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.
© PaddleXaminer 2023 – All Rights Reserved
The Division of Boating and Waterways along with its partners invite the public to learn how to prevent the further spread of aquatic invasive species (AIS) into California’s waterways. Free educational workshops will be offered between March and May at three Northern and Central California locations. Advance registration is required.
California has one of the highest levels of recreational activity in the nation. With 1,100 miles of coast, hundreds of navigable rivers, lakes, and the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, there are ample recreational opportunities for the state’s approximately four million boaters. With this popularity, it is critical that the public learn the negative impacts that AIS can have on California’s water delivery systems, hydroelectric facilities, agriculture, boating, fishing and the environment. AIS such as quagga and zebra mussels multiply quickly, encrust watercraft and infrastructure, alter water quality and the aquatic food web and ultimately affect native and sport fish communities.
AIS workshop speakers include staff from California State Parks Division of Boating and Waterways, California Coastal Commission, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services and the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center.
The public is invited to attend one of the following workshops:
Oakley – Thursday, March 19
Register by March 16
Time: 8:45 a.m. – 2:45 p.m.
Location: Big Break Regional Shoreline Park, 69 Big Break Rd, Oakley (94561)
Sacramento – Thursday, April 2
Register by March 20
Time: 8:45 a.m. – 2:45 p.m.
Location: Lake Washington Sailing Club, 2901 Industrial Blvd., West Sacramento (95691)
Santa Cruz – Thursday, May 14
Register by May 11
Time: 8:45 a.m. – 2:45 p.m.
Location: Santa Cruz Yacht Club, 244 4th Ave #3835, Santa Cruz (95062)
To register, please contact Boating Clean and Green’s Program Manager Vivian Matuk via email at [email protected] or call (415) 904-6905. Free parking is available at the workshop sites. Lunch will not be provided.
The Boating Clean and Green Program is an education and outreach program that promotes environmentally sound boating practices to marine businesses and boaters in California. California State Parks Division of Boating and Waterways and the California Coastal Commission conduct the program. For more information on the program, please visit www.BoatingCleanAndGreen.com.
Stand Up Paddling is the fastest growing watersport in the world for good reason. It is fun and accessible to a wide range of people on any body of water. In order to have the best possible experience during your paddle there are a number of factors you should keep in mind before your toes touch the shore.
How to Prepare for a Paddle
Prepare – Before you leave the shore always check your equipment and familiarize yourself with the layout of the area in which you plan to paddle. Make note of the weather – particularly the wind – and plan accordingly. Paddling upwind can be challenging even for experienced paddlers. If the water is cold or you are going on a longer paddle you may want to wear booties to keep your feet warm.
Safety First – Always paddle with a Personal Flotation Device (PFD), leash and whistle. The board is your largest flotation device and wearing a leash will ensure you do not become separated. Never underestimate a body of water. Even the strongest swimmers will be unable to catch their board if they become separated in open water or high winds. When paddling in low light conditions carry a light to remain visible to others on the water. Carry a cell phone or marine radio so you can call for help, if needed, and paddle with a buddy whenever possible – especially on a downwinder or open water paddle.
Protection – Ensure you are properly hydrated and protected from the sun. If you plan to be on the water for longer than 1.5 hours we recommend taking water. Many boards have bungees for securing a water bottle and small items. There are also a range of hydration packs designed for paddling. See SUP Examiner’s Gear Reviews for insights on the functionality of popular models.
Familiarize yourself with the area – Paddlers need to maintain a 360 degree awareness of their surroundings and position on the water at all times. Steer clear of other vessels. If you are in a marina, be sure to stay a safe distance from obstacles such as buoys and docks and avoid floating debris. Paddle safely and courteously by avoiding the center of the channel. Keeping to the right is a good rule of thumb. Remember, stand up paddlers are required to yield to all other boat traffic.
Avoid marine wildlife – The ocean is home to an abundance of marine wildlife. To ensure your safety and that of the wildlife do not disturb the marine creatures. Seals and sea lions can be regularly found sunning themselves on boat docks and dolphins and whales are commonly seen in the ocean. Enjoy them from a distance and never attempt to touch marine wildlife.
Control your board – Practice how to turn and stop in protected water before venturing out into the marina or ocean. Maintaining your balance is key when stand up paddling. Concentrate on keeping your eyes on the horizon. If you look down at your feet or board, chances are you will fall down. Use your core muscles to maintain stability and swivel at the hips when looking from side to side.
Know your limitations – Wind and boat wakes can catch you off guard and disrupt your balance. When encountering a boat wake, it is best to point your board directly into the wake and paddle. Paddling into the wake gives your board forward momentum which increases your stability as you pass through the rough water. If you become fatigued or feel unsafe, kneel on your board and choke down on your paddle. This will lower your center of gravity and enable you to paddle through and away from difficult situations.
Maintaining awareness of the topics highlighted above will keep you on track when it comes to how to prepare for a paddle. When it comes to improving your skills there is no substitute for spending time on the water. If you are looking to sharpen up your technique or ensure you do not pick up any bad habits, we recommended to take a lesson from a professional SUP instructor.
A few offerings we recommend looking into include: how to prepare for a paddle
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Performance Paddling – Led by Anthony Vela, Performance Paddling is a Dana Point-based program offering a full range of training services and is the home of the highly regarded Performance Paddling Adult Training Club.
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Paddle with Riggs – If you are visiting Maui and interested in learning the art of downwind paddling, Jeremy Riggs is among the best. He will expertly guide you down the famous Maliko gulch on an SIC open ocean board and ensure you have the trip of a lifetime.
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SIC Glide Centers – SIC has a network of Glide Centers around with locations around North America and will be expanding the program to select locations around the globe in 2016. The Glide Centers offer lessons tailored for each location’s environment and give paddlers the opportunity to choose from the entire range of SIC boards. If you are looking for the SUP equivalent of taking a Ferrari out for a test drive, visiting a Glide Center is a bucket list worthy stop.
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The Paddle Academy – Known throughout the West Coast by its initials, TPA, The Paddle Academy is a first class training program tailored specifically for young paddlers under the age of 18. Based in Dana Point, the TPA is a fitness and race oriented program akin to the little league of SUP and has been responsible for developing a number of talented young paddlers.
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Elite Paddle Training – Sometimes known informally as “The Paddle Academy – South”, Elite Paddle Training is a San Diego-based program for young paddlers ages 8 – 18. They offer competitive level programs and skills training for young paddlers and are regularly seen competing at events along the West Coast.
Keep paddling and see you on the water! how to prepare for a paddle
#SICGlideCenters #performancepaddling #ThePaddleAcademy #PaddlewithRiggs #howtoprepareforapaddle #ElitePaddleTraining
California State Parks is honoring the service of veterans, as well as active and reserve personnel, by offering free admission to 133 state parks on Veterans Day, Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2020.
“We understand this has been a challenging year with the ongoing pandemic and the recent wildfires,” said California State Parks Director Armando Quintero. “California State Parks is proud to be able to honor our military community by thanking them for their service and sacrifices to our country. We hope they can enjoy one of our beautiful parks with their loved ones.”
Participating parks include the California State Railroad Museum and Railtown 1897 State Historic Park along with state vehicular recreation areas such as Carnegie, Clay Pit, Eastern Kern County Onyx Ranch, Hollister Hills, Hungry Valley and Oceano Dunes. The park units that honor historic military sites or veterans from the Mexican-American War to the Cold War include:
A full list of the participating park units can be found online at parks.ca.gov/VeteransDay2020. In order to enter the park units for free, a valid military ID or a California driver’s license identifying the individual as a veteran must be shown to park staff.
As a reminder, COVID-19 guidelines are still in effect at all state park units. Please be sure to plan ahead by visiting the individual webpages of the park unit, especially for museums and some state historic parks as there is a 25% visitor capacity limit. For detailed information on how to recreate responsibility during the pandemic, please visit www.parks.ca.gov/FlattenTheCurve. For tips on how to recreate responsibly in the outdoors, please visit www.parks.ca.gov/SafetyTips.
Assembly Bill 150 (Olsen), signed by Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. in 2013, authorized California State Parks to offer veterans, active duty and reserve military personnel from the United States Armed Forces and the National Guard of any state a reduced fee or free day use at participating state parks.
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.
© PaddleXaminer 2023 – All Rights Reserved
Cyril Derreumaux upon arrival in Hilo, Hawaii. Photo – Tom Gomes
After 91 days at sea – Cyril Derreumaux became the first kayaker to successfully paddle from California to Hawaii solo, 100% human powered and unsupported. Cyril traveled in the Valentine, his custom kayak, relying on his own power and determination to cross the mighty Pacific. After departing Monterrey, California on June 21st Cyril was welcomed by a joyous reception of friends, family, and fans in Hilo, Hawaii on September 20, 2022. The 2,400 mile (4,444 km) journey was Cyril’s second attempt at the herculean odyssey.
Alone with his thoughts, yet tethered electronically to his distant support crew back on land, Cyril demonstrated a steely resolve to succeed by focusing on completing one day at a time throughout the epic journey.
“It was a magnificent adventure, clearly also a spiritual journey. Before leaving I couldn’t really explain why I wanted to take on this challenge, but I finally found all the answers to my questions on the water,” said Cyril upon arriving in Hawaii.
The first seven days or so were some of the most challenging as Cyril labored to escape the tidal currents pushing him back towards the California coast. Cyril battled sea sickness and sleep deprivation to continue his forward momentum – often paddling for more than nine hours a day.
He experienced the ocean and its full range of emotions. At times serene and mystical, such as the time a bird appeared, seemingly materializing out of mid-air, to check in and offer solace after a week of bad weather. “Suddenly everything was perfect and the first thing I noticed was the long, slow, gently ocean swell,” Cyril told me. “The air was moist, humid, and warm. There was not much wind and no sound,” he said. “I turned around to see a beautiful pastel sunrise. Then a bird came to see me in the middle of the ocean. It was very special. It was just a perfect moment.”
Other times Cyril encountered Mother Nature’s violent throes and was forced to retreat inside Valentine’s sealed cabin for days. Hunkered down, unable to paddle. He was left with no option other than to succumb to the will of the Pacific as the wind and waves relentlessly pounded his kayak.
“When you have the wind coming from one direction. And the current from a different direction. And the ocean swell from another…that is pretty gnarly,” exclaimed Cyril. “I learned to really trust my boat, and that just comes with time on the water,” Cyril told me. “It is self-righting and built by the best kayak builders in the world.”
Along the way, Cyril overcame leaks and equipment failures – his primary electric powered water maker broke down on day 46. Cyril was also compelled to ration his food supply when he and his support crew determined mid crossing that he was off schedule. Cyril’s journey ultimately lasted 21 days longer than his planned estimate and forced him to make landfall in Hilo rather than his original destination of Honolulu.
Cyril was tethered to the Valentine at all times as a safety measure, even when the ocean was perfectly flat. As expected, he adapted his paddling stroke to the conditions of the ocean throughout his journey, but to his surprise, he only used one of the three different paddles he brought with him.
Two men in a small fishing boat off Hawaii were Cyril’s first in person encounter with people near the end of his trip after having crossed the expansive section of open water between California and Hawaii. “Ahhh! They ruined it!” Cyril told me with a laugh. “I was hoping to see my girlfriend first!”
About Cyril Derreumaux
Cyril is a dual French – United States citizen, born in Lille, France in 1976 and the proud father of two young boys – Oliver (16) and Simon (13). Conversant in six languages, Cyril has held a passion for adventure for decades and is an accomplished paddler in multiple paddle craft. He hopes to write a book about his solo paddle from California to Hawaii and is currently working on a documentary about his excursion.
Cyril is available for interviews and speaking engagements. Booking arrangements may be made by contacting Ashley Redmond.
Photos: Tom Gomes
Your feet work hard all day, whether it’s paddling in the ocean or downriver, working in the yard or working from home; wouldn’t it be nice to treat them to a little TLC? OluKai – best known for their sandals, has created a pair of slippers to treat your feet right, the OluKai Kipuka Hulu Slippers.
The Kipuka Hulu Slippers, pronounced (key-pooh-kah hoo-loo) translates to calm place in high seas, are made with premium nubuck leather to give them a sturdy and rugged look. The inside of the slippers are coated with soft shearling for a plush and comfy feel. The wool-blend footbed is dual-density with a gel insert. The footbed is removable so you can wash it in the washing machine. The Drop-in Heel® design provides shoe and slide on function for the slipper, so if you are in a hurry just slip them on.
Our take
We have been using the Kipuka Hulu slippers as our standard work from home footwear. As soon as you put them on, you feel how soft and comfy the slippers are. The reinforced outsole gives you the same support as regular shoes, but much more comfortable. OluKai has pronounced arches in their footwear compared to other brands which helps keep your foot in its natural shape.
Wearing the slippers everyday, the footbeds need to be washed from time-to-time.
Pro tip – we recommend throwing the footbeds in the wash every two weeks to minimize any build-up of grime, dirt or other nasties.
The solid construction of the slippers makes them perfectly fine to wear them beyond the house. I often wear them on afternoon walks around the neighborhood. Once paddle season kicks into gear, these slippers will be perfect for relaxing after a downriver SUP trip or two!
The Kipuka Hulu come in three color options:
Pier 360 celebrates the best of beach life with a fantastic beach festival for all ages! With ocean sports competitions, live music, food and drinks, interactive games, sampling by some of your favorite brands and so much more, Pier 360 offers visitors a slice of SoCal’s iconic beach culture and brings together thousands of guests for a weekend of good vibes. Whether you’re hanging with the family, competing on land or at sea or partying with your friends–Pier 360 has got it all!
New for 2022, Pier 360 features a 10 mile (16 km) open ocean race from the Malibu Pier to the Santa Monica Pier on Sunday, June 26th. Open to surfski, outrigger, SUP and prone paddlers, the Pier to Pier race will test the region’s most adventurous paddle athletes.
Pier 360 will also host two spectator friendly paddling events at the scenic Santa Monica Pier on Saturday, June 25th:
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A one mile fun paddle for paddlers of all ages.
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A sprint competition for SUP paddlers – APP US Open SUP
More than just a paddling event, Pier 360 will hold an extensive range of sporting events on the beach and water to include:
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Beach volleyball
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Skateboarding
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Beach run/walk
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Ocean swim
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Lifeguard competitions
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And more!
Additional activities will include pop-up museums on the pier chronicling California’s surfing heritage, live music throughout the weekend, food vendors, and the not to be missed beer garden on the pier. 🍻
The setting for the opening ceremony at the 2024 Olympic Games. Photo: Courtesy of the International Olympic Committee
The Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 will be held on the River Seine, following approval of the location and concept by the Organising Committee’s Board of Directors on 13 December.
Instead of the traditional stadium setting, Paris 2024’s Opening Ceremony will be set against the backdrop of one of the world’s most iconic cities. More than 160 boats will carry delegations down a six-kilometre route from Pont d’Austerlitz to the Trocadéro, passing many famous Parisian monuments, bridges and cultural institutions, such as Notre Dame cathedral, the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower.
With free public access to part of the river banks, as well as viewing areas on the many bridges and quays along the route, more than 600,000 spectators are expected to welcome the athletes from across the world for the Parade of Nations.
Speaking about the concept, IOC President Thomas Bach said: “Organising the Opening Ceremony along the Seine, the emblematic river in the very heart of the city, perfectly aligns with Paris 2024’s ambition to reinvent the Games model by opening up participation to as many people as possible.”
He continued: “This Ceremony will be an exceptional experience for all the athletes taking part, but also, and above all, for the people of Paris, for France and for the whole world.”
Paris 2024 President Tony Estanguet added: “Rest assured, the Paris 2024 Opening Ceremony will be nothing short of magical. Its staging will be ground-breaking. It will be a ceremony for the people, open to one and all. It will show the world the very best of France. A party like no other – and the world is invited!”
In addition to the Opening Ceremony decision, Paris 2024’s Board of Directors approved a number of competition venue changes.
The purpose of these adjustments is to allow for better shared use of the existing sites, while continuing to provide an exceptional backdrop for the Olympic and Paralympic competitions, in the very heart of the French capital.
Les Invalides, Pont Alexandre III, Pont d’Iéna, the Trocadéro and the forecourt of the Hôtel de Ville are now included on the route of the road races.
The marathon will start from the Hôtel de Ville and end at Les Invalides. The road cycling time trial athletes will set off from Les Invalides and finish at Pont Alexandre III, which will also see action in the marathon swimming and triathlon.
Finally, Pont d’Iéna, at the foot of the Eiffel Tower, will serve as the start and finish for the cycling road race and race walks.
The Olympic Games Paris 2024 will take place between 26 July and 11 August.
Summer is rapidly approaching and you know what that means: endless days at the beach in nothing but a swimsuit in flip flops. But do you ever find after a day of exploring the coastal scenery in your favorite pair of sandals that your feet ache or your knees hurt? Unfortunately traditional flip flops are not good for your feet. Cue Vionic Beach.
Vionic Beach was founded by Philip Vasyli, a podiatrist well-known for his work in the field of lower-limb biomechanics. He worked with patients from all walks of life and quickly came to realize that many common foot-related ailments were costly and time-consuming to treat. He was inspired to seek a solution and as a result, invented the first heat-molded orthotics. His invention eventually led to the Orthahell orthotic, the world’s first and only orthotic available without a doctor’s prescription. Vasili’s innovative designs changed the industry and ultimately led to the foundation of Vionic Beach.
Vionic Beach sandals are good for your sole. The shoes were designed to mimic the natural feel of sand under your feet through patented support technology. The footbed is made from a lightweight Vio Foam Footbed that provides cushion all day long. The heel cup follows the natural contour of the foot and works to support and comfort your aches. The deck is textured, providing extra grip underfoot. These shoes are ideal for athletes as they provide better alignment, better support, and more cushion.
I’ve never tried shoes with extra cushion or arch support and found that Vionic Beach’s flip flops fit nicely with the contours of my feet. They look like your basic plastic flip flop but they provide much-needed support for a long day at the beach or around town. They’re super light-weight making them a great travel option and they’re waterproof, so you don’t have to worry about soaking them on your adventures. There are a number of different styles for men and women to choose from and both prints and solid colors are available. I’m hopeful that in the future they will add some higher-end leather styles to compliment the casual styles they have available now. At $39.95 the price is a bit steep for plastic flip flops but is also a small price to pay for keep your feet feeling good. If you’re in search of a great travel shoe with built-in arch support, Vionic Beach is for you.
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