Running On Water

The Vibram, FiveFingers barefoot running shoe, is one of the most unique innovations in footwear produced in the last ten years. The FiveFingers shoe mimics the motion of running shoeless and allows the wearer to feel and respond to the surface they travel over.

But it takes some time to get used to. Wearing soled shoes for your whole life makes you walk a certain way. Adjusting to the FiveFingers is a process, not an overnight transition.

The reward is worth the awkward first outings. A shoeless jaunt to the store can easily become the highlight of your day, as your feet experience the dynamic surface changes between your home and your destination.

'FiveToes' Seems More Appropriate

Moving from a fiberglass kayak to a skin kayak can hold a similar feeling of trepidation.

Fiberglass owners are separated from the water surface they paddle over, so it is natural to feel overwhelmed when transitioning to a skin design. Some paddlers may experience a need for the security that a rigid hull provides, but the aluminum framework provided by a Feathercraft is just as strong or stronger than a hard bottom boat.

The thrill comes from feeling the motion of the sea beneath your kayak. The skin actively responds to varying sea conditions, cutting through swells and absorbing wave energy.

If you haven't tried a skin kayak, you haven't really kayaked.

See for yourself!

Test-paddle a boat at our Feathercraft Factory or approach one of our worldwide kayak dealers. We promise you won't want to ever go back to the hard 'sole' of a fiberglass boat.

The Highways of Venice

Feathercraft. Made in Canada. Paddled Worldwide. 

Navigation Lessons

Navigation is an important tool for sea kayakers of all abilities. From recognizing landmarks, to studying tidal charts, to using a compass, any paddler who intends to leave shore should have a basic navigation tool set.

If you're looking to upgrade or start from scratch, there are a variety of courses available to improve your nautical precision.

Here are two options for those living in Vancouver, Canada:

• David Dreves Kayaking, a tour, rental and instruction company, is offering a variety of courses both on the water and on land. 'Coffee shop' sessions offer information on marine forecasts, compass work, chart reading and trip planning. Each session is $20. The spring schedule has not been posted.

http://www.kayakcourses.ca/

• Deep Cove Canoe and Kayak is offering a theoretical and practical navigation course for intermediate paddlers. The course is a full day lesson, running out of Whytecliff Park, in West Vancouver. The first half of the day is spent learning the skills, well the second half is spent putting them into practice. This course costs $120. It is being offered on June 30th and again on August 11th.

 http://www.deepcovekayak.com/rental-and-lessons/

Hope to see you in the classroom!

Feathercraft. Made in Canada. Paddled Worldwide. 

Kayak Spotlight: "Klondike"

The Klondike is one of our most adaptable boats that we make. It can be used as a single kayak, a double or a double with a smaller third party option, for a child or pet.

Its unique open deck design allows you the flexibility (there's that word again) to alter your boat’s structure with a simple seat adjustment, crossrib move and a change of spray skirts. 

The open deck design gives you easy access to edible items, fishing gear or camera equipment.

The Klondike is considered a medium volume kayak, with a recommended max trip length of two weeks.

Klondike's Specs:

Skill Level: Intermediate

Assembly: 45 min

Length: 5.43 m x 77.5 cm (17' 10" x 31")

Weight: 34.25 kg (75.5 lbs)

Cockpit Size: 209 cm x 53 cm (83" x 20.75")

Rudder: Included

Borrowing a certain slogan from a delicious ice cream bar company - we ask the question:
"What would you do 'with' a Klondike?"
We would paddle the world. And we have. 

Feathercraft. Made in Canada. Paddled Worldwide.