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TAO OF PADDLING ©
"Tao" (pronounced "Dow") originates in ancient Eastern traditions and means "The Way". To represent Tao, the symbol of the Yin/Yang is often used. The circular shape of the Yin/Yang symbolizes the continuing cycle of the Tao. Like the ebb and flow of the tide, the Tao has no beginning and no end. The two adjacent colors of the Yin/Yang symbolize the opposing and competing forces that we may experience in our lives. An inner feeling of peace comes from maintaining a dynamic balance between these opposing forces and is often called a "Zen" state. In paddling, it's the total experience of being "at one" and in harmony with your paddle, boat and the water. It's an intense sense of connectedness with the entire universe that even the most descriptive words cannot fully describe. The Tao of Paddling can only be experienced.
Life is like a river. Wisdom is knowing when to paddle and when to float. There's a time to grab your paddle and forge your way ahead in life and there's a time to just chill, relax and just go with the flow.
Since I live just a few miles from the beach at the Jersey Shore, so when the weather gets warm, it's off to the water. After tossing my kayak on my Jeep and heading towards the Ocean or Bay, I quickly leave the stress from my job, graduate school and other daily pressures behind. My kayak is my escape. In my kayak, I feel very connected to, and in harmony with the earth, the sea & sun and everything natural. I love the peaceful, easy feeling of the sun on a hot summer day and also the intense workout of navigating through rough winds and currents. For 'rodeo style' adventure I've ventured through the Manasquan and Shark River Inlets. It's Insanity on the high sea! The swells are huge, but it's usually nonstop action. My favorite 'Zen' spots are on the Barnegat Bay near Lavallette and on the tidal portion of Mullica River. The orange purple sunsets there are spectacular and it's a great meditational spot to recharge body, mind and spirit. Once a month, on a clear, hot summer night, there's nothing more tranquil than a quiet paddle on the Shark River under an oversized and bright orange full moon. Occasionally, I like to howl.
Curious Harbor Seals can be spotted in the Great Bay near Tuckerton, NJ Sunset at Round Valley Reservoir, Lebanon, NJ
Since I started sea kayaking, my garage has gotten crowded with kayaks. I use a Hobie Pursuit to play around in the ocean and to surf the waves at Bay Head, Mantoloking or Corson's Inlet. The Pursuit is a recreational sit on top kayak (as opposed to a more hard-core surf kayak) but it's hull design makes it one of the more efficient and faster tracking boats in the sit-on-top market. It cuts through the surf with ease and works fine for my current level of kayak surfing. I'm not interested in entering any kayak surf or rodeo competitions. Although I sometimes still leave the surf pretty banged up, the black and blues are usually worthwhile, especially if I catch a few waves which surge my brain with adrenaline. YeeeHaaa! This is the Tao of Paddling . . . natural euphoria!
For long distance touring, I paddle a Perception Eclipse and usually enjoy paddling in the Manasquan, Metedeconk and Shark Rivers which are in my local paddling region. The bays of NJ also offer some great paddling. On a recent paddle trip on the Great Bay in Tuckerton, I paddled with about 15 curious harbor seals popping up and down in the waters around my kayak. I never even knew we could see seals in NJ waters before I started kayaking. (Yes, they were alive!)
Sunset paddling - Roanoke Sound in the Outer Banks of North Carolina Exploring the uninhabited, tropical North Pelican Cay in the Bahamas
I like meeting paddlers from near and far for day trips in my area of the Central NJ Shore and from faraway places. I've paddled the waters of Hawaii, the Bahamas and every year I escape the hustle and bustle of Ocean County and head down to the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Last year in the Outer Banks, I kayaked in the ocean with dolphin less than 10 feet away from me.
I am always interested in touring more of the waterways around south Jersey such as the Mullica and Bass Rivers. If anyone is interested in guiding a tour around these areas, or paddling a tour in my area, drop me an email. Be sure to type "Paddling" in the subject/message box so I know it's not junkmail or SPAMmail.
Whether you are a beginner, expert, fanatic or just looking to find out more about paddlesports, I've developed some original sites and compiled an extensive list of paddling related links to enhance your paddling journey.
Hope to see you on the water . Keep your paddle wet!
- Darren
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MORE OF MY ORIGINAL PAGES |
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Get In The Flow
Experience a phenomena called "Synchronicity" which helps us to lead creative, spiritual, healthy and fulfilled lives |
The Kayak
Chronicles Trip reports, stories and photos from some of my paddling adventures |
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NJ Paddle
Zone Links to NJ paddling clubs & associations, outfitters, places, events and environmental organizations |
About WWRivrRat A little more about me |
A wild novel about whitewater rafting, kayaking and a journey into the heart and souls of men,
Two Dog River by Richard Day
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PADDLING RESOURCES |
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| All About Rivers.com - Whitewater paddling links featuring a virtual river guidebook, photos, video clips, outfitters, real time river/stream flows and some very cool screensavers. | Paddle Wise A semi moderated mailing list for discussion of paddle related topics such as training & safety, equipment, gear and boat design. Also includes paddle stories, photo album and other paddling links. |
| Adventure Sports PaddleSport Directory - A very comprehensive directory of kayaking, canoeing and rafting resources including outfitters, safety, gear, books, river gauges and descriptions and much more. | Paddling.net Directory of paddling resources including buyers guide, outfitters, classified, links, photography, bookstore and a weekly paddling forum. This is a great resource. |
| Boater Talk - Hosts a number of paddling forums which include Whitewater General Discussion, Lost/Found/Stolen, Gear Swap and Surf Zone for those who want info on kayaking in the surf. | Playak.com Information on whitewater playspots, waterfalls, freestyle events, boats, moves, rodeo results and more. |
| GoKayaking.com Features information about paddling news, clubs, gear, manufacturers, trips & tours and paddling schools. | SeaKayakInstructor.com A great "resource repository" where you can contribute and download a variety of paddling resources that other instructors have contributed to. A great paddling resource! |
| Great Outdoors Recreation Pages (GORP) - Paddling Guide A large list of links to whitewater and sea kayaking sources. Covers gear, reading, clubs and associations, online resources, and more. | SEE Kayak Search Directory of sea kayak clubs, organizations and businesses, trip and technique forums, publications and personal paddling homepages. |
| KayakGuide.com A place to share canoeing & kayaking routes. Submit a route and get a free t-shirt. | Sit-on-top Kayaking.com A paddling place in cyberspace for open cockpit kayakers which includes a directory of books, articles, kayak stats, classified ads and discussion forum. |
| Northeast Paddler's Message Board A very well utilized paddling forum which also includes trip reports, events calender, gear reviews, online bookshop, paddle chatroom, news and paddler directory, glossary & FAQ and safety information. | Ultimate Directory of Sea Kayaking More than 400 links to companies that make and sell kayaks, kayaking gear and accessories specifically for sea kayaking. It also includes links to Sea Kayak WebRing, clubs, educational material and countless other points of interest to sea kayakers. |
| Outdoor Life Network OLN Adventure TV offers some great paddling and other outdoor sports-related programming. | University of Sea Kayking ( USK ) An excellent resource promoting sea kayaking safety & education |
| Wave~Length Paddling Network Geographic & alphabetic index to paddling guides, outfitters, retailers, manufacturers and clubs, links to environmental and paddling resources around the Internet and the current issue of Wave~Length Paddling Magazine. | |
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CATALOG / MAIL ORDER PADDLING GEAR |
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| Altrec.com | Garmin | OutdoorPlay.com | Sierra South Mountain Sports |
| Aquapac | KoKatat | Patagonia Paddle Wear | Stohlquist |
| Campmor Adventure Gear | L.L. Bean | RapidStyle Paddle Gear | |
| Cool Skool Paddling | Northwest River Supply | REI | |
| Eastern Mountain Sports | Nantahala Outdoor Center | Rutabaga Paddlesport Shop | |
| Aquabound Paddles Rugged, light and well-built paddles at a reasonable price. I've been using one of these for years! Highly recommended! | |||
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PADDLING MAGAZINES |
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| Canoe & Kayak | Kayak | Paddler | Sea Kayaker |
| Wave~Length | |||
[Email WWRivrRat] [Synchronicity HomE] [About WWRivrRat]
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