Comments for KayakVagabond http://www.gregstamer.com the website of Greg Stamer Sat, 21 Jan 2012 23:26:01 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Comment on Ask Greg by KayakVagabond » Blog Archive » New Q&A Page http://www.gregstamer.com/ask-greg-qa#comment-387 KayakVagabond » Blog Archive » New Q&A Page Sat, 21 Jan 2012 23:26:01 +0000 http://www.gregstamer.com/?page_id=479#comment-387 [...] Ask Greg [...] [...] Ask Greg [...]

]]> Comment on K1 First Impressions… by Greg http://www.gregstamer.com/2012/01/11/k1-first-impressions#comment-379 Greg Thu, 12 Jan 2012 17:53:57 +0000 http://www.gregstamer.com/?p=361#comment-379 Hello Ben, I added some floatbags from my whitewater kayak to add flotation. A line would be useful, as you know there's nothing to grab onto, I stayed behind the boat pushing it along. I can put my feet over the sides in my surfski, but my K1 is too deep to let me do this -- at least that's my impression -- I'll try next time I'm out. I'm making a full footboard -- I find a strap or pull-bar aids balance. We have had some cool days, and also highs in the seventies this Winter. Still some mosquitoes but no complaints. The winter weather is beautiful here. Bright and sunny -- usually (it makes up for the intense heat of summer). Hello Ben, I added some floatbags from my whitewater kayak to add flotation. A line would be useful, as you know there’s nothing to grab onto, I stayed behind the boat pushing it along.

I can put my feet over the sides in my surfski, but my K1 is too deep to let me do this — at least that’s my impression — I’ll try next time I’m out. I’m making a full footboard — I find a strap or pull-bar aids balance.

We have had some cool days, and also highs in the seventies this Winter. Still some mosquitoes but no complaints. The winter weather is beautiful here. Bright and sunny — usually (it makes up for the intense heat of summer).

]]> Comment on K1 First Impressions… by Ben Fuller http://www.gregstamer.com/2012/01/11/k1-first-impressions#comment-378 Ben Fuller Thu, 12 Jan 2012 16:32:29 +0000 http://www.gregstamer.com/?p=361#comment-378 Greg, I have a 1950s Anderson which is vastly more stable than what you are paddling but still can be challenging. Even though it's wood I tossed some buoyancy bags into it. I also took a piece of light line with me long enough to go around the cockpit rim then half hitch to the bow to make the tow to shore easier. I assume that someone showed you the trick of sitting in the boat with your feet in the water outside of it which stabilizes things some, and lets you relax when standing still. You might want to start without using the foot straps so you can do this. It's ice up here now Greg, I have a 1950s Anderson which is vastly more stable than what you are paddling but still can be challenging. Even though it’s wood I tossed some buoyancy bags into it. I also took a piece of light line with me long enough to go around the cockpit rim then half hitch to the bow to make the tow to shore easier.

I assume that someone showed you the trick of sitting in the boat with your feet in the water outside of it which stabilizes things some, and lets you relax when standing still. You might want to start without using the foot straps so you can do this.

It’s ice up here now

]]> Comment on There’s no such thing as a tippy boat… by Greg http://www.gregstamer.com/2012/01/06/theres-no-such-thing-as-a-tippy-boat#comment-377 Greg Tue, 10 Jan 2012 16:28:52 +0000 http://www.gregstamer.com/?p=252#comment-377 Steve, thanks for the comments. I may need to take a trip to "the Pines" to get to paddle some different K1s. Do you find that there is a huge difference in stability between the Nelo Vintage and a Vanquish? I'm thinking that a little extra stability would make sense for marathons, although it seems that many of the top performers are using full-on Sprint K1s (Vanquish, Legacy, etc). K1 coaching is also rare here. Have you studied Imre Kemecsey's work? I have taught a few classes using his concepts and have found them excellent, will good student response. I will be sharing some of that on this blog in the future. Steve, thanks for the comments. I may need to take a trip to “the Pines” to get to paddle some different K1s. Do you find that there is a huge difference in stability between the Nelo Vintage and a Vanquish? I’m thinking that a little extra stability would make sense for marathons, although it seems that many of the top performers are using full-on Sprint K1s (Vanquish, Legacy, etc). K1 coaching is also rare here. Have you studied Imre Kemecsey’s work? I have taught a few classes using his concepts and have found them excellent, will good student response. I will be sharing some of that on this blog in the future.

]]> Comment on There’s no such thing as a tippy boat… by Steve U. http://www.gregstamer.com/2012/01/06/theres-no-such-thing-as-a-tippy-boat#comment-376 Steve U. Tue, 10 Jan 2012 15:53:49 +0000 http://www.gregstamer.com/?p=252#comment-376 Greg, I see lots of familiar thoughts. Having started in Greenland boats and then British sea kayaks, I thought I could handle "tippy" boats and rough water. Once I got my first surfski, a Fenn Mako6, I realized that tippy came in various shades. After "mastering" the ski it was time to get a K1. I'm now paddling a Nelo Vintage ski and Classic K1 and highly recommend both of them. I'm really enjoying the journey of honing my skills, balance, and stroke, and hope you will too. Later. Greg, I see lots of familiar thoughts. Having started in Greenland boats and then British sea kayaks, I thought I could handle “tippy” boats and rough water. Once I got my first surfski, a Fenn Mako6, I realized that tippy came in various shades. After “mastering” the ski it was time to get a K1. I’m now paddling a Nelo Vintage ski and Classic K1 and highly recommend both of them. I’m really enjoying the journey of honing my skills, balance, and stroke, and hope you will too. Later.

]]> Comment on There’s no such thing as a tippy boat… by Greg http://www.gregstamer.com/2012/01/06/theres-no-such-thing-as-a-tippy-boat#comment-375 Greg Mon, 09 Jan 2012 22:09:23 +0000 http://www.gregstamer.com/?p=252#comment-375 Hello Gil. The "Formula-1" needs smooth roads only (strictly flatwater). At this point too, I'm not too thrilled about using it in the backcountry as swimming with gators is not my idea of fun. Have you tried a surfski? That would be a much more versatile choice. My epic V-12 ski is considered "tippy" by most but is very stable as compared to the K1. I have tried my skinny sticks with these, but they are best suited for a wing. I actually find a wing very similar to a GP.. I'll see you at Sweetwater, if not sooner. Hello Gil. The “Formula-1″ needs smooth roads only (strictly flatwater). At this point too, I’m not too thrilled about using it in the backcountry as swimming with gators is not my idea of fun. Have you tried a surfski? That would be a much more versatile choice. My epic V-12 ski is considered “tippy” by most but is very stable as compared to the K1. I have tried my skinny sticks with these, but they are best suited for a wing. I actually find a wing very similar to a GP.. I’ll see you at Sweetwater, if not sooner.

]]> Comment on There’s no such thing as a tippy boat… by Gil http://www.gregstamer.com/2012/01/06/theres-no-such-thing-as-a-tippy-boat#comment-374 Gil Mon, 09 Jan 2012 21:24:16 +0000 http://www.gregstamer.com/?p=252#comment-374 So Greg...Where are you taking your Formula-1 for paddles? I have also pondered on the idea of a another kayak style of paddling, but these skinny boats scare the tar out of my out-of-shape body. Are you using the wing paddles. I was warned that those spoon shape paddles will pull you into the water at first. Is that so? Looking forward to hanging out at the Sweetwater Symposium. So Greg…Where are you taking your Formula-1 for paddles? I have also pondered on the idea of a another kayak style of paddling, but these skinny boats scare the tar out of my out-of-shape body. Are you using the wing paddles. I was warned that those spoon shape paddles will pull you into the water at first. Is that so? Looking forward to hanging out at the Sweetwater Symposium.

]]> Comment on Hot Stuff… by Jay Rose http://www.gregstamer.com/2010/06/27/hot-stuff#comment-373 Jay Rose Thu, 21 Jul 2011 17:25:41 +0000 http://www.gregstamer.com/2010/06/27/hot-stuff#comment-373 I feel your pain Greg. I had my car the first summer down here with no A/C and no one could ever talk to me on the phone while driving because I always had all my windows down. Thankfully the kayaks have infinite A/C available at all times. Cheers!! Drop me a line sometime. I've been meaning to ask you some things. - Jay I feel your pain Greg. I had my car the first summer down here with no A/C and no one could ever talk to me on the phone while driving because I always had all my windows down. Thankfully the kayaks have infinite A/C available at all times. Cheers!! Drop me a line sometime. I’ve been meaning to ask you some things.

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Jay

]]> Comment on 2010 Southwest Kayak Symposium – San Diego by Greg http://www.gregstamer.com/2010/04/03/2010-southwest-kayak-symposium-san-diego#comment-371 Greg Tue, 11 Jan 2011 04:30:38 +0000 http://www.gregstamer.com/2010/04/03/2010-southwest-kayak-symposium-san-diego#comment-371 Ross, google "Point 65 Tequila" and you should find plenty of hits. Ross, google “Point 65 Tequila” and you should find plenty of hits.

]]> Comment on 2010 Southwest Kayak Symposium – San Diego by ross http://www.gregstamer.com/2010/04/03/2010-southwest-kayak-symposium-san-diego#comment-370 ross Tue, 04 Jan 2011 22:44:43 +0000 http://www.gregstamer.com/2010/04/03/2010-southwest-kayak-symposium-san-diego#comment-370 Do you have anymore info on that expandable kayak. I can't seem to find it on google. Do you have anymore info on that expandable kayak. I can’t seem to find it on google.

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