Sea Kayaking Articles from P&H Staff, Team Paddlers, and Friends

Month: August 2008 Page 1 of 3

P&H Skeg System

Last year, P&H launched their new “kink-free” skeg system. The system combines the best of both worlds: the ease of maintenance of a rope skeg with the precise trimming found in cable skegs. Moreover, the system is lightweight and fully field maintainable. While some kayak companies are making things more complicated (pneumatic skegs, for instance), I think the P&H approach of simple solutions for simple problems makes a great deal of sense.

Like anything new, however, there’s a bit of a learning curve involved as people learn how the new technology functions. In my travels this summer, I’ve come across a few paddlers who’ve said they find the new skeg difficult to deploy. As it turns out, every one of those individuals was engaging the click slider on the skeg the wrong way. As soon as I showed them the correct technique (pushing forward to unlock the slider, not squeezing the trigger!), they were thrilled.

To get the word out, I put together this little video going over the system, how to deploy it, and how to adjust the tension on the skeg. Considering I was able to remove and replace the skeg system with one hand, while filming with my digital camera in the other, I’d say it’s pretty easy…even for a guy with two left thumbs like me! Enjoy!

Eastern Horizons Film!

Bryan Smith/reversing fallsAfter producing the award winning film Pacific Horizons in 2007, everyone kept asking “so what are you doing next?” This is always a difficult question to answer right after a big expedition, film project, or trip, but we had an idea brewing. Lise-Anne and I were keen to come east and document the maritime culture, great sea paddling and people of the east coast. So we started to brainstorm destinations and people to film. Everything from Florida to Newfoundland was on our radar and eventually we honed in on several key locations. With the gracious support of several sponsors and lots of logistics coordination, we had what we needed to hit the road and start filming our next adventure sea kayaking DVD. Eastern Horizons was born. Starting with a trip to Newfoundland to paddle with the icebergs, followed by a 2 month long road trip from North Carolina to Quebec, we were blown away by the hospitality, wildlife and scenery along the way. Here are a few details from the journey and information on the film to come!

Bryan Smith/ filming icebergs

Bryan Smith/cape chignectoBryan Smith/mainelobstertraps

Bryan Smith/sunset quirpon

People watching sunset on Quirpon Island, Newfoundland

Bryan Smith/cave with spot light

Lise-Anne Beyries caving in the Magdolin Islands

Bryan Smith/surfing broken paddle

Paul Kuthe and Bryan Smith surfing broken paddle in the Reversing Falls.

Bryan Smith/the sisters

Paul Kuthe paddling through the sisters at high tide. Cape Chignecto, NB

Bryan Smith/boats low tide

Fishing boats dry docked at St Martins

Bryan/big surf reversing falls

Bryan Smith getting covered by an explodig wave at the Reversing Falls

Bryan Smith/foggy lobsershack

Jon Carmody and Lise-Anne Beyries eating lunch in the Maine fog

Bryan Smith/reading chart

Bryan Smith reading a chart at sunrise in North Carolina

Page 1 of 3

Powered by WordPress & Theme by Anders Norén