Thanks to Karl Anderson teaching me the essentials of cross country skiing in skating style! I learnt fancy things like the V1, V2 and V2 alternate, but decided eventually for myself I’m most happy with my V10 sport!

Thanks to Kirti Walpole organizing that stunning beautiful day!

Pictures by Jen Johnson. Thanks!

Steve O’Meara, Kokatat owner for almost 40 years now!

Thanks for matching your company’s logo colors and design to my dress, Steve!

Reception lady Tisha

Marta (marketing), Michael (sales manager), Matt (customer service) and Kevin (customer service)

Design “First Lady” Penny

Production Manager Meredith

Designer Renée

Design team Adrian, Kelly and Adam

The cutting process, all those bits and pieces for the Kokatat garments out of a big roll of fabric!

 The cutting machine

The sewing process, about 136 workers doing the job locally here in Arcata/ USA

PFD padding

seam sealing

more seam sealing

 Glueing the neck and wrist gaskets

Each single drysuit is getting waterfilled and inspected of fabrication leakage

 Last visual inspection before shipping out – nothing is leaving uncontrolled!

And when it wears out over the years of heavy use – it’s getting reaired locally!

my own waterfilled druisuit on the “surgery” table

 Well-earned lunch with the three big Kokatat M’s – Marta, Matt and Michael

Thanks to:

Alder Creek, Suzi Elle and Dave Slover (4+3), plus Kate Ross (5) and Paul Kuthe (6), and my lovely Portland hosts Kirti (7) and Jon (1) Walpole.

Computer expert Jon Walpole helping me with the technical setup

Sorry that everybody had to queue up for so long outside! The queue was wrapping almost around the whole building, and it took 1 1/2 hrs to get everybody in! Fortunately it was not raining and moderate temperatures…

Jon and i waiting for the door to be opened

Meeting and greeting was working well, as people came in nicely one after the other

Everybody took so many pictures – you’re welcome to upload them yourself on my facebook page!

Rob Blickensderfer (80+), the ”oldest” and probably most experienced Portland whitewater kayaker

Everybody was welcome to enter the stage prior to the talk for a close look at the map and the boat and equipment

The Mission Theatre was a most beautiful, cozy retro-theatre with professional technical equipment!

The balcony was packed as well

How did I sleep on the BIG crossing?

Explaining the epic 18x rudder

Paul Kuthe and Kate Ross were successfully finishing the big raffle. Thanks! And thanks to all sponsors donating raffle prices: Alder Creek Kayak & Canoe, Kokatat, Thule, Epic Kayaks, Sea Kayaker Magazine, Northwater and Snapdragon 

The new Epic posters were highly in demand with a personal signature. i was signing the new Sea Kayaker Magazine cover shot as well, plus Kokatat/ Thule  and epic cards

Thanks everybody for attending and supporting my trip in that way!

Thanks to Suzi Elle/ Alder Creek for the great pictures!

Don’t say those pics are all looking the same on the last day’s posts…At least I’m changing my outfit – but it’s still *black*… :-)

Thanks very much to:

Organizers George and Barb Gronseth, Kayak Academy

Organizer Joan and Michael Collins, publisher Sea Kayaker Magazine

Organizer Chris Cunnigham, Editor Sea Kayaker Magazine 

Karl Cohegan, Kokatat

Justine and Greg Barton, epic kayaks

Richard Wilson and Mike, Snapdragon

Kristin and Nigel Foster, Nigel Foster Designs

Petra Hilleberg, Hilleberg Tents

Who else was there? Rhonda Schwab, Andrew Elizaga, Wayne Haradowich, Saul Kinderis, Tim Walsh and for sure Paul Riek, Sea Kayaker Magazine, who took all the pictures. Thanks!

It was a large audience of about 220 people. thanks for being patient with all the technical problems, sorry!

Thanks for your letter on westcoastpaddler.com, Maddie! You’re quite an impressive young woman being “only” 15 year-old, in writing, paddling, appearance! If you triple that in those 30 years laying between us, the (paddling) world will have a way bigger “star” than I’ll ever able to be!

Maddie Millsip:

>It is quite easy to say that I did not know the meaning of inspiration until I met Freya Hoffmeister.

I went to both the Vancouver and Victoria presentations, and I felt mesmerized the whole time. Her journey was incredible. An amazing feat.

It is quite interesting to see the effect that one person can have on so many different people. Everyone left her presentation with something to think about, and I believe that she has added more fuel to the fire for a lot of people, and will drive them to accomplish goals that they may have set for themselves.

She is what every paddler aspires to be, and very few ever become. She is confident, dedicated, courageous, and self reliant. She is truly a beautiful woman.

She taught me so much in such a short amount of time, and has no doubt left a lasting impression. She helped me realize how much time there is. Between her and I, there is a 30 year age difference. She let me see that it’s okay not to get everything done right away. I have plenty of time to accomplish my dreams, and it will be just as significant to fulfill them later as it would be to fulfill them now.

I admire how she has the courage to do things for herself, and for no one else. That is real strength.

As I sat on the ferry and listened to my Dad and Freya speak with one another, it became so apparent how knowledgeable and wise she is. I could spend days just listening to her journeys and stories.

I was kind of sad to see Freya go when we disembarked the ferry. I felt as though I had only met the tip of the iceberg known as Freya.

I feel so privileged to have been able to meet and paddle with her. It was one weekend of my life that I will never forget.

I would very much like to thank SheilaP for her hospitality and for helping to organize the Victoria presentation and paddle.

From now on, I will carry my own little piece of Freya with me wherever I go, and she will bring me good luck.<

Karen Darke

I’ve met Karen already years ago on a symposium and instantly loved her attitude! We met again here and there, and stayed in occasionally e-mail contact. Only now I had time to check a bit deeper on her website and achievements. I can’t find words for what to say. THIS is mental and physical power! I’d be honored to adventure and speak with her together some times!

All my love and respect to you, Karen!  Freya

PLAYAK.COM

for providing me those nice pictures!

Dress by Reed Chillcheater.

Boat and paddle by Epic Kayaks.

Nigel Dennis (Sea Kayaking UK), Michael Duffy (Kokatat USA), Göran Pehrson (Skim Kayaks Sweden), Chris Mitchell (Reed Chillcheater USA), Chris Reed (Reed Chillcheater UK), Nico Middelkoop (Zeekajak.NL), Chris Cunningham (Sea Kayaker Magazine USA) + me.

2 x Chris + 2 x Nigel 

"Team Epic" at  the Outdoor Retailer Show Salt Lake City:

John Radel, Greg Barton, Freya Hoffmeister, Brian Houston, Joe Crespi

Greg Barton

Freya Hoffmeister

Oscar Chalupsky

I am honored to be picked as the first member of the Sea Kayaking group for  "Team Epic".

I feel comfy between the strong boys!

 New applicants for epic sponsorship please have a look at their epic kayaks sponsorship website.