The Global Paddling Community

"Easy Step-by-Step DVDBuild your own lightweight surf kayak and experience the thrill of having the speed to "make the section" that was impossible with your whitewater kayak. Don't let the high cost of a composite surf kayak keep you out of the wave action. Only two weeks to completion!This DVD follows North Carolina designer Ralph Beer from start to finish of the Surfyak II. It shares Ralph's simple techniques to build the hull, cockpit rim, and outfitting a custom fitted seat. In addition to construction details, watch Ralph and his friends shred the waves in the boats "sea trials". SurfYaks feature a simple construction that results in an exceptionally strong, lightweight hull. What looks like a simple wood boat is in reality an advanced composite structure. The only materials you need to purchase are two 1/8" 4 x 8 sheets of luan plywood (commonly called "door skins"), a 10' length of 1x4 pine, epoxy resin, fiberglass cloth, outfitting foam for the seat, glue, and ?" brad nails. Total cost: $100 - $150 depending on how many you build. A well-crafted boat will weigh less than 20 pounds.After watching this boat in action...

"Carolina kayak designer Ralph Beer adopted design and construction techniques from the high performance Surfyak surf kayak (www.surfyak.com) into a lightweight, easy to build touring kayak. The Touryak 12 is a delight for paddlers of all skill levels to paddle. The wide, flat bottom floats you high so you can explore the shallows. The sharp rails make this boat track straight and true. Even beginning paddlers don't zigzag! The low deck profile cheats the wind and reduces "weather cocking" in side winds. Weighing just 30 pounds or less, there is no problem getting the Touryak on and off your car. Women love to be able to "man handle" their own boats to the water. (Macho men love it too. We just can't admit that hoisting a heavy clunker almost blew our shoulder out of its socket...)Materials for your Touryak cost less than $150. This recreational kayak can easily be built in less than 2 weeks using 1/8" luan plywood, fiberglass cloth, and epoxy with common woodworking tools. The video contains a complete step by step guide to layout and construction. You will also learn about composite structures and basic techniques on how to work with...

Your first bicycle wasn't a tandem, was it? Of course not-it was a solo bicycle. Just saying the words "solo bicycle" seems sort of strange. Just as bicycles are primarily solo and tandems are the rare exception, canoes are often considered tandem by default, with the solo canoe filling in around the margins.Despite their relative obscurity, solo canoes are often the perfect craft to fulfill your paddling needs. Instructor and Solo Canoe Evangelist, Darren Bush, demonstrates that the art of paddling the solo canoe is totally available to anyone willing to invest a few hours learning basic concepts and strokes. A solo canoeist for over twenty years, Darren has taught literally hundreds of people how to paddle both canoes and kayaks. His greatest passion is teaching beginners the joy of "goin' solo".-Features solo canoes from Wenonah Canoes. -Running time is approx. 58 minutes. -Shot in widescreen 16:9 format. -A high definition version is in the works as well. - Vol.II - Advanced paddling techniques for solo canoeing is coming this fall. - Additional content is in the works, please check our website, as well as the podcast section of iTunes...