Jason Smith's The Ed

One Armed Bandit... Cont

Still not allowed to go paddling yet! It's been about three months since I had my shoulder op and it's really starting to get on my wick! I'm hitting up all the exercises that the phisio sets me daily (I've even got a tension band tied to the desk, so I can do some reps every hour or so, but it is a slow process. Flamin' thing gives me more grief now than before I went under the knife. It's all the muscles etc not liking being forced in to a new position etc apparently. Carl the phisio is cool though and he's pushing me hard, so I can get back on the rough stuff. Started hitting the road bike (and the mountain bike... but don't tell the Mrs) and I've been out in the canoe a few times too, so getting there. But when the sun's shining I just want to go playboating at the ditch!

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Ooh La La! Le Bleu Peter

Just received a text image from the ol' Father-In-Law Pete, who's currently living it up over at their pad in the Dordogne, France for a few weeks. Pic shows him aboard his Dagger Blackwater kayak (The Blue Peter) enjoying and peaceful paddle on the River Tadoire,which flows pretty much past the backdoor, no doubt before retiring to garden for a glass or two on vin rouge.
Very nice and as they say in Francais, L 'Eau Vive !

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Jungle Boating on the River Welland

Loaded up the canoe last night and headed to the nearby River Welland for a spot of exploration. Still not supposed to paddle, due to the flamin' shoulder, but the sun was hot and the sky was blue so I though what the hell! With the dog in the boot, a dry bag loaded with tasty goodies, a bottle chardonnay (for the lady) the stove and a tartan blanket we were all set to go. I picked Faye up straight from work and we headed to the pituresque town of Stamford, and a spot called the Meadows. After a bit of searching we found a good spot to launch and we were off. The plan was to head upstream as far as we fancied, then hop out and enjoy an alfresco diner on the riverbank before turning around and catching a ride on the gentle current, back to the stone spires of Stamford. Just as we set off a chap in a 'wind in the willows' style rowing boat came downstream and stopped for a chat. He told us about a better launch point a bit downstream, for future reference, and said that progress upstream was blocked by a fallen tree. We decided we'd paddle up to said tree and then turn back, but when we arrived it was indeed blocking the river, if you were in a rowing boat, but not for intrepid canoe paddlers! we sneaked past and continued upstream. In places it was thick with water lilies and reeds and every now and again we'd go through long tunnels, dappled with sunlight, made by overhanging trees. Onwards we ventured further in to the Welland jungle. Ruby the Jack Russell was enjoying herself so much she decided to take a dip and swim alongside the canoe for a while, much to the surprise of a few passing ducks! We made our way past a few faster sections of current, where we had to dig in and and pick up the pace to attain upstream, but with some careful eddy hopping and the occasional shove with a blade of a gravel bank we made good progress. After about an hour we decided that we'd leave further upstream for future adventures and swung the bow out into the current, turned and retraced our steps all the way to Stamford. When we got there we decided to carry on through the town and it was lovely seeing this historic place from a river view. By the time we eventually got off it was getting late and the sun had done a rather good vanishing act, to be replaced with a strong wind that was verging on the chilly, so we opted to head the 20mins home and cook up diner instead. We'll be back soon though for an exploration of what lies further downstream. Straight from work desk to mid-week mini-adventure canoe adventure... Brilliant! Check out the gallery for a few more pics.

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Nice Nosh!

From issue 101, by popular demand, we'll be reviving our Nosebag feature on camp cooking recipes and camp/backwoods culinary skills. So you will no longer have to put up with luke-warm oatmeal gruel (like the chaps in the pic) and burnt sausages. In the first instalment we'll be telling you how you can make a delicious cinnamon bannock bread to keep you fueled up on your boating adventures. Mmmmmmmm

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Lights, Camera, Action...

Very excited, we've just ordered a brand spanking new, and waterproof, digital video camera, so we can bring you better hi-quality video clips, video interviews, video gear reviews and a whole lot more. Rossco is working hard on his 'Blue Peter' style presenting skills and was last seen muttering to himself, on the banks of the Ottawa, about a surf kayak 'Video Bikini-special' or something like that! Keep an eye on the gallery for the latest uploads as we'll be cranking up the clips as soon as Keith the Postie drops it through the door! And it's not just us that gets to be all 'Speilberg'... You can post your own paddling movies on there too, so get filming and whack them online. We especially like watching 'beatdown' and 'trashing' clips while we take our afternoon brew brake ; )

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The Kids Are Alright!

Spent a great morning today at the Youth Freestyle Event at the Nene WW Centre in Northampton. The sun shone and the paddlers were really going for it. Everywhere you looked there were young boaters splatting, cartwheeling, tail squirting or just surfing it up. Big Dog, Palm & Dagger and Jackson Kayaks were all there to support the event and organisation was good and most of all the event was fun with a capital F. Check out the images and videos in the gallery (http://www.canoekayak.co.uk/gallery/albumlist.asp) and our favourite CK blogger, Josh, will be putting together a full report for issue 102. Big thanks to Matt Chadder, Dicky Chrimes and everyone else who helped make it a brilliant day on the water. For more details on the next event check out http://www.youthfreestyle.co.uk/ If you're a young paddler and you want to have a crack at freestyle then we can't recommend these events enough. They're bangin'!

Posted by Jason Smith

Alright for Some!

Our boy Rossco has swanned off to Canada, with Dave Bainbridge and Tom Turner for a month's playboating, open boating and river runner on the Ottawa River. The lucky so and so. Ross'll be posting blogs and pics etc as soon as he gets his connection sorted out, and he's working on some great features while he is there too. In the mean time check out the boys trip website at http://www.bainbridges.net/david/canada/Canada_2009/Home.html They've already hit the awesome 'Bus Eater' wave for some big air fun. Alright for some huh? What jealous... You betcha!

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Mega History

Found this great little film about the beginning's of surf kayak maunfacturers par excellance Mega http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y5-JwG3XSbk If you're in to surf kayaking then it's certainly worth a watch.

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Back to Reality and a visit to the Euro Slalom

Whoaa talk about back to earth with a bump. back at my desk after three weeks off and straight into a planning meeting, a web meeting and then a yearly feature planning meeting - nice! Not all bad though, enjoyed a great morning out at the European Slalom Champs (full report coming in the mag soon) . The course at Nottingham looked the business as teams from all over Europe competed for the silverware. We had a good chat with the boys from Dagger Europe about their new plastic 'Block' project that they're working on with Scott Shipley and Andy Laird. We also managed to blag in to the VIP area for lunch (BIG thanks Chloe and Tamisin at the British Canoe Union) and spent an hour or two talking about access, coaching, the competition, recreational paddling and more with Tamisin, Chloe & Paul of the BCU with guest appearances by Campbell Walsh and Shaun Pearce. It was a bit overwhelming really as the place was full of Olympic and world paddling heroes. As well as Campbell and Shaun, Dr Tim Brabbants and Ivan Lawler, from the worlds of sprint and marathon racing, were also in attendance. After that Ross and I walked the course and watched the C2 and ladies qualification rounds. I love watching C2 racing. Maybe it's because I spent a few years watching George Woods and Andy Stuart, and the rest of the Shepperton crews train when I worked down at WWTCC many years ago, but the skill, power and teamwork involved in a good C2 crew is awesome to watch.

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The Big Catch Up - Part 7 - Going El Loco

Hola! Lying around on a beach is soooo boring and there's only so much snorkeling you can do before you look like a prune. So despite surgeon's orders I couldn't resist taking out the SOT kayaks to hit the Caribbean sea and do a little light sea paddling. For the first outing I hit the water with Faye on a double. After a basic lecture from a rather laid-back water-sports dude 'don't go near the waves etc' we nodded politely and then got afloat and started cranking for the reef! My arm was holding up OK and although there were some big boomers breaking on the various reef banks there were plenty of deep-water channels in between to thread the needle through, to get way outback. We paddled along going all 'Hawaii Five-O' over the big rolling swell before heading back through; and trying to catch a few waves on the way back in. Excellent fun and my arm was still attached! As we dragged the SOT back up the sand the 'Dude' strolled down shaking his head and looking out to the reef, he broke a big, toothy grin and declared us 'El Loco'. We told him we'd done a wee bit before, handed him back his paddles and headed off in search of a cubra libra or two. Got a day's mountain biking in later in the week (again against DR's orders). Driven to the top of mountain, breakfast, then hooned back down. Tried my hand at a spot of windsurfing too. Terrible sport! Probably wasn't the best idea to try it for the first time in gusting winds, with a swell, but it's still hard work. managed a few 'rides' but generally ended up going over the bars and in to the drink. Stick to the paddle from now on I think, so took the SOTs out pretty much everyday - nice! didn't take any 'action' shots so hence the suitably caribbean sunset pic instead (it's the view from the bar!) Adios amigos ; )

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The Big Catch Up - Part 6 - Tying the Knot

Not going to bang on too much about this, but after a morning paddle Faye and I tied the knot at our village church. It was a top day from start to finish, Faye looked amazing and we had a brilliant time. Plenty of paddling people, as you'd expect (they brush very well you know), and no one fell in the fish pond! A few sore heads the following day (eh Cheese?) but a relaxed day was followed by a jaunt down the motorway to catch a plane somewhere hot and sunny for a few weeks!

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The Big Catch Up - Part 5 - That's what I call a Pre-Nupt

Blimey, the BIG day was upon me, and what do all good Bride Grooms do before they head off to the Church? They for a paddle that's what! As the sun shone down I headed off to nearby Rutland Water (www.anglianwater.co.uk/leisure/what-to-see/attractions/watersports-shop/) with a few bros to take my last paddle strokes as a single man. It all started sensibly enough with Jim and Steve throwing down some flat-water moves, Big Ian and his wee nipper George taking out the open boat (it was a special paddle for George too as it was his first time on the water) and me floating about in my trusty Dagger Mamba (I'm still not supposed to paddle with my healing shoulder). Anyway it didn't stay that way for long and with the arrival of The Muss it was all aboard the canoe until she 'could nae take it Captain' and promptly sank with all hands onboard. George took a dunking in his stride and we all headed off to my local, for a bacon sarnie and a pint of Bombardier to calm the nerves. A fantastic way to start the day...

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The Big Catch Up - Part 4 - It's a marathon not a sprint...

Headed over to the historic city of Worcester recently to go paddling with the guys and gals of Worcester Canoe Club for our 100th issue Club scene. The plan was for Ross to try his hand at paddling a race boat under the watchful eyes of test teamer Steve and Club Chairman and coach Matt Thornton-Brown. The boy was a bit nervous about paddling boats that feel like razor blades, but with a bit of coaching was soon disappearing off up the Severn with Matt and Steve in tow. Worcester is an active and successful club that excels at both a recreational and competitive level. Once he'd survived the K1 race boat Matt felt a new challenge was in order and broke out a top-level C2 sprint boat (it had been used in an Olympic final). Ross did OK and I thought he was going to make it, but just a few paddle strokes up the river and 'splosh' the boy was in the drink. Matt coolly paddled the boat back solo as Rossco did the walk of shame up the tow path ; ) Fair play though most of us wouldn't have lasted past the first dip of the paddle before taking an early bath. If you'd like us to visit your canoe club drop us an e-mail at clubs@canoekayak.co.uk to find your nearest canoe club go to our info section above and to find out more about Worcester CC head to www.worcestercanoeclub.org.uk

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The Big Catch Up - Part 3 - Holy Steam Trains Fat Man!

Back at the log cabin there was just time to take in the view and a pint or two before getting changed for the evening's sport. I was looking forward to climbing out of my sweat soaked and paint splattered get up and in to something a little more comfortable. Yeah right! As the boys all started to transform themselves in to various Fools and Horses characters, Uncle Albert, Trigger, Boycey, Mickey etc. I was handed a crumpled Bat Man outfit from a gurning Steve, " Christmas Special" he said. Fair play though as Best Man he stepped up and was Rodney (Robin) to my Del Boy (Fat Man). Suitably dressed it was off to Llangollen for a nice meal, a very embarrassing quiz, drinking games (Steve fell foul of his own evil plan, left handed drinking rules knowing I was in a sling on my left, and had to down a pint). Last thing I remember was sneaking in to the station (there was a steam train convention in town) and the emerging, jogging, through the steam/smoke and the crowd as a steam train waited to depart humming der-na der-na der-na etc. One lady, in a flowery dress and straw hat, offered to be our cat women and a guard chased us along the platform with his flag. Classic! The evening was rounded off back at the cabin when the Floater treated us to an hour or two of acoustic music and song (it’s not just the writing that he’s talented at). My favourites were a U2 tune, a Radiohead number and the full version of both Only Fools and Horses theme tunes that he’d learned specially. Next day saw the boys work off sore heads with a spin around the mountain-bike trails at Llangdegla (www.oneplanetadventure.com) while I had a coffee or two before all heading our separate ways. A big thank you to all of those involved and for all the hard-work that had obviously gone in to making an unforgettable weekend and for not making me die ; )

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The Big Catch Up - Part 2 - Rodney You Plonker!

I knew when 'The Stag Do' was but that was it. I didn't really know who would be there, where it was or what the deviants that are my mates had in store for me. To say I was a little apprehensive would be an understatement. On the morning in question AlpJim picked me up in the big yellow Alpkit wagon. Jim was in fine spirits but was giving nothing away as we hit the road. By the time we hit the M6 I was busy guessing the destination. Could be Cannock for some biking? But no, remember I'm still a one-armed bandit. Could be all the way up the road to Cumbria or Scotland? As we turned on to the M54 it became clear it could only be Wales. This knowledge did nothing to calm my nerves and I felt a chill run up my spine as we pulled in to the services at Shrewsbury to meet Cheesey and Steve (CK Test Teamer and my Best Man) just the grins on their fizogs told me that something was coming my way! Over a cuppa Rosie I was handed a bag and told to go and change in to the contents. I headed to the gents to get changed. In the bag were a tasteful purple roll-necked jumper, a flat cap, a large chunky gold chain and an understated dirty-great sovereign ring... Was I to be a chav? I strolled out, trying to take no notice of the stares and funny looks, to be greeted by Cheesey who presented me with a full-length camel jacket - nice. I looked like a barrow boy... But what was that noise? Was it a spitfire crash landing on its way to an air show? No it was Steve in a smoking, belching bright yellow Robin Reliant van complete with Smudger's Independent trading Co logos. I was a barrow boy, the king of the market traders... I was to be Del Boy for the weekend! As the van screamed past Steve yelled for me to make a running jump to get in as he couldn't stop or it would conk. As we hurtled out of the services with me trying not to fall back out (I was one-handed remember) it was clear that this journey was to be one of the most dangerous things I had ever done. I won't go in to detail but believe me coasting across roundabouts on the A5 and ascending Horse Shoe Pass where not for the faint-hearted! Our final destination was a fantastic log cabin high in a private forest, complete with steam room, log burner and two barrels of Malvern’s finest ale. To add to this was a motley crew of top blokes. Big Ian, my oldest mate and the one responsible for me taking up the paddle. The Floater, Wee Bob, Cheese, Peteos, The Muss, Wiggs, Alex De German, Bri the brother in law, Darwin and Evil Steve and Evil Jim! And guest appearances from Ali, PJ, Shane and the Irish gang. After a relaxing night on the ale it was over breakfast that my mission was handed to me... I was to sell 'adult' items, in Del Boy character, from a suitcase in the middle of Llangollen. If I didn't sell I was due for some forfeits! What followed are a few hours of my personal idea of hell and a few hours of much hilarity for the boys, who were sat opposite sipping coffee. I dug deep, I gave it my best banter and I sold some surprising stuff. A lacy fur trimmed thong to a very old gent. A c*&k ring to an old lady (I told her it was for keeping her serviettes tidy) and all manner of other tat and distasteful products. Once that torture was over it was off in the Smudger mobile for the last time to go and visit my old boating mate and brother from another mother Jon 'Pies' Smith. Jon now runs an excellent adventure centre including a fantastic paint balling set up. Masks were donned, everyone else put on camo, but I was still in the camel jacket, flat cap and bling, and then it was off the woods for a battle Royal. What a laugh, it hurt, I fell on my bad arm twice, and I got shot in the family jewels... But it was an absolute giggle. A big cheers to Jon and the boys for looking after us and making it such a brilliant day. If you're in the Llangollen area I really recommend paying them a visit for rafting, high-ropes and paintball action (www.get-wet.co.uk). The poor old Robin had to be towed back to the cabin and we were feeling as bruised and battered as it was but it was time to get changed and hit the town... To be continued

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The Big Catch Up - Part 1 - Where have you been Mr Ed?

It's all been a bit quiet on the blog front over the last few weeks due to a whole host of reasons. Firstly there was the shoulder op, which took me out for about a fortnight. It wasn't really the shoulder it was the painkillers! Whoa talk about knocking your block off. Secondly, through the pain killer induced haze, there was quite a significant horizon line fast approaching namely getting hitched, tying the knot, putting on the ol' ball and chain... Not to mention that we also had two of our biggest issues to get ready. Issue 99 was a Tesco's promotion (so you could buy your favourite boating mag along with your frozen peas etc) and the big 100 closely followed that! Due to my impending disappearance on honeymoon both had to be done at the same time. Hectic to say the least! Features were flying, tests were being done, photo-shoots by the dozen. Alongside that suits were being fitted, table plans laid out, flowers were being picked... and all one handed. Any way amongst all that chaos the poor old blog got a little neglected, so I'm going to bring you all up to speed on the happenings at CK towers in a series of 'Catch Up' blogs, kicking off with the one thing that was worrying me far more than impending nuptials and horrendous deadlines, an event that was far beyond my control, but would impact hard, and possibly hurt... my 'Stag Do'!

Posted by Jason Smith