Over the past few weeks I’ve had the pleasure of paddling during some stunning sunsets. Last night was no exception. I had headed down to Calshot to run through my training programme and decided to two review boats, the Valley Etain 17-5 and Valley Etain RM in order to switch boats half way through the session and provide some comparative feedback for the forthcoming review.

I’d got out earlier than expected so as I was finishing up the session, the sun was starting to set and provided a beautiful golden display over Southampton Water. I couldn’t resist staying on for an hour or so taking photos. Seem’s I wasn’t the only person with that idea and a number of other folk had stopped by to enjoy the view, including paddling friend Jackie Ward from New Forest Kayak and Canoe Club.

Despite the industrial back drop of Fawley Refinery and Oil Terminal the view was just magical.

Light Trails

Whilst there are a huge number of Sea Kayaking related blogs/websites that feature some excellent photographs, I find those photographers who combine ‘on the water’ sea kayaking shots with images of the location, wildlife and environment giving a real sense of both the location and journey the most inspirational. I also enjoy sites where, at times, Sea Kayaking is mixed in with other outdoor activities and environments.

I have a ‘top five’ set of websites that I gain the most inspiration from and I thought I would share them with you.

Sea Kayaking With Sea Kayak Photo by Douglas Wilcox: Douglas is well known amongst the paddling community for his awesome catalogue of amazing photographs from the West Coast of Scotland. The quality of his photographs is simply stunning and never ceases to prove inspirational. His ability to tell the story of a paddling route through images is superb.

South West Sea Kayaking by Mark Rainsley: Mark has the ability to capture not only stunning images of Sea Kayaking (and White Water Paddling) but also wonderful shots of the Coastal landscape and wildlife. His blog also includes images from his life and passion for the outdoors in his Dorset location as well as his travels around the UK. He has also shared the equipment he uses in a very interesting article on his site.

Bryan Hansel Photography & Paddling Light by Bryan Hansel: Kayak Guide, Photographer and all round Outdoor Enthusiast Bryan Hansel delivers some fantastic images from his Minnesota base. Often providing posts on the technique or equipment used to capture these images (see this example) his work cover not only Sea Kayaking but other Outdoor Sports and his local landscape. His current (Jan 2011) Ice photos are awesome.

Kayak.nu by Erik Sjöstedt: I featured this website in a recent article but continue to enjoy exploring the very high quality photographs featuring some striking locations. Once again, the images not only capture Sea Kayaking action but the local flora, fauna and landscapes. Look for the ‘Bilder‘ link in the top navigation bar.

Mountain Sea Scotland by Ian Johnston: the most recent addition to my ‘top five’ is this blog which covers mountain and sea based activities and features some stunning coastline, nature and landscape photography. I’m still delving into the archived posts to find more beautiful shots.

Have I missed a Sea Kayaking based website featuring photography you find similarly inspirational, whether it inspires you to get out and paddle or pick up your camera?

Sea Kayak Photo

I came across Sea Kayaking With Sea Kayak Photo after hearing one of the excellent Sea Kayak Podcasts where host Simon Willis interviewed Douglas about his love of photography and how he has so successfully combined it with a real passion for sea kayaking.

Alongside descriptions and stories from of a huge range of sea kayak trips around the coast of Scotland, Sea Kayak Photo also contains a number of reviews including some great write ups on Sea Kayaks.

It is no wonder that Douglas’s talent for writing and photography has led to a forthcoming book release with Pesda Press.

I would heartily recommend subscribing to the Sea Kayak Photo feed or look out for Douglas’s posts on Paddling Planet.

Sea Kayaking wise, for me the winter season of 2009-2010 was all about 2 things. Night paddling and low light/night photography. As we head towards the end of the Easter break and school starts up again the sunny weather and light evenings have begun. Tonight’s paddle will start in daylight for the first time in months!

Over the last few days I have been spring cleaning my Aperture library and thought I’d put together a short slideshow of my favourite images from this winters paddling exploits. I hope you enjoy it!

Camera Kit

A recent post by a superb Sea Kayaking photographer Mark Rainsley on the excellent South West Sea Kayaking website about the kit he uses, along with a couple of email enquiries about my own prompted me to jot down a few details about the camera kit I use to capture the shots used on this blog.

Hopefully this will be of interest!

Camera’s

Pentax K200d

Whilst it is harder to purchase accessories for ‘off the shelf’ and lacks the range of other brands it has proved to be incredibly sturdy (surviving a 5 foot drop of a ledge whilst connected to a tripod) and shrugs off the mist, drizzle and freezing temperatures it has been used in.

I also carry a Pentax Optio W60 (now replaced by the W80) point and shoot which I carry in my Buoyancy Aid. This is a waterproof camera with video capabilities and gets used for shots on the water until I take delivery of a waterproof deck back for the DSLR (more of that later).

Lenses

50-200mm Len

As a second lens, I recently picked up a Pentax 50-200mm zoom lens. This has become my go to lens unless I know I am shooting close ups. Neither are particularly ‘fast’ lenses as my budget wouldn’t stretch that far but have proved more than capable.

Both lenses came with sun hoods to prevent glare or lens flare.

Tripod

Hama Star 75 Tripod

As it gets used on wet sand/pebbles and generally abused I’ve opted for ultra cheap with a view to replacing as and when it gets trashed.

However, the Hama Star 75 I purchased is still going strong and at £7 (reduced from £22) is a bargain.

Camera bags

Lowepro Apex 140

The internal compartment has moveable dividers allowing me to create a space for the extra lens on one side of the DSLR and my accessories & batteries on the other. It’s small enough to pack away in a dry bag but large enough for the kit I carry.

All this kit is generally carried in the rear hatch of my Sea Kayak in a heavy duty dry bag.

The Optio lives in a small Lowepro Rezo 20 pouch which has a front pocket large enough for a set of AA batteries.

Accessories

I carry 3 main accessories. A Hahnet cable release trigger for remote focusing and taking shots. The button the small unit locks for ‘bulb’ mode shots allowing me to take exposures above the 30 second limit of the DSLR. It comes with a 2 metre extension cable and has been superb for super long exposures.

I always have my iPhone and use the stopwatch for timing long exposures as well as the GPS for getting data for tagging photos at a later date.

Finally I use a cheap headtorch which switches from LED to a red bulb. The red bulb provides enough light to see the LCD display on the camera whilst the LED lights have been used to help focus the camera in pitch black conditions and ‘paint’ subjects during long exposure shots. I also carry this small head torch so I don’t zap the batteries in my main hadtorch which is used whilst on the water.

Future Purchases

I have my heart set on one future purchase. Some form of water proof deck bag or camera bag to give me the confidence to shoot from the Pentax K200d whilst on the water. I’m considering an Ortleib Aqua Zoom bag which can be used as a deck bag. Another of my photography heroes Douglas Wilcox swears by his. The alternative is the Aquapac DSLR bag. I’ll update you on the decision I make regarding these.

As ever, I’m very keen to hear your thoughts and ideas – if you have particular camera kit you use out on the water why not add a comment to this post.

I’m lucky enough to teach an A Level student, Sam, who is a keen photographer. He’s been giving me some advice on various manual settings on my DSLR, in particular night scene photography for which I am extremely grateful.

Thought I would share my first efforts. Pretty pleased yet so, so much to learn! Click either photos to see a larger version.

Star Filled Sky

Looking Towards The Isle of Wight

Ok, I have no illusions of being the next Justine Curvengen, Bryan Smith or Simon Willis. However, I would like to get more interesting shots from the kayak and in particular some video footage.

However, my main issue is that 99% of my paddling is done solo as I have to snatch paddles, often at unsociable hours, to fit in with my young family so do not have the benefit of another paddler to share photo/video taking duties.

I’ve spent a bit of time thinking about a deck mounted solution of some description having tired of my current ‘hold the camera at arms length’ method or leaving the camera running on the shore.

I did look into a DIY effort, then after searching on the web came across a company based in the UK called Fast Films who specialise in vehicle mounting cameras. They had some relatively inexpensive, smaller mounts available which look as if they have potential to develop into a more robust system.

I have played a little with this and hope to trial it tonight so will feedback with some pictures or video footage.

My first thought is to look at a way of extending the arm on which the camera mounts as well as adding a form of safety connection if the suction cups fail. I was amazed at how tight they held on a laminated desk surface – but I’m sure as soon as you add saltwater to the mix things may change!

Boxed Kit

Main Parts

Built Mount

Feedback from folks who have any experience of this type of set-up very welcome!

Paddle Your Own Kayak by Gary and Joanie McGuffin, published by Boston Mills Press, is subtitled ‘an illustrated guide to the art of kayaking’. This subtitle really highlights one of the major selling points of this book, and the reason I impulsively purchased it, the superb and inspiring photography.

Paddle Your Own Kayak contains 207 pages and beautiful colour photographs and diagrams adorne every page. This coupled with well written and insightful content make this ‘coffee table’ style book a prized possession.

Joanie McGuffin

Paddle Your Own Kayak makes no reference to Sea Kayaking specifically in either its name or introduction. In fact certain sections cover basic white water technique however every boat shown within the book is a sea kayak of some description. It is in fact an guide/introduction to kayak paddling from a touring/sea kayaking perspective.

It takes readers from absolute basics to more advanced techniques as well as covering theory and practical advice for navigation, equipment and camping/touring. One of the final chapters even shows Joanie McGuffin building a sea kayak using the stitch and glue, plywood method – the finished boat is superb.

Clear Diagrams

In terms of the technique sections, I have yet to find such a well illustrated book. Most strokes are covered via a step by step write up illustrated with clear photographs of each stage of the stroke.In places annotations or arrows show key information such as force of water, path or boat and force of paddle.

For the more visual learner this proves very useful and the large size of the book lends itself perfectly to this style layout.

Rescue Technique

For Uk based paddlers, some of the terminology may seem alien as it stems from the American/Canadian system (ACA – American Canoe Association) however this is never a barrier or issue to understanding the technique described. For example what we know as Breaking In and Breaking Out of the current is referred to as Peeling and reference is made to J Leans and U-turns which was new terminology for me.

Boat Building Course

I was pleased to see a modern approach to the equipment section of the book. Gear described and photographed is up to date and relevant. Useful lists of first aid/emergency and repair kits provide are useful and well illustrated. An interesting point is to see the selection of manufacturers and items chosen, some of which are less well known on this side of the pond. The selection of types of kayaks available covers everything from expedition sea kayaks through day touring boats and sit on tops.

I would never be without Franco Ferrero’s Sea Kayak Navigation book, however, Paddle Your Own Kayak contains a well written and again well illustrated section on navigation technique and a chapter on Weather, Winds and Tides.

Stunning Photography

Whilst the technique sections of the book are comprehensive and well executed, they provide only part of the appeal of this book. As a parent and someone looking to share my love of sea kayaking and the outdoors in general with my relatively new family in years to come, the plethora of inspirational photography cannot fail to delight. In particular, the books contains many images of the McGuffin family making the most of the their ‘natural playground’ for trips and expeditions with their daughter. Their obvious love of paddling and the benefits of seeing the great outdoors from the cockpit of a sea kayak is infectious.

Inspirational Images

For beginners, Paddle Your Own kayak offers an excellent introduction to Sea Kayaking. For more seasoned paddlers it provides a good starting resource for examining and developing your technique. Instructors could find the excellent images a powerful teaching aid for bank based instruction. However, I firmly believe all paddlers will find the superb photography a source of great inspiration and would heartily recommend this book.

Paddle Your Own Kayak: An Illustrated Guide to the Art of Kayaking can be purchased from Amazon or from Borders bookstore in the UK.

From the Publishers:

Paddle Your Own Canoe set a new standard for how-to-canoe books. In this much-anticipated follow-up, Gary and Joanie McGuffin use the same model for the art of kayaking. The authors discuss the kayak’s Inuit history, types of kayaking, recommended kayak sizes and shapes, and proper gear and clothing. They also offer expert, step-by-step instructions on all of the sport’s essential techniques.
Illustrated with more than 600 color photographs and illustrations, Paddle Your Own Kayak is designed for both seasoned and novice kayaker, offering guidance on:

1. Balancing the body
2. Strokes and maneuvers
3. Paddling fundamentals
4. Recoveries and rescues
5. Carrying and launching
6. Weather and water conditions techniques
7. Staying centered
8. Navigation methods.

A special section on kayak camping provides good advice on what to look for in a destination, how to select a site, packing your kayak, setting up tents and shelters, meal preparation, water filtration, first aid and much more.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 208 pages
• Publisher: Boston Mills Press (May 12, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1550464647
• ISBN-13: 978-1550464641
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 8.6 x 0.7 inches

Having no experience of this I’m putting a shout out for advice and information from readers of this blog!