An adventure is an outing where the outcome is uncertain. – Bryant Burkhardt This book does not disappoint. Bryant has done it all, from dodging icebergs in Alaska and exploring the Channel Islands to creeking in L.A. and captaining the U.S. National Kayak Polo Team. His kayaking resume is truly amazing. It’s a testament to […]
Search Results for: A Paddler's Journey
History of the Tsunami Rangers Sea Kayak Race – Part 8
Editor’s Note: This is the story of the 1995 race, written by Kent Barber who was introduced to the event by Tom Cromwell, a kayaker from Washington State who had raced before. This was Kent’s first time participating in the event, and he did it justice in his article, which appeared in Bay Currents, the […]
Zen and the Art of Kayak Rolling
Asked if he ever worries that he won’t come up when he rolls, one paddling friend said, “Every time.” But knowing that even experienced paddlers get the jitters doesn’t help when you’re upside down in an element that can drown you and the back brain is screaming, “Nooo!” In June of 2023 I was driving […]
Salish Sea Adventure – The Pleasant Isle
To be silent the whole day, see no newspaper, hear no radio, listen to no gossip, be thoroughly and completely lazy, thoroughly and completely indifferent to the fate of the world is the finest medicine a man can give himself. – Henry Miller Jones Island Marine State Park is located in the San Juan Island […]
Inside My Sea of Dreams by Susan Conrad – a Review
Editor’s note: This is the first children’s book about sea kayaking we’ve ever read or reviewed, and it’s a winner. Here it is, Susan Conrad’s Inside My Sea of Dreams. The target age for this book is ages 3 to 9. Check it out! Susan Conrad is an adventurer, a writer, a paddler, a public […]
Caves Are People Too
by TR Steve “El Rey” King Editor’s note: This post is a lyrical tribute to sea caves. Included are many photos of sea caves we have known over the years. Each cave has its own personality. We hope you enjoy this post as much as we’ve enjoyed meeting our friends, the caves. Many Tsunami journeys […]
Just in Time for Christmas – Sea Kayaking Books!
Who doesn’t enjoy curling up with a good book in a warm house on a cold winter day, with maybe a crackling fire or a hot drink besides? With Christmas coming this seems like a great opportunity to mention some of the wonderful sea kayaking books reviewed on this site. Below you’ll find a […]
Salute the Sea! Propitiating the Ocean for Enhanced Sea Kayaking
Sailors are notoriously superstitious. Just as there are no atheists in the trenches of war, there are no atheists in the storm troughs of the sea. Something about the ocean, its vastness, its depths, its many unknowns, cues an ancient, ancestral response in the human breast. In a way, when we launch our boats it’s […]
Rolling With Covid-19
Editor’s Note: Much gratitude to my teachers Ashlee and Jon from Sundance Kayak School in Galice, OR; TR’s Jeff and Cate from Liquid Fusion in Ft. Bragg, CA; Jackie from Ashland, OR for the feedback; son Nick and brother-in-law John for taking videos; and niece Kasey, sister-in-law Patty, bro-in-law John, and TR Admiral Kakuk for the […]
Kayaking Angel Island – It’s All About the Blueschist
By Nancy Soares and John Lull “The best way to study geology is by kayak” – Tsunami Ranger Capt. Tortuga You probably don’t know this, but Capt. Tortuga and Tsunami Ranger John Lull are geologists by trade. On Monday, April 9, John and I drove from his place in El Granada on the San Francisco […]
Tsunami Retreat 2017 Part 3 – Holy Shibooty! I Become a Tsunami Ranger
Capt. Kuk: It has been a long progression for Nancy over the last 22 years and even though she was always capable of gaining the skills to be a Ranger, she chose to keep some separation to give Eric space. Starting with her martial arts and fancy foot work playing hacky sack, Nancy has since added the […]
A New Year, a New Tsunami Ranger – Cate Hawthorne’s Test Debrief
Editor’s note: This year’s retreat was brief but packed with action, so we decided to cover it in two posts, the first which came out in October, and this second debrief in order to give Cate her due. Deb: We agreed on the rendezvous location, “Thunder Cove”, one of the Tsunami Rangers’ favorite secret destinations on […]
THE ORDEAL – Tsunami Retreat 2016
Howling wind. Choppy waves. Funky swells. Boomers. Contrary currents. This year the Tsunami Ranger retreat had it all. But we’re a team and we made it! Once again, Rangers and friends overcame all obstacles and had a great time on the annual gathering. Capt. Jim Kakuk and guest Nancy Soares share the story. Nancy: Jim […]