New Zealand Travel Hacks by Hilde Schweitzer | Nov 13, 2019 | Exploration Feature, New Zealand, Outdoor Adventures, Trip ReportsTravel Hacks for New Zealand Winter in North America is prime time to travel to New Zealand. Whether boating, biking, fishing, hiking or just hanging out on some incredible beaches, November through April is the perfect time for New Zealand travel. Here are a few tips...
What’s In Your Kit #3: SEALS Sprayskirts by Hilde Schweitzer | Jun 22, 2019 | Internationalisation, Reviews, United States, WhitewaterWhats a good boat without a good skirt? Wet at best, dangerous at worst. There are a lot of good skirts out there and everyone has a personal bias or preference towards one particular brand or another. My favorite sprayskirt for many decades now has...
What’s In Your Kit #2: Sunscreen by Hilde Schweitzer | Jun 5, 2019 | Internationalisation, United States, WhitewaterScrolling through the list of what I consider essentials in my kayak kit, this time I am reviewing my favorite sunscreen product, All Good. Just last week it was reported that certain ingredients and chemicals in sunscreens are entering the bloodstream...
What’s in your Kit: Ear Plugs by Hilde Schweitzer | Apr 29, 2019 | Internationalisation, United States, WhitewaterI have spent a good deal of my kayaking career using stuff that didn’t work. Some of this was because of finances, some because I am a sucker for a good deal, and some purchases were the result of poor choices made because I listened to other people who may or...
CCK Opening Day by Hilde Schweitzer | Apr 12, 2019 | Event Coverage, Events, Internationalisation, United States, WhitewaterIt’s been a long winter. The rain and cold weather were relentless, and actually still are relentless. Last weekend California Canoe and Kayak and AW kick started Spring with their annual fundraiser, Opening Day on the South Fork and the sun actually made...
My New Bucket List by Hilde Schweitzer | Dec 4, 2018 | Antix, Internationalisation, River Running, United States, Whitewater, WW DisciplinesOK, let’s face it. I am never going to do that one Class 5 river that’s been on my bucket list since I started kayaking. Probably never going to get that massive clean air loop or do some trick that most people can’t pronounce, not going to go on any...
Eddy Life by Hilde Schweitzer | Nov 18, 2018 | Internationalisation, United States, WhitewaterI used to be a hole snob. I would spend endless hours in lines waiting for my perfect ride so I know a lot about hole line etiquette. Don’t push your way to the front, don’t constantly bump into the boat in front of you, don’t hog the hole even if you are...
Say What Part 2—Ear surgery field notes by Hilde Schweitzer | Oct 23, 2018 | Internationalisation, United States, Whitewater If you kayak, and the water you kayak in is below 68 degrees, you will most likely eventually need surgery for surfer’s ear. I was fortunate enough to book room number 2 at the Santa Cruz Surgery Center last week to get my left ear chiseled open by the...
Duct Tape and Super Glue by Hilde Schweitzer | Aug 19, 2018 | Instructional, Internationalisation, United States, Whitewater, Whitewater InstructionWe have all been there. You are at the put-in, excited to get on the river and you pull on your dry top or dry suit only to get that sinking feeling when your gasket rips. I just got off a 15 day trip and was using a brand new dry top. On day 7 the...
Into the Mystic by Hilde Schweitzer | Jun 12, 2018 | rivers, Trip Reports, Trips, WhitewaterWe were born before the wind Also younger than the sun Ere the bonnie boat was won As we sail into the mystic If ever there were a song written about a trip on the Grand Canyon, Van Morrison’s Into the Mystic represents that for me. It’s...
Antix antics by Hilde Schweitzer | Sep 29, 2017 | Antix, Creeking, Reviews, River Running, rivers, Whitewater, WW DisciplinesAntics:(noun) foolish, outrageous, or amusing behavior Antix:(boat) A means to accomplish all of the above We have been using the Medium Antix since December. It has been down the Grand Canyon, the Middle Fork Salmon, and spent many days on the...
Say WHAT? by Hilde Schweitzer | Sep 17, 2017 | Accessories, Reviews, WhitewaterIf you have boated for any length of time, chances are that you have had, or currently are having some sort of ear issues. This can range from water not draining, ear infections, vertigo, and other unpleasant conditions. Ear plugs should be a part of any...