Happy Paddlin Store

Project Ouch

2011-04-27T14:28:00.000-07:00

How tough is that material?

I have heard a lot of mis-truths about thermoforming and the material that Eddyline calls Carbonlite. In a past blog I illustrate how easy Carbonlite is to repair. But how tough is it?

There are many types of abuse and each type has a different outcome on your kayak. Everyone says that a Poly boat is the toughest yet it is the worst for abrasion and UV damage (shape retention and longevity).

For 99% of Eddyline's customers, the current lay-up and material thickness does a great job of balancing the durability vs weight trade-off. I wanted to remove the "weight" emphasis that is so important on the market and make a heavy duty version for impact zone paddling and rep abuse. I've done most of the things you will see during this season's Project Ouch to my demo boats over the years. They hold up. I decided to have a special Samba made up just for me to abuse. If something does break we will turn it into a chance to learn about repair.

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE FIRST INSTALLMENT OF PROJECT OUCH

2010 Warehouse Reduction Sale

2010-07-05T09:38:00.001-07:00

Updated 10.12.10

Eddyline Nighthawk 17.5 $1200

Emotion Demo Fleet

Edge Used Blue $250

Edge Used Tangerine $250

Comets Yellow/Red/Blue Used $215

Advantedge $399

Temptation $399

Stealth $425

Tahoe SUPs $700 each

Eddyline Nighthawk 16 Blue $1200

Eddyline Fathom LV Yellow $1700

Kayak Coeur d'Alene

2010-04-09T09:44:00.000-07:00

Kayak Coeur d'Alene may be a bit tough to spell but it is a snap to get to as they are just blocks off of I90 in N. Idaho in the lakeside town of Coeur d'Alene. You can always tell a shop that takes the right amount of time and consideration with the products they choose to offer. Great selection, no missing holes in offerings and displayed with an attention to detail. Chip and Ginger Dalvini, KCDA's owners, are at the helm most every day. They know the product they sell and can give great insight into other products on the market too. KCDA is a specialty kayak store that can answer your questions with the knowledge from years of experience.

Kayak CDA is soon to be the a Rockpool Kayak dealer and already has a great stock of Stohlquist PFDs and Apparel. They stock a great offering of Aquabound Paddles, Danuu Canoe and Kayak Covers. There are plenty of one of a kind kayaks from touring to recreational.

Kayak Coeur d'Alene
307 E Locust Ave
Coeur d'Alene, ID 83814

Local: 208-676-1533
Toll Free: 877-676-1533

info@kayakcoeurdalene.com

Alder Creek Kayak and Canoe Bend OR

2009-03-11T20:03:00.000-07:00

This is a premier paddling shop nestled along the Deschutes River in Bend's Old Mill district. Geoff and long time staffers Nick, James and John know where to find paddling adventures from lazy floats and high alpine lakes to surf waves and falls along the Deschutes. About five years ago, I drove to Bend for early May event for Alder Creek Bend. The realtor gods delivered a perfect pitch to me and I became the newest addition to the "live in Bend/work somewhere else" crowd within 3 days.

The Bend Shop is also one of the reasons I love coming home. This store just feels as laid back and as your back yard bbq. The backyard of Alder Creek nestles up to the Deschutes River. You can hardly contain your adventurous tendencies when the ever changing sky opens to reveal Mt Bachelor and the Three Sisters to the West. The crew knows what they are talking about when it comes to all paddling disciplines-- Canoes, Kayaks, Rafts, and even Tubes! Whatever your preferred craft make sure you visit Bend in the summer. You can hop from Co-ed clad tube to tube on the hottest summer days of Bend to cross the river. "Fun" is in the air on these days and there is always something to do in town at night. During the summer in Bend, the coolest place is always on the water.

Alder Creek Bend stocks a great supply of every craft for sale or rental. Paddles from Bending Branches, Swift, Aquabound and Werner. PFDs from Astral, Stohlquist, Kokatat, NRS and MTI. Esquif and Wenonah Canoes. Eddyline and lots of them. Spitfire Kayaks. Check 'em out off Simpson near the old mill.

Shop Spotlight: Northern Lights and The Barn Bozeman MT

2009-03-01T08:48:00.001-08:00

Northern Lights and The Barn, located in Bozeman MT, have been fixtures in Montana since 1979. They are a true specialty shop with all the essential elements: Knowledgeable Employees, The Best Gear, and the Programs/Demo Product to get you started. The downtown store features the staples for surviving outdoors in MT. It is very apparent their buyers have been doing their job for a long time and know what works in Big Sky country. Outer Wear ranges from botique to hard core. Upstairs you will find great hardgoods for going up or down any mountain. The building itself has that great rustic feel of a backwoods lodge.

Five miles west of town sits the majestic paddlesports facility they call The Barn. This is where you will find great deals on outerwear and all things paddlesports. The Barn features closeouts and rep samples from all outdoor disciplines as well as the greatest new product for getting on the water. Any good paddlesports store needs space and water. The Barn has both. You can burn several hours checking out the goods within the restored barn and large boat warehouse. Once you have decided between a couple boats you can even demo them in the small pond behind the store.

The Barn features a great selection of Bending Branches paddles, Stohlquist and Warmers Waterwear. The new owners of Northern Lights/The Barn are infusing some great new energy and willingness to answer the customer's needs. The future is bright for Northern Lights.

www.northernlightstradingcompany.com .

Scappoose Bay Kayaking

2008-05-13T20:04:00.000-07:00

It is easy to have a lot of FUN when your shop is located on one of the largest freshwater bays on the Columbia River. SBK offers all levels of paddling right out their back door. You can stay in the bay for scenic beginner level paddling. You will see a lot of wildlife as you wind your way through the little rivers and waterways of Scappoose Bay. One of my favorite ways to enjoy this part of the bay is at night on one of SBK's "Full Moon Cruises". If you are out there during the day you will see the history of the Columbia River from Native American sacred burial grounds to the skeletons of large wooden ships that were contstructed and used along this part of the lower Columbia.

If you want intermediate paddling you can venture out into the Channel or for advanced paddling you can even head out into the Columbia. Scappoose Bay Kayaking will show you the whole river on one of their guided "pushing the envelope" tours which spends 3-4 days floating the Columbia from their shop to Astoria (80 miles).

The store is unbelievable. There is an interpretive museum, a big screen set up with an area for pics and movies.

Onsite Pool. Boat building area. Northwest art and antiques...and plenty of boats and gear for sale. Just outside the store you can walk a well maintained walkway and boardwalk through the wetlands and forest. The park next to the store has a covered area for a fire and BBQ and a great lawn for throwing the frisbee. I find myself spending and extra few hours at SBK everytime I'm there!

Alder Creek Kayak and Canoe Portland OR

2008-04-16T11:19:00.000-07:00

Having worked in early 2000 at Alder Creek Portland, I can tell you that this store has a long history with NW Paddling. They have changed ownership over the years but the passion is still there. They might be the most all around disciplined store in the Portland area specializing in all types of canoes, ww kayaks, sea kayaks and recreational kayaks. They have a complete instruction, tour, rental, repair, and sales program. They even set up a pool in the warm months. Many of the shop's employees are very skilled paddlers and they will challenge you to develop your skills so you can enjoy all the water the NW has to offer.

You can paddle in the harbor behind the store for test paddles and you can make your way out to the Columbia if you are ready for more wind and waves. Alder Creek also has a downtown location near OMSI/Portland Boat House. This is a great place to rent and demo boats for the afternoon. Call ahead to make sure they have the model you are interested in. They also have a sister store in beautiful Bend OR.

Time your visit to their North Portland store as I5 can be a bit busy in the afternoons. Alder Creek Portland usuallys stocks select models from Eddyline Kayaks (Skylark, Fathom, Fathom LV, Equinox, Merlin LT, Whisper CL). You can call to arrange demoes of other models. You can also find Danuu Covers, Skwoosh Gel Seats, Swift Paddles and Rec Repair products at the "Creek".

Portland Kayak Company

2008-03-01T11:35:00.000-08:00

Portland Kayak Company has created a nice niche for themselves with the best access to the Willamette River in Portland at either of their two locations. The downtown marina location is a great location to rent or take one of their downtown tours along the Willametter River in Portland. Just up river, Portland Kayak Company has their main store in the John's Landing Area of SW Portland. Their store is right above Willamette Park so there is easy access to some of the best paddling in the Portland metro area. From the docks of Willamette Park you can cross the river and enjoy the waterfowl and scenery of the Ross Island Area.

Portland Kayak Company caters to enthusiasts that are after hand made composite boats and some of the best kayaking gear available. They also have a good supply of entry level equipment to get you started but with all the beautiful boats in their store why not just take the leap past plastic! They have a great selection of Stohlquist drysuits, pfds, and waterwear. They offer instruction, tours, rentals and even host trips to baja and other international destinations. Unfortunately, they do not stock Emotion or Eddyline Kayaks but I don't hold that against them as the kayak lines they do carry are also some of the best out there (besides Eddyline/Emotion of course). Best of all, you are sure to be treated like royalty when you go to Portland Kayak Company. What more can you expect from relocated midwesterners!

Portland Kayak Company usually makes the trip up to the West Coast Sea Kayak Symposium every year. They have satisified customers all over the NW who have found that their store has some fine gear that is not always easy to find. They take pride in their store and it shows. They always welcome Bamboo and me to their store and I think that if a shop treats their reps this well then their customers must really be treated well. Portland Kayak Company has helped several Eddyline customers over the years despite carrying the line. That is just plain good stuff!

Popeye's Marine and Kayak Center

2008-02-05T00:13:00.000-08:00

This is the little shop that could and can! Dean and Bedelia truly are marathoners when it comes to the endurance it takes to run a retail store. When I met them about 5 years ago they were done with the race to find the least expensive boats on the market. Their customer base had improved in skills and were planning bigger adventures. Popeye's Marine focused on the nicest boats in each catagory they could find. They chose Seaward for composite kayaks and Eddyline for thermo-formed kayaks. Swift and Werner paddles. Stohlquist and Kokatat WaterWear. All the cool gadgets to go with either kayak or yacht. There are several cool products I saw for the first time at Popeye's which proves the case for them being a true specialty paddlesports store.

Dean and Bedelia will load their whole shop up and attend the Seattle and Everett Boat Shows every year. When they are not holding down the shop they can be found out in either their little boat (kayak) or big boat (sail boat). Always on the water.

Everett Marina is still old school. Make sure you get down there while it is still that way. The Seattle/Sound area development wave is moving north quickly and the wide open views may not be there for long. There are some really nice protected waters to test boats off their dock and with a quick paddle you can point out into the open waters of the Snohomish River Estuary and Posession Sound. Dean always has the coffee on which is how he says he gets my "lightning bolt" operation to stop at his store. With plenty of open grass for Boo and parking for the truck and trailer, Popeye's Marine is a prime rep camping spot for me if Seattle traffic is on.

FEB 08 SPECIALS: 2 Emotion Mojos On Sale...Contact Popeye's at 425.339.9479 for special