fitness paddling: exercise, train, race by kayak & canoe

FurledSails provides a weekly sailing podcast focusing on cruising and recreational sailing. In January 2007 they featured a very interesting and a very long, almost 1 hour, interview with Steve Isaac, Chief of WaterTribe. And, just recently, they interviewed Mark Przedwojewski aka ManitouCruiser of Watertribe, the builder of Kruger Canoes, in two part podcast: part 1 and part 2.

In the first part, Mark is talking mostly on Verlen Kruger, his canoe adventures and development of Sea Wind and other Kruger canoes. In the second part, Mark talks more about his own expedition racing including WaterTribe Challenges and the recent Missouri River 340 race.

What is the most important in long distance races? (1) comfort, (2) having fun (mental attitude). He is contrasting his racing approach (long but comfortable hours on water) to a "suicidal" approach of Carter Johnson, but obviously they both enjoying what they are doing. Mark is also sharing his racing diet secrets and how nutrition helps him to fight with a sleep deprivation.

You will learn about Kruger Canoe College, a series of classes designed to teach you how to travel by canoe in a safe, efficient and comfortable manner, and kid camps.

Mark has built more than 130 Kruger canoes (Sea Wind, Dreamcatcher and Kruger Cruiser), but he prefers paddling than building. I believe that my Sea Wind #127 was the first boat built by Mark.

Related posts:

• All Things Are Possible - Verlen Kruger Books
• First Monarch Canoes Paddled by Steve Landick in 28,000 Miles Ultimate Canoe Challenge
• Random Thoughts and Shots from the 2006 Ultimate Florida Challenge
  Part 1... Part 2... Part 3... Part 4...
• WaterTribe Everglades Challenge 2004 - photo report and video
• WaterTribe Everglades Challenge 2003 - photo report and video