My First Outrigger Canoe Race(s)

Last Thursday, I showed up for practice with SOCC, and before I knew it, I was signed up for my first outrigger race. This past Saturday, at Lake Spanaway, was the first day of sprint races in the Pac NW. I was signed up for 4 races: 1 - 500m, 2 - 1000m, and the final race of the day...1500 m! I couldn't have asked for a more perfect day. After a week of rain and cool weather, the sun came out on Saturday in spectacular fashion with highs reaching about 75, though, sometimes it felt like 90! It wasn't Hawaii, but it was dang close - with ample spam musubis to nosh on in between races. Aaahh....love the island people.

I really had no idea what to expect other than a lot of hurry up and wait. And, in true Hawaiian fashion, we were running on island time. Had I known, I could've slept in a few hours. I showed up at 7:30 am, but my first race wasn't until close to noon. Oh well, it was a great time to take in the atmosphere, take in some much needed Vit D, and get to know the other club members. The day started off with a prayer and lei dedication - I wish I had taken a picture, but that's the time we all head to the beach with paddles in hand and raise it in the end of the prayer. The "proper" way to hold a paddle is with the blade up and the handle down - the idea is that if you point the blade down, then all the energy and power drains out. We also do a cheer while touching the kanu after each race (actually, after each session the boat is out on the water) for good luck and part of the outrigger tradition.

Unlike other sports I partake in, there's really no time to get out to warm up and practice your stroke. My first race, a 500 m sprint, was the warm-up. And, it was too short to really get a rhythm - my strokes had to be quicker and faster and by the time I really started to engage my full body and began to feel the proper rhythm, it was over. Oh well....more waiting time for my 1000 m races. I really enjoyed the 1000 m and 1500 m races because not only did I have more time to get my timing right, and full body into my strokes, we also got to do some turns which is hella-fun....each seat has their own responsibility on that turn and the steerman's calls. Being a novice, I was in seats 3, 4, or 5 so all I had to do was paddle, but one day I will be in seats 1 or 2, and, who knows, maybe a steerman because I love barking out commands and can't keep my mouth shut.

I wasn't in a boat that finished first, but managed a 3rd place finish in the OC-6 open - holy cow, it was amazing how fast we were going with 3 powerful men in the boat. My last event was the longest of the day which was an 0C-6 1500 m open women's race which meant we had 5 turns to do on the course. I can't remember how we finished (4th?), but after that event, as I had guessed, long-distance races are going to be my thing. I love digging in and finding that sweet rhythm where you have every muscle engaged in your movement and fine-tuning things to ensure you're not only going at maximum, but also moving your body in an efficient manner to ensure you're using your bigger muscles like your back and quads so you have enough to last the race and with enough reserves to make that final push. So friggin' fun and the good news is that I am not sore today!!

I'm going to miss next week's sprints at Green Lake because of a hockey tourney I had signed up for in N. Vancouver - sigh, it's that time of year again where there are so many things to do and just not enough time. I can't wait to get back out on the water and I am going to sign up for as many races as I can - maybe be in shape for the long distance/change-out races in Catalina later this summer. Sweet!! Here's a link to more pics from the races at Lake Spanaway. Aloha!

Outrigger Canoe Videos

First time paddlers are more than welcome to the SOCC. Come down on Thursdays when there is a novice-specific practice with Coach John. He's been paddling for 13 years and is a great instructor. Just prepare to get wet! Location is 2360 N. Northlake Way, Seattle, WA. If you've wanted to try it out, now's your chance! **So much fun** and I wish I had enough paddling time under my belt to participate in races happening now (Portland race was this weekend). Eventually, it will come. Would be cool to make the Catalina Crossing in mid-September which is a distance/change-out race (WOOT!). But, being around this great group of people makes it easy for me to come out for practice - even in the cold. I'm officially hooked.

In the meantime, I watch this video to keep me motivated. It's of a club from San Diego participating in the Na Wahine O Ke Kai Outrigger Canoe race from Molokai to Oahu. Not only is there great footage of 'change-outs' during the race (first one is about 1:32 into the video - exit on right, load on the left or 'ama' side) but I am mesmerized by the mele (hawaiian chant) playing in the background. Artist is from Oakland, CA (Oaktown). Can't wait for my next practice on Tuesday.

(Source: YouTube, MediaMechanix. Artist: Kumu Hula Mark Keali'i Ho'omalu)

Another video from inside the ka'nu. You can watch some 'change-outs' and hear the 'hut' 'ho' which are the cues for switching paddling sides.

(Source: YouTube, MediaMechanix)

Plenty o' Peddling, Paddling, Puck, and Phun

I've been getting a nice dose of Vit D the last several days and am so excited about spring and summer. Especially, this summer....so many fun (er, phun...stick with the P theme of this post) things to look forward to.

Peddling:
That means time on my bike...FINALLY! To date, I've been a whimp and have primarily done indoor spin but this weekend I am going for my first long ride...63 miles on Saturday with the Cascade group. Gotta get ready to do the Seattle-to-Portland (STP) in 1 day (double-century) in July. Yikes, that's really just three months away? Sigh...pass the chamois buttr, load up the Gu and let's get to it.

Paddling:
OK, this I'm really excited about. I joined the Seattle Outrigger Canoe Club because I just can't get enough Aloha and 'Ohana spirit! I've been paddling in a 6-person canoe which is exactly what I wanted because I wanted to get into another team sport. The timing I got right away....except when I'm out on the lake and we pass several boatloads of HOT men crew rowers...then, my timing goes all to shit because I'm so distracted as my gaze wanders over instead of focusing on the paddle in front of me to make sure my timing is in sync with my teammates. Yeah, the next several months out on Lake Union and Lake Washington are going to be fun. Though, my steerman might have to put some blinders on me so I stay focused on paddling on MY boat. Also, still working on my paddling stroke and I feel so sorry for the person in front of me. Come July/Aug when it's hotter, they will be happy to be the recipient of my errant, er, efficient (thanks Coach John!), paddling stroke. In any case....too much fun!

Second, my friend also has some Aloha spirit going north of the border. Mountain Surf Adventures (formerly Tantalus Adventures) has added Standup Paddleboard lessons & trips to their offerings. So, if you're up in the Whistler area, let me know and I can set you up on a local lake. Not only is it a different experience on a body of water, but it's also an excellent overall conditioning workout - both physically and mentally. Give it a try...no waves required. These boards are excellent on flatwater. And, once you get the hang of it and you're off paddling on your own, you can almost smell the saltwater, and hear the distant song of a native hawaiian accompanied by a ukelele (no, NOT Don Ho you crazy haoles!).

Finally, in early May, I've got a 6-day assistant sea kayak guide training course off the west coast of Vancouver Island with Evolution Guide School. I'm looking forward to it because one of the instructors was one of the guides who had accompanied me on my trip to the Great Bear Rainforest back in the summer of 2006. Kinda nervous about it but looking forward to seeing that part of Vancouver Island.

Puck:
Goes without saying. Don't want to get rusty over the summer so I'll continue to skate in the GSHL and another co-ed league but no women's hockey. So, could be a season of trouble with those crazy boys (woot!).

Phun:
Let me suggest for some fun, a couple of days out on Washington Coast at Kalaloch lodge. Right now, there are some awesome deals since its still the off-season but I think it's the best time. You might be lucky and see some grey whales migrating because they're closer to the coastline on this north-bound journey. The Kalaloch lodge and their sister lodge, Lake Quinalt Lodge, have amazing deals where if you sign up for a beach clean-up or trail maintenance in the Olympic National Park, then you get to stay for a much-reduced price. At Kalaloch - might I suggest the cozy little cabins along the bluff. Yummy. I haven't visited Lake Quinalt in years but I remember big adirondack chairs for afternoon happy hour after a day in a canoe on the lake or hiking in the lush rainforest.

Oh wait....I forgot PUTTING! Gonna make an effort to get my game back this summer now that I have a good list of golfing partners to hook up with.

So, cheers to Spring and bring on Summer! It's time. Aloha!

Mudflaps do Coquitlam...

...and survived (barely). Sung invited me to play on her co-ed GSHL team, the Mudflaps, in a recent Planet Ice Easter Co-Ed hockey tournament in Coquitlam. It was my first co-ed tournament ever so I was a bit nervous. And, on top of that, I only knew Sung and the other women that she added to the roster from the SWHC ("Glorious" KT, Bridget, and Keri) and knew none of the other men. Though, it turns out that I have skated against them in some GSHL games this season! This was the first out-of-town tourney for the Mudflaps and I *seriously* hope its the first of more to come (did someone say Vegas?).

Despite the fact that we got placed in the wrong division which resulted in a 0-3 record, it was a great tournament and weekend. Recurring quote was "****!! I thought this was the Novice division!" Our first game was against a team from Portland, OR. So, being an American team, we thought we had a chance. Ha! Not really....they had a young player (Jail Bait) who pretty much skated around us. The second team was crazy good and the final team was even better (or we were just tired or drunk or both...the last 2 games were all a blur to me). That's ok...many laughs, new friends, TimBits, and MASSIVE amounts of alcohol kept us in good spirits. And, did that guy at Boston Pizza really drop his pants to show us his tattoos on each ass cheek? Both Planet Ice tournaments were very well organized and well attended. Though, we didn't get a case of fine Canadian beer in our locker room after each game, teams was given $50 to spend in the bar upstairs. I'll definitely be back whenever a chance comes up...as long as I am placed in the appropriate division...is there a Tri-Pod division? Oh my....I'm in serious detox after the last 2 weekends of Canadian tournaments.

We stayed at the newly remodeled Inn at the Quay New Westminster. Lively decor (blues, purples....no boring hues of beige/browns) which makes you think South Beach-Miami but a quick look out the window and you're quickly reminded you're in the gray, Pac NW. Beds were extra comfy, and the bathroom and shower immaculate. A nice change from the **ithole we stayed in the previous weekend (i.e., I didn't get stuck in an elevator this time). Skytrain is close by for easy access to downtown so it's a great alternative and more affordable place to stay if in the area. It was about 10 minutes away from the Planet Ice Coquitlam rink.

Anyway, it was awesome skating, eating, and drinking with all you crazy Mudflaps. Our fans were the best - complete with a cow bell and "the wave." Hope to skate with you all again soon! But, first I must recover.

(Fade to Journey's "Don't Stop Believin'.")

Planet Ice Women's Ice Hockey Tournament 2009

Let's go crazy! That was our mantra for the last SWHC/We Want Fries tournament of the 2008/2009 season. This year, we wrapped up our season north of the border at the Planet Ice Women's International Ice Hockey Tournament at the rink in Delta, BC. All three SWHC teams headed up and when the trip was booked with the tournament officials, we wanted to make sure the Seattle teams weren't all placed in the same division and have to drive all the way up just to play each other. We Want Fries got placed in a higher division based on some some random algorithm which took into account factors like age, hockey experience, and, I don't know, horoscope sign. Oh well, that's one way to wrap up a season with a bang!

Friday, Game 1: I don't know what it is about road trips and I don't know if every one of the Fries stopped at every fast food outlet between Seattle and the border, but we were slugs in our first game. Coach Steve (filling in for Murray) saw this immediately and tried his best to build intensity and energize us before our game. Our first two shifts were good, but then it was gone - just like that **poof**. That game we did our best impersonation of pylons that I've ever seen. Final score against the Buzz was 0-6. Sigh. Then, we went upstairs to cheer on the other Seattle teams and, unfortunately, things just kept going downhill. Especially for Black Ice: they lost 2 players in the first game to injuries.

Later that night, Erin and I headed to the hotel to check in and, well, our night was just about to reach a pinnacle. Yeah, we got stuck in the elevator. It wasn't our fault but rather an employee who had to lock access to the lower level. Well, little miss "oh-my-gawd-I'm-stuck-in-the-elevator-HELP" (said repeatedly on her iPhone to her fellow employees at the highest octave level) managed to get the elevator stuck between the lower level and the lobby. It was silly at first but after the 10th "oh-my-gawd-I'm-stuck...." panicked babble, I was ready to get out. The rescue was just like in the movies.....big, strong hands prying open the doors and a deep, male voice telling us hang on and they'll get us out in no time. I waited with abated breath envisioning Clive Owens showing up to rescue me and ready to offer to buy me as many martinis as I needed to calm my nerves. I quickly turned to the elevator mirror and did a quick fix of the hair in anticipation of my rescue. *Poof* Reality check: my rescuer looked like the "OMG" girl's fellow classmate who is also working the late shift so they can buy the latest accessory for their iPhone. Down came a ladder and up went our gear, luggage, then Erin, then myself. I forgot that I couldn't stand up since I only had a 4-foot clearance. And, my legs were stiffening up after the game so I had to kind of pause half-way through the elevator. The next thing I knew, employee #2 (not-Clive) pushed me from behind through the elevator doors and I landed *splat* on the lobby floor. Welcome to Surrey! Ha! Yeah, bad joojoo night.

Saturday, Game 2: The game was against SO Black Widows. When I first peeked into their locker room to find out what color jersey they were wearing, I was optimistic to see that they were more in our age range so I thought we had a chance. Then, we got out on the ice and they schooled us. All I could say is WOW. Steve made up lines on the fly to make up for huge disparity in speed and and that we would all have enough leg to last the game. We hung in there and kept them to below double-digits (yeah!) and final score was 0-8. Oh my. Nevertheless, the Fries were more intense and EVERYONE skated 110%. We gave it our all and though we got schooled, we were happy with how we played because we knew right from the get go that the other team was WAY better than us but we still gave it our best shot. Jumping in on the fly also added to the intensity on the bench. What we sacrified in chemistry, we made up in intensity and energy.

Saturday, Game 3: Final game was against the Whistler Sound Gardens 2. We scouted their game earlier and I thought we had a good chance because they were a lot slower than the SO Black Widows. Before the game, some of the Fries headed over to Tim Hortons for a sugar and caffeine fix and then warmed up with the Nerf football to stay loose and get the energy level back up. It worked. Our game was close for a while (i.e., it was scoreless). Pam did an amazing job in the net all weekend and had a lot of plays that I thought qualified for Sportscenter Top 10 plays. But, we just couldn't generate any offense. Once again, Steve modified the lines and positions a little into the game and I moved from center back to defense. However, tournament legs set in a bit into the final period and the final score ended up 0-7. Yes, you saw that right....the Fries were shut out in the tournament. So disappointing. I can't speak for the others, but I know I enjoyed skating at the higher and faster level and am proud that everyone gave it their all in the tourney until we all, literally, ran out of gas (despite the magic energy beans/smurf berries Lee and I brought to the bench - it only worked significantly for Daniella and Lee). Thank you, Coach Steve, for stepping in and bringing all your great energy and awesome coaching to the bench.

To the Fries: it was an extreme pleasure to have skated with all of you this season and what an honor it was for me to be captain of the best SWHC team this season. Bree, I'm so grateful for all the team management work you did for the team and for organizing a lot of the details that no one else likes to do. Beavis, thank you so much for stepping in and picking up my duties when I was lured away to the islands. And, to "Little Freak" and "Old Growth," to show my gratitude for all your support, feedback, and constant chuckling all season, I promise to burn my pom-poms, remove all my 'GO BANANAS' cheers from memory, and forever refrain from doing cartwheels in the locker room. Now, go eat a big ole plateful of fries because you all deserve it.

Next up: another tourney at Planet Ice in Coquitlam. Thank goodness....I couldn't stand that sulphur smell at the Delta rink. P.U. But, it's my first co-ed tourney and I'm sub'ing for Sung's team, the Mudflaps. We're in the novice division but I've played in enough tourneys that it really doesn't mean anything. The only thing that we will all have in common is that we started playing hockey as an adult. I better make sure my little white bottle of ibuprofen is fully stocked before I leave.

Three-peat Complete

Congratulations, ACME Skating Co. (beep beep)! Division champions for the third year in a row at the annual Everett Ravens "Fools on Ice" Womens Ice Hockey Tournament. Oh, and despite the images, this was a *Spring* tournament, but you have the admit the jack-o-lantern tape work on Tamara was apropos (see below). Quick recap of how we got there:

Friday night: Faced off against a local team made up of girls who were considerably younger than us! Haha....but, the group of "girls" were a tenacious bunch and certainly made us more "mature" women work for our win. First, we were off to a shaky start. I missed about 7 minutes of the first period because of the ridiculous traffic on I-5....grrrr. But, that was fine because I knew that we had a full roster and that Patrick would adjust the lines accordingly until I got on the ice (I was one of nine forwards). However, I showed up at the door and saw Karen in the net. Um, what's wrong with this picture is that Karen is one of our regular defense players - yeah, NO GOALIE!! Goalie, Tamara, was stuck in the same traffic I was in and she actually missed the entire first period. Kudos to Karen for her 1st period shutout. Thankfully, Karen was a goalie before so she played it as well as she could. Not our best game because: a) of the shaky start, and; b) getting used to playing with other people we don't regularly play with. But, we managed to squeeze out a victory (2-1).

Saturday am: Our next game in the morning was against the Everett Ravens. Patrick shuffled the lines a little bit and I got the honor of playing with two players I admire and have the utmost respect for: Mel and Sharon. They both have excellent technical skills, but are also smart players and we got some great cycling and passing going. Our line may not have been the highest scoring line, but we were strong when it came to puck possession and I got to work on some of my own personal goals which is more patience with the puck and smarter passes. And, more give and go's. It was a much better game than the previous night and even though we dominated the game and were outshooting the Ravens 2-1, it was close for the first two periods. Final score was 7-2.

Saturday pm: Game was against the Utah Ice Vixens - a team we've never played before. Yeah, it was a rude awakening because they were *much* more physical than the previous two teams we played. And, because of the contact, there were a lot of penalties as well. I've managed to stay out of the sin-bin for a long time...uh, oh....did I just jinx myself for the next tournament? We had a lot of penalty kills and had to reshuffle lines on the fly. But, Patrick was an amazing coach and got us to stay focused on the game despite the awful calls (er, non-calls) by the refs. Final score - 2-1...buh, bye Utah.

Sunday am: Final championship round. We were facing the same team (Phoenix) that we played Friday night. But, before that, we watched a bunch of our SWHC teammates who were playing on another team go through a shoot-out in their championship round for their division. Nerve-racking but they won 1-0 in the shoot-out. Way to go "Pick Up Sticks!!" Just watching that game did nothing for me but add more pre-game jitters. I wished there was a spin bike at that rink because I could've used a few minutes to do a full-on sprint to shake off my anxiety. I should've borrowed Tamara's jump rope. Finally, we got on the ice but it was more like a pond (an unfrozen one)....like they took out the firehouse and flooded the rink in between games! So, the first part of the game was a lot of dump and chase until all those puddles disappeared. The Phoenix "girls" came out a lot more physical than our game on Friday. But, then again, they weren't exactly strong on their skates either and fell over pretty easily. Or, maybe that was how they were going to break up our play...by crashing into us or in front of us? That's how it felt anyway. Once again, bad ref'ing...in fact, it was downright awful. And, we had to kill off a lot of penalties...one time Phoenix had a 2-man advantage for 2 minutes...but we emphatically shut that down. It wasn't our best game, but we made it up with our tenacity despite the "tournament legs" that were starting to set in. We pulled ahead 2-1 with about 10 minutes left in the game and that was our final score. Congratulations, ladies!! And, a huge 'thanks' to Patrick for coaching us to another victory. Three-peat is sweet.

Going For a Three-peat

Another winter season of ice hockey coming to a close. It's always bittersweet: on the one hand, I'm happy to open up my schedule for other activities, but; on the other, skating with the Fries has been soooo much fun with very little (if any) conflicts which is a big feat for any team. And, skating with my co-ed team, the Isotopes, was a great (and exhausting) experience as well. So now, I have tournaments galore to look forward to! This coming weekend is the annual Everett Ravens "Fools on Ice" tourney and the team I'm on (non-SWHC) is going for a three-peat as champions in their division. Here's the link for a recap of last year's tourney where we won in overtime. I'm looking forward to skating with this group - many of whom I've skated and faced-off against all season. I'm also looking forward to having Sharon's husband, Patrick, as our coach - he is one of the best coaches I've ever had. Great presence on the bench - he has this quiet sort of intensity and is so focused on the game. I remember him giving excellent feedback shift after shift and motivating everyone to skate 110%, no wait, 150% each time they were on the ice. The make-up of the team has a lot to do with it as well....I must say, this is a group of highly competitive individuals. All makes for a perfect storm as we play to defend our title. Finally, no midnight ice time!!! Yay! Our first game tonight is at 6:15 - now, that's what I'm talking about. Good luck Acme Skating Co. (beep, beep)!! Now, let's go kick some Portland Phoenix ass.

Do Not Be Fooled By This Face

This is Amy. She's my morning workout partner. She looks all sweet and angelic but I'm convinced that she's of the opposite nature....I shall call her "Luci" from this point on. Ever since our snow day at Stevens last Sunday (where this picture was taken), I've done nothing but endured sighs, expletives (both vocal and silent), single-finger salutes, and constant whining about the exercises I "force" her to go through in the mornings. Well, girlfriend, it ain't no tea party (complete with burnt toast :-)). If I wanted that, I would've joined Curves (LOL) or just bought a Wii Fit. No, we've got goals. We both participate in team sports and don't want to let our teammates down (me-hockey, she-soccer). We also have some endurance goals set up for this summer. Besides, we've built up a reputation in the gym, now, with our commitment to our workouts, the level of intensity...all the while maintaining a huge "fun" factor because we all know that the biggest motivator breaker is when the sessions become a chore.

I've yet to meet her husband, Lee. I'm beginning to see why....he must love the "quiet" time when she's out of the house (LOL). So, message to you, Amy...quit your f'ing whining and see your ass early in the gym tomorrow. More jumps, more squats, more push-ups, more skates, more pull-ups. Otherwise, I shall heave that 15-lb. medicine ball (always driving primarily from my legs) in your direction to knock some sense back in your noggin'.

Signed,
Your loving Burpees Partner

Stevens Pass: Epic Day w/ the Fries

What's the best way to drown your sorrows over losing a hockey game that we should've won? Head up to the mountains for some fun time in some fresh pow pow. Last night in the locker room, a group of us (Joemarie, Marie, Erin, and "Top Shelf" April) decided to head to Stevens Pass off of highway 2. As tired as I was this morning, I am SO GLAD that I joined them because: a) there was almost 2 feet of fresh snow to play in, and; b) it was nice to ski with other people who drool like I do when there is so much fresh snow and who think of lunch as an inconvenience but a necessary *quick* stop to refuel. Today made up for the last two, seriously disappointing days where I ended up skiing solo since the others I was with preferred happy hour(s) over happy snow. Oh well....to each their own and that's fine.

We were on the slopes by 9:15 and headed to the back side (Mill Valley) where we could take advantage of all the new snow. Well, here is where I earned a new nickname. I wear a C on my jersey because I thought it was to remind me that I am Captain of the team and that I play Center position. Well, it's also because my new nickname is Crash. Our first run in the the deep stuff was not pretty and one by one we face planted into the fresh pow as we hadn't adjusted accordingly and were all leaning too far forward. Oh, what fun! Came back later and showed that run who was boss...woot! Later, we played a lot on Orion and other runs off of the Jupiter chair. My face hurt but not from the snow blasting my face, but from smiling and laughing so much! Before lunch, we decided to head into the trees off of Outer Limit - here is where I really earned my Crash credentials as I proceeded to do, not one, but, TWO yard sales down a narrow chute in the trees. Famous last words from Erin - "Oh, it's not too narrow"....uh, yeah...for a snowboarder! When I panicked, I tried to get my skis perpindicular to the run to slow down but the problem was there was no room to do that and my tips touched either side of the walls and nothing under the middle part of my skis. Yeah - disaster. After tumbling head over skis, I had to dig out my goggles, hat, both poles, and one ski....it was one heckuva yard sale, I must say. I never do things half-ass :-)) I finally showed up at the bottom of the run covered in snow and beaming! Marie commented that she hadn't seen me smile and laugh as much as I did today. Yeah, I was in heaven.

After lunch, we headed over to Big Chief and found some sweet pow over on Lower Diamond and that is where we stayed the rest of the day. The three of us (Erin, Marie and I) had headed over to Skyline to try and find Joemarie and April, but it was complete mayhem and we hightailed it out of there and back to Big Chief where we, literally, had Lower Diamond all to ourselves. These are the days skiers and boarders dream about and I'm so glad I didn't pass it by. The snow came down hard all day. Now, I've got to find some energy for my legs for a hockey game in an hour - it's my co-ed game so I'll just let the guys skate (tee hee). I'll just take my shift to give one of the wingers a breather.

Thank you Erin, Marie, Joemarie, and April for an epic, craaaazy, fun day and I'm glad I provided you with some gut-busting laughs (see, I don't limit my entertainment to just the ice rink). I was soaked underneath from my wipeouts - got home and wrung out my underwear (LOL). I promise to get a helmet so it's not so unnerving for me when I go through the trees.

Oh, and great team effort in getting the car out of the lot after the snowplow barricaded us in our spot. See you at practice or at our next game - Captain Crash.

Can't wait to get back to da island (Kauai)

Hanalei Sunset

Hanakapai Falls

Na Pali Coastline

Kalalau Lookout from Koke'e

My little friend on the Hanakapai Trail

Great Bear Rainforest - Have you booked your trip, yet?

(Map courtesy of New York Times, 2006. Click on image for larger version.)
With all the balmy weather we've been having recently, I can't help but think of the all the fun activities coming up this spring and summer. Among them is spending time paddling in a sea kayak and exploring as a certified assistant sea kayak guide. I will be going through 6-days of training in early May along the coast of Vancouver Island and I'm really looking forward to the experience. More details to follow, but from it, I will have the necessary skills for helping out on the trips through the Great Bear Rainforest.

This year, Tantalus Adventures has 2 trips scheduled for the latter part of summer:

August 28 - September 4, 2009
September 4 - 11. 2009

The trip begins with a ferry ride from Prince Rupert, British Columbia to Hartley Bay, a Gitga'at First Nation community that has made the Great Bear Rainforest their home for centuries. From there, we will explore the coast and protected inlets by sea kayak while enjoying the wildlife of the area, including whales, bald eagles, grizzly bears, coastal wolves, and the legendary white Kermode bear ("spirit bear"). You have to experience this region at least once in your lifetime and see why National Geographic Adventure has it listed as one of their top destinations. And, let me remind you, my friends on the States-side, the dollar is working to your benefit with the exchange rate currently at $1 CAD ~ $0.80 USD....so, that's 20% off the listed price at the moment!! All food, equipment, and ferry travel between Prince Rupert and Hartley Bay are included in the price.

Go here for all of my previous posts on the Great Bear Rainforest. For more information, please visit Tantalus Adventures or Adventure Contact and we hope you can join us on this unique and very special journey. If these dates don't work for you, please contact us about custom trips.

Other helpful Great Bear Rainforest links:

Pacific Wild
Raincoast Conservation Foundation

9th Annual Port Angeles Sea Kayak Symposium (April 17 - 19, 2009)

Thinking about getting a new kayak, gear, or accessories? Sea kayak symposiums are great to attend because you get to demo all the new gear, sign up for clinics to improve your skills, and, more importantly, be around other paddling enthusiasts who are just as excited as you are about heading out on the water.

The 9th Annual Port Angeles Sea Kayak Symposium is scheduled for April 17 - 19, 2009. What makes this symposium extra special is that my friend, Norm Hann, owner of Tantalus Adventures, is one of the keynote speakers for the event. He is scheduled to present on Friday, April 17 beginning at 7:00 pm at the Red Lion Hotel. Norm's presentation will be on a topic that he is incredibly passionate about: the Great Bear Rainforest. Norm has spent 8 seasons in the area as a professional guide, and at the Gitga'at First Nation community in Hartley Bay. So, you can imagine, the incredible pictures and personal stories he has to share.

Access to the symposium on Hollywood Beach is free, though, they are asking for a $5 donation. It's a great opportunity for anyone interested in sea kayaking and it is in one of the most scenic cities on the Olympic Peninsula. You can visit the Olympic Raft & Kayak site for more information. Hope to see you there!

If You Like Climbing - Road Bike Route, San Mateo County, CA

(Picture source: Michael Maloney/SF Chronicle)

Day 2 of the Amgen Tour of California was a 117+ mile route from Sausalito, across the GG bridge (they closed it down for the tour...wow), and down to Santa Cruz. Parts of this route I can do with my eyes closed. It was great to watch them do the climb out of Sausalito at the start. It was basically a warm-up with the race actually starting on the other side of the Golden Gate Bridge to avoid any mishaps on the bridge. Yeah, of course they made it look so easy...while, for me in the past it was always my last hill at the end of a day of riding so my form (and mindset) was the complete opposite (LOL). For the ride across the bridge, the riders had to stick to one lane to avoid the built-in grates that keeps the bridge flexible, so, racing would be too dicey.

(Picture source: Getty images)
Anyway, I enjoyed watching the riders on one of my all-time favorite routes. If you like climbing, this is the ride for you to test your legs and your lungs. This route starts in Burlingame, up to Canada Road, out to Pescadero on the coast, and then back. On the way out to the coast, you have a Cat 3 climb (Old La Honda) and then on the way back, you have a Cat 2 climb (Tunitas Creek). Total ride is 85 miles, and 9500' of climbing. Climbing is really one of the best things of this route because of the dense redwoods and during the summer, the trees keep these areas shaded and cool. Also, traffic on both climbs is low to non-existent so it's all about you, your breathing, your legs, and your bike (and maybe some heckling from your cycling friends on a bad day...LOL). The best thing is that In-N-Out Burger is at the end of the ride and my reward would be one of their fabulous chocolate shakes. Route sheet courtesy of Velogirls.

I Wish I Were On My Bike

(Picture source: Getty images)
That was my plan for today, but I caught an edge and went crashing into the boards at my last ice hockey game. Instead of enjoying a 55-mile route up into the country roads, I spent it icing my knee, downing ibuprofen, and being a spectator on my couch. Argh...I hate being injured. Anyway, today was Day 1 of the Amgen Tour of California which was a 107+ mile bike ride from Davis to Santa Rosa, CA. Originally, I had plans to follow that tour in an RV because a lot of the big names were returning to pro-racing including Tyler Hamilton, Floyd Landis, Ivan Basso, and, oh, whats-his-name...Lance. But, I decided another trip to the islands seemed a bit more appealing. And, after watching today's race, I think I made the right call....it was pouring down rain ala Pac NW style! It was great to watch part of the route on TV anyway - it was a route I was familiar with though, when I rode it, there's a ton of cars and trucks zipping by at 45 mph while I hung on to my bike on an almost non-existent shoulder. These guys had the entire road to themselves...wussies :-) It was interesting to watch Lance in a domestique role supporting local Santa Rosa boy and two-time Tour of Cal winner, Levi Leipheimer. My personal enounter with Levi was on one of my many bike rides with my BFF, Kirsten, in Sonoma county. We were riding along and noticed a Vespa coming towards us with a cyclist behind it. It was Levi - that is how he trains...his wife paces him on her Vespa scooter. How cool is that?! (Sigh). Anyway, today, Lance didn't win, however, he led the 1st chase group into Santa Rosa and helped put Team Astana into the 1st overall team standing. And, as the cameras zoomed in on him at the finish line, there was Basso's familar face (neon green - Team Liquigas) right behind him. Day 2 will be from Sausalito, across the Golden Gate Bridge, and into Santa Cruz....oh yeah! I can do that route in my sleep! It's going to include one of my favorite routes- a 10-mile climb from Pescadero on to Skyline (via Tunitas Creek) and then back up Old La Honda (3+ mile climb) into San Gregario!!! Why am I not there??

(Picture source: Getty images)

Well, I might get a chance to ride those routes this summer if things work out (fingers crossed). More details to follow once I go through the interview process with a cycling touring company which includes a 60+-mile bike ride, some mechanic time (yes, I can change a flat), and then dinner with some mock group dynamic scenarious. Out of 400+ applicants, I am one of the 30 finalists. Then, from that, 10 will be selected for the summer. I won't disclose anymore until I go through the next process but the fact that I was even selected as one of the finalists is pretty darn exciting (thanks *so much* to Norm for helping me make a case out of nothing!!). This is an interview process like no other I've been at...my power suit will be comprised of lycra, padding, and chamois butter (LOL). I'm just so fascinated by the process...so unlike anything I've done before!

Finally, I'm ready to publicly post my first double-century (200 miles). I know...after all these years of cycling, I haven't done a DC. I've got a lot of moving pieces going on this summer (so exciting and all to be announced as things fall in to place) but, if it all works out, I hope to fit in the Seattle-to-Portland (STP) ride in one day. It's the only way I'll sign up for that ride...tens of thousands of riders (ugh)....and I can keep my sanity (and my love of cycling) if I stay ahead of the humungous crowd. So, the only way to do that is to finish it in one day. I think my biggest challenge will be fighting boredom on the second half of the ride. Flat, boring, head-winds...until I get into Portland and then get re-motivated by thoughts of downing some local microbrew or glasses (hell, bottle) of a scrumptious Pinot Noir from a local Willamette Valley winery. Then, heading to the Oregon coast the following day(s) for some R&R. More details to follow....but, those are my thoughts as I ice my knee and watch those cycling dudes make their way to Santa Rosa (home of Charles Schulz, Peanuts....and his infamous ice hockey league). C'mon knee...get better 'cause we have some mileage to cover. It's going to be an amazing summer!

Recap: Ice Time with a Bronze Medalist

I'm still grinning from my session the other night with former Olympian, Kelly (Stephens) Tysland: Bronze medalist on the 2006 USA Women's Ice Hockey team. The Seattle Women's Hockey Club is made up of women skaters of every ability from seasoned players who've been skating for more than 10 years, to first-year novices. So, you can imagine the challenge of putting together a clinic that would be for everyone's benefit. But, Kelly managed to do that. For one special hour, we focused on the basic elements of hockey including skating (using the inside, and dreaded outside edges), passing, and shooting. It's been a while since I've done a lot of these basic drills - not since my beginner days and morning skate sessions with Andre Lacroix (former NHL and WHA player) who developed one of the most successful in-house adult hockey leagues in the Bay Area at Oakland Ice with more than 800 players, 55 teams, and 8 sub-divisions. In the end, it was one of the most fulfilling sessions I've had in a while. Anyway, here are some tips that Kelly covered in practice for the puck-mongers out there. During warm-ups, I'll be loosening up my skates and embracing my outer edges after so many years of neglect (LOL).

Skating:
1. Know your edges: try loosening or taking the lace out of your skates top one or two eyelets for 5 min on ice to feel your blade versus your boots-
2. Keep your knees bent, chest up, and your head is the first thing that needs to turn to move your body
3. Turning keep that inside shoulder up, and lower your bottom hand to keep puck closer to your body
4. When turning on your forehand, don't crisscross your hands, instead just drop your top hand to your hip.

Passing:
1. Cushion the puck when receiving a pass
2. Keep your stick on the ice to give the passer a target
3. Bring the puck behind your body before you pass, so you use your body not just your arms
4. Roll your wrists over to follow through for every pass

Shooting:
1. Aim at SMALL targets
2. Shoot to score, not to just shoot
3. Lower your bottom hand and grip tightly for the shot
4. Rotate stick slightly to close the blade of your stick so it isn’t open when you shoot.
5. Bring the puck behind and across your body when you shoot, to use your body not just your arms
6. Try to glance at the net once before you shoot

Positions:
1. Communicate!!!! Let teammates know what your doing
2. Wingers don't get caught in the corners in the D-zone, and get on the hashmarks along the boards on breakouts
3. Centers you are the 3rd defense in the D-zone
4. Defense, always keep one D in front of the net
5. Offensively, you have forwards and defense, no wingers, centers etc.
Forward 1- Attack (go get that puck!!)
Forward 2- Support (a few feet from Forward 1 who's going after the puck)
Forward 3- High (at top of circles)