Hilly Report – From SUP, Kayaking, Surfing to Beyond

Winter is here and after spending a few moments looking over my gear this weekend I have the urge to get going on paddle boarding, kayaking and swimming again.   What makes it even better is my dad (Kimo) sent me a picture of the harbor in Hawaii he is paddle boarding at this week.   Awesome to be retired for him, but suckage for me to see the locale.    With that in mind, I thought it would be great to start creating my list of next years spots to hit so I can plan early, reserve camp sites and start to think through the gear required to have a great spring/summer.   

so… let’s start.  

Top places on the list for 2014 Spring/Summer

• Tahoe – North Shore
• Santa Cruz – Harbor
• Catalina Island
• Newport Harbor
• Lake Clementine (of course)
• Deschutes ( and actually own it this time )  (Bend, OR)

After a fun day kayaking, it’s time to report out on a few new items that I have picked up over the last 2 months.

The first item was a new anchor, I picked up a small form factor anchor to use on the kayak when you are out swimming and would rather not swim after your boat.   I found this small one at REI.    It was compact, yellow rope, small anchor and by all appearances looked to be perfect.    Well I got it all ready today and threw the anchor into the lake today, however what I found was that if the ground is just sand it will not hold an anchor of that size.    Julie and I both agreed that a “ B” grade was in order.  It didn’t hit the mark, however we were not in a regular lake area and probably not where we would use it.   So it’s going to get another crack during our next trip to see how it does.   Here’s the link to REI website – http://www.rei.com/product/762708/seattle-sports-kayak-fishing-anchor-kit   Yes.. I would still recommend picking one up for your kayak.

The second item was a Pop-up small sail for the kayak. http://www.campmor.com/advanced-elements-rapid-sail.shtml?source=CI&ci_sku=35298&ci_gpa=pla&ci_kw=    I saw this as the same shop in Auburn and decided to run it thru two specific tests.   Test 1) to attach as it should to a kayak  Test 2) to utilize w/ the SUP board.   Well today (july 5^th) we took it out on the kayak.    We started at uppers (lake clementine), paddled to the camp grounds and then it was time to turn around and let the wind take us back.  I was very hopeful, my two other kayak travelers were skeptical..  specifically Noah.. he said “it won’t work”.  Well the first gust of wind came and I felt it pulling the kayak.   However the sail wasn’t high enough to get the right consistent wind.   I have decided to create a couple of handles and see if I can get it higher off the kayak and better support to hold it in the wind.   Overall I’m giving it a “B+”.  However, we have yet to try it on Test 2.   I’m thinking this week I will try test 2 in Folsom.

The only thing we didn’t do today was bring the gopro, yes yes I know.. so next trip with the sail I’ll have the gopro on my head and show how good it works.

Until then.. . stay paddling my friends..   and if you ever want to paddle with me.. let me know.

J

Julie and I were faced with a challenge last week in Tahoe @ Pope Beach to get all three boards to the water without making multiple trips.  We checked out the Tahoe SUP store and then decided we could build our own.   We hit the store this week, found our tires at Harbor Freight and then picked up the rest at Home Depot.  Here’s what we came up with:

While we still have challenges we will keep it going to make it work..   stay tuned for the changes based on today’s lake clementine visit.

FYI:   Lake Clementine – Uppers has a new guard shack.    The guards are stocked and they finally have AC.  🙂

I will leave you with the following..  What if I could attack a rapidup sail to a SUP?  hmm?  or even the kayak?   sounds like a fun challenge..

#Hillyreport – OUT!

What every trip needs is a great story about falling in the water, hitting poles and falling

out of hammocks.   Let’s start by saying that it just wouldn’t be an “EPIC” trip without all of the above and a ton of fun.   I think it would be very appropriate to play this while you are reading this post – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OYws8biwOYc   “I’m Awesome (adult lyrics)” .

The journey started on Friday, after packing the jeep with gear, it was clear that we would have a solid weekend.

Unfortunately my fiancé (Julie) was sick, however that didn’t stop the crazy awesome weekend from slowing down at all.   We left around 5pm, headed up 80 towards 89, to Tahoe.   We figured it would be more adventurous to go the 89 route as we were heading from the 80 side of town.  Quick stop at Nyack and then it was right to Tahoe City.  We stopped in at a local SUP (Stand Up Paddle Board) shop and well, let’s just say I was

enlightened with the new rules around PFD’s (personal flotation device).  We walked in looking for new wider pads for the roof and walked out two new quicksilver PFD’s http://www.the-house.com/qssuppdfg13zz-quiksilver-sup-paddles.html?cagpspn=pla&gclid=CKrD44mNx7cCFeZxQgodeE0AHw  ($110.00/piece), which is a great solution for both Kayak and SUP.  After having it on the board I would recommend getting a few to have on boat/kayak/sup.

The journey continued on to 89, but what we didn’t know was there was 180+ mile marathon going on that same day..  It was a SLOW-TO-GO trip around the lake, but we managed to get to the campsite.   The group we stayed with was frickin awesome, they had a about dozen sites all together, with a food area, games setup and just really cool folks.   I played corn-hole for the first time and it was really cool.  Even asked if Brian could make me a set for Julie & I.  The good news is Dave and I kicked Brian/Tami’s a&& in the game..  (boom!  That just happened).   We brought all our camping gear to get the tent, sleeping bags setup, however the Hunts let us use one of their RV’s bedrooms.. so let’s just say no TENT this time.  Next morning we woke up, and I decided it would be fun to get my super stellar awesome hammock in use.   I received an ad from REI the week before and I bought it – http://www.rei.com/product/754773/eno-doublenest-hammock.  I also bought an off-brand rope system to go around the trees.    Here are steps on the package:

1)      Put the ROPE around the tree (twice)

2)      Put the medal edge of the rope into the carbineer on the hammock

3)      Sit on the hammock

How did I do it?

1)      Put the rope around the tree (once) – yah..  the tree was big

2)      Put the medal edge of the rope into the carbineer on the hammock

3)      Sit and quick lay on the hammock

4)      Hit the ground on my tailbone

5)      Look over to your fiancé watching you the whole time

6)      Laugh .. pain … laugh

You have to try, but not give up..  So I retried it with the carbineer in the rope vs. around the medal safety piece and it worked.   I’m still voting that the hammock is really cool and if you are looking for a light weight hammock, pick one up, even at full price at REI is worth it.  After that fun, we had an amazing brunch and then headed to POPE BEACH.  Pope Beach is highly recommended for LOW STRESS, easy access and smooth waters.  Julie and I made a little camp site for us and I got the boards ready for the water.   She was feeling under the weather, so I took a board out at a time to get used to the water.   I started with the BIC board for the stability and also the SICK tri fins that I put in over the week.  The fins worked out great, very stable and were pretty good at gliding on the lake.

I made it from Pope to the “private” beach and then headed back.

I decided it was time to swap back to the blue surftech and see what I could do since it was repaired from the Santa Cruz cracking the board.   It worked out great and the pictures do not do the scenery justice.

While I was out paddling I ran into a local that was talking about their every weds paddle race for chill people (meaning folks that want to hang out vs. NON cool haters).   The convo was cool, but it was time to move onto the Beacon.

We ran into my co-worker Nicki & her husband Loel, which she was preparing for the big race the next day in Tahoe.   We had some grub, drank a brew and then decided we should pull out the boards for the rest of the group.  I brought all three boards to the beach and it was awesome to see adults and kids all enjoying the boards.  I decided that the Laird board is a rough board and not enjoyable as much as I wanted it to be..  so.. I’m selling it..  !   for the other two boards BIC and Surftech they were awesome.   I fell in, a few times off the Laird (not my finest moment).   Let me say for the record I was glad that I didn’t bring the GOPro on this part of the trip.

Fast forward a day of hanging out at the camp site and we to Sunday.  I packed up the jeep, put a ton of gear in the back and kinda blocked my vision (remember this).   We cleaned up our awesome room in the RV and then said our good byes.   On our way out we thought (ok.. I THOUGHT) it would be cool to back up and say good bye to the entire group. I put the jeep in reverse, watching the mirrors and missed this BIG POLE behind me where my vision was blocked.  We heard this loud bang and well… the jeep has a BUMP in it

I checked the pole, it was fine and then headed out of the campground.  Before we got to driving we both took a look at the bang..  It’s not pretty, but as I say.. it’s just a car..  and it has 220k miles on it.. Luckily it did not the boards.

We headed home via highway 50, stopped at of course my favorite uniform supply store in Placerville (y’all know the name of the place), bought a new bag, bandanas and headed back to Rocklin.   Fun Fun trip with great people..

Let’s recap:

1)      Fell off a  hammock

2)      Fell off the laird board

3)      Fell (HIT) a pole in reverse

OH but wait there’s more………    (laughing my stomach into pain…)   – save for next time..

Keep Paddling…..

This weekend it’s time to head up to Lake Clementine to see how the water looks and get “WET”   I’m excited to share an awesome summer with Julia and my kids.   It’s going to be EPIC for sure.

We started out this year getting prepared for a camp out, which will be based on kayaking into a remote location.  I can’t wait to share this journey with you all.

What are you planning on doing this summer? any SUP plans? kayaking, water?

Baby, it’s cold outside! is right.   Cold weather here in Nor Cal has brought slow movement in the water for us.   Kayak’s, paddle boards, surfboards, fins, snorkle, are getting bored.

Plus I have some super exciting news on my home front, stay tuned for that information.

August 26^th, (Sunday).   At first glance, you might say another trip to Upper Lake Clementine? Really?  However, this is not just another trip to the best place to SUP/Kayak in the area.  It was my first SUP day with Julia and what a pleasure it was.     There I got telling you all about before telling you about how crazy this day was planned for.     Here’s the plan for the day..

• Wake Up – Pack the boards
• Hit Upper Lake Clementine
• Drink & Eat at Auburn Ale House (woot woot!)
• Drive home to give my jeep to my oldest
• Jump on the Moto – head to Bounce u for my youngest birthday
• Drive the moto to Julia’s house  to pick her up
• Off to downtown Sacramento for Cabaret
• Then back to home.

(Logistics is my middle name – especially with 3 kids, 3 different sports, ton of activities and tons of fun to be had).

NOTE to self – Less IPA – Yah right..  ha ha ha ha..   – Look to the far left for the water splash – yep that’s you know who in the water…  baaaahhhhhhhhh

Okay, back to the morning.   We hit the uppers park rangers shack mid-morning, started our climb down the “rocky road” as Noah would call it and it was so great to share this spot with somebody very special.  We jumped in the water, Julia rocked it right off the start.  Plus she’s a bit competitive, which is good since I am the same way.  We did a little racing, paddling and a lot of laughing.   We hit the normal turn around point (buoy), however we were not ready to go back, so we paddled on.  We ended up going another 30 minutes past that point and found this amazing camp ground that you can only boat into.  It was right on the beach with fire pits, tables and a really cool place to chill by the water.    Now I can’t wait to kayak in the tent and gear to spend the night.    The weather was amazing, water levels were normal for the season, but what really stood out from this trip are the moments of falling in the water.  I fell in once, when my board was pushed (not naming names here… but… you know who you are… LOL).  I also realize that if you call out a squirrel you may be the one falling in.. (just saying)..

I would be simply crazy if I didn’t give it a 10/10 kayak day.

• Water clarity – beautiful, clear and felt great falling in.
• Entry / Exit – Same – excellent..
• Environment – Nice folks. always say hi..
• Company – Julia was with me and it was amazing to take her to the best spot.
• Weather –warm, little breeze on the way down, which helped on the way back.
• Cost – Poppy Pass ( surprise surprise surprise). (surprise again).
• Water Level – same as prior.. good point for the year.. just stay to the left when going downstream..
• What the specific gear was – 11’6″ BIC sports paddle board and the surftech generator board.

After the SUP morning, we headed off to Auburn Ale House, my favorite place in just about the world.   It was a MUG CLUB kinda day, with a good pour of PU240 (Imperial IPA) and some good food, we were energized to get on with the day.

We parted ways for the afternoon and I was off to Bounce U.    Here’s my insight from that place..

1. Wear shorts (pants are not helpful)
2. Dress light, you never know what type of American Gladiator’ish event you may be in
3. Never let your teenager out do you…
4. Glow sticks are still awesome, even when you’re the daddy

Let’s spend a few moments talking about the spider web attraction.  It’s a 6 tiered rope tunnel, that has a slide at the top.  It has mixed stretchy and non-stretchy straps at each layer so you need to bounce and position yourself up each layer of the web.   Well  this sounds pretty awesome from the outside, but after you add my tight moto jeans, my weight, the sure desire to win, it was pretty hecka funny.  1^st round my oldest girlfriend won to the top in front of my oldest & I.  I was last, it was not cool, but I finished it 3 times with only a small flesh wound to show for it.    After a really cool party for my son (thanks to his mother for planning it), I was off to pick up Julia on the moto and head downtown.

We hung out for a bit at her house and then headed to Cabaret and oh what a great performance.  It has been awhile since I have been to a performance and I can’t remember why I haven’t gone, I just know that it something I enjoy to go to.   Jerry was on fire during the performance and it was great to see him again (I worked on a project with him at Intel and his company years prior).  The main actor blew the audiences mind.  He was beyond amazing.    After the show we hit up Players (on sunrise). – it was on the way home and you know what it was pretty good.  Plus this drunk dude was signing every song on the radio and it was comedy.

What a busy, fun, amazing day.

Upcoming event at my favorite spot in Auburn. Upper lake clementine.

Paddle Safety Day :September 30th 11AM-4PM
TRY NEW KAYAKs AND Stand Up Paddleboards FOR FREE!!

Paddle Safety Day is the perfect day to come try new boats, for FREE! Try out a variety of boats and SUP’s suitable for lake, river and sea paddling. Sierra Outdoor Center and Protect American River Canyons bring this to you at Upper Lake Clementine. Junior ranger nature program activities are also available for free on this day for anyone interested in learning more about American river ecology. This is a FREE event, with a $10 State Park parking fee. Make sure to turn at Upper Lake, not Lower.

Sierra Outdoor Center
440 Lincoln Way Auburn, CA 95603 Tel:530-885-1844