We are proud to have a few regular writers on our blog who have helped to make it what it is today. Our blog would be nothing but a blank page if it wasn’t for these daring wordsmiths:
Guy Hoffman
(GuyThaLizard and KAYAKokanagan on Twitter)
Bio:
I grew up in the South Okanagan Valley of British Columbia, lived here in Penticton since 1968. While growing up in this beautiful valley I enjoyed camping, canoing, hiking, cliff climbing and repelling. My dad is an outdoor enthusiast so we went camping many times every spring – fall. I have always been a nature buff.
In my mid 20′s became an assistant instructor at a wilderness camp working with youth. This is where I received a Level 2 Flat-water Canoe certificate and where I really began to enjoy paddling on the water.
I found the canoe to be enjoyable but wanted to explore more and trying to find a partner to go with was not that easy. I am a 5’7″ man with an arm span of 6′ making it hard to keep time with my friends in a canoe who have shorter arms. Just can’t get the hang of it with my ape like arms 
. So I decided to try a kayak. I purchased a new sit-on-top (SOT) in 2008 and never went back to the canoe again. That fall I came across a deal of a couple sit-in-kayaks (SIK) and sold one of them (the single) and kept the tandem kayak that I use today, which I paddle 99.999% solo.
Now I spend much of my free time kayak camping and exploring the many lakes in the valley. In 2008 I would let my kayak sit over the winter, and I would long for good weather so I could kayak again. Then the kayak bug really got me.. In 2010 I decided to continue paddling thru the “off season” months. Okanagan Lake is a large lake and gets little ice in the winter. So November 2010 came and right after a -20c cold snap I went out with my kayak. Snapping photos and compiled the photos into a slide-show I called “November ICE” that I put on YouTube, My passion of kayaking and a passion of photography I’ve had since I was a kid combined. My Live Blog and my YouTube accounts are the out-come of this passion.
In my blogs you won’t find a lot of words and few stories as I am not a writer or a story teller, what you will find is a lot of photos, videos, maps and GPS coordinates to the places I love to explore and mostly via my kayak. I love kayaking, love taking photos and love to share my photos and my passion of kayaking with my friends.
Thanks for reading my Bio
Guy (GuyThaLizard)
My Live Blog: http://guythalizard.posterous.com and http://guythalizard.webs.com
Jared Whitaker
Bio:
I’m 30 years young and live in Billerica about 20 miles northwest of Boston MA. When not working I enjoy activities such as Kayaking, Hiking, Biking,surfing and riding motorcycles. I’m always looking for new bodies of water to drop the “yak” into but prefer salt water. New England in general is a perfect place for someone who loves the outdoors but also enjoys the hustle and bustle of the city.
Michael Tucker
Bio:
We’re just a couple of overgrown, playful kids stuck in these aging bodies….but we won’t let that stop us till we’re dead. In fact, we often joke that our outdoor adventures should be titled “Outdoors With Fatso and Puffy”, as we are sure we don’t fit the typical athletic, outdoor enthusiast nomenclature.
Many eons ago, I (Mike, aka “Fatso”), was born in a small town in Georgia. The family moved to NC soon thereafter, where I’ve lived most of my life (other than during my term of military duty). In my younger days, when I wasn’t out clowning around or gettin’ in trouble, I was fishing with my Pops or hunting or playing outdoors. Of course, my mom had a lot to do with that since she pretty much made it clear to me, my brother, and my sister that we were NOT to be under her feet in the house until the sun went down. I sure am thankful for that now, though, as it instilled in me a great love for the outdoors.
When I finally met my lady (Cindy, aka “Puffy”) on the internet and convinced her to move from KY to NC, we discovered that we both adored hiking the many trails in this area. It wasn’t until she suffered a foot injury that we discovered the world of kayaking. While neither of us is happy that she is still doctoring her foot back to health, we are both thrilled that yaking has entered and become a permanent part of our lives.
Aj Millward
Bio:
I am a third season multisport paddler from the land down under. I trail run, road cycle, kayak and ski. I have recently added mountain biking and surfing to my list of great things to do outdoors.
I paddle year round, mostly in the Wellington harbour but also in inlets and small rivers around our capital city. In summer my focus shifts to short, sharp weekly races and longer training paddles on Grade 2 rivers. I have recently learned to love white water!
I have just upgraded my boat to a 5.7m JKK U2 and am yet to master it. I alternate between two Legend paddles – my favourite is the c22 followed by the Marathon. Carbon is a beautiful material!
I love the social aspect of kayaking, from group coaching through coffees to talk about kayaking and especially weekends away with fellow paddlers. My current goal is learning how to paddle a K1…..which is not an ambition for those who like to stay dry. Hopefully you will enjoy reading about some of my adventures in little old New Zealand.
Ron Henchel, aka “Yakman”
Bio:
I reside in Beecher Illinois which is approximately 40 miles South of Chicago. I’m in the early stages of of my AARP membership, (for all you CSI challenged people, that’s early 50′s). I have 2 grown boys and 2 grandchildren that help keep me young. I am a victim of the economic downturn in the housing market which has given me more free time and less money than I care to admit.
On the upside, my wife and myself discovered the world of kayaking a few years ago and have since taken advantage of any opportunity for navigable waters available. I have since upgraded my 10.5 foot fishing kayak to a 16.5 foot sea kayak, which has opened many doors for new adventures, and easier paddles.
I am constantly looking for ways to improve my skills, to learn and develop more efficient methods concerning all aspects of kayaking which is why I look forward to sharing my personal triumphs, pitfalls and experiences with anyone willing to blog-along in an effort to learn from you through your feedback and experiences, and who knows, maybe you’ll learn something from me.
