Greenland vs Euro blade paddling
By: Lee Richardson What is the difference between Greenland and Euro blade paddling There are many forms of kayaking and within these different subcategories lives two separate styles recognized easily by the paddle used. There are Euro blade and Greenland paddle styles, and if you have not encountered both in some way yet then this will be super interesting for you. There is always the…
How Made Kayaks was Made
An interview with Ron Crown, the creator of Made Kayaks We love working in the outdoor adventure market. We love inspiring others to get out there and getting out there ourselves. We are grateful to those inventive minds that create the gear that helps us do our jobs and get out there ourselves. One of these inventive minds is Ron Crown, the creator of Made…
Adventure Vehicles: life on the road
By Russell Henry Home is where the adventures are. Adventure Vehicles: homes on wheels Living in British Columbia almost everyone has a backyard bike trail, local climbing crag, or after work class 3 river run. It’s when we start to look beyond our local areas that we discover so much more of the wild world of adventure. We make longer and longer drives for weekend…
Gear for Winter Kayaking
By Lee Richardson What gear do you need to wear when kayaking in cold water or the winter? Winter kayaking means a change in the gear we need to bring with us. There are 3 main pieces of gear that you may want to consider having if you don’t already: something to cover your hands something to cover your head something to give protection from…
Proper care for a Baffled Jacket
How to keep your Baffled, or puffy, jacket in great shape We have all seen those baffled, or puffy quilt looking, winter jackets around town. Heck, you are probably the proud owner of one if you are reading this! They keep us warm and cozy and make for great pillows in a pinch. Proper care for a technical jacket is vital to its longevity…
How to pick a winter jacket for the west coast
What to look for in a winter jacket for the west coast It is that time of year again. The leaves are changing colours, the mornings are darker and the evenings shorter. Autumn is here on the west coast and it will not be long before winter has come as well. For some, this is the worst news they have heard all year. For others,…
Why Hammocks Rock
Hammocks: the fun way to pack light and camp We all loved hammocks as a kid even though it wasn’t always easy to figure out how to get into them. Hammocks as shelter have recently taken off in western cultures although they have been around for a very long time. A hammock is a very versatile option to replace the conventional tent shelter for outdoor…
How to care for Goretex
Proper maintenance and care for Goretex and other waterproof fabrics We all love our Goretex on the west coast – or should we say wet coast. There is always that fear, however, of being out on the trail when the rain kicks in and as you look down at your sleeve you notice some of the drops absorbing rather than beading up. So what can…
Why you need to wear sunglasses
How to find the right sunglasses, and why you need to get them TODAY We all think about sunglasses in the summer time when it is bright out and harder to see. Plus who doesn’t like finally getting to put on their sunglasses and walk outside to a bright summer day? Sunglasses, however, are such an important accessory that they should be worn year round.…
Paddling Traditional Skin on Frame Kayaks with ‘Made Kayaks’
Out of a workshop on Gabriola Island, a ‘skin on frame’ kayak called the ‘Squid’ is being made. What makes this kayak unique is that it comes as a kit that can be assembled in a couple of weekends with just a few basic tools. The kayak is the inspiration of Ron Crown, an animator by profession and a kayak designer and builder by passion.…
