one of the best months to train on Lake Washington – a fair amount of sun, less rain, modest winds and very little motorboat traffic. This week the lake has been like glass on most mornings. Yesterday we held three workouts, one for the entire Cascade Team, one for the Cascade advanced group and one for Seattle University. I feel like we have built a strong foundation and are poised to really grow these programs. The SU workout was focused on developing stability and moving from TK-1s to Orions. Stephanie was the star of the day as, after falling in at the dock she hopped back into the kayak after a little more practice, was able to do a very long circle without falling in. Credit the brave team members with toughing it out learning stability in the cold 45 degree water of Lake Washington. The Cascade workouts were all aerobic endurance and we talked a fair amount about driving the boat forward harder and more aggressively to build endurance around racing at a higher level. The athletes found this extremely fatiguing (as they should), but also saw the potential increase in development rate with training at that level. Fun stuff!

Glorious February

2012-02-05T08:15:00.000-08:00

Weather and training

2012-01-19T08:32:00.000-08:00

The weather continues to prevent us from getting on the water, or even driving to the boathouse. I’ve encouraged team members to get in any kind of training they can during this time – run, lift, swim, ski. It looks like the temperatures are on the rise so I hope to be back to normal tomorrow.

Revised Training Plan

2012-01-17T08:55:00.000-08:00

Cascade Team,

We’re in the third week of a 5 week anaerobic endurance cycle. With the snow, we’re missing many workouts so we need to take a look at revising the training plan for the next few weeks. For Wil, going to trials, Block 3 is a Competitive Block with 2 Aerobic Endurance (AE) Cycles, 1 Anaerobic Cycle (AN) and then Taper. For the rest of the team, instead of tapering, you will match Wil’s training until his taper and then start Block 4 with an AE Cycle. Wil will join you after trials in you in second AE Cycle. Below is the portion of the training plan that’s revised. The rest remains as previously posted.

All the best,

Dan Henderson

Revised due to snow
16-Jan	Competitive Block 3	Cycle 7 Revised AE 1&2	1	80%	90
23-Jan			2	80%	100
30-Jan			3	80%	110
6-Feb		Cycle 8 Revised AE 1&2	1	80%	100
13-Feb			2	80%	110
20-Feb			3	80%	120
27-Feb			4	80%	130

ICF endorsement

2012-01-12T10:56:00.001-08:00

Just learned that the International Canoe Federation (the world and Olympic canoe/kayak governing body) has endorsed my sea kayak book!

Sea Kayak Book

2012-01-09T09:48:00.000-08:00

For the past 2 years I've been working on a sea kayak book. The theme is to take what I have learned in exercise science grad school, my paddling experience and writing skills and combine them into a book that will help kayakers improve their skills.

The publisher is the Mountaineers Press under their Mountaineers Outdoor Expert Series (MOES). Release is in March.

While the process was tedious beyond all expectations, I'm very pleased with the outcome.

Hope it is found to be helpful.

2012-01-01T15:53:00.000-08:00

For the past two years, during the week-long school break between Christmas and New Years, Cascade has held a Superweek. Superweek acts as an aerobic shock to an athlete’s body, resulting in an accelerated aerobic adaption. The mechanism of adaptation is high aerobic endurance workouts – both in the canoe or kayak and running. Additional training load is added through hypertrophy/hyperplasia and core strength training. We just competed this year’s Winter Superweek with 11 water workouts totaling 200 km for the top athlete (Eric Roux), 3 run workouts, 6 core sessions and 3 weight training sessions. Joining the 11 Cascade paddlers were 4 great paddlers from Gig Harbor. Except for Eric, not everyone participated every day, but each performed a significant amount of training relative to their normal load.

2012-01-01T12:31:00.001-08:00

In a quest for more ways of explaining the role of the top hand during the power phase of the kayak stroke, it has occurred to me that a way to help explain the mechanics is to describe the top hand movement and how it affects the blade in the water. It seems to me that no top hand movement should cause the blade to move backwards – all of that should come from the bottom hand. The top hand should provide only the load of body weight onto the paddle. We know that any push forward and/or dropping of the top hand during the power phase causes the paddle to go to a negative angle prematurely, resulting on the loss of the ability to maintain the load in the later part of the power phase. Also, when the top hand pushes forward, the paddle pivot point moves from the top hand down the shaft, resulting in the blade moving behind the top hand. So my point here is that perhaps a way to explain this to kayakers (one of the many coaches need in their arsenal of explanations to help athletes learn) is to have them focus on top hand movement that keeps the blade in front of or below the bottom hand. Any thoughts?

Strain Gauge Research

2009-02-18T21:36:00.000-08:00

Wednesday 2-19-09

A good day today. The sun was out and it actually felt warm for the first time this year.

Today I received approval from US Team Coach, Nathan Luce, to gather data with US Team subjects following the trials for the world championships. I’ll be at the Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista to watch trials (I have an athlete competing) and will stay for a couple extra days to gather data. April 28 is the target day.

For several weeks I’ve been thinking about the calibration process for the strain gauge. Each paddle shaft is unique and must be calibrated. That involves installing the strain gauge and then calibrating the paddle. I’ll secure the paddle to a pair of stands and then hanging weights from the shaft. The paddle will flex, causing the strain gauge to generate a current. The level of current will be unique to the amount of weight I hang from the shaft.

My plan is to place one stand at the location of the non-control hand and the other at the center of mass of the control hand side blade. Then I’ll hand the weight at the location of the control hand. I’m still sorting out strain gauge location. I prefer to attach it just above the control hand because I can easily and directly route the wires to the sending unit mounted on the shaft. Also, in this location there is less likelihood of water penetration into the strain gauge, which would interfere with the signal. I know the signal will be stronger between the center of mass of the paddle and the control hand, but then wires must be routed over the hand, if the sending unit is mounted to the shaft. I could route the wires over the hand to the sending unit, but this would involve additional wires and require some method to keep them from flopping around and annoying the paddler. Another option would be to route the wires along the paddler’s arm and town their torso and attach the sending unit to the kayak aft of the cockpit. This is a lot more complicated and would probably not work in the canoe, where there is so much more body movement forwards and backwards. So I think I’ll start off trying to locate the strain gauge just medial of the control hand.

It’s critical the stand securely hold the paddle during calibration. It also must be portable if I’m to take this system to the paddlers. For calibration stands, I’m using a standard folding roller stand common in the construction industry, and I’m not using the roller component. Harbor Freight Roller Stand #95621 is the model I’ve selected. These stands are very strong and stable; as they’re designed to hold long heavy pieces of wood for use with a table saw. Instead of using the roller head, I’m installing components that will hold the paddle securely during calibration. The stand has a folding base with a telescoping vertical component for height adjustment. This will allow a variety of paddle position for calibration – horizontal, or at an infinite number of angles.

For the stand placed at the offside hand position, I’ve attached a clamp to hold the shaft securely. This clamp is the same model we use in the Biomechanics Lab at Western Washington University to hold our motion capture cameras to the wall-mounted system - Manfrotto 035C Super Clamp is the model. On a drill press I drilled holes aligned with the clamp on the piece of the box tubing to which the clamp will be attached. To allow the screwdriver to fit through the other side of the box tubing, on a drill press I drilled holes in alignment with the clamp side holes but larger in size. This allows the screwdriver to fit through the larger holes for installation of the clamp.

I’m building a platform on which the blade will rest for the stand positioned under the center of mass of the onside blade. It’s composite fiberglass and when it’s further along, I’ll provide description and photos once it's further along.

Ideas and comments are greatly appreciated.

2009-02-01T18:08:00.000-08:00

I’m back home and recovering from the disappointment of not completing my trip. Once I returned, I plugged back into school at Western Washington University and have been working on several projects.

1. I’ve been helping to set up the motion capture system in the Biomechanics Lab. Motion capture is a way to capture human movement into a software system where a computer model of the subject can be created to analyze mechanics. Once the model is generated, changes in position, acceleration and velocity of different parts of the model’s body can be calculated to understand the movement. We built a wall-mount system for 4 of the 7 Qualysis 240 motion capture cameras we use and have the other 3 on tripods. We’ve done a motion capture of a kayaker on a kayaking ergometer (SpeedStroke) and are now working on building the model. Model-building and analysis is being done in Visual 3D spftware.

2. I’m trying to better understand how power is applied during the kayak forward stoke. With the help of Jim Shephard from Western’s Engineering Technology department, I’ve learned how to install strain gauges on the shaft of kayak paddles.
The strain gauge will initially be just on the control hand side, just above the hand. It will be wired into a small sending unit that that transmits the data in real time to my laptop in the coach motorboat. The data is available for immediate review and feedback to the athlete and saved for study and analysis back on shore.
Now I’m building calibration stands. The stands will be used to calibrate each paddle. As all kayak paddles are unique, they must be calibrated. To do this, after installing the strain gauge to a paddle shaft, I’ll place the paddle on the calibration stands. For stands, I’m using the base of a roller stand used in the construction industry. These are portable and collapseable and very sturdy. One stand will have a small clamp to hold the shaft at the offside hand position. I’m using the same clam we used for our cameras in the biomechanics lab. The other stand will be positioned at the center of mass for the onside blade. I making a clamp from fiberglass and foam padding that will closely conform to the shape of the paddle and protect it from harm.
Once the paddle is secure in the stand, I’ll hang weights from the shaft at the position of the onside hand. The readings I get from each weight will correlate with a given amount of force resulting in flexion of the paddle shaft as measured by the strain gauge.
This system will be the basis for my thesis. My advisor is Dr. Kathy Knutsen.

3. For my Exercise Physiology class, Dr. Lorrie Brilla has generously allowed be to take the class as an independent study, as it’s not offered until next fall. This will help me finish my degree more quickly. We meet for about 1.5 hours once each week to go over the material and review projects. My class project will be a review of the physiology literature related to canoe/kayak and similar sports, and to develop a training algorithm for canoe/kayak athletic development.

And last, I am very excited that the International Canoe Federation, the world and Olympic governing body for canoe/kayak racing, has asked me to speak on my biomechanics work at their International Coaching Symposium in Warsaw, Poland. They’re flying me over the last week of February to make my presentation. Not only do I have the opportunity to share my research, I will be able to hear the other presentations and learn lots of new information from some of the top canoe/kayak researchers and coaches in the world. It’s a great opportunity.

10-5-08 End of Attempt

2008-10-05T09:55:00.000-07:00

I’ve decided to stop this attempt to circumnavigate Vancouver Island. Faced with a storm season that’s arrived about a month earlier than normal, that includes gale force winds and high seas, a series of similar multiple-day storms coming across the Pacific with a day or two break between, my window to complete the trip has closed. There simply are not enough days between storm systems. I could continue for a while but the logistics of when and where I finish, as well as getting back home, gets complicated.

While I am very frustrated and disappointed in not completing this try, my thoughts are now toward a future attempt. My physical condition has been solid and I am confident I can handle a trip of this nature.

Also, even though I have not been successful, please complete your contribution to support breast cancer research at the Fred Hutchison Cancer Research Center. That’s far more important than whether or not I finish this paddle.

http://getinvolved.fhcrc.org/goto/Dorothy.MacGregor

Thank you all very much; friends from home (including our great staff at Cascade Canoe & Kayak), friends I’ve made along the way and especially my trip sponsors - Current Designs Kayaks, Cascade Designs, Kokatat, and Epic Kayaks - for your encouragement, kindness and support.

10-1-08 Port Renfrew

2008-10-01T10:55:00.000-07:00

Port Renfrew

Day 0 nm Cum. 208 nm

Heavy fog all day today out in the strait. Very foggy here in the harbor this morning, sunny mid-day and clouding up in the afternoon. Lots of fishing boats making their way into the harbor to seek protection from the coming storm. I’m staying on shore. Environment Canada has issued a Gale warning through at least Sunday so it looks like I’ll be on shore a while.

Getting to know some of the folks here in Port Renfrew. Bob, what an awesome guy, loaded my stuff and me into his van and drove me up the hill to the motel. Leah, a server at the Port Renfrew Hotel restaurant, is an avid surfer and will represent Canada at the world surfing championships (leaves in 5 days) in Portugal – good lats! Don, at the motel, lost his wife recently and it’s left a huge hole in his life. These are really good and hospitable people.

I met Julie from Auburn at the West Coast Sea Kayak Symposium – what a nice lady. She’s a breast cancer survivor and asked me to tell you about the Fred Hutchinson Survivorship Program for Cancer Patients. It’s another great program offered at the Hutch. Here’s the link:
http://www.fhcrc.org/patient/support/

There are so many wonderful opportunities for those of us who are truly grateful for our health to help those less fortunate.

Here’s the link to learn about my mom who died of breast cancer and how to contribute to help find a cure:
http://getinvolved.fhcrc.org/goto/Dorothy.MacGregor
Thank you very much

9-30-08 East Sombrio Beach to Port Renfrew

2008-09-30T21:26:00.000-07:00

East Sombrio Beach to Port Renfrew

Day 16 nm Cum. 208

10:00 Launch at East Sombrio Beach
12:15 Port San Juan Bay
1:30 Turn Back
3:30 Port Renfew

Was making good progress heading for Carmanah Pont in spite of a moderate head wind. Then the fog rolled in ahead of me and I couldn’t see the shoreline ahead. This area has very steep shoreline with few beaches, as well as an off shore shelf that causes waves to form. These are no problem as long as I stand off shore a little way. I stay just far enough out to avoid the building waves. This usually winds up just offshore of the kelp beds. They know where to find the calm water.

But I was uncomfortable with not being able to see shore and find the beach. Also, the forecast on my radio called for gale force winds over the next few days and I prefer not to be stuck on an exposed beach.

So about 2 miles west of Port Renfrew I turned back, paddled to the port and found a motel. It looks like I may be on shore until at least Sunday. Having to turn back and sit on the beach for at least five days is very discouraging for me.

9-29-08 French Beach to East Sombrio Beach

2008-09-30T20:47:00.001-07:00

French Beach to East Sombrio Beach

Day 17 nm Cum. 192 nm

10:30 Launch at French Beach
1:15 – 2:35 Lunch at Mystic Beach
5:15 Land at East Sombrio Beach

Scenery is incredible. Terrain changed from volcanic, to sandstone and aggregate, to sandstone. Lots of points jut out into the strait. Into the Pacific Rim Park so no more houses – just wonderful scenery.

Lots of seals and many pop up in front of me to see what I’m up to. A sea otter did as well.
At launch and lunch was able to talk with a few people about the trip and fundraising effort, most seemed interested. At lunch at Mystic Beach, Phil from Inverness, CA took my photo and said he would send it to the blog. Really nice guy on a day hike with his wife. Inverness, CA is a beautiful place on Tamales Bay, where Krin and I honeymooned almost 26 years ago.

Two ladies with local knowledge told me about Sombrio Beach and the camping there. They really like Sombrio. Since I paddled further yesterday, I decided to go on to there and shorten the next day. Thanks for the great tip ladies and the most beautiful camp site yet.

For the past 2 or 3 days I feel like my physical condition is deteriorating – I’m really worn down. Also my right hip is very painful and at times it’s tough to sit up. Also, somehow I took a chunk of skin off my right thumb – who knows. So far all is manageable, but am concerned about longer days.

Another great sunset that I videoed.

09/28/08 Victoria to French Beach

2008-09-29T07:41:00.000-07:00

Victoria to French Beach

Day 30 nm Cum. 175 nm

10:45 Launch at Ocean River Sports in Victoria
2:00 Race Rocks
7:15 French Beach

Had a late start from Victoria. Incredible weather all day with sun and no clouds. Flat conditions early so I took a more direct route to Albert, west of Victoria. Mixed currents all day but a consistent tail wind. Following wind waves built throughout the day to 3’ by day’s end. Fun through Race Rocks with an opposing current, so worked my way up through eddies. Very shallow between numerous islands. One in particular off (west) of Beechany Point had a nice shoot to run – fun.

Because of late start, plus French Beach was further than I thought, wound up paddling longer than I wanted and arrived with the setting sun. It was a real race to beat sunset and I really worked hard. The stars are incredible and I can see lights from the Olympic Peninsula across the Strait of Juan de Fuca.

09/27/08 Sidney to Victoria

2008-09-27T18:58:00.000-07:00

iEnd of Day Location:
Latitude:48.4307
Longitude:-123.3715
Link to Google Maps

Day 28 nm Cum. 145 nm
9:30 Launch at Canoe Cove, Sidney
11:30 Cordova Spit
12:30 Cowichan Head
Lunch stop on beach 1 nm south of Cowichan Head
2:45 Gordon Head
4:00 Cacbro Point
4:35 Gonzalez Point
6:30 Ocean River in Victoria

Glenis dropped mo off back at Canoe Cove. While they were polite, they made it clear that kayaks are not welcome there. I was tacitly accepted because I went through customs check there. I won’t go back.

Today as a slog with opposing current and head wind until 3:30. Slack until about 4:00 and then moderate ebb until the turn into Victoria Harbor. Incredible vies of Orcas across Haro Strait and the distant Cascade Mountains to the east, the Olympic Mountains across the Strait of Juan de Fuca to the south, the small islands surrounding Vancouver Island and the mountains of Vancouver Island itself. Upon entering Victoria harbor, passed astern of a Celebrity cruise ship. What a contrast with what I’m doing. Have to try that some day. I arrived at Ocean River Sports, back in the harbor to be greeted by Gary, Brian, Derrick and the great staff. They helped me secure my kayak on their dock and invited me to dinner. They have a big sale this weekend and were having a staff and volunteer celebration dinner. Great food, company and a fun evening. A basket was put out for donations to Breast Cancer Research, the cause I’m paddling for, and nearly $100 was raised. Thanks for your generosity guys!

09/26/08 Jones Island to Sidney

2008-09-27T17:00:00.000-07:00

End of Day Location: Sidney BC

9:15 Launch Jones Island
9:45 Green Point, Speiden Island
10:30 west point Speiden Island
10:45 Stuart Island
11:00 Turn to cross Haro Strait
Victoria Traffic on Channel 11
11:30 Gooch Island
12:40 Land at north end of Sidney Spit
12:50 Launch
1:50 Land at Canoe Cove

A great day of paddling – the water was flat and I felt powerful and averaged over 4 nm/hr. Left many new friends at Jones Island – Chris and the young men he’s helping through their outdoor adventures, Elaine and Tom. All said farewell.

Took a more direct approach than originally planned due to calm seas. On the Jones to Speiden crossing saw many Dahl’s porpoises. On Speiden lots of deer and a ram – very impressive. Crossing Haro Strait saw Orca!

At Gooch Island, entered Canada. Lots of seals on Gooch and several swam out to have a closer look at me. I think they were as interested in me as I was in them. Paddled through really nice islands – rocky with trees and fancy houses on them. Checked in with Canadian Customs at C Dock in Canoe Cove. It was simply a phone call and they asked a few questions – pretty simple. Then called Gary and Glenis came to pick me up.

We loaded my boat and gear onto his truck and drove to their home. A great dinner of steak, salad, potato salad and cake. Great company and a wonderful meal. Also enjoyed Rosie, the sweet Rottweiler and the cats. Glenis is a veterinarian and both have come to several of my talks at the West Coast Sea Kayak Symposium. Glenis told me how she used some of the concepts I present to help her in her practice, particularly muscle activation and maintaining strength and power as we age. Thanks to Kathy who taught me -nice stuff.

09/25/08 Off Day at Jones Island

2008-09-25T08:18:00.000-07:00

Due to forecast 25 knot winds Dan is staying on Jones Island today. There is a beautiful view from the campsite looking north with views of orcas and the mountains beyond.

25 knot winds were forecast for Haro Strait so I took the day off. So did the group of kayakers from Port Townsend. I got up at 6:00 in cast the forecast changed, made breakfast and listened to the radio – no change. So I went back to bed (tent) and slept until 10:00. Got up, did some writing, took a hike, made some boat adjustments, talked with the kayakers, helped some yachts land at the dock, pet their dogs and had a generally relaxing day. Had a nice talk with Tom and Erin about their Catalina 36. It’s a 1984 version – what a nice boat, and a nice size as well. Tom’s an airline pilot and Erin’s a speech pathologist. I had seen them at Spencer Spit but didn’t have a chance to talk there. They have 3 very nice Samoyeds who travel with them on their boat. Tom and Erin gave me water so I’m covered in that regard.

09/24/08 Spencer Spit to Jones Island

2008-09-24T17:40:00.000-07:00

End of Day Position:
Latitude:48.6177
Longitude:-123.0485
Link to Google Maps

Day 10 nm Cum. 99 nm

9:30 Spencer Spit
3:30 Jones Island

Gorgeous San Juan's all day. Crosse to Shaw, paddled west on north side between Shaw and Orcas. Between Crane Island and Orcas 25 knot east (tail) winds developed around 1:00 and rode waves through Harney Channel. Got a little break after narrow passage between Crane and Orcas but built to 3 - 4 feet across Spring Channel, between Orcas and Jones. The wave direction was northwest so I headed for the north side of Jones. By the time I reached Jones I had had enough and called it a day. I felt very strong and powerful today.

Met a group from Port Townsend at camp and had good company. They built a great campfire and all gathered round. They made pineapple upside down cake and gave me a piece. Third night in a row for cake!

If conditions permit, will try for Sydney tomorrow. A special thanks to Veronique for the marshmallow treats she made for me – delicious! Scenery continues to be incredible. Partly cloudy skies with mountains in foreground reaching between ocean and clouds. Rain on and off all day.

Water was turned off at Jones, one week early.

9/23/08 Joseph Whidbey State Park to Spencer Spit on Lopez Island

2008-09-23T18:51:00.000-07:00

End of Day Location:
Latitude:48.5388
Longitude:-122.8585
Link to Google Maps

9:00 Launch at Joseph Whidbey
10:30 West Point, Deception Pass
11:00 Land at Bowman Bay for lunch
11:45 Launch at Bowman Bay
12:55 Alan Island
1:40 James Island
2:10 NE Corner Decatur Island
2:30 NW Corner Decatur Island
3:05 Take out at Spencer Spit, Lopez Island

Into the San Juans! After nice sleep at Pete’s house, Fran made pancakes with homemade apple butter, Canadian bacon and OJ. Felt pretty good but still tired from yesterday – general fatigue all day. I guess I’m going to be tired a lot on this trip.
Easy launch at Joseph Whidbey State Park followed by an easy paddle north along Whidbey Island. A P-3 was doing touch and goes at NAS Whidbey Island so I saw multiple take offs. Crossed Deception Pass, with great views of the pass, and into Bowman Bay for lunch. Flat conditions allowed crossing straight from Alan Island to James Island. There are interesting whirlpools and boils 200 yards west of Alan Island and 300 east of James. Saw many ferries going through Thatcher Pass, as well as a Navy ship. Ferries caused lots if wake but surprisingly the Navy ship caused virtually no wake at all, and it was going much faster. Had favorable current until north side of Decatur Island picked up oncoming current after 2:00 but was able to make reasonable progress. Crossed Lopez Sound and into Spencer Spit to camp. Fairly long paddle today, I’m fatigued but feel this is doable. The San Juans are incredibly beautiful – a kayaker’s paradise.

Camp at Spencer Spit under Manzanita tree – nice camp. On shore met Julie and Pete from Idaho. Pete’s the outdoor writer for the Idaho Statesman. Julie gave me homemade bread and chocolate cake made in their Dutch oven. Yum!

9/22/08 Port Townsend to Joseph Whidbey State Park on Whidbey Island

2008-09-22T18:36:00.000-07:00

End of Day Position:
Latitude:48.3081
Longitude:-122.7163
Link to Google Maps

Day 15 nm Cum. 88 nm
9:50 Launch at Port Townsend
11:15 Land at Keystone for lunch
1:25 Launch at Keystone
3:10 Point Partridge
5:15 Land at Joseph Whidbey
A fun day of paddling, at times really hard work and I wore down by the end. Flood until 1:00 on flood crossed to Admiralty Head. There were super waves leaving Port Townsend up to 6 feet – a fun roller coaster. Ferried across to Admiralty Head at about 20 degrees angle. Arrived above (north) of Admiralty Head but could not continue north due to combination of current, headwind and confused seas as flood hit the Head. Turned south, went around the Head and then east into Keystone to wait for tide change, lunch and rest. Once tide turned, things flattened out quite a bit so proceeded north. There were small craft warnings in the Straight of Juan de Fuca so swells made their way to me – about 4 feet. North of Partridge Point fought current but had following seas and tail wind so made reasonable progress, but got really tired.
Landed at Joseph Whidbey State Park, called Pete Stevens, who picked me up and toom me to his home. Med Pete’s wife Fran and mom Betty, had a great dinner and of lasagna and pineapple upside down cake.

9/19/08 West Coast Sea Kayak Symposium

2008-09-20T10:52:00.000-07:00

Day 7 9-19-08 West Coast Sea Kayak Symposium, Port Townsend, WA

I worked in our booth for a short time and presented on kayak forward stroke. I enjoy doing presentations and had a great group of participants.

Thanks to MJ for the photos.

9/18/08 West Coast Sea Kayak Symposium

2008-09-20T10:47:00.000-07:00

Day 6 9-18-08 West Coast Sea Kayak Symposium, Port Townsend, WA

This was set-up day for the symposium. We have a booth on the retail floor and the Cascade staff was incredible in getting it set up. We rent a house on officers row each year that gives us a time to enjoy each other’s company and have some fun, in additional to our efforts at the symposium. We have an incredible staff here with Alex Inclan, Steve Jones, Ian MacInerny, Steve Wort, Meg Kelly and Tim Davis. What a great group. Alex anchors the entire retail operation and is great. On the water instruction is the focus for Stave Jones, Ian supports Valley Kayaks with the beach demos and Alex up in the booth. Steve Wort is with Epic Kayaks and Valley Kayaks on the water demos, Meg splits time between our booth and Epic Kayaks and Tim is with Current Designs for demos. That leaves me very free to network with manufacturers, explore opportunities, and conduct presentations.

In the evening we attended the vendor party and the Port Townsend Brewery and had a great time! It’s a marvelous microbrewery and they make marvelous ales. My favorite is the Porter. See the photo preparing for our return to Fort Worden.

9/17/08 Eglon to Port Townsend

2008-09-20T10:32:00.000-07:00

Day 5 9-17-08 Day 22 nm Cum. 54.5 nm
7:35 Launch at Eglon
8:25 Point No Point
10:15 South side of Oak Bay
12:10 – 1:30 Indian Island Beach just north of bridge
3:45 Land at Fort Worden State Park, Washington Water Trails Association Camp Site

Our camp spot on Susan’s lawn was very comfortable. Deb camped there as well but got really sick overnight. I guess she won’t eat my cooking any more. About 1:00am I heard her throwing up and she really suffered most of the night. Around 4:00 am she was able to settle and sleep – me too.

We launched at 7:35 and had a favorable tide until about 11:30. Since we decided to go straight to Port Townsend tonight, we changed our route to paddle through Oak Bay, under the bridge and along the west side of Indian Island. The sandstone is really beautiful there, so I took lots of photos. Further north the Navy chased us further away from shore se we headed across the bay.
This was a nice long paddle – very tired but certainly doable. After yesterday’s disappointing effort, this was encouraging. A real credit is due to Deb for paddling so well after getting very sick overnight and getting little sleep – what a trooper.

We made camp at the WWTA site and I took a cold shower in the campground. Tokens are required for the hot water and there was no place open within walking distance to get one.

Deb and I then walked up the hill and found the folks participating in the Water Trails Conference. We had dinner with them and learned about several trails around the North America. Then we listened to a great talk about water trails on the Chesapeake Bay. This was of particular interest to me as my Nephew, Jonathan Henderson, is a student at a Marine Biology magnet school in Newport News, VA. I joined him on a very interesting data/sample gathering field trip on a recent visit. It was a great day.

After the talk, Deb stayed to hear other speakers and to socialize, but I ran out of gas, went back to camp and sleep.

End of day position:
Latitude:48.1349
Longitude:-122.7618
Link to Google Maps

9/16/08 Fae-Bainbridge to Eglon

2008-09-20T10:26:00.000-07:00

Day 4 9-16-08 Day 11 nm Cum. 32.5 nm
10:30 Launch at Fae-Bainbridge
2:45 Land Eglon
I was really tired last night, went to bet at 8:00 and slept until 7:30. Deb Natelson joined me today for the paddle to Port Townsend. It took me 3 hours to get launched so we only had 2 hours of favorable tides. Afterward we fought tides and head with until we gave up at 2:45. I felt very weak today. We needed a break and stopped at Elgon. As we were going slowly and still had a long way to go before Fort Flagler, we talked with a couple of fisherman about potential camp sites closer, and confirmed there really was nothing. A neighbor (Susan) overheard us and came over to invite us to camp on her lawn. What a nice lady and a generous invitation. So we took her up on the invite and set up camp.

End of day position:
Latitude:47.8629
Longitude:-122.5142
Link to Google Maps

9/15/08 Shilshole to Fae-Bainbridge State Park

2008-09-20T10:25:00.000-07:00

Day 3 9-15-08 Day 4.5 nm Cum. 21.5 nm
I spent most of the day finishing organizing for my trip, wrapping up work and getting back to Shilshole.
3:30 Launch at Shilshole, in Seattle
4:45 Land at Fae-Bainbridge State Park – Washington Water Trails Association (WWTA) camp site
Easy crossing with light wind

End of day position:
Latitude:47.7025
Longitude:-122.5066
Link to Google Maps

9/14/08 Off day

2008-09-20T10:24:00.000-07:00

Off day

9/13/08 Renton to Shilshole

2008-09-14T22:37:00.000-07:00

Since the small Ballard Lock will be closed for maintenance beginning Monday, September 15, we moved the start day to Saturday, September 13.

We had a very nice send off at the boathouse with the Cascade Race Team, the Quietch's brought coffee and doughnuts and Mary presented me with a guardian angel pin. Steve Jones accompanied me from Renton to Shilshole and the companionship was greatly appreciated. We had a great paddle on a beautiful day with just enough chop on Lake Washington to make it interesting and I even got a ride off a sailboat named Babalu in the ship canal! We zipped along at 6 knots.

Mark Parrish, his wife Suzanne Britt and daughter Katie greeted us at the locks and took some great photos – included in this posting. Thanks to Dave Carpenter, with the Army Corps, and the Ballard Locks Staff for their accommodation in allowing us to go through.

Mark, Suz and Katie, as well as my wife Krin, met us at Shilshole and helped with transport to get Steve and his boat back to Renton.

Today I took the day off and went to the Seahawks game with Krin. I had some final packing to do in preparation from tomorrow’s departure from Shilshole. Next destination is the West Coast Sea Kayak Symposium in port Townsend.

I’ve subscribed to the Spot Satellite Personal Tracker and will send positions each day. Krin has agreed to post them here, so you should be able to see my coordinates and click on a link that takes you to Goggle Earth to see where I am paddling. Don’t you love technology - it’s so cool!

Please show your support for my trip, and a very important cause, by supporting breast cancer research at the Fred Hutchison Cancer Research Center.

End of day location:
Latitude:47.687
Longitude:-122.4028

Link to Google Maps

Vancouver Island Circumnavigation to Honor Dorothy MacGregor

2008-09-10T01:31:00.000-07:00

Support Breast Cancer Research

When I was 16, my Mom was trying to find ways for us to stay connected. Against my very strong teenage will she insisted we take canoeing lessons together. We both learned to love paddling, explore waterways, appreciating each other and enjoying the benefits of exercise. Now, 38 years later, I’m completely immersed in canoe/kayak. We lost her last spring to breast cancer and now honor her passion for life and paddling.

I’m about to embark on a Vancouver Island circumnavigation. To honor my mom, Dorothy MacGregor, I’ve dedicated the trip to her memory and partnered with the Fred Hutchison Cancer Research Center, here in Seattle, to raise money for breast cancer research. The Hutchison Center is a world leader in cancer research.

You can also be part of this trip, as well as support a wonderful organization and its efforts to find a cure, by generously donating to the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center on-line through the Vancouver Island Circumnavigation to honor Dorothy MacGregor webTribute. Please help us in this effort so we can free women of this terrible disease.

Because of the generosity of trip sponsors: Cascade Canoe & Kayak Centers, Inc., Current Designs Kayaks, Cascade Designs, Kokatat, and Epic Kayaks – 100% of the funds you donate will go to support breast cancer research, none will be used for trip expenses!

Please go to the following webTribute site to make you on-line donation.
'http://getinvolved.fhcrc.org/goto/Dorothy.MacGregor'

Thank you very much for your interest in my trip and for your generous support of breast cancer research.

All the best,
Dan

Vancouver Island Circumnavigation

2008-09-08T08:52:00.001-07:00

I’m in the final stages of preparing for the grand expedition of my life. On Saturday, September 13, starting at the Cascade Canoe & Kayak shop in Renton, I’ll paddle north on Lake Washington, west through the Lake Washington ship canal, and northwest to the West Coast Sea Kayak Symposium in Port Townsend. We have a booth at the symposium, will assist Current Designs, Epic and Valley kayaks with on the water demos, and I’ll present on the kayak forward stroke. We’re also hosting a Saturday evening barbeque that’s open to all who wish to join us! It’s free.

From Port Townsend I’ll paddle east to Whidbey Island, then west through the San Juan Islands and on to Sydney on Vancouver Island. From Sydney I’ll paddle clockwise around Vancouver Island, exploring sounds and islands in a 1000 nautical mile, 60-day (plus bad weather days) tour. Returning through the Gulf Islands, back through the San Juans and finishing back at the Cascade boathouse in Renton. I expect to be back before Thanksgiving.

The entire trip will be filmed and I’ll update this blog with photos and text when I can connect to the Internet.

Great appreciation to my trip sponsors: Cascade Canoe & Kayak Centers, Inc., Current Designs Kayaks, Cascade Designs, Kokatat, and Epic Kayaks - you have made this trip possible!