So last week was not the kind of week that will get you in shape for a 350 mile trip of windsurfing and kayaking.  Work and laziness have a way of de-motivating me.  I know that I should just get out of bed earlier but that might require more self-discipline than I actually have. 

The week was not a total loss; I did get in a few days of resistance training and a day of aerobics with some light paddling on the weekend.  My diet is in need of some serious work though. 

This week will be better.  I feel a change in the air.

 

See you on the water.

Trey

 I was able to do a SUP session on Lake Jackson on Saturday after work.  The weather was great but the wind was light and inconsistant.  I was able to paddle for about an hour and than set the sail for some light air sailing.

 

Here is a photo of the next KUIANA.  I will have it ready for the EC and it will be crazy cool!

 

 

Here is a summary of my fitness program for this week.

 

Monday -upper body resistance training

Teusday  -  20 mis on the bike

Wednesday-  upper body resistance training

Thursday -  wimped out

Friday - upper body resistance trining

Saturday  -  paddling and sailing

 

I have a long way to go to be ready for the EC. 

Time to get into EC shape!!!

With only 88 days left to get into shape for the Everglades Challenge I have decided to post my fitness goals and accomplishments on a weekly basis.  This will help me stay focused and motivated for the next three months.  I have much work to do in getting the KULEANA ready for the race and twice as much getting myself ready.
To help me get from here to there I have developed the fitness program I call...


                                        "THE FIT FOR ADVENTURE LIFE STYLE"

• Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings: 45 mins. of circuit training - four sets (25,20,15,max reps)  per exercise.
• Tuesday, Thursday and Saturdays mornings: 30-45 mins. of interval aerobics to include paddling and cycling.
• Saturday afternoons (after work): long windsurfing sailing or paddling.
• Every other weekend: camp from boat for practice loading and seting up camp gear.
• Flexability exercises along with meditation to be done in evenings.

Time on the water is the best form of training for long distance windsurfing, but having to work 6 days a week is putting a real damper on my leisure time.  I am far from being a fitness junky, so staying motivated will be a real challenge.  So please post some positive vibes and keep me motivated!!

Until next week...Leave nothing but a wake!!!

Into the sunset!

Some guys spend their Saturday afternoon on the golf course, others on the mower.  I prefer to spend it on the Kuleana doing some fishing and exploring.

 

 

Sunset on Tampa Bay

The Kuleana is wide enough and stable enough to put a large cooler on the deck and comfortably fish. 

I didn't even break the camera

Note the cooler with the rod holder.

It was a fantastic afternoon of sailing. The winds were out of the west at a light 6 to 8 kts.  As the sun set in the west I ghosted along on a down wind run back to the boat ramp. 

Taking time to explore the island.


While some sailors wait for high winds to go windsurfing, with the Kuleana I can sail in any type of weather and still have a great time.  What a great way to watch the sun set!



 

Sanibel Island

June 1^st.

Winds out of the SW at 12 - 15kts with gusts near 18kts.

I was to meet Josh (aka Tidetraveller) to discuss the possibility of using the Kuleana for the Everglades Challenge (http://watertribe.org/) a 350 mile adventure race down the west coast of Florida.  Josh successfully completed the 350 mile race this year using a Hobie Adventure Island.   Josh, being a true adventurer, wants to complete the race on windsurfer or paddle board.  So to give him a chance to test sail the Kuleana and perhaps determine if it would work for such an adventure we agreed to meet on the causeway leading onto Sanibel Island. 

The weather was great for testing the boat.  We had a nice strong wind blowing from the WSW with an occasional rain cloud as a frontal system moved across the state.  Josh brought along his stand-up board that he had retro-fitted for a sail.  We spent a couple of hours racing back and forth in the bay comparing notes and discussing possible options for the race. 

We both agreed that with some modifications to the design at least one Kuleana will be at the starting line for the 2013 Everglades Challenge.

Since I was in the area I thought I might as well spend a couple of nights on Sanibel and do some exploring.  I have heard lots of good things about the area but have never been made the time to visit.  So after a few hours of sailing with Josh we packed up and I headed for the Periwinkle Campground on Sanibel Island. 

Periwinkle Trailer Park & Campground is a nice park that has a limited number of tent sites.  I was able to reserve a site with electric hookup but never needed to use the electric.  Here in Florida, June it can get pretty uncomfortable to sleep at night, so I brought along a fan.  But because of the overcast rainy weather on Friday the temps were pleasant and I had no trouble sleeping in my tent.

Once I had my tent set up and camp in order, I set out to explore the island by bike.  I thought ahead enough to remember my bike and I am glad that I did.  Sanibel has a great bike trail so once you are on the island you don’t really need to ever use your car.

If you get to Sanibel you have to visit Doc Ford's Rum Bar & Grill.  Order the Yucatan Shrimp.  You will love it!!!

On Saturday I rigged the Kuleana and sailed out to some of the islands north of the causeway.  Some of these are great for camping on, and would make a great stopping point if doing the EC.

This island just a few miles north of the Sanibel causway would make a geat place to camp.

Can you find the trail through the mangrove?

Another beautiful Gulf coast sunset on Sanibel Island... decompression time.

 Sanibel is a great place to visit. 

Fishing (or not) on the KULEANA

Two weeks ago I rigged the KULEANA for some stand-up-paddle fishing and headed over to Bishop Harbor on Tampa Bay.  This area is one of Tampa Bay's best fishing spots with lots of turtle grass and mangroves for the redfish, sea trout and snook.  Of course, the fish had nothing to fear from me.  In fact, I could hear a collective sigh of relief coming from the bay as I loaded my cooler and rods onto the boat. Truthfully I would rather paddle around than fish.  I have an incessant desire to see what is around the next bend or what might be lurking in the next deep hole or what is up the next mangrove tunnel.  I suppose it is a version of ADD, but I just can't sit still long enough to actually figure out what the fish are biting on.  But thats OK, right?  The way I see it, I am having a great time and I am helping my fellow fisherman by increasing his odds of catching the fish I am too distracted  to catch. 

 Note the cooler with rod holders.  The cooler also serves as a seat when I get too lazy to stand.

 The water was just too tempting; I had to go for a swim.

                          I suppose the other fishermen in the bay thought I must have fallen in.  It was a nice refreshing swim.
                                                                            

Of course, I could not come home without taking out some of the trash left behind by others.  Notice the new bait bucket I found in the mangroves, it still has the tags on it.

On my way back to the boat ramp a storm began to form in the east providing a nice rainbow.

Looking back towards the west and Bishop Harbor the sun began its descent into the Gulf of Mexico. 

Another beautiful day on the water!  The fish were safe and I had a nice workout.

My next trip will be to the Sanibel Island area in a couple of weeks.  Do you think the fish down there will be as safe as the ones in Tampa Bay?

Kuleana living along the Peace River

As the skies began to clear here in central Florida, after two days of much needed rain, my wife and I decided to take a walk along the Peace River.  I did not have the time or energy to make it to the Gulf coast, but I wish I had.  The winds were blowing in the 20kts+ rang.  It would have been a great day for wave sailing.  So rather than letting the great weather pass without getting outdoors and enjoying the beauty of the river we took a walk.  

Our mantra at KULEANA ADVENTURES is to do our best to live in a responsible, sustainable way.  As you can see from the photos, we took a few minutes to clean up the area.  The part of the river we visited is frequented by people who kayak, fish, hunt for fossils and other wise use this section to enjoy being in the outdoors.  Not everyone is going to have the same sense of KULEANA living that we do, so we try to make up for what they lack by going a bit out of our way to clean up what they leave behind.  It’s not hard and we find that we actually feel good about what we can get done in just a few minutes of work.

Who knows what sea turtle or water fowl or bottle nose dolphin we might have saved by taking the time to pick up the trash left behind by others.  And it makes the great outdoors look nice for the next person.

Do you know what the most common form of trash found in our oceans is?  Take a look at the “findings” from the 2012 International Coastal Cleanup. 

http://www.oceanconservancy.org/our-work/marine-debris/2012-data-release.html

The KULEANA life style means enjoying the privilege of living on a beautiful planet, but at the same time taking care of it by living in a responsible way.  It's really not that hard to do!

KULEANA windsurfing at North Beach

Just a short video of a beautiful day at North Beach Ft. Desoto Florida.

New email contact info available

I have updated my contact info with a new email address.  For those who wish to email me with questions about the KULEANA Expedition Windsurfer, please feel free to contact me at: kuleanaadventures@gmail.com

KULEANA LIVING- We all cherish the privilege of living on this beautiful planet; we also have a responsibility to care for it.

Ten Thousand Islands and Goodland Florida

  The Ten Thousand Islands is an area of small mangrove islands located on the southern part of the state of Florida. It stretches from Marco Island all the way to the Florida Keys, an area of over 200,000 acres.  A large part of the Ten Thousand Islands is located where the River Of Grass, or what is commonly known of as The Everglades, empties into the Gulf of Mexico and is included in the Everglades National Park.  The islands are forever changing.  From the tides, hurricanes, and the constant pounding of the surf, the islands either grow larger or disappear altogether. It’s an area of intrigue, mystery and adventure.  Stories abound of people getting lost in the tangle of islands that mysteriously move, of wild monkeys that attack the unsuspecting boater, of old drug runners and pirates and of course the alligator eating pythons.  This is just the kind of place to go for a few days on the KULEANA Expedition Windsurfer.

I began my trip in the small backwater town of Goodland.  Goodland is a unique town that seems to somehow avoid the high priced development that took over Marco Island just to its west.  The town still has the flavor of old Florida, based on fishing and with a hint of tourism to keep it interesting. 

I launched from the new county boat ramp, and had to park my truck at Stan’s restaurant.  I asked the owner if I could leave my truck for a few days while I went exploring into the islands.  His only request was that I come in and eat a meal when I got back.  Not a problem.  After a few days out in the wilds a good cheeseburger always tastes great.

Stan's Restaurant on Goodland

Once loaded and paddling out into Coon Key Pass it occurred to me that I forgot my harness.  With a two hour trip back home out of the question, I would need to press on without it.  As it turned out the winds came up and filled in and I wished I had actually used my check list…for a change.

My goal was to sail to Panther Key.  Rumor has it that the pirate Juan Gomez spent time on this island in the 1870s.  I wanted to make this island my base camp and sail and paddle into the back country, fishing and exploring.  With my boat loaded heavily with plundered gold and jewels from the king of Spain…. I mean water, food, shelter and a rather large cooler filled with Jamaican Rum… I mean ice and cold water, the slog up wind was taking its toll on my old body.  It is amazing how much we windsurfers have come to appreciate a good harness.  As the crow flies Panther Key is only about seven miles from Goodland.  But with the winds coming out of the southeast and blowing in the neighborhood of 15kts I was only able to make it to a small island about 4 miles up wind of Goodland.  My GPS showed I had sailed over six miles to reach it.  The winds were perfect for a trip like this, if only I had my harness. 

My base camp

This Bald Eagle kept watch over the island all morning

The Island I landed on was made up old oyster shells.  It had a nice beach landing on the back side out of the wind and waves.  Here is a satellite view of my camp taken using the SPOT tracking device. http://www.findmespot.com/mylocation/?id=7SR4L

Mangrove jungle on my island

I set up camp, collected the needed firewood for the night, and cooked a good meal.  As I sat watching the sunset and the flames from my camp fire, I had to keep an eye out for scorpions.  I learned from past experience that the wood we find on these islands makes nice homes for scorpions.  Its aways a good idea to keep a stick handy to flick the little critters away or you may be sleeping with one.  With a nice breeze blowing across the beach and the waves lapping at the shore, I was fast asleep and had a great night’s sleep.

Whit Horse Key

The next morning after breakfast and a couple of cups of coffee I set sail for Panther Key.  As was the case the day before the winds were blowing out of the southeast and building to 12-16kts.  It was only 9am and I was headed for Panther key tacking out into the open water of the Gulf and then back into the lee of the islands for some needed rest.  My arms and lower back were beginning to let me know I am not as young as I once was.   With spray from the white caps splashing over my bow I kept fighting the tendency to hook into the nonexistent harness.  How frustrating!

Wade with a 30lb sting ray

 Along the way I sailed in behind White Horse Key for a much needed rest and to explore the island.  I met four guys from the Tampa area who were spending five days on the island shark fishing.   After telling them about my unique mode of transportation they invited me to stay for lunch.  I guess they felt sorry for the old man.  One of the things I have noticed about the people I meet out on my adventures is that we may all come from different places and have different backgrounds and cultures, yet we are all kindred spirits.  We all seem to have a great appreciation for the natural world and enjoy being out in it. 

The KULEANA Expedition Windsurfer always attracts attention

Back row:  me, Wade 
Front row: Darren, Brian

After spending some time on White Horse Key, I headed back to my camp.  I reached camp just in time to cook dinner as the sun set into the Gulf of Mexico.  I made the decision to head home on Saturday rather than staying an extra day.  Without my harness and work piling up at home, I thought it best to leave a day early so I could at least give my kids some kind of indication that I am a responsible adult. 

Sunset over the Gulf

Stan's on the water in Goodland...the cheeseburger was great!

The sail back to Goodland the next morning was great.  The winds were out of the south east and blowing in the 12kt range.  I was much more relaxed with less weight on the boat, and running with the wind and waves was a blast.  As I sailed past the mangrove islands I stirred up fish and birds alike.  Once back at the boat ramp and having loaded the boat, I was able to shower off in the outdoor shower and change into a set of fresh clothes. (No I did not change outside; I used the men’s restroom for that.) 

The Ten Thousand Islands begs for further exploration on the KULEANA Expedition Windsurfer.  I still have much to see and treasures to find.  On this trip I sailed over twenty miles without my harness, I wonder what I will forget on my next trip.  I bet it won’t be my harness.

Another beautiful day on the KULEANA

After getting some work done around the house I headed for Tierra Verde in south St. Pete.

When I arrived the winds had backed off to a frustrating light and puffiness that had a few sailors packing up and heading for home.  The wind was out of the northeast and seemed to be teasing us trying to fill back in, perhaps fighting to beat out the typical sea breeze we get in the afternoons.  After the sun began to descend towards the Gulf of Mexico the wind freshened and we had a few good runs before it was time to pack up and head home.     

I met, Andrew White, a fellow sailor on vacation from Winston-Salom, NC.  Below are a few photos of giving the KULEANA a try.  In his words it was an " interesting experience". 

Hey Andrew, perhaps next year when you are down on vacation I will have a few KULEANAs and we do a short adventure to see some of the truly intesting things of the Tamps Bay area.

Video of first test sail of production boat

Here is a video of some testing we did a few days ago in Bishop Harbor.  Winds were light and the weather was beautiful.  The boat performed well even though it came out of the mold a bit heavier than we had hoped. 

Stay tuned more adventures to come.

Testing, Testing, Testing

We are still trying to iron out some of the details for the production version of the KULEANA- Expedition Windsurfer(r).