(This takes a minute to load - after the blue Q wait another 30 seconds and then it will play.) For anyone who has ever wakeboarded you will appreciate the above video clip. For those who are considering trying it, you might not want to watch this. Filmed at last weekend’s Horne Lake Wakeboard Tournament, it is a compellation of all the falls - over the course of five hours; there were some dandy’s. Having been “owned” by the board myself, the kind where you hit the water with your chin and your eye lids peel back, my sympathies and respect go out the people who compete in these events.
It is also important to note, that everyone who fell that day got right back up on their board and continued on, thus earning them true hero status or short listed for the Darwin awards.Enjoy the clip. I have to apologize for the sound quality, we’re still working on adding music to the clip, but that person going, “ohh, ohh, ohh” is yes, your’s truly. It’s all a work in progress.

Cheers,

Julie

This video take a minute to load - after the blue Q - wait 30 seconds and then it will start playing.

Ok, I know I’ve been promising this to you and sooooo here it is - the first clip. Filmed last weekend at the Horne Lake Wakeboard Tournament, on Vancouver Island, BC., this clip is a montage of some of the best borders in the competition. They represent Mens 1, Advanced Open and Pro.
Appearing in the video are:

Lonnie Barr

Jarrett Robertson

Ross Elandeil

Justin Anderson

Gordie (C’mon Irene) Lahane

Matt Tyson

Tyler (Hammer) Ham

If I have missed anyone or have gotten the names wrong - please leave me a comment. I would like to thank Al and Barb Shanks as well as everyone in the boat: Dayton, Skinny, Alex, Iggy and especially Richard for allowing me into the boat and for answering all my questions. Oh, and a special thanks to Mr. Parker, you have a really nice boat.

I hope you enjoy it and please tell your friends to check it out as well.

Tomorrow’s clip, “Crash Reel” is a must see and as the name suggests, it’s all your crashes, the good, the bad and the oh-so-ugly. I will be back in the editing studio next week with more coverage from the event.

Good luck to all the Island borders headed to Kamploops this weekend for the Kamploops Family Festival Wakeboard Tournament.

Cheers

Julie

360’s, flips, and rails are just some of the things we’re going to see today on Horne Lake.  Wakeboarder and Wake skaters are competiting for the next two days in the Horne Lake Wakeboard Tournament. 

Watching the local talent practice this summer, I can’t wait to see these amazing athletes go board to board. 

The competition gets underway down by the campground starting at 9 a.m. each day, so if you are in the area, drop by and be prepared to be impressed. 

I will be bringing you highlights of the day’s events so stay tuned. 

Yahooooooo,

Julie

As a kid, I first learned to water-ski on an old pair of wooden Go Go water skis. The white bindings were made of plastic and designed for a man’s size 10 foot, but I was a very determined 12-year-old. Eric and Robert, my cottaged buddies, stood on either side of my skinny little body. Using their arms, they propped me out of the water so I was already standing when my dad throttled the boat’s engine. After numerous false starts and ingesting gallons of weedy lake water, I was finally up and out of the water and actually skiing for the first time.

Terrified and exhilarated in the same moment, I fell in love. Now 30 years later, water-skiing is still my favourite cottage activity. Despite loving this sport, I have never actually owned a new pair of skis. I always had previous cottage owner hand-me-downs.

This past spring at the Cottage Life Show, I impulsively bought the O’Brien Celebrity Combos. I discovered later what a great purchase I had made.

The O’Brien Celebrity’s are the number one selling recreational water skis, according to Shane Thompson, store buyer for Boardsports, Toronto. These skis fly out of the store every season. When asked what makes them so special, Thompson explains its their design.

“They are wider than traditional skis. The extra width, particularly up front, helps pop you out of the water faster. They also have a dual channel bottom that helps the ski track the water; this is especially good when the going gets rough and there is alot of chop.”

Thompson also likes their bindings. The rubber bindings can be easily adjusted and there is a rear holster strap for slalom skiers. When asked if they require any maintenance, he recommends not leaving them on the dock all day, “The sun breaks down the rubber,” so store them someplace shady.

I cannot wait to try out mine, and now that the boat is purring like a kitten, I will be back with an update on Monday. If anyone has any comments about these skis I would love to hear from you. Also, please share your first-time water-skiing adventures with us.

Here’s to brand new boards.

Julie

As a teen, I spent my summers doing rooster tails around Rice Lake on a pair of old wooden Go Go water-skis. The bindings, made of plastic, were designed for a men’s size 10 foot, but that didn’t slow me down. Now twenty years later, shivering with that same mixture of fear and cold, I tuck my knees up to my chest, try to avoid the outboard motor’s sputtering gas fumes, and yell, “Hit it.” Suddenly I am launched on top of the water. The slick blue wakeboard with its vice-like bindings anchor me in place as I cut through the wake feeling that old adrenalin rush.

The prehistoric Go Go water-skis now hang on the boat-house wall, antiques by today’s standards. While water-skis celebrate their 85th birthday, those early wooden planks have made way for newer, more exciting rides: from windsurfing to kiteboarding, surfing to wakesurfing, skateboards to wakeboards and now wakeskates-it has been a real trip. Kyle Gordon, store manager of Boardsports, Toronto, attributes the boards’ evolution in part to extreme sports and the media attention they receive. Twenty years ago water-skis were the only game in town. Today, when asked to pick their bestseller–it’s all over the board.

Windsurfing boomed in the 80’s and early 90’s, but fell out of favour soon afterwards. Since the late 90’s, the boards have been totally redesigned, losing their long, sleek narrow profile to a shorter fatter more stable design. The results have been dramatic. According to Gordon, “You can now rip the top off some waves. The new boards are three to four times as fast and you no longer spend all your time trying to stay on the board.” Gordon states, “It is a completely different sport and is making a full comeback.”

While wakeboards continue to be their #1 selling board, wakeskates, dubbed a “skateboard on water”-have become pretty popular too. These four foot fiberglass slabs are the size and shape of a wakeboard-but don’t be fooled, with no bindings to hold you firmly into place, skilled skaters must rely on balance and their feet’s ability to grip the foam core, while doing 360s and aerial jumps. They are a cross-over between skateboarding and wakeboarding.

For more information and pricing on these boards visit http://www.boardsports.ca/ and get boared silly.

Friday June 8, 2007

                                                                                                                                                                                           

When one thinks of cottage toys, Costco might not immediately spring to mind.  But don’t discount the big box retailer.  Some of our best water toys have come from there, and year after year they consistently stock the favourites. 

The first toy we bought for the cottage was a three-person inner tube made by SeaDoo (Style #129483).  This is a must-have because you can take three people at once, eliminating wait time on the dock.  It works really well with small children because an adult can sit in the middle with the little ones on either side.  The handles give them something to hold onto when the going gets rough, and the head rests prevent you from snapping your neck, always appreciated, especially the day after.  Tied up to the dock, it makes a great toy for the kids to climb in and out of, and a great jumping platform.  Five stars for this one and a good value at $199.99. 

Last year we added a wakeboard to our collection of toys.  After visiting the local board shops in Vancouver, I was in a quandary.  I wanted a good all-round board, but I didn’t want to pay $500 plus another $200 for the bindings.  The other factor inhibiting my decision was not knowing if I was going to love this sport or not.  So I consulted Jacob, my 14 year-old neighbour.  A very intelligent and curious teenager, he recommended Costco’s Hobie Cat Wakeboard (style #124575).  It proved to be an excellent choice.  The bindings are very easy to get in and out of, requiring no dish soap, and the board handles well for a novice boarder (not that I am an expert or anything).  It too is a great value at $193.

Costco’s return policy is an added bonus as evidenced by Joe Flareski, Jacob’s dad.  When he discovered a hole in his three-person SeaDoo Tube Ray, he returned it without a receipt and was given a replacement.  Now that’s a return policy.

Don’t expect to find these toys online, for some reason Costco does not list them.  You have to go to the store to purchase them, but they are well worth the trip.

Monday June 4, 2007 

Considering a New Kayak?

While fiberglass kayaks look pretty, they scratch. If your beach is rocky or gravely you might want to go plastic. They handle wear and tear better and are cheaper.Closed kayaks can be used in colder weather and are warmer. Invest in a spray skirt – Mountain Equipment Co-Op (www.mec.ca) has them for as little as $38 (Seals Splash Deck). It keeps the icy drips from your paddle off your legs.

Used Kayaks can be purchased from kayak touring companies in the late fall once their season is over. I got mine this way -a little scratched on the bottom but discounted 40% off the same brand new model.

Safety – Kayaks under 6m or 19’8” must have the following on board:

• Approved PFD
• Heavy line of 15 m or 49’3”
• Spare Paddle
• Bailer or water pump
• Signaling device ( I use a Fox 40 whistle)
• Lights if paddling after sunset or before sunrise

If you would like more information on boating safety requirments, go click on http://www.tc.gc.ca/MarineSafety/TP/TP511/boat.htm#Canoes_kayaks_less_6m•

On final note, store your kayak out of the sun – direct sunlight will warp your shell especially if your kayak is a darker colour like red or green.

Satuday June 2, 2007 

Some people look forward to Christmas, others Halloween, my husband –shopping at Costco; but for me, nothing is more exciting than standing at the threshold of the Spring CottageLife Show, held every March in Toronto, Ontario. Scanning the enormous hall, my senses quickly process chrome, fiberglass, wood, lights and -ahhh -the sweet smoky smell of fresh roasted candy nuts. Like a kid at ToysRUs, it’s all I can do to contain myself.

While this year’s CottageLife Show was very similar to last year’s, there were some new twists on some old favourites…

Canoe or kayak?
Growing up in southern Ontario,canoeing was the only way to go. We played “rock the gunnels” on our old aluminum canoe, seldom using it as a canoe –more like a floating raft. But looking around the cottage show, the steady old canoe seem to be losing ground -or rather lake -to the slick, lightweight, durable plastic kayak.

A kayaker myself, I enjoy the ease at which I can paddle through the water; I also enjoy the seasonality of my kayak. In the early spring, long after the boat has been put away for the winter, my kayak and I take to the water. This light weight boat is also my escape –from my kids, my husband and our 794 square foot cabin, which after a few days of “family time” can become too confining. The solitude of being alone on the water relaxes me – my thoughts drift with the current. I return from my paddle, calm, serene and ready to be mom again.

It was interesting to see that most kayaks featured at the show are open or “sit onto”– meaning there is no hatch on them. It makes getting in and out easier and the open design allows you to bring your dog or child. It’s best to wear your bathing suit because you are likely going to get wet. And like people, some kayaks are more stable than others. I have a used Necky kayak –but again, the type of kayak you purchase will depend on your weight and size as well as how and when you plan to use it.

More to come on “Tips to Consider When Buying a Kayak”

Wednesday May 30, 2007

While kayaks are becoming popular cottage toys, the canoe—a long time favourite—has been declining in popularity. Or so I thought, until I spoke with Joe Bradant of Swift Canoe & Kayak, Gravenhurst, Ontario, who assured me things have been changing. A lot of it has to do with weight.

Canoes have long been the “fat boys” of the boating world – for those who have ever portaged through Lake Opeongo in Algonquin Park, you know what I mean. The metal Grummond at 75 pounds was virtually impossible to carry alone. But this has changed thanks to technology- aerospace technology and a fusion process that creates Carbon Kevlar canoes weighing only 30 pounds. According to Bradant, they are every bit as stable as their predecessors. “These are the strongest, lightest boats we’ve ever made.” Sounds like the fat boys have been on an Extreme Makeover episode.

These sound great for the lake and ideal for tripping, but can you canoe alone? Navigating a canoe solo is always a tricky proposition. “Yes,” affirms Brandant, who explains that kneeling thwarts are inserted into the floor of the canoe to accommodate solo paddlers.

So if you are looking for a new family toy, or a solo getaway, you might want to take one of these sleek new vessels for a test ride. Oh, and I do have to apologize. I was unable to test this canoe and I am not being paid by Swift to endorse their product; I am merely writing what I saw. The best way to find out if this might be a good fit for your family is to try them out. Swift Canoe and Kayak does offer rentals and lessons at most of their locations—check out their website at www.swiftcanoe.com for more information.

Happy Paddling

I’m sitting in the Whistler Walk-In Clinic, while the slim athletic doctor reviews my x-rays. “So how long have you been snowboarding,” she asks, her blond hair falling forward. “Um, well, it was my sixth time when I fell,” I reply, trying gently to shift the weight off my very, bruised backside.

“Are you a skier?” She demands, this time raising her sharp blue eyes above the laptop she is typing furiously on. I am quickly realizing her concern is not focused on my very, very sore bottom, but rather on what I am doing on a snowboard in the first place. “We see a lot of snowboard injuries in here, mostly knees, wrists and elbows, way more than skiing. Take my advice and go back to skiing. It’s much safer.”

There it is my prognosis and my treatment along with a prescription for Tylenol 3’s. She has, in her not so subtle way, warned me that I am too old, and will likely continue to get hurt if I keep up this foolish notion of snowboarding.

Am I too old? Should I have started this sport sooner? In the prophetic words of W.M. Lewis,

“The tragedy of life is not that it ends so soon, but that we wait so long to begin it.”

Everything I read about our aging populations states that 60 is the new 40. So isn’t it only fair to conclude that 40 must be the new 20 or 30 at least? Is age a state of mind or a way of ensuring our survival? According to the Life Expectancy tables, Canadian women are now living (on average) until we are 82.3, and yes, we are still outliving our male counterparts who are checking out at 77.2. According to these tables, and not God, I will be around for at least another 40 years.

Walking by my snowboard, now gathering dust in our garage, I feel this twinge of disappointment. My posterior has long since healed, but the fear of falling and hurting myself again, prevents me from climbing back on the board. I am further taunted, each weekend, by the young fearless people who effortless curve by me, barely conscious of their skill and ability.

I don’t want to be too old to try anything, this excludes sushi. Sure I may be 40 ish, but like Jean Cretin, I plan on water skiing well into my 70’s, that goes for downhill skiing too. So maybe that’s the trade-off. Maybe I have a 100 runs left in my knees, and maybe staying away from snowboarding will ensure that I get to cash-in on every one of them.

In the meantime, if anyone is looking for a barley used snowboard, send me an email.

Cheers,

Julie