Photos from New Zealand

Charlie who runs a mountain/ski/climbing guide service in New Zealand near Aoraki Mount Cook National Park (www.mtcook.com) sent us these photos from this summer, down under. Charlie skis, paddles, climbs.... essentially does all the fun stuff we do, BUT he gets paid to do it. Way to carve our a nice life in S. Island NZ!

Winter "WindPaddling" on the Columbia

With a nice blizzard going, it seemed appropriate to take a little "First of the year" sail on the kayak. So we knocked most of the ice off the boat, got out on the water and were rewarded with a fun, low-key off-the-wind sail in the snow, ending up with a glide through a flock of coots (Fulica americana).

Winds were light, about 7 knots. The boat slide through the water at about 3 knots. Air temp. 26, water temp 42.

Who are you calling an Old Coot?

New Year, New Catalog

Happy new year! We've just finished our 2011 WindPaddle Sails 2011 catalog and it is available to download from our website Here
. We made a few NY resolutions to get more detailed product information out this year. Our catalog will expand in the spring, and if you have an image taken while out "WindPaddling", send it to us! You might become instantly famous and find your pic in our publications! :)

WindPaddle Sails 2011 Promotional Vodeo

Here's our 2011 promotional video. Let us know what you think or if you want a copy for you, your paddling club or you shop. (info@windpaddle.com). There's new video and still shots submitted by our users from around the world.

This one is from up at 81 degrees N. off the Svalbald Islands north or Norway.

Featured in our video is the new WindPaddle "Scout" sail (look for the blaze-orange sail), intended for the casual or recreational paddler. It joins the "Adventure" and the canoe/tandem "Cruiser" sail.

The band "Rusted Root" has partnered with us to allow us to use what we think is a terrific kayak and canoe sailing song in this years video.

Happy Paddling/Sailing!

New and Better Folding Video

We admit that folding the WindPaddle sail isn't what most folks would call intuitive or easy, but hey, if it WERE easy Jet Skiers would be doing it, right?

Well our new Folding-Guru Rhonda went with us to a Trade Show (Outdoor Retailer Exhibition in Utah) and started showing everyone how to coil and fold the WindPaddle sail using this NEW technique that she said she is now patenting. Guess what? It works BETTER than our old way.

So we are not saying the old way is now obsolete, but for learning and for ease of folding, go for the new method here:

We are interested in your feedback. And if you discover a 3rd folding option that works for you , we'll video you doing it, set you up with a web link, a Paypal account and you can probably retire on the royalties!

New Product - WindPaddle "Scout" Free Shipping

WindPaddle Sails has just released our new "Scout" sail!

Our newest sail, the WindPaddle “Scout” was added to our line-up as an entry level sail to be used in low-medium winds. Solo kayakers will appreciate its ease of use, lightweight and forgiving manner. Built for the casual or recreational paddler in mind, the “Scout” is the lightest, most affordable and easiest to use sail currently on the market. We built this sail with a soft batten that holds sail shape, yet is pliable enough that it almost coils/folds itself!. For an entry level sail that will pull you quickly downwind yet easy enough for kids 8-80 to handle, the “Scout” is the sail to own.

Target boat– Solo rec. boat to Touring kayak, SOT 8 – 15 feet.

Target windspeed – 4 to 13 knots

Target paddler – novice to intermediate

Off-wind sailing envelope – approx. 150 degrees

We have a special introductory price for this sail during the last few days of November and into December. Go to www.windpaddle.com/scout.htm for the goods!

See you on the water.

Awards from Sweden

Accolades from Sweden - We just found out we were nominated as this year's outdoor product at the Wilderness Fair, Sweden, 2010. This apparently happened this summer, but it STILL makes us feel warm and fuzzy about it.

Here's what they have to say about us in Sweden: