Here is a quick round-up of paddling news on the internet today:

Change of Plans in Tierra Del Fuego
Sadly, Justine Curgenven and Barry Shaw had to call off their Tierra Del Fuego expedition yesterday due to ongoing problems with Barry's wrist. It's a real shame considering they waited for several weeks for the injury to heal but at the end Barry was worried it would flare up again when they were the more remote parts of their trip. Tendon injury is a slow injury to recover for sure.

Help LiquidLogic Better Outfit Their Boats
LiquidLogic is taking part in some knowledge crowd sourcing by going directly to their customers for better outfitting ideas. They set-up a Facebook page and want to hear from you. I think this is a great idea for companies who want to engage and build a loyal community of customers

Power Paddle Camp
Ben Lawry has just announced the schedule for his traveling Power Paddle Camp. Taking place over the month of May there are courses set-up in Rhode Island, Virginia Beach and Charleston, NC.

Ben is easily one of the best instructors that I have ever had the pleasure of teaching with and I'm quite confident that I learned as much as the students did when we worked together at the Great Lakes Sea Kayak Symposium. If you are looking to build your skills and learn under somebody who has put a tremendous amount of thought into efficiency and technique then this is the program for you.

If you haven’t already, mark June 26th on your calendar. Why? It will be your reminder to get out on the water and participate in some of the many activities of National Canoe Day.

Organized by the Canadian Canoe Museum, National Canoe Day has been running for a couple of years now. The goal is to, "engage new paddlers and reach across generational and cultural divides to introduce the canoe to those who haven't had the opportunity to experience this great national heritage."

So far this year there are over 33 registered National Canoe Day events so check out their website for something fun taking place in your neighbourhood.

This old man would destroy you in a race.
Former Senator, Bob Mitchler from Illinois has been canoeing his whole life. This year he entered the Mid-American Canoe Race for the 22nd time (after taking a break for five years) and finished in a highly respectable 22nd place. The thing is, Bob Mitchler is 90 years old. Yes, 90…years old.

It’s been a very hectic couple of days for me. I have been prepping for the National Sea Kayak Symposium which is taking place this weekend. I’m going to be teaching a couple of clinics including one on navigation and communication as well as a something on surfing and currents in long boats. I'm bringing my daughter along. It's the first time she has been to anything like this so she is as excited about it as I am.

Over the past couple of days there has been some really exciting things going on in the paddlesports world. Here is a quick rundown to keep you in the loop:

Looks like bureaucratic officials are officially on the warpath against the paddlesports industry and it couldn’t have come at a worse time. It’s Christmas/Hanukkah/Kwanza people!

In Hawaii state officials are turning the heat up on illegal kayak vendors at Kealakekua Bay. Last week they sent in undercover (undercover!) agents and seized nearly a dozen kayaks.

At the heart of the issue is the fact that local residents in the area have gone out and purchased their own boats and renting to tourists under the table while local kayak rental businesses are struggling to stay afloat.

A couple of interesting things out there recently in the news...

Kayaks Stolen, Kayaks Found
In Chesapeake Beach, MD, two kayaks were reported stolen. The very next day a police officer in the area was responding to a report of disorderly group of people. While he was there (probably giving them a lecture), he noticed two kayaks that matched the description from the day before sitting there on the beach. Two people were arrested and charged with theft.

Here is the tip for the kids out there. If you are planning on stealing kayaks, make sure you don’t take them out in public for at least a long time and when you do; don’t make so much noise that you attract the police.