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I don't have a problem with the term Freestyle as it relates to the interpretive side of the "sport". The individual maneuvers have been given names, so that they may be defined, taught and understood as individual components. We can debate as to whether better names could have been chosen, some...

Thanks Tom. I couldn't have said it better myself. Come to think of it, I couldn't have said it as well.

I feel qualified to speak to the term "functional freestyle" as I believe, I coined that phrase. When I began learning the various maneuvers that are taught in the freestyle curriculum, I recognized how they applied to and improved my performance in both touring and whitewater. Other freestyle...

I agree that the article doesn't distinguish between "functional freestyle" and "interpretive freestyle". I can tell you, from 1st hand knowledge, that the film only deals with the interpretive end and that the film uses the "sport" as a means to develop the script's characters rather than to...

A bit over a year ago, USCA dropped their insurance coverage. The stated reason was cost. They told all event organizers to purchase their own insurance. For instructional events such as the freestyle symposiums, the available policies (at least those that we researched) cover the event...

Jim, I believe I met you, a couple of weeks ago on the Itch. I was paddling a Savage River Illusion. We sat in an eddy and chatted for a few minutes. Marc

I didn't either, until I moved to Florida.

Coating the foot area with varnish or UV Shield, as Swift recommends, are good options but also consider wearing some sort of light weight protection on your feet. I generally wear a pair of thin, synthetic (nylon or polyester) socks. They not only protect my feet from abrasion but also from...

All of my solo canoes are symmetrical and all have seats with the front edge, approximately 5" behind C/L. I find that any "fine tuning" necessary can be accomplished by kneeling a bit more forward or aft or by tossing my day-pack further forward or aft as necessary. Getting too hung up on EXACT...

The ultra-light, freestyle paddle that I've been working on, for the past several weeks, is complete and ready to be shipped. It's made of paulonia and walnut with a 4 oz. fiberglass facing. It has a 38" shaft & 20" blade for an overall length of 58" and a finished weight of 21 oz.

The 1st step was isolating the best grain patterns and sectioning the board into lengths, suitable for paddle blades. Each piece was cut to half of the finished width, as they will each be resawn and milled into book-matched halves which will then be glued together, with mirror image grain. For...

Yesterday I found a local hardwoods supplier, in a nearby town. Nice fellow with a small sawmill. He has contacts and imports logs from all over the country and some from abroad. He saw, planes, dries and stores his inventory, inside. Long story short, I purchased one, expensive, though I think...

Any of the woods you stated would be fine for your purpose. Thwarts are only occasionally and intermittently exposed to water so rot is really not an issue (unless the boat is inappropriately stored). If you wish to provide the ultimate in protection, when all cutting, drilling, etc. is...

Nice. What boat is that?

I agree with you Tom. Simply, for purposes of this discussion, I was trying to simplify/clarify.

All good points Glenn.

Acquiring paulownia is difficult. My understanding is that it originally came from the orient and was planted in the states both as an ornamental tree and also in experimental plantations for possible lumber harvest. In recent years it has been deemed to be invasive. In many areas efforts are...

I'm shooting for 19 oz. It's a 38" shaft with a length overall of 58". I'll post the actual weight when finished.

Currently working on an ultra-light FreeStyle Paddle. Paulownia and walnut. In the 1st photo I am applying a sealer coat of epoxy to the sanded blade. In the second photo, a layer of 4 oz. fiberglass cloth has been applied. The weight of the clothespins help keep the cloth wrapped around the...

Well said.