Okanagan Lake - July 14, 2010

A nice evening for a paddle.

A few members of the Hoodoo Adventure Club were out tonight to enjoy the summer evening. We paddled from the Soorimpt boat launch (between Penticton and Summerland) north around Trout Creek to The Local restaurant and pub on the Summerland waterfront.

It was an uneventful and enjoyable evening for most of us. Lyndie and Mackenzie had a little bit of adventure in Lyndie started off trying to tow Mackenzie in a small whitewater boat. This did not work out too well as the small boat would not track and just skidded back and forth on the water turning nearly sideways at times. Too tough to paddle very far like this.

Marcel and Lyndie then teamed up for a twin tow which worked a little better and shared the workload.
Mackenzie tried to steer as best she could, however eventually she got caught with the paddle too close to the boat on a side slip and the effect of the water pushing on the paddle dumped her in the lake. Mackenzie then made the balance of the trip laying on the back deck of Lyndies boat. Marcel towed the empty boat and I am sure he got a good workout tonight.

We came across a duck and a huge flock of ducklings out enjoying an evening paddle also. I am guessing that these are Merganser ducks. If anyone can confirm, please leave a comment. Here is a photo. check out all these babies born to paddle.

Hey there is a new saying for kayak enthusiasts. Born to Paddle. I can just about see the T shirts now.

On a personal note, tonight before leaving the shore I shortened up my kayak foot rests a notch which had the desired effect of forcing my thighs up under the thigh rests giving me a more solid contact with the kayak. A little easier now to become one with the boat, assisting edging and balance maneuvers.

Here are a few photos.

Thanks for visiting, leave a comment if you wish and keep paddling.

Okanagan Lake - July 8, 2010

Tonight the HooDoo Adventure Club went on a paddle from Marina Way in Penticton to 3 mile Beach in Naramata.



It was a beautiful, warm,  maybe even hot, evening for a paddle and there was a good turnout of 15 boats.



Everyone was in a good mood because it was the real beginning of summer with a blue blazer sky, hot weather and little wind. There was lots of smiles and eagerness to get going tonight. We were all ready to enjoy kayaking.



The sun was dancing on the water like diamonds.

On the way up the lake I spotted something moving on shore and went to investigate and found some Canada Geese enjoying the night also.

Probably about half way there we stopped to watch if 2 members could change boats out in the lake. They did it and they did it a little too easily for the rest of us to believe. A few funny comments and a good laugh for all.

Nearing the beach, I stopped paddling and looked back and found that Okanagan Lake was just full of kayaks tonight.

Close to me at one time was Marcel Allaire, the gentleman who keeps us informed of the club events via email. We all appreciate his notes that keep us up to date on the club.

Lyndie had planned for what she called "beverage and some snacks" on the beach. Well we were all pleasantly surprised to find her setting up a layout of wines, cheeses, crackers and tortilla chips for our enjoyment. Well done Lyndie ! 

As you can see from the next few photos, the beach was full of kayaks of all makes and models and colors. That's one of the great things about this club, everyone is happy to be kayaking and the boat is just the vehicle that allows the sport. You don't have to have a certain boat or skill to enjoy the time on the water. Everyone helps out each other and a good time is had by all.

I looked all around and I could not find the - No Kayak Parking Sign . So I guess we are safe to park here.

A few of us went for a swim and cooled off before our return paddle.

The sun was just about to set and Janet and I got on the water first to get a couple of sunset shots and head back along the shore.

On this next shot, I held the camera down at the water level and got the side of the kayak and the sunset.

And here is my final shot on the way back, a silhouette of Janet after the sun had gone down.

Thanks for visiting and keep on paddling.

I have received some photos by email from Marcel, so here are some of his pics to enjoy.

Okanagan Lake - July 4, 2010

July 4, 2010.

Out for a paddle today by myself. I launched halfway between the Summerland boat launch and Crescent Beach to the north.

A nice quiet little sandy beach and a very good launch site.

I travelled south along the lake shore, past the parks and through the marina.
A slight wind in the face heading south.

Heading south towards Trout Creek.

Another shot with the camera held down by the water. Just for fun. Must have more fun. Fun and more fun, I like that.

I went a little past Illahie RV park and then turned around and headed back. It was fairly calm for a while.

And another photo of the Summerland hill from my turn around point.

After about half way back north, the wind started to pick up and from the three quarter mark I was really facing some strong swirling gusts. Had to stop paddling a couple of times to hold my hat on. At the Summerland Marina they have a bird platform and I caught this one taking flight. I'm guessing it is an osprey.

Got back safely with no problem and loaded up and headed home. Here is my kayak just before lifting to my shoulder to carry to the car. I set it on a couple of chunks of pool noodle to keep the sand off the boat bottom.

It is interesting how the camera records the boat color when in the bright sunshine, turning the orange to yellow while leaving the orange color in the shade.

The GPS tells me I had travelled 8.9 km. paddling, and I was out there 2 hours. 

Thanks for visiting, leave a comment and keep paddling.

Okanagan Lake - July 1st, 2010

July 1st, 2010

Tonight had another paddle with the HooDoo Adventure Club.

Here is a view from the beach at Marina Way in Penticton.

My kayak all ready to go.

The bunch of us ready for a paddling lesson.

We left from the beach at Marina Way in Penticton and paddled north up to 3 Mile Beach.

Lyndie gave all of us a paddling skills talk on the proper way to paddle a kayak. It was well received by everyone and we all practised our new, improved strokes as we paddled.

Some interesting cliff and shoreline.

Big bird watching our progress.

Paddle, Paddle, Paddle your kayak gently down the lake.

A look across the lake at the sun starting to go down.

A look northwest towards Giants Head.

A brief stop a 3 Mile Beach for a stretch and a drink.

 


A view of Penticton from 3 Mile Beach.

Then back towards the Casino to take in the mini air show going on over the lake in front of the hotel. No pictures due to bumpy conditions and speed overhead.




Thanks for visiting and keep on paddling.

Skaha Lake Club Paddle - June 23, 2010

June 23, 2010 the Hoodoo Adventure Kayaking Club went out for an evening paddle on Skaha Lake. Here is a photo of our leader, Lyndie, and others, as we met up and decided where to paddle.

The weather was a little dicey in the afternoon with several thunderstorms making their way through the area. This probably kept a few paddlers at home. We had a good number show up though and those that did turn up just after a storm had passed ended up with a good evening paddle . It was nice and calm as you can see below.

We went south down the east shoreline for just about an hour. Stopped for a couple of breaks and chat. The storm clouds were in sight but they did not bother us a bit.

The sun was trying hard to shine through and for the most part it was really quite nice out. A lot of the lake is shallow and it was fun just poking around through the tall weeds growing up from the lake bottom.

I was paddling a new Seaward Chinook as a demo and was trying out the handling and speed. I stopped regularly to take some photos and the Chinook allowed me to catch up with the group rather easily.

At about the time we turned around and started heading back, the sun was peaking through and gave us some nice views of the shimmering water and sun rays.

On the way back the wind was in our faces only slightly and it was a relaxing paddle. You can see the slight chop on the water now.

We arrived back at the launch area well before dark and the GPS tells me we paddled about 8.2 km.

Hope you enjoy the photos and keep paddling.