Sometimes They Come Back!

Howdy, kids! Todays post is a bit different from the others. I don't know that you will find it exceptionally funny but rather, a bit on the heart-felt side. You see, when I was a wee sea kayakist making the move from white water boating, I had this guy who was of great influence on my developement. He was the guy who showed me that sea kayaking could be fun, exciting, and had a style all of it's own. He was not the guys who talked too much about himself but rather showed me that you did your talking in your boat through actions. He was the guy who proved that being a sea kayaker was less about gear and more about challenging yourself while still being yourself. That man was (and is) Scott Fairty. He took a break from paddling for a few years to become more mainstream and to put his family in the forefront of his life. As we all know, it's hard to get back into the rhythm of it all once you leave...you can never go home again, as they say.
Well, I am proud to say that he is back and getting into kayaking again. And, mind you, this is not just another pretty face. Scott's resume' spans decades in the paddlesports world including; Former Regional Coaching Officer for the BCU; ACA Open Water Instructor; BCU 5 star sea and Level 5 Coach aspirant; Old School Dagger rep (When Dagger was Dagger alone) for the East Coast; General Manager for Great River Outfitters: And general all around well respected paddler in every discipline of the sport. He is now on my P&H Midwest Paddling Team and will be looking to do tons of instruction this fall and I expect him to be a household word again in 2009. If you are interested in having Scott do some work for you, please feel free to contact me at kellyblades@gmail.com and I will pass along the info.

Hot ACA Open Water Action

Hey folks! I am pleased to announce that I will be helping out Ryan Ruston of Geneva Kayak Centrer with an ACA Open Water training, October 10-12. The assessment will be held on November 1-3 so Ryan and I can expect a mass of sugar hyped participants. If you are interested in these courses please contact Geneva Kayak Center for details.

My physical and spiritual pursuit

As many of you are aware I am, and have been for some years now, a practitioner of the martial arts. After countless years of training in various styles of combatives I have settled on Ju Jutsu for more than 10 years. I consider the folks I train with to be both friends and family to me and believe that it is the Dojo (training area) that matters most in any discipline.
So it is with no small regret that I must leave my old school and move on to greener pastures. You see, I have found a training system that will finally complete me as a martial artist and must make it a daily part of my life and with all due haste. If you are interested in martial arts training, I highly recommend you watch the video attachment below and begin your sojourn today!

http://www.fastclips.com/videos/H3O8PR33nJ44

And remember the sage words, "Don't go nin-gee-in nobody don't need nin-gee-in"

Babes in Waves!

Hey all, I am proud to announce that I am going to be headed to Drummond Island, MI for the Ladies of the Lake Symposium. This ALL WOMEN'S symposium is in it's 5th year and is a wonderful place for the ladies to have a testosterone free environment. Well, no totally testosterone free as Danny Mongno of Werner Paddles, The Downwind Sports Boys, and I will be in attendance. The good news is that all of us lads have been deemed estrogen friendly by the F.I.I.W.W.C. (Fiercely Independent and Intelligent Women of the World Collective).
This unique symposium features a roving destination with each year hosted by a different beautiful spot in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, Top notch women instructors such as Jean Totz of Sweetwater Kayaks, Marsha Henson of Sea Kayak Georgia, and Gail Green of Living Adventures, and activities for the men folk so that they will stay the hell out of your hair.
So, bring your family and a kayak up to the Ladies of the Lake in Drummond Island and visit me and P&H out on the beach!
GIRL POWER!

Blogging is like Crack

I find with my recent blog site, I have inspired a slue of good people to create sites themselves. Don't get me wrong, there is a great deal for folks to say and with the interweb being a fine source for information I condone their efforts. Trouble is you get used to blogging and it takes the place of things like being with your children, paying your bills, eating, sleeping, and personal hygiene.
With my disclaimer out of the way, please visit my friends at bloyd-peshkin.blogspot.com and http://paddlerama.blogspot.com.
Read on!