Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Quick paddle on the Play section of the McKenzie River
Didn't get much video, and had way better rides than what is shown here, but at least it shows the Play Pro (prototype) in action. A slightly narrower bow and narrower cockpit are the only significant differences, and to tell the truth, I think the regular Play 8 has a better bow design. The Play 8 bow's surface area and buoyancy seem to give better surf rides and more stability. In comparing to the hardshell paddler I was boating with, yes, he is definitely a better paddler, but you can see how the shorter boat that he had fit much better on the wave than the 8ft long Airis (which is 18 inches shorter than the Aire Force! The last time I ran this stretch two years ago I was paddling a Force and couldn't surf any of this stuff!). Hopefully some day Walker Bay will make an even shorter version of the Play!! In the mean time rumor has it that they will resume production on the Sport 10 and Tandem, but not the Play, for Spring 2012. For whitewater paddlers, if you can find a Play 8 anywhere I'd grab it as they beat anything else in the IK world for whitewater surf play!
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Fishing in Singapore!!
Aching arms!!
The title says it all..
After missing out on fishing for quite a few weeks due to work commitments, some super duper last min arrangement between me and Merv was made. We met up at our Tango Point and pumped up our inflatables. A short walk down to the beach and off we went.. Little did I know that the whole trip paddle too and fro would haven been a good 9km in total if we paddle in a straight line.. But I reckon we did a good 12km in total..
If there was a time that I’ve wanted to give up paddling on the way back.. Today would be it.. Even at the end when we were almost reach shore.. I dread the fact that I’ve got to carry the yaks up together with Merv… Ooohh My poor arms!!
I bet Merv would have thought the same!
That been said.. the highlight of the day would be Merv catching a 4-5kg Queenie!! Excellent acrobatic display!! Landed and released for another day… He missed a huge take while trolling on his strike pro deep diver.. Which snapped his 40lb braid as he did not have a shockleader on.. But nonetheless what a rush!!
I believe in the end he had a good haul of aramugum.. a couple of blue hinds of which 2 of them caught by a lure that I’ve given him for Christmas!! All of them released! :cc:
As for myself, I didn’t bring my bag of lures all together and I deeply regret so!!! Luckily, Jimmy from It Great!! Came by and borrowed me 2 lures to play around with!! Off luring I went and within mins.. I had a solid take!! Strike into it and the line was zooming off to my left at a high speed and before I knew it.. It came loose!!! Haiz…
I had another take on the same lure and the same happen. I reckon it was due to the rusty hooks that did not hook up the fish properly. Lesson learnt.. always stock the car with lures for emergency usage! In the end, I had 1 parrot fish and 2 aramugum to end my day.
It was a great experience to paddle such a distance, not to forget witnessing such a cool fight on the kayak.
What a way to spend a Sunny Sunday!!
After missing out on fishing for quite a few weeks due to work commitments, some super duper last min arrangement between me and Merv was made. We met up at our Tango Point and pumped up our inflatables. A short walk down to the beach and off we went.. Little did I know that the whole trip paddle too and fro would haven been a good 9km in total if we paddle in a straight line.. But I reckon we did a good 12km in total..
If there was a time that I’ve wanted to give up paddling on the way back.. Today would be it.. Even at the end when we were almost reach shore.. I dread the fact that I’ve got to carry the yaks up together with Merv… Ooohh My poor arms!!
I bet Merv would have thought the same!
That been said.. the highlight of the day would be Merv catching a 4-5kg Queenie!! Excellent acrobatic display!! Landed and released for another day… He missed a huge take while trolling on his strike pro deep diver.. Which snapped his 40lb braid as he did not have a shockleader on.. But nonetheless what a rush!!
I believe in the end he had a good haul of aramugum.. a couple of blue hinds of which 2 of them caught by a lure that I’ve given him for Christmas!! All of them released! :cc:
As for myself, I didn’t bring my bag of lures all together and I deeply regret so!!! Luckily, Jimmy from It Great!! Came by and borrowed me 2 lures to play around with!! Off luring I went and within mins.. I had a solid take!! Strike into it and the line was zooming off to my left at a high speed and before I knew it.. It came loose!!! Haiz…
I had another take on the same lure and the same happen. I reckon it was due to the rusty hooks that did not hook up the fish properly. Lesson learnt.. always stock the car with lures for emergency usage! In the end, I had 1 parrot fish and 2 aramugum to end my day.
It was a great experience to paddle such a distance, not to forget witnessing such a cool fight on the kayak.
What a way to spend a Sunny Sunday!!
Play 8 whitewater set-up (updated version!)
Here's another way of setting up the Play 8 for whitewater use (from http://www.dcmix.net/gonflable/photos1.htm).
***UPDATE 2***
No more footstrap and a new larger back band!
Photos:
Airis play8 modifications and features:
4 Aire grey "D"rings installed for foot and thigh straps.
New bag attached on the stern + water bottle holder.
The skeg was cut for whitewater use.
This (playboat) inflatable kayak only weights 15 pounds and measures 8' x 33".
It has a flat bottom, and a drain hole,
a little rocker on the stern and can be inflated up to 6.5 psi!
(almost as rigid as a plastic kayak)
***UPDATE***
The yellow D-rings and footstrap were replaced after the first esquimo roll!
Also added a back band!
***UPDATE 2***
No more footstrap and a new larger back band!
Photos:
Airis play8 modifications and features:
4 Aire grey "D"rings installed for foot and thigh straps.
New bag attached on the stern + water bottle holder.
The skeg was cut for whitewater use.
This (playboat) inflatable kayak only weights 15 pounds and measures 8' x 33".
It has a flat bottom, and a drain hole,
a little rocker on the stern and can be inflated up to 6.5 psi!
(almost as rigid as a plastic kayak)
***UPDATE***
The yellow D-rings and footstrap were replaced after the first esquimo roll!
Also added a back band!
Monday, February 22, 2010
Monday, October 5, 2009
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
End of summer sales!
http://www.defender.com/category.jsp?path=-1%7C27082&id=989681 Still the best prices seen anywhere!!
Kayaking, fishing, and tropical islands (oh, and don't forget the bikini clad model!!)
Read about it at:
http://www.fishingnewsroom.com/viewtopic.php?f=62&p=201784
Scroll past the end of the story for comments, including Q and A on the Airis.
Note: From the pics it appears that the Airis in the story is actually the Sport, not the Angler.
Paddling for fitness
Good paddling technique uses the torso and the shoulder muscles more than the arms. This means that when done correctly you will be strengthening the core and using larger muscles which will give a better cardiovascular workout. Paddling should not be your sole aerobic activity though; doing something involving the legs like cycling or jogging should also be incorporated into your fitness routine. Once you become comfortable with paddling the rhythmical motion combined with the peaceful setting of being on the water makes for a wonderful stress-relieving activity. And any time that you are doing something fun as your fitness activity makes it that much easier to keep getting out!!! Have fun getting more fit on the water!
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Touring with the Airis Sport kayaks
If you go light weight backpacker-style there's room to stow gear for getting out overnight (with dry bags lashed on deck). And if you are paddling in fresh water (or have a fresh water source) you can just take a water filter rather than packing water, which would allow the possibility of stretching the trip to two nights. Note: if you lash very much gear on deck it will raise the center of mass of the boat and decrease stability. This would only be an issue if you are paddling in rough conditions, but it is something to keep in mind. To minimize this risk keep your heaviest gear as low as possible (in the bottom of the built-in stowage space or even lashed in the cockpit floor), and go as light weight as possible. The Airis Play Tandem paddled as a solo boat might be a good option for carrying larger loads of gear for longer trips.
Review of the Airis Sport 11
http://www.bwsailing.com/BWStoys4cruisers.html
(Note: The photo of the kayak being pumped up is not of the Airis as labeled; it is of the much larger, and MUCH heavier Hobie kayak)
Let's get excited!!
Airis Play 8
St. Mary Falls, Glacier, MT
The falls are about a mile hike in; not a problem when the boat only weighs 15 pounds and fits in a backpack!! The high pressure hull and broad bow gave awesome performance!!
See the video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8fSPknnadrY
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Monday, August 24, 2009
Friday, August 21, 2009
A boat for any paddling ability!
Yak River, ID
Whitewater grandma!! Her first time whitewater kayaking and she was surfing a little river wave within 5 minutes! You should have seen the grin on her face - she looked like a little kid she was having so much fun!!
McKenzie River, OR
First time river runner finds out how much fun it is to shove off and explore what the river has to show you!
Whitewater grandma!! Her first time whitewater kayaking and she was surfing a little river wave within 5 minutes! You should have seen the grin on her face - she looked like a little kid she was having so much fun!!
McKenzie River, OR
First time river runner finds out how much fun it is to shove off and explore what the river has to show you!
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
How to trick out your Airis Play 8 for whitewater use??
I found that the skeg would cause the boat to get pushed around by the current more than I wanted (as well as would scrape on rocks) so I used a hacksaw to cut it off (right at the base of the vertical fin leaving the base material and never coming anywhere near the boat's bottom when cutting). This was very easy - only taking 5 minutes or so. I have also added an NRS backband used for hardshell kayaks rather than use the seat that comes stock with the boat, and NRS thigh straps (available from www.nrsweb.com). Depending on leg length you may want to add aditional D-rings further forward and further back than the ones that are on the boat when it comes out of the box so that you can get a better thigh strap fit (also available from NRS or from your local whitewater shop). I've talked to Walker Bay about this and we hope to see some of these changes made soon. However, as the Play is not being made specifically for a whitewater market, and with slow sales this year it may not be until 2011.
Additionally, I have found that if you run the floor quite hard (although less comfortable on the bottom) it will help the boat bail faster and decreases the chance of water pushing the floor up when surfing in bigger water.
Additionally, I have found that if you run the floor quite hard (although less comfortable on the bottom) it will help the boat bail faster and decreases the chance of water pushing the floor up when surfing in bigger water.
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