Freya's Race around Australia

http://www.epickayaks.com/news/news/freyas-race-around-australia--updates?PHPSESSID=011fc3676b118db53f072b6c7f23a8d8

Freya has chosen an appropriate sea kayak - an Epic.
Anticipated to take one year this is an incredible adventure.

Freya's launch is highlighted in the Epic January newsletter and her progress can be followed through the link above or through Freya's website:

http://qajaqunderground.com/australia-2008/

or

http://qajaqunderground.com/category/australia/stage-1-melbourne-queenscliff-sydney/

An interesting aspect of her expedition is that you can follow her via SPOT satellite messenger. Six hours ago she was in Mallacoota.

http://share.findmespot.com/shared/faces/viewspots.jsp?glId=0W7LyZmviRmB22G2TG7xqX70Dk5Cx8O3G

Oliver Hicks Global Rowing Adventure

Oliver Hicks has just launched from Australia to row around Antarctica, effectively rowing around the world in the most southern, most unforgiving environment.
If you have read Julie and Colin Angus' books you will want to keep posted on Olly's
adventure.

http://www.virginglobalrow.com/index.php/about/


You can sign up and follow his expedition.

Banff film Festival

Last night was the start of the St.John's part of the Banff Film Festival world tour. All the films were great, my favourite though was the Journey. We follow three world famous BASE jumpers as they travel into China to locate and descend into an old cave, while immersing themselves in the culture of the region that is home to what is known locally as the Heavenly Pit. A fascinating film and in the final sequences nerve wracking. It was also really interesting to see how the jumpers connected to the people, particularly a group of school children who were excited and proud to have them visit their school.

YakTrax

http://www.yaktrax.com/ProductsPro.aspx


Friday I tested out the Pro Yaktrax - I was a little skeptical but they worked out
perfectly.

These are slip on alternatives to crampons and suitable for hiking trails, but also great when walking/running on icy sidewalks within the city.

I found they actually cut through the ice giving a significant amount of traction.

A bonus feature I noted on the box I bought, was that they are recognized by the Canadian Physiotherapy Association.

Happy New Year from Quidi Vidi

Happy New Year
A number of us gathered at the wharf this afternoon for this traditional
NYD event.
It was windy, wet, rainy and cold but a great time.
The bitterness was more related to preparations and clearing up.

This is the Sea 4

These are two photos from Justine Curgenven's photo gallery. The shipwreck was used as a partial shelter for a short break, during the circumnavigation of Queen Charlotte Islands. This was one of two expedition documentaries making up the newest DVD in Justine's series: This is the Sea 4 disc 2.

This is the Sea 4 provides us with another motivational sea kayaking DVD showcasing local people, culture and paddlers who live and paddle in unique regions of the world.
Disc one starts off in Baja, New Mexico. Justine creates interesting opportunities to gain insight into paddlers' experiences and skill, often letting them do the talking. As a result Justine takes on the role of narrator for many of these visits,and it is this relaxed approach that allows us a unique view into the places and different lives of paddlers. Viewers actually become part of the trip. This style of filmmaking is fascinating for those of us who find it difficult to actually get to Baja, Australia or Norway. When we catch up to Dubside in Washington - we learn when he was born, his real name was Dubside - his parents just didn't know it. We follow him to several of his rolling destinations, typically accessible by bus and finish with what he calls commando kayaking.

We next visit Jim Sammons and friends Kayak Fishing in the San Diego region. There is an abrupt shifting of gears, and Justine leads us on a 350km crossing of the Bass Strait between mainland Australia and Tasmania.

Then something entirely different on the Ottawa River - Ken Whiting and Brendan Mark(Canadian whitewater experts) take Justine down whitewater in seakayaks.

Viewers share in the travel adventures to these and other locations - Israel, Norway and Lake Superior where the scenery and locations are extraordinary and the stories behind the paddling are captivating.

Basically two and half hours of action. You will want to visit these places by the time you finish watching this DVD.

Merry Christmas!

This time of year is a great time to visit family and friends, celebrate, practice those tricky yoga moves but also to catch up on reading.
I just discovered reviewing the Iles de la Madeleine tourism newsletter that the islands have launched their own water trail. I think we just missed the grande opening when we were there.

Prepared by the Centre intégré de développement touristique des Îles de la Madeleine (CIDTIM), in close collaboration with the Municipalité des Îles-de-la-Madeleine and the Îles-de-la-Madeleine ZIP Committee, the Water Trail Maps show 31 duly authorized launch sites. Used along with nautical charts, these maps provide all the pertinent information required to plan a safe excursion around the archipelago. The Maps, presented in both official languages, illustrate the suggested circuits and offer advice about local navigation conditions, distances between launching sites, special local conditions and services available to users.

This project is a part of the CIDTIM's 2008 action plan and fits neatly into the objectives of the overall tourism development policy of the Municipalité des Îles-de-la-Madeleine. Based on the concept of responsible tourism, this mapped (but unmarked) trail is designed to:

Prevent the deterioration of natural habitats by protecting them from uncontrolled traffic
Promote friendly relations between users and owners of waterfront properties
Improve safety for users
Create a new attraction, a new awareness and accrued economic benefits for the tourism industry.

This project was made possible through the partnership of Canada Economic Development, the Caisses populaires Desjardins des Îles, the Centre local de développement des Îles-de-la-Madeleine and the participation of members of the Regional Tourism Association.

I am definitely going to have to go back.

But it may also motivate the development of water trails in Newfoundland and Labrador. The idea came up at one of our recent AGMs and now with the Iles de Madeleine launch there may be renewed interest.