Kayaks

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Guidelines - Scramble (Cowboy) Recovery The scramble recovery, sometimes referred to as the cowboy recovery because of straddling the kayak as you do a horse, is a great way to help you learn balance and allows you to really get to know your kayak. Wayne Horodowich examines this interesting recovery technique in this month's article from the University of Sea Kayaking. http://www.paddling.net/guidelines/ Buy a Wicking Shirt get a Free Nalgene or Bilge Sponge! Paddling.net has six different performance wicking shirts to choose from and each time you buy one, you get a free Nalgene bottle or Bilge Sponge! Only $25.95 for a short sleeve shirt, or $4 more for long sleeve! Perfect for paddling, these long sleeve or short sleeve shirts wick sweat faster than cotton and offer protection from the sun too (UPF 30+). As always, Paddling Perks members will save an additional 10% on this shirt as well as everything else in the store. http://www.paddling.net/store/showTops.html Guidelines - Clips, Clamps and Cleats Tom Watson has written an introduction to the wide field of clips, clamps and cleats that have been developed especially for the marine environment and that would serve a kayaker well for any deck or upper hull application. Learn the difference between a clam cleat, a deck line guide slotted round, and many more options for you to securely store your gear on a boat in this week's Guideline article. http://www.paddling.net/guidelines/ New Product Announcement Paddlers Truck Rack by US Rack The Paddler's Rack is a pickup truck rack that carries kayaks, canoes or other cargo weighing up to 300 lbs. It mounts in 5 minutes with NO DRILLING, and it easily adjusts to fit all trucks with ordinary beds as well as truck beds with track systems such as the Toyota Tacoma and Nissan Frontier. Its extruded aluminum crossbar with exterior dimensions similar to the Thule crossbar is supported by steel legs and bases that are first zinc plated and then powder-coated to resist rust. Multiple tie-downs help anchor kayaks and canoes with straps or ropes. Special pricing is available to Paddling.net customers. http://www.paddling.net/buyersguide/whatsnew/ 4-Boat Sweepstakes Continues Enter to win a Prospector 16 SP3 canoe from Nova Craft, a kevlar kayak from QCC Kayaks, a Citibot folding kayak from Folbot, or a Prowler 13 Angler from Ocean Kayak. These boats also come packaged with various items like dry bags from SealLine, PFD's from Stohlquist, racks from Yakima, security locking cables from Lasso, and a kayak cover from Kayak Covers of Charleston. Congratulations to Mark Umholtz from Lawrence, KS who won a $20 gift certificate just for entering this past week. http://www.paddling.net/reg/sweepstakes.html In The Same Boat After baking chocolate chip cookies in a skillet, Tamia was ready for another backcountry culinary challenge. "Skillet Brownies," anyone? If these sound delicious to you — and they are! — you'll want to click through to this week's In the Same Boat, where Tamia shares more secrets from her test kitchen. That's alimentary, right? http://www.paddling.net/sameboat/ Trips Directory Spotlight Casco Bay Kayak Camping Trip (ME) with L.L.Bean Paddle among the islands of Maine's stunning Casco Bay where you will be surrounded by marine wildlife, working lobster boats and amazing scenery. Your trip will start at the L.L.Bean Paddling Center on Casco Bay, from which you'll paddle in a stable, two-person kayak to a picturesque island for a picnic. We'll then paddle to the Island Base Camp, your home for the next one or two nights. Your appetite will be satisfied with an authentic Maine clam and lobster bake or steak dinner. Then rest in a comfortable tent and sleeping bag. After breakfast, we'll launch the kayaks for a daylong expedition to area islands. You will paddle through islands edged by jutting ledges where we often see resting seals. On the last day, breakfast will be served on the island before our return to the Paddling Center. Choose between one or two night camping trips. http://www.paddling.net/trips/showCompany.html?show=1861 Product Review Spotlight Kalao by BIC Sport The Kalao is my third kayak, I have a Pelican double and a Islander Colada, and I can assure that the Kalao is the best kayak I've had. I use it with my wife and two children and is very fast and stable. While I'm rowing, my wife (5'3" and 110 pounds) can stand without fear. I live on an island so I use it at sea a lot of time and is a little bit difficult to keep sailing in a straight line, but over time it can be dominate... Rating: 9 of 10 by Denny Read more reviews or get more info on the Kalao SOT kayak What Do You Think? Paddling Perks 2010 won't be available forever so stop delaying and join today! You'll get a t-shirt, bumper sticker, $10 gift certificate, and access to tons of great deals, plus an awesome 2011 calendar (mailed in November)! But by far, the best part of getting in on the Perks program now - your membership won't expire until Nov. 2011, that's 16 months for the price of 12! As always, if you have any questions or comments, drop us a line at feedback@paddling.net.