07.05.2026
It's been a year since my last race due to all the race cancellations lately due to weather. I wasn't up to form after 3 weeks in Hawaii, but was great to be in a race again and I really enjoyed it. The conditions were a 180 from last year as it was constant rain the entire race.
I haven't been racing enough to know how much to push myself or pace myself....in the end I could have gone harder, but was happy with the result finishing strong. Ended up about 4 minutes faster than last year, but not sure how much of it was due to the moderate temperatures. I once again finished 7th in my category, but this time out of 25 (10km touring sea kayak category).
Total Distance: 10km
Duration: 01:05:02
Average Speed: 5.2 mph
Max Speed: 6.8 mph
06.28.2026
Back in Japan and man it felt great to be back in a proper sea kayak using a greenland paddle. It actually took a minute or so to get used to it again as nearly flipped on my first stroke!
Swells were coming in from the double typhoons of Mekhala and Higos from the day before, and ended up getting monsooned on during the last part of the trip. Also watched an outrigger trying to surf a wave and absolutely yard saling... Ended up breaking off his pontoon, but he was ok! If only I had a tow rope, I could have helped tow him back to shore.
Total Distance: 5.78 miles
Duration: 01:41.59
Average Speed: 3.4 mph
Max Speed: 4.8 mph
06.18.2026
Vacation in Maui after the work conference and everything finally aligned to be able to rent a kayak in Maui. Could only find one rental place, and the previous day's plans were cancelled due to the large southern swells. I was able to convice them to let me go even though the swells appeared worse, and ended up having a great paddle and glad I was able to get out.
I was limited by boundaries once again, but they were larger than the ones on Oahu. Highlight was seeing a pod of dophins swim right in front of me.
Total Distance: 6.29 miles
Duration: 01:56.22
Average Speed: 3.2 mph
Max Speed: 4.3 mph
06.11.2026
Last full day in Waikiki and my conference got out after a half day. Was able to rent a double sit-on-top kayak from Waikiki Shore Beach Service and paddled back and forth in front of the Fort DeRussy Beach. I had boundaries I had to stay within, but still fun getting out in the beautiful waters and saw several sea turtles.
Total Distance: 2.67 miles
Duration: 00:59.36
Average Speed: 2.7 mph
Max Speed: 3.7 mph
06.07.2026
Fun kayaking with the kids. Rented a kayak at the Duke Kahanamoku Lagoon and paddled laps around the lagoon. Fun times with the family.
Total Distance: 1.92 miles
Duration: 00:42.57
Average Speed: 2.7 mph
Max Speed: 5.0 mph
06.03.2026
Returned to Waikiki, Hawaii for a work trip. Hawaii has some amazing kayaking opportunities, however it's so hard to find a kayak rental and impossible to find a legit sea kayak to rent. Managed to find a rental after my conference ended for the day. Booked a Sunset Kayak Tour (self-guided) through Clear Kayak Adventures.
It was my first time paddling a clear kayak...definately not a great paddle craft, but pretty awesome views using a clear kayak. Saw lots of sea turtles swimming around as I paddled back and forth along Ala Moana beach until the sun set.
Total Distance: 4.03 miles
Duration: 01:45.32
Average Speed: 2.3 mph
Max Speed: 3.6 mph
05.17.2026
Welcome back USS George Washington from Sea Trials!
Total Distance: 11.25 miles
Duration: 03:30.38
Average Speed: 3.2 mph
Max Speed: N/A mph
04.07.2026
Quick trip back to the states and managed to paddle Lake Mayfield. Had the whole lake to myself as I was searching for the high arching bridge I've been seeing in other's posts. It was further than anticipated, however well worth it. Beautiful lake with green waters.
Total Distance: 12.67 miles
Duration: 03:00.05
Average Speed: 4.2 mph
Max Speed: N/A mph
04.05.2026
Managed to do my annual Cherry Blossom Paddle down the Oyoko River in Tokyo, perfect weather window opened this weekend between the wind and rainstorms. Cherry Blossoms were just past full bloom.
Total Distance: 10.34 miles
Duration: 02:30.11
Average Speed: 4.1 mph
Max Speed: N/A mph
03.07.2026
Road trip to Nagoya for the Nagoya Women's Marathon and the Pakayak made the trip. Took me all week to find a kayaking spot... there were plenty of beaches off in Ise Bay, however forecasted winds were not good. Finally found an entrance into one the of the canals in the middle of the city that worked perfectly.
Launch point was at the Miyanowatashi Pier and paddled up towards Nagoya Castle and back. Was the only craft on the water with many surprised residents of Nagoya seeing me paddle down the canal. Glad I was able to get on the water in Nagoya!
Total Distance: 8.43 miles
Duration: 02:14.19
Average Speed: 4.1 mph
Max Speed: N/A mph
02.15.2026
Snow last weekend, and now in the 60's. Been eyeing Cape Manzuru / Mitsuishi Rocks on Izu Peninsula since my last tour in Japan, but struggled to find a good launch point. Well, found one in a surfing beach in Yoshihama. Paddled around the cape to another nice local beach, Iwa Beach, and back. It was pretty rough around the Mitsuishi Rocks, but good practice for sure.
Total Distance: 10.96 miles
Duration: 02:50.26
Average Speed: 3.8 mph
Max Speed: 5.3 mph
02.01.2026
Was a little lazy to get out of bed this AM, but as always, would have regretted not making it out. Calm beautiful morning as I launched at Miura beach and paddled the end of Miura Peninsula towards Jogashima Island. Man, some amazing coastline!
Total Distance: 11.58 miles
Duration: 03:01.08
Average Speed: 3.8 mph
Max Speed: 4.9 mph
01.25.2026
Winds were supposed to die down by 0900 however the wind wanted to do whatever it wanted. Launched near Enoshima to do a lap around Eboshi Iwa Island near Chigasaki. Good sized swells coming in from a windy day yesterday and winds that picked up from shore made it a more challenging paddle than expected.
Total Distance: 10.44 miles
Duration: 02:37.48
Average Speed: 4.0 mph
Max Speed: 5.3 mph
01.19.2026
Finally life and mother nature align to get out on the water. Launched from Wada beach for my normal lap around Jogashima Island. I left a little later than normal due to the wind forecast, but man was it spot on today. Slight breeze to my back on my way south, and shifting to dead calm on my return prior to winds changing direction.
Total Distance: 10.87 miles
Duration: 02:42.20
Average Speed: 4.0 mph
Max Speed: 5.0 mph
01.04.2026
First paddle of 2026, and sort-of a new trip to ring in the new year. First time launching from Kannonzaki Beach and followed the Yokosuka boardwalk all the way to base, around Monkey Island and back. Tokyo Bay was still lumpy in the morning due to the overnight wind, however smoothed out on way back after Monkey Island. Skies were super clear with views of a white Mt. Fuji over the Miura Peninsula and could see the Tokyo Sky Tree in the distance.
Total Distance: 9.10 miles
Duration: 02:14.03
Average Speed: 4.1 mph
Max Speed: 5.1 mph
