SUP - Almonte

The beautiful weather (and zero wind) made paddling an easy decision. I almost felt like swimming it was so warm.  I did the usual one hour paddle during Liam's tkd.  Nothing spectacular to report and I didn't see much wildlife today - very quiet.  For fun I set up the camera for a timelapse sequence.

sinking the tail

sinking the nose

Britannia - first fall session

First official sailing session of the fall, and first session with a full wetsuit.  Winds were out of the west with some small ramps - nice sunshine too.  I was hoping to get out on smaller gear but it looked like the 6.8 / 102 jp was the call.  A few regulars out sailing but I suspect a few were at sbx or lake champlain.  Met Lisa from Vamos in Almonte - she was out when I got there on an 85L board and probably scored better wind than what I got at 11am.  Half decent session over all that lasted an hour or two.  I will try to bust out the camera next time if the wind is better.

no need to get a shower before sailing

SUP - Almonte

Saturday - Liam at tkd..time for a paddle.  Warm enough for shorts but not really feeling like swimming now.   Again a quick paddle and a mini yoga session up the river (far from any observers).  I've discovered that 1-legged poses are going to be a problem -they are super hard on the board.
Migration is ongoing with lots of ducks and geese congregating.  I think I see a great blue heron,kingfishers and an osprey every time I go now.
Right wrist pain is barely noticeable but I'm carefully watching my technique.

trying warrior i

40-60kph winds this morning but calm now

SUP - Almonte

Saturday morning paddle -it's getting colder so I didn't feel like swimming. Dad happened to be down at the beach with Gus. Gus is slowly getting back into the water retrieving, but his condition knocked a lot of the puppy out of him. Did a quick paddle with some core exercises (100 bicycle crunches) and some sun salutations, warrior poses and twists. Worked on paddling technique - trying to see if my recent wrist pain is being aggravated by an incorrect grasp. A nw wind made the paddle back pretty gruesome. Many more geese on the river now.

Dad & Gus 

warm when the sun was out

SUP - Almonte

I wasn't expecting to paddle this weekend, but the weather permitted an afternoon outing.  The water level is the highest I've seen all summer.  Not quite warm enough for a swim, but at least I got a few yoga exercises done.  A slight headwind on the way back - paddling is not fun in the wind btw.  I'm also suspicious that a pain in my right wrist is related to paddling...don't remember injuring it.

SUP - Almonte under the stars

When I saw that the weather for the weekend looked lousy I figured I'd get a paddle in tonight...but maybe after dark for a change.  Around 9:30pm I drove down to the beach and conditions were perfect - warm evening, warm water, zero wind and a clear sky (moon still hadn't come up).  It was pretty dark and quiet.  The water mirrors the sky and when you look down, it looks like you're paddling in space.  I could hear some wild life but the most dramatic was the beavers that seemed determined to scare me off with tail-slap warnings (sounds like a cannon ball being dropped in the water).  Sometimes being alone on the water is fine for the introverted types like myself but I kind of wished I had someone to share the experience with.

view from the beach

lots of stars tonight

SUP - Almonte

Just another Wednesday night paddle with super calm water and higher water levels.  Warm enough for a swim too.  I see the local osprey & herons regularly these days.  Very quiet and peaceful tonight - wish I could float out there for a long time but I have to get back to pickup Liam.

Liam on the weekend

SUP - Almonte

late afternoon paddle and a little yoga on the river - nice enough for a swim too.  Cleaned out the garage a little and made a small board rack for the boards

warm day (29C)

SUP - Almonte

Nice warm Saturday morning  - perfect for a quick paddle, dip, and a little yoga.  Brought the gopro along to test test out the forward facing setup.  Also experimented to see just how far forward I can stand on the board while paddling before the nose goes under (further than I expected - enough to submerge the camera too).

took a dip

upward facing dog

headstand