Wanted - SpeedStroke Gym - Kayak Ergometer.

Sometimes I really want to paddle, but just for the exercise. The weather may be too severe, or just too calm. It takes a lot of effort loading your gear into the car and driving off to a suitable launch point. And then of course there is the miserable job of rinsing the salt water out of your paddling equipment on return. These thoughts, together with the completion of the construction of a gym within my house, led me to the decision to purchase my own kayak ergometer.

Having reviewed the available machines, and spent many hours or days considering the wisdom of paying £1,995 ($3,154) for such a device, I decided to order the SpeedStroke Gym - kayak ergometer. This machine is used by many of the top Olympic teams including the US and Canadian paddlers. I wrestled with PayPal a bit and then made the decision to go ahead and add the machine to my shopping cart using the EliteCanoeing website, the sole UK distributors. I then received an email informing me that the price on the website, and in my shopping cart did not include VAT or postage. The final bill for the machine came to £2424 (approximately $3800)! The machine when purchased in the US for US delivery costs $2745. Unfortunately the US parent company will not supply me with a K1 Ergo.

So, if anyone out there has a new or good condition used SpeedStroke Gym - Kayak machine for sale, then please contact me here. If in the UK I may be able to collect it myself.

www.KAYAK.im

Kayaking Isle of Man - Oban Sea Kayak Race.

Ever get the feeling you've really messed up? I had that feeling when I arrived in Oban for the weekend recently only to witness the inaugural Oban Sea Kayak Race taking place. Of course, as I was half way through a job in a hospital about as far from the sea as you can get in Scotland, I didn't bring my kayak or my gear. To be honest I've never taken part in a paddling race before and I'm sure my lack of preparation would have meant that I lagged well behind, but it would have been nice just to take part.

The race circumnavigates the Island of Kerrera which is just off Oban. Much of the 20 km route is remote and exposed and I think just finishing would be an achievement in itself. A further great achievement is the over £1000 raised for the RNLI. The overall winner was John Willacy from Anglesey in an astonishing time of 1 hour 55 minutes and 41 seconds. You can read more about the race and perhaps sign up for next years at www.obanseakayakrace.org .

www.KAYAK.im

Sea Kayaking Isle of Man- Big Tides!

Jess, Ian and myself back in the Calf Sound tidal races.
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