The SUP The Coast guys are almost at the end of their journey, paddling from Key West, FL to Portland, ME.
"The eastern coast of the United States is long. In a car bus or train it takes several days even weeks to travel from Key West Florida to Portland Maine.
Our journey has taken approximately 85 paddling days to reach Marion Massachusetts.
I can’t help but think how the natives and ancients travelled the coastlines of our Earth. Whether for trade or survival these men and women would leave the shore and travel long distances (on simple craft) to meet other tribes and trade goods.
We also have met many” tribes” along the way. We have traded stories in return for a place to stay and a wonderful home cooked meal. People have greeted us the same way I imagine villagers would greet travellers from lands far away. First with a little wonder in their eye. Then after a customary handshake, Bang! Friends for life.
Our travels began for two reasons: The Wounded Warriors and SUP Cleanup. Only now after 1800 miles do I clearly see that this is just the beginning of journeys to come. It would be nice if what this trip represents fixed all that is wrong with our coastline and our war hero’s. I’m afraid they both need more help.
This current journey is close to completion."
More here at SUP The Coast blog.
...and Bart de Zwart just completed what is believed to be the first nonstop solo stand up paddle across the entire Hawaiian island chain...from the Big Island of Hawaii to Kauai.
"Bart de Zwart expected to be in more pain after paddling 300 miles from the Big Island to Kauai.
"I'm not even sore," he said Monday morning from his Kauai hotel room, where he slept in a bed after arriving to Kalapaki Beach the night before onboard a stand-up paddleboard.
The 41-year-old Maui man spent five days alone at sea attempting what he believes to be the first-ever solo crossing from the Big Island to Kauai on a standup paddleboard. He was headed to a Kauai clinic Monday to have swollen, infected blisters on his feet checked out. Aside from the blisters and losing about six pounds, he said he felt fine."
Read the rest here.
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Uwharrie!
After many years of driving by the place, I finally got an opportunity to mountain bike at the Uwharrie National Forest, located in south central NC. I dropped the kids off with their cousins who live nearby, then Rob and I hit the trails for a couple of hours and knocked off 14.5 miles of combo single track and fire roads. The Charlotte/Lake Norman area mountain bike trails have better technical single track, but the Uwharrie trails have longer and better climbs and downhill runs and a great mix of single track and fire roads. Got a serious cardio workout today.
I took the camera but didn't take any pics since we were having too much fun to stop and snap any. We thought we were fast, but not nearly as fast as these guys...check out these awesome mountain bike movie trailers...I love the overhead cable shot angles in these films.
I took the camera but didn't take any pics since we were having too much fun to stop and snap any. We thought we were fast, but not nearly as fast as these guys...check out these awesome mountain bike movie trailers...I love the overhead cable shot angles in these films.
Friday, June 17, 2011
For Sale
F2 Phoenix 340 windsurfing longboard for sale...great board for light wind and upwind performance sailing, and it really performs well when the wind picks up and you can kick up the centerboard for full on planing fun. Great all around board for different conditions.
Includes Lakes Bay padded board bag with handle, rear fin (missing screw), adjustable/removable centerboard, foot straps, and mast foot = all for $400.
It's in very good condition. Got a ding on rear end in shipping when I first bought it but had it professionally repaired by Don Bowers in Hatteras....one of the best board repair guys in the country. That's why there is discoloration on the back end near rear foot strap in picture. It's structurally very sound.
Will not ship it but am willing to drop off or meet in NC/VA/SC area within 2 hr drive of Charlotte area.
Drop me a line in the comments section or email me at yahoo, macbarnhardt is the id.
Includes Lakes Bay padded board bag with handle, rear fin (missing screw), adjustable/removable centerboard, foot straps, and mast foot = all for $400.
It's in very good condition. Got a ding on rear end in shipping when I first bought it but had it professionally repaired by Don Bowers in Hatteras....one of the best board repair guys in the country. That's why there is discoloration on the back end near rear foot strap in picture. It's structurally very sound.
Will not ship it but am willing to drop off or meet in NC/VA/SC area within 2 hr drive of Charlotte area.
Drop me a line in the comments section or email me at yahoo, macbarnhardt is the id.
Friday, June 10, 2011
Better Than TV
It's 12.5 minutes long but you won't be sorry you watched this. One of the best slo-mo films I've ever seen. Stick with it to the end...
Monday, June 6, 2011
OBX Paddlepalooza Cont'd
When we pulled out of Frisco Woods Campground on Sunday to head home, I asked the family who wanted to come back next year and the response from everyone was a resounding "ME!". If that's not a ringing endorsement, I don't know what is because they are a tough bunch to please.
The 1st Annual OBX Paddlepalooza was a great event and one that will grow year after year. Event co-organizer, Drew from Hatteras Island Boardsports, said it best - In a few years when this thing grows really big, we're going to look back on the 1st year and say we were there. Although this 1st year's turnout was small compared to other events that are already in their 2nd & 3rd years, we had a blast. This was an event the entire family can enjoy. The organizers are already thinking about next year's event. Starboard liked it so much, they are going to return and really want to help grow this thing. SUP is a great family oriented sport/activity and this event is an excellent example of a grassroots event designed with the family in mind. I would highly encourage you to attend next years' event and bring the whole family.
Frisco Woods Campground was a great venue for this event. It was easy camping in the cabins, which the family really liked. We had great weather - 10 degrees cooler than the sweltering heat back home. The soundfront beach was a kids playground and an excellent launching pad for the flat water SUP events. There were races in the morning and SUP games in the afternoon the whole family can participate in together. There were board and paddle demos. Frisco pier is just down the street and provided some fun mellow waves to play in. The swell forecast was very small but provided the perfect conditions for the beginners and just enough of a bump for the rest of us to have some mellow fun. Dawn and her kids surfed their very first SUP waves! Drew had our daughter on the front of his board and they were tandem surfing wave after wave. Saturday evening's BBQ was to die for and the evening entertainment band (The Dune Billies) kept the awesome tunes coming. Rob and I even got in a nice surprise slalom blasting windsurfing session in the sound when we arrived on Friday afternoon.
Special thanks to the event organizers and sponsors Wind-NC, Hatteras Island Boardsports, and Koru Village. Also big thanks to Starboard for their support and to Frisco Woods Campground for hosting the event.
Event Organizers Drew (Hatteras Island Boardsports), Andy (Wind-NC), and Joe (Spa Koru)
Waterturtle (far right) off to a great start in the Men's Unlimited race, led most of the race only to get beat at the very end by Starboard team rider and east coast rep, Mark Colino. Doh! I left it all out there and Mark did a great job of catching and passing me at the end.
Mark Colino/Starboard and I at the finish
A kids playground at Frisco Woods Campground
Our daughter McIntyre (look at that stroke!) and her friend Gabe in the kids' race
McIntyre coming to the finish in 1st place in the kids race
Rob stroking it at the end to finish 1st in the Men's Surf Class in another close race
Dawn coming to the finish in 2nd in the Womens Race
Kris finishing - 1st in the Womens race
Waterturtle and his boys...chips off the old block
The boys in a SUP tug of war
An event for the whole family
McIntyre doing the dizzy SUP race...5 spins around the paddle and then...
...do your best to run to your board and paddle around a mark and back. Here I am running sideways trying to find my board after a few spins.
Our 9 yr old in the freestyle spinny contest
Tandem SUP race...our 7 year old paddling with me on the board
This is the Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge wildfire that has been burning for the past month. This photo was taken from the Oregon Inlet Bonner Bridge on the way in last Friday. Luckily, the smoke held off from Frisco on race day. But Sunday as we were leaving, it got very smoky and ash was falling out of the sky. As of this writing, the fire is 60% contained and hopefully they'll put it out for good soon.
Kris and Dawn and their gift certificate winnings
Killer sunset at the BBQ
The 1st Annual OBX Paddlepalooza was a great event and one that will grow year after year. Event co-organizer, Drew from Hatteras Island Boardsports, said it best - In a few years when this thing grows really big, we're going to look back on the 1st year and say we were there. Although this 1st year's turnout was small compared to other events that are already in their 2nd & 3rd years, we had a blast. This was an event the entire family can enjoy. The organizers are already thinking about next year's event. Starboard liked it so much, they are going to return and really want to help grow this thing. SUP is a great family oriented sport/activity and this event is an excellent example of a grassroots event designed with the family in mind. I would highly encourage you to attend next years' event and bring the whole family.
Frisco Woods Campground was a great venue for this event. It was easy camping in the cabins, which the family really liked. We had great weather - 10 degrees cooler than the sweltering heat back home. The soundfront beach was a kids playground and an excellent launching pad for the flat water SUP events. There were races in the morning and SUP games in the afternoon the whole family can participate in together. There were board and paddle demos. Frisco pier is just down the street and provided some fun mellow waves to play in. The swell forecast was very small but provided the perfect conditions for the beginners and just enough of a bump for the rest of us to have some mellow fun. Dawn and her kids surfed their very first SUP waves! Drew had our daughter on the front of his board and they were tandem surfing wave after wave. Saturday evening's BBQ was to die for and the evening entertainment band (The Dune Billies) kept the awesome tunes coming. Rob and I even got in a nice surprise slalom blasting windsurfing session in the sound when we arrived on Friday afternoon.
Special thanks to the event organizers and sponsors Wind-NC, Hatteras Island Boardsports, and Koru Village. Also big thanks to Starboard for their support and to Frisco Woods Campground for hosting the event.
Event Organizers Drew (Hatteras Island Boardsports), Andy (Wind-NC), and Joe (Spa Koru)
Waterturtle (far right) off to a great start in the Men's Unlimited race, led most of the race only to get beat at the very end by Starboard team rider and east coast rep, Mark Colino. Doh! I left it all out there and Mark did a great job of catching and passing me at the end.
Mark Colino/Starboard and I at the finish
A kids playground at Frisco Woods Campground
Our daughter McIntyre (look at that stroke!) and her friend Gabe in the kids' race
McIntyre coming to the finish in 1st place in the kids race
Rob stroking it at the end to finish 1st in the Men's Surf Class in another close race
Dawn coming to the finish in 2nd in the Womens Race
Kris finishing - 1st in the Womens race
Waterturtle and his boys...chips off the old block
The boys in a SUP tug of war
An event for the whole family
McIntyre doing the dizzy SUP race...5 spins around the paddle and then...
...do your best to run to your board and paddle around a mark and back. Here I am running sideways trying to find my board after a few spins.
Our 9 yr old in the freestyle spinny contest
Tandem SUP race...our 7 year old paddling with me on the board
This is the Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge wildfire that has been burning for the past month. This photo was taken from the Oregon Inlet Bonner Bridge on the way in last Friday. Luckily, the smoke held off from Frisco on race day. But Sunday as we were leaving, it got very smoky and ash was falling out of the sky. As of this writing, the fire is 60% contained and hopefully they'll put it out for good soon.
Kris and Dawn and their gift certificate winnings
Killer sunset at the BBQ
Saturday, June 4, 2011
OBX Paddlepalooza
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