Posted by Greg on
July 26, 2009
Vibram FiveFingers (KSO Model)
Greg’s Gear Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars
I am often asked “backchannel” for gear reviews on the equipment that I use on both my expeditions and for everyday paddling trips. Please watch my blog for future reviews and send me email if you wish to see a particular item reviewed. I will indicate any conflicts of interest (sponsorships, etc) and do my best to provide an informative review.
The Good
- Low volume fit is great for SOF kayaks and other tight boats.
- Models with an instep strap stay “stuck” to your feet (even in thick muck).
- Razor-cut soles offer excellent traction, even on wet surfaces.
- Soles are thick enough for common hazards yet thin enough for dexterity (such as operating butterfly rudder controls)
- Walking “barefoot” while in public feels sinfully good (you even leave a nice “barefoot” footprint).
The Bad Read more... (852 words, 2 images, estimated 3:24 mins reading time)
- Sand is bad news. When walking in water, fine suspended sand can pack tightly around your toes and badly abrade your skin if not removed.
- Due to the toe pockets you can’t use the shoes with any kind of drysuit that features integral socks.
Posted by Greg on
July 18, 2009
Today I biked 32 miles, getting up early to beat the afternoon heat and the intense thunderstorms that define the sub-tropics of central Florida. My favorite trail winds around low rolling hills and orange groves and past huge oaks draped with beards of Spanish moss that sway in the hot breeze. Hidden among the hills are an amazing number of lakes. Today’s ride was unremarkable, although I did have to swerve to miss a six-foot corn snake that was fully stretched across the path to absorb the intense heat.
Each year I have to become re acclimated to the heat of Florida. It was really bad in past years when I returned from my circumnavigations of Iceland and Newfoundland, being adapted to much cooler weather, to face the August Florida heat. In mid-summer it stays hot even at night, although the mornings and frequent rain showers provide some relief. The heat wraps around you and saturates you. It almost suffocates you. When I finish a good paddle or ride, I can literally ring the sweat out of my clothes. Read more... (359 words, 1 image, estimated 1:26 mins reading time)
Posted by Greg on
July 4, 2009
Back in Newfoundland for a visit, June 2009, retracing some of the steps from my circumnavigation.
Long trips are great but you eventually have to go home…
I love long kayaking expeditions. On such a trip you fully live each day and live for the moment. However, you can’t spend your entire life on what amounts to a glorified vacation. Eventually you have to return home and pay the piper.
One of my biggest challenges has been finding meaningful work. By that I mean work that pays well, work that stokes passion and leaves you energized instead of drained, and allows ample time for adventures, be that hiking the AT or paddling around some large land mass. Some people search for such a “calling” their entire life. Some lucky people find it or, more likely, stumble upon it — probably since few of us understand what we *really* need. If you do know, then you are miles ahead of the pack.
If you follow my blog you know that I walked away from a comfortable salary working as a software engineer/project manager, to find the right blend of kayaking, teaching, sales, helping people, and application of my software/managerial skills, that would ignite all of my passions. I also knew that I would always have regrets if I did not pursue long kayaking expeditions. Read more... (607 words, 1 image, estimated 2:26 mins reading time)
Posted by Greg on
April 12, 2009
Greg Playing in a Baja Rock Garden.
La Bufadora Blowhole. One of the most spectacular in the world!
Pals Nigel Foster and Russell Farrow
Our “tent village”. Perched on a cliff overlooking the beautiful Pacific.
Many thanks to Jen Kleck and Jake Stachovak of Aqua Adventures for flying me in to coach in San Diego at the Southwest Kayak Symposium . This was my first time teaching in Southern California and it was good to make acquaintance with a number of people that I have corresponded with, including members of the Greenland-style community such as Duane Strosaker and others. I taught a mix of both Greenland-style skills and “Euro” skills using a narrow Greenland paddle. Kudos to Jen for understanding that these skills are not mutually exclusive. I enjoyed the students in all of my classes!
Symposiums, for those on the “circuit”, is akin to being part of a diverse, entertaining and sometimes, …..well…, gloriously dysfunctional family. It is amazing to travel over the world and share the experience with a collection of special friends. The catch, of course, is that you don’t see these friends very often, but that is partially what makes the experience so special. Fellow Floridian and paddling buddy Russell Farrow, of Sweetwater Kayaks (Clearwater, Florida), was there, along with Nigel Foster, Steve Maynard, (born to be wild) Phil Hadley, Tom Bergh, Sean Morely and a number of other colorful characters. Read more... (735 words, 4 images, estimated 2:56 mins reading time)
Posted by Greg on
October 27, 2008
I am currently teaching Greenland kayaking skills in Gothenburg, Sweden, care of Johan and Sara Wagner of Escape Kajakcenter. Classes will run until November 2 — if you are in the area, please stop by to say hello!
To date I have given lectures of my Newfoundland and Iceland circumnavigations and have been working with students to help perfect their forward stroke, bracing, directional strokes and other skills with a Greenland paddle. The weather has been cool and breezy. Today Johan and I crossed to Nidingen Island (a bird sanctuary off the coast with Denmark barely visible in the distance). During the 25K paddle we experienced F5-6 headwinds, sun, rain, hail and our own private lunch table high atop the lighthouse. The return trip was fast and fun with strong following seas.
In addition to kayaking I will be visiting some of the local museums and look forward to viewing both historical kayaks as well as old Norse and Viking boats. Tackar så mycket Sara and Johan for your fine hospitality!
Please view my photo gallery from Sweden.
Posted by Greg on
October 13, 2008
My life has been a flurry of actively since the completion of my solo Newfoundland expedition, including teaching at the Qajaq TC Michigan Training Camp, Maine Island Kayak Company’s New England Intermediate Rough Water Symposium and even returning to Newfoundland to visit again. This week I teach at the Delmarva Retreat (America’s largest Greenland-style event) and following I will be teaching in Sweden at the Escape Kajakcenter from October 23 – November 2.
I still haven’t even settled into home since my Newfoundland trip ended and am still dealing with all the re-acclimation issues that follow a long trip. It seemed to hit me harder this time — but that’s a story for another day…
The October 2008 Issue of Sea Kayaker Magazine contains my article, “Lost in Iceland” — about my record-setting circumnavigation of Iceland in 2007 with German kayaker Freya Hoffmeister.
I find most trip articles (travelogues) difficult to read, so this article was meant to be something very different. It is a very personal account of my struggle to bust out of my safe but confining “cubicle” in the corporate world, to seek a life that I am more passionate about. I found it a very difficult article to write. Read more... (314 words, 1 image, estimated 1:15 mins reading time)
Posted by Greg on
July 31, 2008
I have many hundreds of images to process but until I return home and have time to edit them, here are a few to give you a teaser of what a beautiful and special place that Newfoundland is. I can understand why many travelers say that a part of Newfoundland always remains in their heart.
Images copyright, Greg Stamer, 2008
Posted by Greg on
July 30, 2008
Following are my trip statistics. I’ll also put a gear list together, along with a list of what gear worked and what gear didn’t make the grade.
Total distance paddled: 2102K (1306 miles)
Daily average: 60.05K (37.3 miles)
Longest day: 93K (57.8 miles)
Shortest day (aborted crossing of Trinity Bay): 27K (16.7 miles)
Total days: 44
Paddling days: 35
Weather/Rest days: 9
Many hundreds of whales, dolphins and blowspouts! Two sharks and two sunfish. And of course, and most important, too many life-changing memories to list…
Posted by Greg on
July 29, 2008
Today was borderline for the final crossing — gusty headwinds and choppy seas. The conditions weren’t unsafe but were a difficult slog with the kayak pounding hard and “buckets” of water frequently hitting my face and chest. At 8:00PM, after 12 hours and 63K I approached Quidi Vidi (pronounced “kiddie viddie”) where I started my trip 44 days ago. Just outside of the rocky, narrow fishing harbor I was met and escorted in by two kayakers from KNL (Kayak Newfoundland Labrador). It brought a smile to my face as did seeing the KNL members who gathered in the harbor and cheered as I took my last paddle strokes. Many thanks to everyone who participated, it really warmed my heart!
It felt strange to unload the kayak and split up my gear. It felt like disbanding a “team”. This gear has been my sole material world for so long that it hasn’t fully sunk in that I won’t be repacking it again early in the morning to push toward another distant destination. That said, tonight I am looking forward to falling into a real bed! Read more... (312 words, 1 image, estimated 1:15 mins reading time)
Posted by derrick on
July 29, 2008
N48 05.13 W52 53.8 Bay de Verde. On water at 6:30am, 10 hours to cross Trinity Bay & reach split point. Morning was strong headwinds & 1.5 meter seas. Kayak was pounding hard & throwing spray. Wind died in afternoon, fog turned to sun making for pleasant conditions. Looking forward to final crossing & finishing tomorrow!
