Sport

Kauai has been on my bucket list for as long as I can remember. Cascading waterfalls, lush tropical jungles, stunning beaches, and dining options aplenty, who wouldn’t want to visit Hawaii’s fourth largest island? Last Christmas, my boyfriend surprised me with tickets to my dream destination and four months later, we found ourselves on a plane, en route to Kauai.

When we travel, we typically spend the majority of our time surfing and standup paddling, but we knew ‘The Garden Isle’ had much more to offer. Prior to leaving the mainland, I thoroughly researched hikes and adventures on the island, to ensure we’d make the most of our ten-day stay. While most of our outings were self-guided, we did opt to do a few day trips with local companies to enjoy their experience and expertise.

Here were four of our favorites.

Kayak Kauai Hanalei Blue Lagoon Paddle & Snorkel

Photo: Jonathan Kemnitz

Kayak Kauai offers a number of different kayaking trips up the Na Pali coast, but their most accessible day trip is the Hanalei Blue Lagoon Paddle & Snorkel. The trip typically meets at the Wailua River Marina Shop but because we were staying in Princeville, we met the group in Hanalei.

The trip launched from the famous Hanalei pier and after approximately 200 yards of ocean paddling, we found ourselves on the beautifully calm Hanalei Heritage River. Once on the river, we enjoyed a number of bird sightings, turtles, and panoramic views of the Makana Peak, complete with waterfalls trickling down the face of the mountain. The local guides were happy to answer our questions and gave us a rundown of the local flora and fauna.

Photo: Jonathan Kemnitz

After navigating the river, we returned to Hanalei Bay where we parked our kayaks and set out for a snorkel, where we swam amongst the coral and tropical fish that call the warm waters their home. After having our fill of snorkeling, we swam in and enjoyed a picnic lunch, complete with sandwiches, chips, juice, and cookies—the perfect way to finish off the day.

Visit Kayak Kauai to learn more.

Skyline Eco Adventures Zip Lining

Photo: Rebecca Parsons

There’s no better way to see ‘The Garden Isle’ than from above. Located in Poipu, Skyline Eco Adventures offers an 8-line and a 5-line course. Because we were tight on time, we opted for the 5-line course for a condensed experience.

We met at the shop in Poipu where we were introduced to our guides and then shuttled up to the course. Because our group was small, our guides decided to take us on the five longest lines as opposed to the five shortest ones that are typically offered on the 5-line course. The course took us over three breathtaking valleys with panoramic views of the mountains and the sea, making for a surreal experience. The guides were fun and knowledgeable, safety was prioritized, and the feeling of the wind if our faces as we zipped across the valleys was second to none.

As if the adventure itself wasn’t already enough, Skyline Eco Adventures is committed to preserving Hawaii’s landscape and culture so that people can enjoy the beauty of the islands for years to come. In an effort to give back and preserve their beautiful playground, Skyline is a member of 1% For The Planet and donates 1% of its profits to local environmental and charitable nonprofits.

Visit Zipline.com/kauai to learn more.

Kauai Backcountry Adventures Tubing

Photo: Jonathan Kemnitz

With so much to do and see on Kauai, it’s difficult to decide how to prioritize your time and money. Kauai Backcountry Adventures tubing is a completely unique and incredible experience, making it worth every penny.

We met in Lihue, where we were introduced to our guides and then shuttled over to the tubing location via a four-wheel-drive adventure vehicle. The area is rich with history as it used to be the Lihue Plantation and the canals, tunnels, and flumes that make up the tubing course were dug by hand in 1870. Upon arriving at the course, we were given a quick safety briefing and then suited up with gloves, headlights, and our tubes.

The ditch and tunnel system was once used to irrigate the sugar crops on the plantation but was taken out of service in 2000. In 2003, a section of it was repurposed for tubing tours. Tubing is mellow yet relaxing all at once—the slow moving water allows you to take in the lush scenery of the remote location while the five tunnels add a bit a thrill to the experience. At the end of our journey, we were treated to a waterfront picnic to fuel up after the morning’s adventure.

Visit Kauaibackcountry.com/tubing to learn more.

Captain Andy’s Star Na Pali BBQ Sail

Photo: Jonathan Kemnitz

The Na Pali Coast, fifteen miles of lush, towering cliffs and valleys, is one of the biggest draws of the island. During our trip, much of the northern side of the island was closed off due to recent floods, meaning the Na Pali Coast trail was inaccessible. After doing some research, we settled on a trip aboard one of Captain Andy’s catamarans to see the treasured coastline.

Captain Andy’s has every detail dialed in from start to finish. We boarded the 65’ Star Yacht in Port Allen and were treated to a delicious breakfast as we motored up the coast. Before reaching the Na Pali Coast, we anchored for an hour near a bustling reef where we had the opportunity to snorkel with tropical fish and the honu (turtles) that call the area their home. After that it was back on board, next stop: the Na Pali Coast.

Photo: Jonathan Kemnitz

The Na Pali Coast was everything I imagined it would be and more. The contrast of the towering sea cliffs to the deep valleys was stunning and was topped off with cascading waterfalls and sea caves tucked in along the way. Drinks were served en route and a pod of common dolphins came out to play, making the journey even more memorable. To round out the trip, we enjoyed a BBQ lunch, complete with burgers, coleslaw, and beers, making for the perfect end to an already perfect day.

Visit napali.com to learn more.

#Hawaii #Kayaking #travel #Kauai #Snorkeling

Stand up paddling on a river or inland waterway often necessitates a couple different pieces of gear than coastal paddlers are accustomed to using. One of the main items which quickly stands out is footwear. Merrell’s Capra Rapid water shoes are a perfect fit for the outdoor environment where soft sandy beaches are not the norm.

I tested a pair this spring stand-up paddling on lakes and rivers in the Colorado front-range where the waterways typically feature rocky bottoms. These sneaker look-a-like water shoes offer excellent drainage for the adventurous types. They provide the comfort of a shoe with the quick drainage of a sandal. The rubber sole design offers extreme grip featuring Merrell Select Wet Grip providing the needed traction on wet or dry surfaces. These shoes work well for stand up paddling on moving or flat water. So often the entrance and exit areas for paddle excursions are surrounded by rocks, brush or other rough surfaces which may be harsh on the bare feet, but the secure fit of the Capra Rapids enabled me to enter and exit the water with confidence and ease.

Cruising on the lake.

The shoes weigh a mere 1 lb 6 oz (623 g) and come with a speed lace system which allows you to quickly secure them. Merrell provides an insole which I recommend you remove when drying the shoes. This will speed up the drying process and allow the you to easily remove any pebbles which may have lodged themselves inside the shoes.

Footwear is essential when whitewater paddling and I found the Capra Rapids provide excellent protection in rough conditions and during falls.

The shoes come in four color options: Bright Blue, Bright Red, Blue Dusk, and Black. After a couple hours on the river, these shoes can quickly transition to wear around town; this added versatility puts the Capra Rapid ahead of other water shoes on the market.

MRSP: $100 www.merrell.com

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#CapraRapid #Footwear #Merrell #Whitewater

Hammocks are a hot item these days and it’s easy to see why. They are relaxing and few things conjure up the thought of a warm, beachside location than a hammock strung between two trees. I recently took a short road trip from Los Angeles to San Diego for an outrigger event and tacked on a couple of days to the front end to do some SUP surfing along the way south. One of the things I was looking forward to trying out was my new Rallt Hammock.

Hammocks have come a long way over the years. I remember the nylon mesh weave of the camping hammock I used in the 90s on trips to the Sierra Nevada Mountains. It was functional enough for its time, but was pretty rustic when compared to new packable hammock designs from Rallt.

On my list of places to surf was Doheny State Beach in Dana Point. Home to my favorite surf shop, Infinity Surfboards, Doheny has a fairly consistent soft, rolling wave which I knew was perfect for surfing my Infinity SUP “New Deal”. I also knew there are several clusters of palm trees along the grassy section just beyond the sand at Doheny which would be perfect for setting up the hammock.

Easily packable for your next surf trip. Hammock (left) and straps (right).

Rallt is founded on two simple principles: Purpose – Everything you carry should have a purpose and it should spark joy; and Packability – Only as big as it needs to be, your gear shouldn’t hold you back or weigh you down.

As someone who regularly heads into the mountains on backpacking trips I appreciate having durable, lightweight gear that is easily packable. Having a packable hammock was a primary factor in choosing Rallt. Everything you need easily fits inside a small stuff sack. I opted for a set of Rallt’s purpose designed hammock straps as well. This added an additional small stuff sack to the mix, but still very packable. Considering I was traveling in my Jeep and car camping along the way, adding the two items to my gear bag for the trip was not an inconvenience.

The Rallt hammock is constructed with 70D ripstop nylon and triple stitched seams. All together, it has the capacity to hold up to 400 lbs. More than adequate to float my 5’6”, 150 lbs frame aloft. The stuff sack is built-in, so you’ll never lose it. Another great aspect of the design is its generous size: 10′ x 4′ 7″. Large enough to hold two if you’re lucky enough to warrant such an occasion. The hammock comes with everything you need to quickly set it up in just a couple of minutes. All in all, the hammock was every bit as relaxing between surf sessions as I had hoped. Don’t leave home without one!

Learn more at: www.rallt.com

#Hammock #Surfing #DanaPoint #DohenyStateBeach #InfinitySUP

Vaikobi VDRY – Stay dry, stay warm, be happy

I moved to Los Angeles in January 2008 for work after a six year stint in the East Midlands region of England. The climate in Southern California is remarkably different from England, yet the winter of 2018/19 has been without a doubt the coldest and wettest of my 11 years here on the West Coast and brought back memories of my time in England. We’ve had consistent temperatures in the 40s-50s F (4-10 C), massive amounts of rainfall, and the heater in my house has seen more use than the last three years combined.

I picked up Vaikobi’s VDRY paddling vest in December as autumn was transitioning into winter. The paddling vest, along with its sibling the VDRY Jacket, were released earlier in 2018 at the onset of the winter season for the Southern Hemisphere.

Vaikobi’s VDRY paddling vest is a dry vest featuring a ½ length front zip that allows you to manage your body temperature to the conditions of the day. The paddling vest has three enclosable pockets: two zippered ones on the front in the standard placement, and one velcro secured breast pocket on the inside. The latter is the perfect size for holding your sunglasses.

The drawstring around the waist allows you to secure the bottom to block out wind and water and the scooped back provides additional coverage. Ideally, I’d prefer two toggles to synch the drawstring in a more secure fit (one on either side), but the single toggle works well and is certainly not a detractor in the vest’s performance. Vaikobi’s lightweight dry vest is highly breathable and constructed with a mesh interior lining to facilitate temperature regulation during intense paddling sessions. I think Vaikobi could easily lay a legitimate claim to referring to the vest as “ultralight” vs “light”. It is really that good.

My favorite feature is the fleece lined collar. You can wear it up, down or fully zipped up in the style of a turtle neck. The soft fleece feels great around your neck and is perfect for blocking out the wind.

The water temperature in Southern California this winter has been mid-50s F (~13 C) and the air temperature ranged significantly depending on the time of day. Wearing the Vaikobi VDRY paddling vest paddling OC-1 has been a greatly appreciated luxury compared to years past. Especially with our colder than normal temperatures this winter.

The VDRY construction is highly effective at blocking water spray and wind. My core remained comfortably dry, yet didn’t overheat – even when paired with a Vaikobi PFD. The best aspect of the vest though is its versatility. You can easily wear it as an outer layer over one of Vaikobi’s VCOLD tops for maximum warmth and protection or don it on a brisk afternoon paddle over a lighter base layer when there is a chill in the air. In the coming months I anticipate wearing my VDRY vest extensively throughout evening OC-6 practices (we train from 1730 until dark). It is common for paddlers to rapidly scurry for warm clothing as soon as they get out of the water during spring practices and I expect the VDRY Vest is going to eliminate the need to rapidly shed cold, wet clothing this season.

The VDRY paddling vest is easily layered with a PFD.

Not sure which VDRY item is right for you? It all depends on the amount of coverage you are looking for, your local weather, the conditions you paddle in, and the craft you are paddling. I’ve begun to dabble in a bit of surfski paddling and one thing I realized straight away is that you tend to get a lot wetter in a ski than an OC-1 – conditions being equal. Vaikobi has added the VDRY Smock, billed as the ultimate in wind and water protection, since the initial release of the VDRY range and I’m reliably informed there may be a VDRY pant in the works as a future roll out. The future looks bright, or should I say dry!

Not sure where to find Vaikobi gear near you? Visit my friends at Ocean Paddlesports and you’ll be in good hands.

Quite possibly the most versatile drysack on the market, the Granite Gear Slacker Packer Drysack is packed full of great features which make it a fantastic piece of gear for paddling, hiking, or simply a day at the beach. To start off, this ultra-light drysack is packable and comes with its own mesh storage pouch. This allows you to easily store it inside a larger pack and break it out when needed.

Many drysacks are made of rigid material which works great at keeping out water, but are generally not ideally suited for use off the water. Not so with the Slacker Packer Drysack. The soft, pliable fabric and padded shoulder straps give the bag the added utility of being a great option for day pack for hikers, especially those in an aquatic environment such as canyoning or exploring tide pools along the coast in the morning and paddling in the afternoon. With the Slacker Packer Drysack you can seamlessly transition from the trail to your SUP.

The 25L bag fits perfectly beneath the standard bungee configuration found on most SUPs. Alternatively, it can be comfortably worn on your back while paddling by adjusting the sternum strap to one of three positions, depending on personal preference and body size.

Lastly, the Slacker Packer Drysack comes in a bright blood orange color to ensure you remain visible on the water. All in all, if you are a stand up paddler in the market for a drysack that you can use for a variety of activities, this is the bag for you.

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Visit: Granitegear.com MSRP: $42.95

#MattChebatoris #slackerpackerdrysack #SlackerPacker #GraniteGear #Drysack #Drybag

PaddleXaminer is a veteran owned publication based in Los Angeles, California. We provide stories, gear reviews, and news for adventurers on and off the water.

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It’s back! The most fun paddling event of the year in the greater Los Angeles area, the annual Malibu Downwinder. Scheduled to take place on Saturday, April 29, 2023, the approximately seven mile ocean course runs from Pt. Mugu State Beach to Leo Carillo State Beach. Proceeds from the event support the Junior Lifeguard program at Leo Carillo State Beach. The event is capped at 100 competitors, and as of this writing there were already 42 entries. Click on the image above to register.

Pro Tip: Grab a campsite at Leo Carillo State Beach and make a complete weekend of the paddling event.

Action in the area

If you would like to get a preview of the area, I recommend dropping in at the Point Mugu Air Show at Naval Base Ventura County, Point Mugu the weekend of March 18 – 19, 2023. For only the third time in airshow history, the U.S. Navy Blue Angels and the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds will be performing for the public at the same airshow.

For 77 years, the Blue Angels have showcased the teamwork and professionalism of the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps through flight demonstrations and community outreach while inspiring a culture of excellence and service to country for nearly 500 million fans. The Blues showcase the mainstay of modern Naval air power operating off U.S. aircraft carriers, the combat-proven F/A-18 Super Hornet, along with the Marine Corps’ premiere logistics support aircraft, the C-130J.

The Thunderbirds perform for people all around the world to display the pride, precision, and professionalism the U.S. Air Force represents. Through air shows and flyovers, they aim to excite and inspire. In addition to showcasing the elite skills all pilots must possess, the Thunderbirds demonstrate the incredible capabilities of the Air Force’s premier multi-role fighter jet, the F-16 Fighting Falcon.

As a Navy veteran and former naval air crewman, I’m partial to the Blue Angels, but both demonstration squadrons will put on an epic show!

The Point Mugu Air Show, Ventura County’s largest public event, is open to the public, and offering 2-show dates, March 18 – 19, 2023. Gates open at 8 a.m. daily. Parking, admission, and blanket seating are free. Upgraded preferred seating options are available.

Remember your first whitewater experience? I sure do, it was a high water year on the Arkansas River through the Royal Gorge with a bunch of friends; it was a blast!. When PaddleXaminer sat down with Trinity Wall, premier whitewater standup paddleboarder in Colorado, we got to hear her story. She was on the Eagle River charging through the Dowd Chute section, in a kayak, during a high water year. The person she was paddling with ended up hitting their head, she had to rescue them on the river, and the injured person ended up getting stitches. “Well, I’m never doing that again!” Trinity said.

Turns out, she did try whitewater paddling again, just not in a kayak.

Trinity has been an athlete all her life. She started out skiing at the ripe age of two in Maine where she grew up. She was snowboarding in the 80’s/90’s, sponsored by Sims while competing in events such as the halfpipe and freestyle. She went through a Telemark skiing phase, and has now moved on to mostly backcountry skiing because it’s less crowded. She’s tried kite-boarding, and enjoys mountain biking. She’s also been practicing and teaching yoga for 21 years. All these athletic endeavors gave her a solid foundation to jump into whitewater paddleboarding!

Trinity’s SUP Journey

In 2015 Trinity decided to attend the Guide School with Stand-Up Paddle Colorado. Here, she learned all the basics of standup paddling which gave her a good toolbox of skills to rely on as she progressed in her standup paddleboard (SUP) journey. This is where she met Matt Buckley who was an instructor. Buckley, as he’s better known, is a seasoned raft guide with tons of whitewater experience. Looking back at this course, “it’s where I really found my passion”, Trinity said.

Her first SUP trip was on the Westwater section of the Colorado River for a rafting trip with Buckley where she would paddle on a SUP during the flatwater sections. Next, she did the Upper Colorado which is class II, with one class III rapid called Yarmony. Her third SUP trip was in Brown’s Canyon on the Arkansas River, during a hail storm no less. Needless to say, she was hooked!

Hala Team Rider

Trinity’s first SUP race was at Gore Fest in 2015 on the Upper Colorado. She remembers passing Peter Hall, the founder of Hala Paddleboards, during the race. We’re not sure who won between the two of them, but Peter offered her a Team Rider spot that day!

Team rider responsibilities include:

1. Have a presence on the water & represent the sport well.

2. Carry a social media presence.

3. Participate in SUP races such as the town series in Vail and GoPro games.

From then on, Trinity has been a fixture in many of the SUP races in Colorado. She has dominated the Vail town series, winning every year since 2016. But the competition is getting fierce; this year, she won the Vail Whitewater Series by a measly five points! Also in 2021, she had her first podium finish at the GoPro Games, coming in second in the downriver SUP event, which she was super stoked about. She loves the competition, has all her life; as the sport continues to grow it helps motivate her.

Being safe on the water is paramount to Trinity which is why she took the whitewater rescue training course with Vail Mountain Rescue. I’ve had the pleasure to paddle with Trinity a couple of times and she always checks with me to ensure I’m ready and have all my gear. I appreciate this because when you’re on the water you have to look out for each other. Similar to skiing in the backcountry, you want to feel safe and trust that the people you’re with have your back if things go sideways.

At home on the river.

In 2021 Trinity is rocking the latest technology from Hala on the new Hala Atcha with their Stomp Box 2.0. The Stomp Box is removable so it’s easier to store the board, the longer fin allows for better tracking in the water, and the enhanced river rocker rolls with the river; Trinity loves it!

What’s Next

Trinity is very passionate about the sport; I could feel her passion when we spoke, and I’ve seen it in action too. As a fellow SUP paddler participating in the Vail Whitewater Series, I’ve watched her on the water, and seen her offer tips to other paddlers. She wants to help get more women involved in the sport, and be an inspiration to others. Being on the river gives her peace of mind, it helps remind her to be in the moment.

This fall she’s looking to do a trip to Idaho and Montana with her Shred partner Buckely to explore some new rivers; paddle on Trinity!

You can follow Trinity on Instagram at trinwa.

Hey Marina del Rey paddlers! Come on out to help the Los Angeles Department of Beaches and Harbors kick off the return of Beach Eats TO GO, Thursday, May 13 in Lot 11 – 14101 Panay Way, Marina del Rey. Every Thursday through September 30th, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., they will feature some of Los Angeles’ most popular food trucks, bringing you delectable food options. Beach Eats TO GO is a grab and go event.

Visit bestfoodtrucks.com/beacheatstogo or scan the QR code on the image above to place your order, select your pick-up time, and check out the food truck lineup in the coming weeks. Food orders can be purchased up to five days before each scheduled event.

This week’s inaugural food truck lineup includes:

• StopBye Cafe (Asian Fusion)

• Yuna’s Bob (Korean)

• Roll’n Lobster (Seafood)

• Pasta Sisters (Italian)

• Baby’s Badass Burgers (American)

• Scooter’s Italian Ice (Dessert)

Beaches and Harbors have modified their traditional Beach Eats weekly food truck event to comply with COVID-19 precautions and L.A. County Department of Public Health directives.

All patrons are required to wear a face cover and maintain a physical distance of 6+ feet from others outside of their group. Masks must be worn at all times. Therefore, eating is prohibited in the Beach Eats TO GO area and food must be taken offsite to enjoy.

Parking is available in Lot #11 at a rate of $0.25 for each 10 minutes. There is a $2 minimum for credit card payments.

To get the scoop on the weekly schedule of trucks, use the Best Food Trucks app or check back with PaddleXaminer each week where we’ll plan to publish the weekly line up and any additional information around the weekly event.

The new Vaikobi VXP Race PFD was released within the past few months and has quickly captivated the global paddling community. Built upon the foundation of Vaikobi’s established tenure in the performance apparel market, the new VXP life vest is designed as a comfortable, sleek, and lightweight life vest for all paddlers. The vest is constructed to ISO 12402-5 (Level 50), the most widely recognized international standard for this type of PFD, to facilitate widespread use around the world.

Like its predecessors in Vaikobi range, the VXP is available in a range of four hi-visibility colors: yellow, orange, pink, and cyan. The flotation is provided by Vaikobi’s standard lightweight form fitting foam and there is a hydration pocket on the rear panel capable of holding a bladder up to 2 liters. 

So what’s different about the VXP? For starters, this life vest features a large front pocket with internal straps and loops to secure multiple items of varied sizes. Both the front and rear pocket contain large velcro closures to secure your items. The PFD is a side entry model and is constructed with two adjustable straps on each side. The shoulder straps are fabricated from neoprene for comfort and flexibility. Each shoulder strap is adjustable and outfitted with loops to route your hydration tube.

There is an additional loop front and center above the pocket to hold the hydration tube in an optimal spot for drinking. A large horizontal reflective strip resides above the rear pocket and the entire life vest is integrated with a reflective outer construction.

Our Take

Packed full of fantastic features to enhance performance and elevate the style of safety gear, the Vaikobi VXP is well positioned to have a long-lasting impact on the paddling industry. As a former Naval Aircrewman and long time paddler I’ve worn my fair share of safety gear. The new Vaikobi VXP is far and away the most comfortable life vest I’ve laid hands on. Imagine a combination of the comfort of your favorite t-shirt and the performance and style of the latest hi-tech gear designed by NASA. This PFD looks sharp! 

My favorite aspect of the Vaikobi VXP is the neoprene construction of the shoulder straps. The flexibility of the neoprene facilitates your natural, uninhibited movement as a paddler throughout all phases of your paddle stroke over long periods of use. 

The large front pocket is fantastic and perfectly positioned to make it easily accessible when wearing the PFD. The side entry buckles are very easy to use – I have not had any difficulty reaching them to fasten/unfasten the buckles. The hydration pocket is also a wonderful feature and easily holds my Source 1.5 liter Widepac. I recommend rinsing the vest off after use with fresh water and hang it to dry in the shade or indirect sunlight. 

Pro Tip: Unclip your hydration bladder from the drink tube after paddling and remove the bladder. Leave the drink tube in place and blow the water out before storing the vest for your next paddle. This way you will not have to re-thread the drink tube through the loops on the vest.

I’ve been using my Vaikobi VXP this winter paddling surfski – a new discipline for me after a number of years in various canoes, kayaks, and SUPs. I can personally attest to the fact the life vest floats a paddler well in choppy seas and does not hinder your ability to quickly remount a surfski!