Wow!  Well, I guess all that time I spend rubbing in how down here in Florida we can paddle while the rest of you all stay bundled up has come back to haunt me.  We've been getting pouring rain and flooding for the last almost 12 hours.  And to make matters worse its supposed to continue through tomorrow.  

A brief look at Weather.com reveals that the whole East Coast is having rains, snows, and severe weather.  So I guess all of us here along the Atlantic Seaboard are in the same boat...no pun intended.

Stay dry and warm out there.

Hey, I think in the morning I'll go paddle down the street!

As you consider picking up the sport of paddling in 2010, perhaps as one of your New Year's resolutions, you should consider all the reasons why people canoe and kayak.  While it is true that people paddle with a number of motivations, there is another side to this sport that is somewhat difficult to explain.  It has to do with the feeling we get while out on the water.  It might not be felt initially, as it could come with time.  But at some point in a true paddlers life when they push off from shore they know and feel it.  There is freedom.

In the last post I challenged all of you to survey this past year and see how you did when it comes to your paddling goals.  Many readers of this site, however, are only occasional paddlers and may only get out on the water a couple of times a year, usually using rental equipment. 

If you fall in the latter camp, why not pick up canoeing or kayaking on a more formal basis?  There are a lot of benefits of having your own gear, getting to know fellow paddlers in your area, and learning to paddle using proper technique.

Here's an article to help you figure out which type of paddling to pick up: Getting Started in Paddling.

Well, its been almost one year ago that I challenged all of my readers to set paddling goals for 2009.   The end of one year and the start of another offers us an opportunity to reflect on how the past year went and what we would like to accomplish in the next.   So how did you all do this past year as far as paddling is concerned? 

Did you get out on the water as much as you wanted to? 

Take that overnight paddling trip you've been dreaming of? 

How have your canoe or kayak skills progressed?

Setting written goals helps you to keep focussed on what is important in your life.  If you're on this site, I assume that canoeing or kayaking must rank somewhere in your list of priorities.  You should therefore have some annual goals you want to acheive in this sport and work to attain them. 

Read more: 5 Goals Every Paddler Should Set

Ok, before you all yell at me again for suggesting that you properly store your gear for winter, you have to remember that not everyone lives in Florida...or even Georgia for that matter.  Some of the readers of this site actually live where it snows, and snowing it has been.  Also,  I know there are the die-hard kayakers out there who put on dry suits and brave the sub-arctic temperatures and my hat goes off to you.  Really, it does.  But again, thats not everyone who reads this site. 

Most of you out there probably came back from your last paddling trip not realizing it would be your last for some months and just threw your canoe or kayak gear in the corner of the garage, or worse, you left it in your boat.  This is just a friendly reminder that that stuff you just balled up and tossed somewhere is pretty expensive.  Also, you're going to expect it to be in good working order the next time you use it.  So go ahead and give your spray skirt, paddle jacket or dry top, gloves, booties, rope bag, and even your paddle a once over and make sure it is all clean, dry, and free of corrosion. 

For a full list plus some tips on how to store your paddling gear read: Top 5 Storage Tips for your Paddling Gear

And, you know what?  I changed my mind.  Go ahead and yell at me if you think its crazy to store your paddling gear since you'll be using it all winter.  I like to get yelled at!

And who said December is not the time of year to go kayaking?

The Miami Children's Hospital 2009 Miami Kayak Challenge will be held this Sunday, October 5,  at Oleta River State Park.  

There will be both a Competitive Race with three age divisions and a Recreational Race.   Registration includes both breakfast and lunch and there will be an awards ceremony after the race!

For more information check out the event's Facebook Page.

Ok, so I set you all up with my last post regarding the reason I write some of these basic how to articles.  This one is on How to Put on a PFD  properly.  The American Canoe Association reports that the vast majority of water sport related deaths are the result of people not wearing their PFD, or personal flotation device.

While wearing a PFD is fundamental to canoeing and kayaking, they are often worn improperly.  The main reason for this is primarily due to all the straps and adjustments that make paddling PFDs fit so well.  People tend to put their PFDs on with half of the straps already tightened, the assumption being that the size shouldn't change from the last time it was worn.  Unfortunately, depending on what is worn under the PFD significantly affects the resulting adjustment.  Also, when PFDs are thrown in the trunks of cars and packed away until the next paddling trip the straps often get adjusted in the process.

For all of these reasons, all of the straps should be loosened prior to placing the PFD on each time.

Read more on How to Put on a PFD.

I know I start out many of my blog posts here with the typical

It might seem silly to write an article about...

So sometimes I hesitate to begin that way.  And while there is some truth that it may sound silly to some to post articles regarding the  fundamentally basic aspects of paddling canoes and kayaks it is also essential that I do so.   I can't tell you how many times I've seen people not holding canoe paddles properly, carrying kayaks incorrectly, or taking forward strokes with way too much effort.  Alright, I'll be honest.  I was there once too!

It is for these reasons that I write Basic Canoe and Basic Kayak skills, technique, and gear explanations.  So, if you already know it all when it comes to paddling, thanks for bearing with these basic concepts.  If you still have some room to grow, I hope you're getting a lot out of these types of Paddling 101 pieces.

Well, I know most of the country is battling cold temperatures and thinking about skiing or even hunting.  Not so in Florida.  We're lovin' this weather!  The humidity is low and the breeze has been nice.  Its not cold at all yet summer temperatures are definitly long gone.

Just last week, I spent some time in Orlando, FL paddling on a lake, feeling the sun on my shoulders and the wind gently caress my nearly bald head.  Ahh, this is the life!

If you're sick of the change in season already, why not consider taking a paddling trip to FL this winter?  There are lots of options from protected lakes in private developments to spring fed rivers to the unprotected waters of the ocean or Gulf of Mexico.

Learn more about canoe and kayak option in FL : Florida Paddling Destinations

Hey fellow paddlers,

I just wanted to wish you and yours a Happy Thanksgiving!

I know its tough out there for a lot of people right now.  Why not take a moment to stop and count your blessings and then see what you can do to help someone out this holiday season?

God Bless,

Paddling George