PaddlingExercises.com – Canoe and Kayak Paddling Exercises

One experience every paddler should have at some point is an up-close view of the annual dyeing of the Chicago River.

Since 1962 the river has been dyed green at 9:00 am on the Saturday before St. Patrick’s Day. The Plumbers Union Local 130 adds an orange biodegradable vegetable dye to the water to create the fluorescent shade of green. For those who say “why dye it, the river is always green”, you’ve never seen green water quite like this.

The paddle is not for the faint of heart. It’s a raucous affair with every tour boat coming out for the event. Add in private power boats, numerous police and Coast Guard boats, and many kayaks in an environment with sheer walls and no easy bailout points and you’ve got to be on your toes the entire time.

The actual dyeing takes about 45 minutes and is performed by several small boats running up and down a 2 block stretch of the river starting at Michigan Avenue and progressing inland. The vibrant green dye job lasts only about 5 hours.

I just returned from my annual pilgrimage to Canoecopia and I have to say that this year was the best ever.

I am fortunate to have been selected as a speaker on several topics this year. I had the pleasure of speaking with five separate audiences on topics, including a fitness session based on Power to the Paddle, leadership principles for day trips, and how to pack a kayak for a multi-day trip.

The best part of the weekend was something that I will never grow tired of experiencing. Throughout the weekend, I had paddlers seek me out on the show floor and before and after speaking to tell me how much the book and DVD, Power to the Paddle, helped them.

One gentlemen is down 25 pounds and continuing to lose more as a result of getting off the couch and focusing on himself. He is moving more now than ever and living life to the fullest.

Another paddler has incorporated the exercises in the book into his programming three days a week and has increased his mobility considerably.  As a result, he is back to enjoying long paddles without feeling exhausted at the end of the day.

Another, who was working at the bookstore, purchased the book two years ago, well before working the show, and was recommending it to others for the benefits she gained.

Your stories are exactly why I wrote the book and produced the DVD. There’s nothing more satisfying than knowing you’ve made a difference and helped someone enjoy their passion. I can’t begin to describe the feeling of pride when I noticed this sitting on a chair on Saturday afternoon. I truly hope that this paddler gains the same benefits.

Thank you to everyone who is using the book and DVD. Keep telling me your stories. I am truly honored.

 

I’ve been teaching CPR/AED/First Aid for Children, Infants, and Adults for my employer for the past 7 years and now it’s time to take the classes public.

PaddlingExercises.com is an authorized training center through the American Safety and Health Institute and will be leading my first public class on March 24.

If you’re in the Chicago area and looking for a thorough CPR/AED/First Aid certification at a reasonable price, here’s your opportunity.

 

 

 

The ASHI Training Center logo is a registered trademark of Health & Safety Institute or its affiliates. All rights reserved.

I will and I hope to see you there too.

I am honored to have been invited to speak four times on three topics at this year’s edition of the world’s largest paddlesports expo.

Here are my topics for 2019:

• Power to the Paddle: Exercises to Improve your Canoe and Kayak Paddling
• Leadership Principles for Effective and Fun Day Trips
• Perfectly Pack Your Kayak for a Multi-Day Trip

Get the schedule for my Canoecopia presentations

If you’ve never visited, check out five reasons to love Canoecopia.

See you in March!

 

 

I love the magic of Isle Royale.

The majestic and wild beauty. The history of the place, it’s people and their stories, and wildlife. The incredible sunrises and unforgettable sunsets. The thimbleberry and blueberry picking (and the resulting blueberry pancakes). In 2019 I have the opportunity to share this special island with others.

I am stoked to be guiding a trip for Uncommon Adventures in 2019. Our group will explore the island that is the nation’s second least visited National Park, but which also holds the distinction of being the park with the highest return visit rate. There’s a very good reason for that high return rate. Once you’ve been there, you’ll be counting the days before you’re back!

Learn more about the Isle Royale Explorer trip and please consider joining me in 2019!

I am proud to announce that I have been named a Werner Paddles Ambassador.

I am honored to be affiliated with a company like Werner, one who is committed to delivering a great product with fantastic support. I have been a proud Werner user for several years and always enjoy the opportunity to share the story with other paddlers.

If you want to experience a Werner product first hand, connect with me at an event or class.

Take a minute to find your paddle at www.wernerpaddles.com.

 

 

The water here in the US Midwest is crunchy this time of year, making paddling a bit challenging. Sure, it’s ridiculously cold, but unfortunately here in the Chicago area we don’t have enough snow to break out the snowshoes or cross country skis and too much for anything other than a fat bike. For now, that leaves indoor workouts.

Fortunately one of the best pieces of equipment in your local fitness center is probably also one of the most lightly used in the room. The Concept 2 rower, or my new favorite flavor, the Water Rower, engages more than 80% of the body’s muscles, working them in a similar fashion to paddling.

A few keys to success:

• Roughly half the work should come from the upper body and half from the lower body. Focus on using both rather than relying on the upper body.
• Set the foot straps up so they come across your foot right at the base of your toes.
• If you’re using the Concept 2, avoid the temptation to set the damper too high. Most people set it at the highest setting (10) because they’re not rowing properly and lower setting don’t feel challenging enough. A setting between 3-5 simulates the resistance of water and puts much less stress on the upper body while creating a smoother stroke.
• Think Legs, Core, Arms…Arms, Core, Legs. When you start your drive, move the legs first. As the legs begin to straighten, engage the lats and lean the core back slightly, followed by pulling with the arms. Keep the wrists straight through the pull and have your hands meet the body right at the base of your rib cage. Begin your recovery in reverse: Straighten the arms out first. As they begin to reach your knees lean forward while keeping the core tight, and lastly bend the knees to finish.

Concept 2 has produced a few excellent videos and descriptions on proper form. Check them out and get the most from your indoor row.