H2Opaddle Latest News

New Video: Sea Kayaking Chile

H2Opaddle — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 19:09:10 +0000

Thinking of Sea Kayaing the Pumalin & Chiloe archipelagos in Chile's northern Patagonia?

We've added video to our Sea Kayaking the Patagonian Fjords holiday guides.

Joanna Lumley: Jewel of the Nile

H2Opaddle — Tue, 04 May 2010 08:16:10 +0000

Hope you got to see Joanna Lumley's adventure travelling and exploring the world’s longest river, the River Nile. Not strictly a paddle related story but inspirational all the same.

The last episode of Jewel of the Nile showed last night on ITV. She travelled from sea to source for four thousand miles passing through Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia, Uganda and Rwanda. and using the river for inspiration. Joanna & the crew travelled by boat, train, plane, car, donkey and camel along this natural marvel to film a contemporary account of the River Nile and its people.

Last night's episode ended at the source of the White Nile where the team were lead by Cam McLeay, of Adrift, the New Zealander who led the first-ever descent of the Victoria Nile in Uganda in 1996 and is one of the most experienced guides in the industry.

If you missed the mini-series no doubt they will have it out on DVD soon!

UK flights Resume

H2Opaddle — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 08:30:10 +0000

UK flights Resume but programmes will take a while longer to get back on schedule.

We are in touch with all our partner airlines and will be contacting those guests affected as we know the impact on their holiday bookings.

Longer term all holidays are back on sale based on normal dates.

Volcanic eruption disrupts flights

H2Opaddle — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 10:45:10 +0000

An ash cloud from a volcanic eruption in Iceland has caused UK airports to close today.

All H2O guests affected will be contacted directly but if you are concerned please call or email us.

Nobody overseas should be affected but again if you are concerned please contact the duty phone number in your Travel Brief or speak to our local representative.

Jamie Does ... Marrakesh

H2Opaddle — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 10:07:10 +0000

Did you catch Jamie Oliver in Marrakesh, Morocco, on Channel 4 last night? Trying out the street food and family kitchens of Marrakesh. Dishes like slow-roasted lamb in cumin and almond and rose water cakes. It gave a great flavour of the city...

If its wet your appetite but you’d like to combine Marrakesh with something active in the Atlas mountains take a look at our paddle holidays in Morocco all of which start with a day or two in Marrakesh itself

For more about Channel4

Paddle Round the Pier 2010

H2Opaddle — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 19:44:10 +0000

Paddle Round the Pier 2010 is on at Brighton beach 3-4 July

As those of you that made it down will know (and we met up with guests from the Lakes & even one from Scotland!!) the Paddle is a great event, as well as being Europe's biggest FREE beach festival

This year the team have a hot collection of events going on On Shore. Plus plenty of entertainments for kids & adults alike.

For more about Phuket Gazette

Whale & Dolphin Species Guide

H2Opaddle — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 08:34:10 +0000

The Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society (WDCS) has launched a comprehensive on-line guide to whales and dolphins. The species guide provides interesting and easy to use insights into their habitats and behaviour.

The guide also includes maps showing where the different species are found, some great images and a threat index which highlights the level of danger facing each species. It also comes in English, German and Spanish.

For More Information WDCS Species Guide

Know Before You Go

H2Opaddle — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 11:19:10 +0000

Now that you have Booked your Holiday check that you have got everything you need Before You Go?

Our 'Before You Go' pages are intended to provide you with information to help ensure your holiday goes as smoothly as possible. Take a few minutes to look through them as they contain general advice that you will need and may already be wondering about.

These pages are regularly reviewed and updated so if there is something you think we're missing please Contact Us and let us know.

For more information Before You Go

Open Canoe from chopsticks

H2Opaddle — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 09:15:10 +0000

This story is infact an old report from Japan but had to pass it on

A former city employee in the Fukushima prefecture town of Koriyama has built a 4-meter long canoe from thousands of used disposable chopsticks recovered from the city hall cafeteria. Bothered that perfectly good wood was going to waste after a single use, Shuhei Ogawara — whose job at city hall involved working with the local forestry industry — spent the last two years of his career collecting used chopsticks from the cafeteria. An experienced canoe builder, Ogawara spent over 3 months gluing 7,382 chopsticks together into strips to form the canoe shell, to which he added a polyester resin coat. The canoe weighs about 30 kilograms, which is a bit heavier than an ordinary cedar canoe, but Ogawara is confident it will float. A launching ceremony is planned for May at nearby Lake Inawashiro.

What a way to save the planet. I wonder if he did ever float it.

Source: Asahi

Healthy River Systems

H2Opaddle — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 07:15:10 +0000

Find out what goes into, and what we get out of, healthy river systems or just enjoy the cool interactive graphic from The Nature Conservancy.

For more information The Nature Conservancy

Crazy Canoe Jump!

H2Opaddle — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 16:35:10 +0000

Don't try this at home (or if you do wear a lid!)

Trying to develop a bombproof Roll?

H2Opaddle — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 16:10:10 +0000

For any one trying to perfect their roll.
Not 100% on both sides yet?
Don't fret its an age old problem as you can see from this b&w movie re-discovered by WDCC.

The Titanic Roll

Learn to paddle or develop your skills, including your role, on a Paddle Clinic

Surf Kayak Inspiration

H2Opaddle — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 11:50:10 +0000

If you've ever thought of Surf Kayaking we think this short interview with Dennis Judson, organisor of Santa Cruz Kayaksurf Festival, is an inspiration. If you've got an extra 10 minutes watch the video at the end of the article.

Anyone fancy a trip to California this year (26-28 March 2010)

For more information Interview on Playak

Shoreham Sea Kayaks Sale

H2Opaddle — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 14:15:10 +0000

We just heard from Pete at Shoreham Sea Kayaks. He's selling up his current stock of boats.

For those lucky enough to have a few £££'s spare he's got a great sale on the last of his Tahe Marine boats. But its literally the last few so once they are gone, they're gone!

For more information Shoreham Sea Kayaks

Lundy England's first MCZ

H2Opaddle — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 18:50:10 +0000

The waters around Lundy Island, aka 'Britain's Galapagos', became England's first marine conservation zone yesterday as the government project to create a network of protected areas in the seas began.

Lundy, a popular English sea kayaking destination, lies 10 miles off the coast of north Devon where the Atlantic meets the Bristol channel (click on the link above for podcast by Simon Willis).

The creation of the marine conservation zone (MCZ) around the island under the Marine Act is effectively just a name change for the site, which has been a marine nature reserve for more than 20 years.

But over the next two years, plans for a network of protected zones will be drawn up around English, Welsh and Northern Irish waters under the Marine and Coastal Access Act, which was passed last year.

For more information Guardian News

New website for Valley

H2Opaddle — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 08:50:10 +0000

Valley Sea Kayaks have launched their new website and logo

Valley, makers of the Nordkapp Sea Kayak, are still working to get the site finished stating

'Whilst the site is now live we are still in the process of populating some areas, so if you find a page isn’t working or something is factually incorrect please come back in a few days, when hopefully things will have changed'

We've been there & know what that's like so wish them all the luck with it.

For more information www.valleyseakayaks.com

Gear stolen from GUCC

H2Opaddle — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 10:50:10 +0000

Gear stolen from a locked store at Glasgow University Canoe Club.

Incase you are offered anything on the cheap there are more details on Simon's blog follow link below.

For more information SimonWillis.net

H2Opaddle now on Twitter

H2Opaddle — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 14:45:10 +0000

You can now stay intouch with H2Opaddle via Twitter @ H2Opaddle

For more information H2Opaddle on Twitter

H2O video, helping you choose

H2Odive — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 09:20:10 +0000

In order to help make the right choice for your next holiday look out for the H2O video logo on the holiday guides.

Click on the logo and a new page will open with video footage we hope will give you a true impression of what you might expect from your holiday.

Throw Bags Safety Notice

H2Opaddle — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 14:34:19 +0000

Crewsaver have identified a potential safety issue with a small number of their Yak Throw Lines sold between May 2009 and September 2009.

Yak Safety Notice

Large-scale Dam Removal!!

H2Opaddle — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 06:36:10 +0000

The New York Time reports on the large scale removal of dams across the USA at a rate of about 40 a year. A boon for paddlers as America's Rivers are uncorked.

The article states that, according to the group American Rivers, 430 dams, large and small, have been removed across the country since 1999.

New York Times' Article

Madagascar Round the Outside

H2Opaddle — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 08:30:10 +0000

Solo adventurer Riaan Manser has just paddled 5000km and, 11 months after setting off, has become the first person to circumnavigate Masdagascar by kayak, alone and unaided.

Riaan Manser

2009 World Waveski Surfing Titles

H2Opaddle — Fri, 27 Jun 2009 08:30:10 +0000

OK so it may only be open to a crazy few but Mavericks today announced that the official waiting period for The 2009/2010 Mavericks Surf Contest® will open on November 1, 2009. Mavericks CEO Keir J. Beadling summed up the excitement, saying, “We’re thrilled to announce that this year’s big-wave contest season will begin earlier than ever before. We have long understood the importance of increasing the size of the contest window[...]

Why, Why, Why do this?

H2Opaddle — Fri, 18 Jun 2009 09:39:10 +0000

When Tyler Bradt first saw the drop of Washington’s Palouse Falls with its 2,000 cubic foot per second flow surely he should have said 'lets go get a cup of tea'. But then if he had I guess he wouldn't be an extreme kayaker!!!

You need to watch this film clip, even if your idea of excitement is taking a slice of lemon instead of milk in your cuppa.

For further information refer to

National Geographic Adventure

Take a dram with a clear concience

H2Opaddle — Fri, 18 Jun 2009 09:39:10 +0000

The WWF reports that Scottish distillers, makers of iconic Scotch whiskies, have agreed to ‘green’ their production processes, so that whisky drinking paddlers everywhere will soon be able to sit back with a single malt and know they are helping to fight climate change.

For further information refer to

WWF News

Campaign for Our Rivers

H2Opaddle — Thu, 18 May 2009 08:11:19 +0000

Current Government proposals under new EU legislation need to be more ambitious if they are to deliver the positive change needed to protect Britain’s rivers, according to the campaign Our Rivers being launched today by WWF, RSPB, Angling Trust and the Association of Rivers Trusts.

Our Rivers is calling on river groups and users across the country to take this opportunity to stand up for their rivers by sharing their knowledge with the EA. The website (www.ourrivers.org.uk) is a key component of the campaign, enabling people to submit their views, to campaign at local level, win support from their MP and take action to increase the profile of Our Rivers. Information gathered through the website will be presented to the EA and Ministers as a formal request for action - to which they now have a legal obligation to respond.

It is hoped that the launch of Our Rivers will provide a means to identify the issues facing our rivers and enable comparison with the EA’s assessment of the current situation. Urgent action is needed as proposals will be made by the EA to government Ministers in September and final decisions taken in December.

Our Rivers Campaign

Last chance to Paddle the Omo?

H2Opaddle — Thu, 16 May 2009 08:41:19 +0000

There is still time to book your holiday Rafting Ethiopia's Upper & Lower Omo River.

Rafting the Omo River is known as the the 'African Queen' of river journeys and 2009 may be the last time to appreciate her full navigable length. Construction of the Gibe III Dam on the lower section has commenced and it's expected that filling of the 150 km long reservoir will begin in 2011.

If you want to see the Omo in original form give us a call and reserve your place.

See what the BBC have to say about the Dam on the Omo

No new Luggage Charge with H2O

H2Opaddle — Sat, 21 Feb 2009 05:37:19 +0000

We have received an enquiry about the news that Thomas Cook Airlines is ending its free luggage allowances on flight-only bookings.

The new rules come in on March 2 and will end the current policy which allows passengers up to 15kg in the hold free of charge. Infuture all luggage will be charged for in line with standard practice in the ‘flight-only market’.

At H2Opaddle we use Thomas Cook Airlines’ charter flights, amongst others, into Turkey’s Dalaman Airport for our Sea Kayaking Turkey’s Turquoise Coast. However We’d like to reassure all H2Opaddle guests that this new policy has no affect on our holidays where we continue to include 20Kg checked luggage Free of charge on all our holidays.

For information on Airlines we use to other destinations go to our Airline Options page.

Google launches Google Ocean

H2Opaddle — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 15:08:03 +0000

Google has launched what’s claimed to be one of the most comprehensive 3D maps of the ocean floor in an upgrade to its free Google Earth project.

We think it could become a great resource, what do you think?

http://earth.google.com/ocean/

Meet us @ The Outdoor Show 2009

H2Opaddle — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 06:53:32 +0000

This year we are at The Outdoor Show at the Birmingham NEC 27-29 March 2009.

Come & see us in the Watersports section stand WS141 (close to the Brookbank stand)

There are loads of activities for you to take part in aswell as fun things going on.

For more information go to:
www.outdoorsshowextra.co.uk

Falkland Islands circumnavigate

H2Opaddle — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 07:36:31 +0000

After paddling 22 days in strong winds and seas, New York City based sea kayaker Marcus Demuth has successfully completed the world first circumnavigation of the Falkland Islands. The goal of the expedition was to be the first kayaker to successfully circumnavigate the 776 Falkland Islands and to document and study the marine wild life of the fairly inaccessible outer Falkland Islands.

Previous attempts to circumnavigate the Falkland Islands include two separate British Special Forces teams and a US team of two kayakers, all ending unsuccessfully.

Take a look at Marcus’ web site, his account of Sea Kayaking along Chile’s Patagonian coast made us smile!
marcusdemuth.com

Sea Kayak Guide(s) needed

H2Opaddle — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 14:15:37 +0000

Experienced Sea Kayak Guide(s) needed for summer 2009 season.

For full details go to

www.H2Opaddle.co.uk/Work_For_H2O.php

Marine & Coastal Access Bill

H2Opaddle — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 09:08:41 +0000

In the Queen’s speech the Government announced its intentions to introduce a bill to manage marine resources and to create a new right of public access to the coastline.

The marine inductries, represented by the BMF (Click Here) and environmental groups like the RSPB and the Marine Conservation Society (MCS) may clash on some points. Where do you stand/paddle?

For further information refer to
http://www.commonsleader.gov.uk/output/Page2458.asp

River outflows reduce CO2

H2Opaddle — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 18:56:34 +0000

Researchers have discovered a significant and surprising drawdown of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere into the tropical ocean by microorganisms living in the Amazon River’s outflow.

Other large tropical rivers of the world also may contribute to carbon capture, said Doug Capone, a marine scientist at the University of Southern California and co-author of the PNAS paper, adding that studies on such rivers are in progress.

So whilst the world needs clean energy and river Dams, on the face of it, provide this. Could it be said that Dam projects around the world are not only taking out stretches of white water but may also threaten this delicate balance.

NSF News

Sea Kayak New Zealand’s Bay of Islands

H2Opaddle — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 09:07:18 +0000

H2Opaddle have added Sea Kayaking in the Bay of islands, New Zealand to its worldwide paddling holidays.

The 2008-09 schedule will be published shortly but please call if you can’t wait.

Fishermen to Avoid Snaring Seabirds

H2Opaddle — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 09:03:33 +0000

Fishing fleets from more than 30 countries operating in the Atlantic and Pacific will now use new ways to avoid accidentally snaring seabirds that go after bait on long lines.

The new protections are the focus of strong international measures, promoted by NOAA, that go into effect this year.

The measures will help protect species, like the albatross, that fly far from land and whose populations are declining faster than most birds around the world, in part due to their incidental catch on fishing long lines used to catch tuna, swordfish and similar species.

For further information refer to
Click Here for NOAA news

Kayakers cross the Tasman

H2Opaddle — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 09:06:02 +0000

In the early hours of this morning, James Castrission and Justin Jones completed their 2200km crossing of the Tasman Sea, from Australia to New Zealand. They enter the record books as the first ever Tasman crossing and forth longest open water paddle in a kayak.

3000 miles (4827km) North Atlantic- Peter Bray
3000 miles (4827km) Atlantic Crossing, 1956, Hannes Lindemann
3000 miles (4827km) Atlantic Crossing, 1928, Franz Romer´s
2200 miles (3540km) Pacific journey- Ed Gillette (Para sail used)

For further information refer to
http://www.crossingtheditch.com.au