Summer is unoffically here!

In Maine recently there has been a nice mix of pounding rain and blue-bird hot summer-like days...

For a kayaker this is the optimum combination.

This is a picture of me at an unnamed playspot on the Saco River in Steep Falls, Maine. (working on my blunts)

This was three days after the big rainstorm that flooded spots of York County in early May.

Even without receiving the full brunt of the storm, this section of the Saco was charging at 13,000 cfs (triple the normal level for this time of year).

Lately, I've also run the Dead (a 16-mile stretch with tons of catch-on-the-fly surf ... bring a Red Bull and a chunk of pepperoni for this one), the Kennebec (my home run: a 5-mile wavy rollercoaster ride with fun eddylines and beautiful scenery).

We are planning on hitting up the Reverse Freestlye and Boater X Competition June 17-18 in at the Reversing Falls in St. John New Brunswick. It'll be my first trip to that spot... hopeful to post pics here upon return!

In other news, the first issue of No Umbrella 2006 has hit newsstands! It is entitled "Lime: Right on Time" and is available at these fine merchants

Here's a photo of our table of contents to entice you:

See you guys out there!

Easter's Secret Surf Spot

The board surfers I went with on Easter to this fantastic spot on Maine's coast to catch some waves made me swear to secrecy about its location. In fact, I am risking bodily harm by even displaying this photograph.
(See if you can spot the tiny surfer on the wave).
What a great day out there, though. It was just the three of us and I caught some of the biggest ocean waves I ever have. We were in the 45 degree water for over two and a half hours, and almost didn't leave!
At the end of the day when I got out of my boat to stretch my legs, I fell flat on my face (in six inches of water!) due to numb legs from tight boat.
I got spanked bad a few times, but the good rides made the poundings well worth it.
Spring is here! Let's go boating ... er, in the ocean?
(Maine needs rain!!!)

Paddling Picture Show

It's April 4 and we are finally getting some rain.
Figures that I am due to be on the road today, selling advetisements to my crazy outdoor publication No Umbrella...

But, just because I will not get to paddle in the first rain of the spring (seriously, it is), doesn;t mean I can't get stoked to check out some grassroots paddling movies.

That's right, No Umbrella is presenting "The Paddling Picture Show." This is an evening of under-the-radar paddling movies from all over the state of Maine.

Come see our tour in the month of April, including this Thursday at Seth Wescott's bar at the base of Sugarloaf: The Rack.

Here's the full schedule:
April 6 9 p.m. The Rack - on the Sugarloaf Access Rd.
Carrabassett Valley, ME

April 13 7 p.m. UMaine - Orono
Screening will in Neville 101

April 18 7:30 p.m. Maine School of Law, Portland, Maine
246 Deering Ave, Portland, Maine

April 19 7 p.m. University of Maine at Presque Isle
Please call the school or check back here for exact venue

April 21 7:30 p.m. College of the Atlantic, Bar Harbor, Maine

April 22 7 p.m. St. Michael's College, Colchester, Vermont
Screening will be at the McCarthy Arts Center

April 27 7 p.m. Strand Cinema Skowhegan, ME

Here's a short film Zeke made about the first Paddling Picture Show at Bowdoin College Feb 28 (beware: this is the first time Zeke has used editing equipment).

Have a good day on the river, skeezas!