12.30.2017
Did some legit urban kayaking as I finally kayaked Tokyo. Launched from my favorite part of Tokyo at Odaiba and kayaked under the famous Rainbow Bridge. It was really calm in the bay and even calmer in the canals. There are so many different canals to explore, but I stuck to the larger one today that led up the Sumida River near Tokyo Sky Tree. Tokyo is an incredibly busy bustling city, however the water was very peaceful and empty. I only ran accross a handful of boats on the water. Tons of bridges, skyscrapers, traffic, trains and joggers on the shorelines... It was really cool and looking forward to exploring more via Kayak.
Total Distance: 13.33 miles
Duration: 03:32:40
Average Speed: 3.76 mph
Max Speed: 6.4 mph
12.29.2017
Went out Kayaking with Ethan, it was his first time out there by himself. He was in the super stable Emotion Guster that was tied to myself in the Waterfield U-Yak (my kayak was already on top of the car for an early Tokyo trip tomorrow). Ethan did really well out there and we both had a blast doing a lap around the Tori Gate.
Total Distance: 1.92 miles
Duration: 00:52:46
Average Speed: 2.07 mph
Max Speed: 5.11 mph
12.28.2017
Lauched from Glass Beach in Tokyo Bay, paddled into Kurihama and headed up Hirasakugawa River quite a bit inland... The sun was rising over the Chiba Peninsula just as I launhed. On the river, saw lots of coy/carp swimming along side my kayak, and on my way back out to Tokyo Bay saw a team of a Kayak Racing Team practicing on the river. Their kayaks were super narrow race style kayaks, definately not sea kayaks.
Total Distance: 10.54 miles
Duration: 02:56:29
Average Speed: 3.59 mph
Max Speed: 6.71 mph
12.23.2017
What an amazing December day, sunny and calm with probably the clearest waters I've seen off of Morito Beach. I was able to see the bottom the entire paddle out to the Tori Gate.
Total Distance: 5.07 miles
Duration: 01:21:33
Average Speed: 3.73 mph
Max Speed: 6.33 mph
11.12.2017
It was a routine Zushi paddle on a beautiful fall day in Japan. I was heading up the creek in Zushi when decided to take the other route in the fork. I was surprised how far I was able to travel up the creek. A couple paddle boarders also followed me most of the way.
Total Distance: 4.74 miles
Duration: 01:26:12
Average Speed: 3.30 mph
Max Speed: 7.25 mph
10.21.2017
Even though there was steady rain and a steady 20knot northerly wind, I had to get out on the water as it's been crappy weather for a week and a half now and Typhoon Lan is 2 days away. I was stupid enough to make the most of it and mid-trip decided to paddle around Enoshima Island. The northern winds at least blew down the waves, but still made for a challenging trip.
While launching from Enoshima, I timed the waves wrong and took one right in the chest when I didn't have a skirt on yet... at least I had the pump with me though.
Total Distance: 12.31 miles
Duration: 04:06:55
Average Speed: 2.99 mph
Max Speed: 7.31 mph
10.09.2017
My good friend Nick is back in Japan for work, and today happened to be both a US and Japansese holiday. It was a beautiful fall day that felt like summer, and we paddled down south towards Ishiiki beach.
Total Distance: 5.47 miles
Duration: 01:52:11
Average Speed: 2.92 mph
Max Speed: 6.54 mph
10.05.2017
It was a routine after-work paddle trip around the Tori gate, but an amazing sunset with Fuji lurking. I'm really going to miss living here, so lucky to be able to paddle here anytime I want.
Total Distance: 2.09 miles
Duration: 00:36:57
Average Speed: 3.39 mph
Max Speed: 6.27 mph
09.26.2017 - 09.27.2017
Returned to Hakone and Lake Ashinoko with the goal of making it the entire lake along with to the Hakone Shrine.
It was a glassy lake on the first morning as I paddled the entire lake. Lots of secluded shorelines and even saw a sunken boat. Day two had a slight breeze, but still fun out there for a shorter trip as we had to checkout of our cabin that morning.
Trip 1 Total Distance: 10.11 miles
Duration: 02:55:14
Average Speed: 3.46 mph
Max Speed: 6.93 mph
Trip 2 Total Distance: 5.77 miles
Duration: 01:30:50
Average Speed: 3.81 mph
Max Speed: 7.17 mph
09.03.2017
Another trip from Miura Beach, this time I paddled north towards Kurihama. There isn't a whole lot to see as its a really long stretch of beach, but still always good to see new places.
I paddled around the lighthouse in from of Kurihama Port before heading back down to Miura Beach. I did see a sea turtle swimming around which was pretty cool.
Total Distance: 10.87 miles
Duration: 02:52:57
Average Speed: 3.77 mph
Max Speed: 7.35 mph
08.06.2017
Lauched from the other side of Miura Peninsula at Miura Beach. Paddled down south and ended up going further than planned... Once I rounded the lighthouse, I saw the bridge to Jogashima Island and kept paddling all the way there.
There is some awesome rocky shores with a lot of places to explore once you get past the sandy beaches. Fun trip, but was beat coming back in. I had to bail out of the kayak while landing as I surfed a wave completely wrong. Had the front tip of the kayak underwater and whole middle section out of the water.... absolutely no control.
Total Distance: 13.16 miles
Duration: 03:15:58
Average Speed: 4.03 mph
Max Speed: 8.85 mph
07.15.2017
Went for a paddle from Morito Beach down to Kasa Island, and through Sajima Marina. This trip really wore me out for some reason, but Kasa Island is always cool to explore.
The trip back was a little annoying as I had to go around several long lines of fishing nets. It's a rough life sometimes.
Total Distance: 10.68 miles
Duration: 03:03:14
Average Speed: 3.5 mph
Max Speed: 6.58 mph
07.08.2017
It was supposed to be a calm day, so we decided to knock out an Enoshima Lap on the Kayaks. My fifth trip around the island was with my Dad and brother-in-law Marco.
Total Distance: 12.27 miles
Duration: 03:46:27
Average Speed: 3.25 mph
Max Speed: 7.09 mph
07.07.2017
Last morning at Lake Kawaguchi, so decided to paddle the lake even though Mt. Fuji still wasn't out. It was an amazing calm day, especially compared to the last time I was on the lake!
Mt. Fuji did end up coming out around 07:00 and got some amazing views.
Total Distance: 6.69 miles
Duration: 02:04:35
Average Speed: 3.22 mph
Max Speed: 6.57 mph
07.06.2017
Family wanted to attemp to climb Mt. Fuji, so we all went and stayed in a cabin off of Lake Kawaguchiko. I was going to paddle Lake Kawaguchiko, however Mt. Fuji was in the clouds so I headed to Lake Saiko instead.
It was a really calm morning with glass waters, and a pretty cool lake to explore. Mt. Fuji did come out very briefly and can be seen from the western side of the lake.
Total Distance: 5.58 miles
Duration: 01:43:56
Average Speed: 3.22 mph
Max Speed: 8.13 mph
07.02.2017
Played escort in the kayak today... My dad swam a lap around the Tori Gate while I trailed him ensuring none of the busy boat traffic hit him.
I did about an extra mile than the normal trip length while I was circling him.
Total Distance: 2.79 miles
Duration: 01:50:31
Average Speed: 1.52 mph
Max Speed: 6.02 mph
07.01.2017
Have family in town and myself, my Dad and brother-in-law went for a paddle in Hayama. It was a choppy day out past the Tori gate, but still lots of fun. I got to practice rolling, but sadly think I've gotten worse.
Total Distance: 3.26 miles
Duration: 01:22:40
Average Speed: 2.37 mph
Max Speed: 9.23 mph
06.26.2017
Did some Tokyo Bay kayaking... lauched from Umino Park across from Sea Paradise. Initially wasn't sure where I was going to go, but after I got onto the water, decided to try to do a lap around Monkey Island.
The trip included paddling right under a rollercoaster, going past Sumitomo Heavy Industries (which I see everyday from work), alongside Yokosuka Base and finally around Monkey Island. It was super calm on the way, however got really chopping when I was most the way home. Also, Tokyo Bay waters are really dirty! Very murky, with trash and sheens of oil. There were quite a few navy ships and huge tankers going in and out however.
Total Distance: 11.47 miles
Duration: 02:48:31
Average Speed: 4.08 mph
Max Speed: 6.94 mph
06.24.2017
Woke up early and drove south to Wadanahama Beach. Launched the kayak from there and did a lap around Jogashima Island. There is some fantastic kayaking around Jogashima as there is so many cliffs and various rock formations. It was also a perfect day with near glassy waters the entire trip.
Total Distance: 11.16 miles
Duration: 02:58:16
Average Speed: 3.75 mph
Max Speed: 7.13 mph
06.16.2017
I was one proud papa today. It was a beautiful Friday so I decided to burn some leave and only work a short day. Decided to teach Ethan how to Kayak for the 1st time and he did pretty well. Arlyn took him out for a short paddle after along Morito Beach and then I took him in my kayak for a lap around the Tori Gate. Great decision not to work a full day.
Tori Gate Trip Total Distance: 1.81 miles
Duration: 00:34:45
Average Speed: 3.13 mph
Max Speed: 6.35 mph
06.09.2017
Finally bought Arlyn a new kayak, a Sentom Hiyori. Took it for it's first paddle around the Tori gate.
Total Distance: 1.83 miles
Duration: 00:28:29
Average Speed: 3.85 mph
Max Speed: 7.05 mph
06.03.2017 to 06.04.2017
Went down to Izu Peninsula in Shimoda for the weekend and did some of the best kayaking you could imagine. Our hotel was on a white sandy beach with turquois waters. We stayed on a surfing beach so had to launch through breaking waves which brought it's own fun. Dave and I paddled both north and south exploring and there was so much variety.... from crystal clear waters, random bays, rocky islands, steep cliffs, flying fish, and even got to explore into some creepy caves.
Total Distance: 20.72 miles
05.28.2017
Annual Hayama Seakayak Ekiden! Team this year was myself, Dave, Clayton and Nick. This year's course is going to be one of the offical Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympic event courses, which is pretty damn cool. Pretty good showing as we finished 4th in our division, and right behind 2nd and 3rd. We also toasted all the advanced class kayakers.
I did the third leg and passed four kayakers, two of them at the very end going around the last buoy with 3 other beginner class kayaks.
Total Distance: 1.34 miles
Duration: 00:17:03
Average Speed: 4.72 mph
Max Speed: 10.52 mph
05.25.2017
It was a good kayaking day; did two trips on an overcast calm day.
First trip was a lunch time paddle at work with Dave. Unlike my first work lunch trip, this time we did do a lap around Monkey Island. The water is definately much dirtier on this side of the peninsula as we saw trash, dead birds, dead jellyfish and murky waters. Still a perfect way to spend a work lunch.
Second trip was after work where I went solo down to Kamakura and Yuigahama Beach. I paddled up the creek in the middle of the beach into Kamakura. Getting to and from the creek was fun as had to go through some decent sized breaking waves. The creek had a bunch of carp/coy and went right up a neighborhood.
Trip 1:
Total Distance: 3.19 miles
Duration: 00:50:32
Average Speed: 3.79 mph
Max Speed: 6.82 mph
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Trip 2:
Total Distance: 6.39 miles
Duration: 01:35:53
Average Speed: 4.00 mph
Max Speed: 6.7 mph
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05.20.2017
Dave and Clayton came over to do some training before our relay race next week. Dave brought over his paddleboard and we did various trips with and without the kids. The main trips was a lap around the Tori Gate with Ethan on my lap and Clayton and myself heading south to the emperor's summer home. Summer has offically arrived.
Total Distance: 6.15 miles
05.19.2017
First paddle on the other side of the peninsula, finally tried a work lunch paddle launching from Green Marina on Yokosuka Base. The original goal was to paddle around Monkey Island, but I had to follow the Marina rules of staying within view. So no lap around the island and I was also not allowed to land on the island either.
It’s choppier and murkier on this side of the peninsula, but a great way to spend a lunch break. I also paddled right through a group of dead jellyfish floating about. I’ve also never seen this type of jellyfish in Sagami Bay.
Total Distance: 2.68 miles
Duration: 00:40:36
Average Speed: 3.96 mph
Max Speed: 7.93 mph
05.05.2017
It was just a normal paddle after work into Zushi Beach, but there was a red tide I’ve never seen before out here. In some places it was so thick it made a really soupy sound as the kayak splashed between waves… very strange. Zushi Beach was packed however on a beautiful Friday of Golden Week.
Total Distance: 3.45 miles
Duration: 01:00:37
Average Speed: 3.42 mph
Max Speed: 6.7 mph
05.03.2017
Went for a paddle with my co-worker Colin. He’s a tall dude so he had to ride the recreational kayak. We landed on the Tori Gate Island and then paddled south to the neighboring beach. It was a windy day and we got to surf the waves into shore… it was a pretty big failure as I yardsaled everything as waves crashed on me (including Colin’s phone). He also took on lots of water during the trip as he had no spray skirt. Good times.
Total Distance: 3.63 miles
Duration: 01:17:04
Average Speed: 2.83 mph
Max Speed: 8.75 mph
04.02.2017
Went out with my co-worker Ian as we paddled down south on a really nice Sunday morning. Clear waters with a slight breeze from shore, we even got to watch an outrigger race up close.
Total Distance: 5.68 miles
Duration: 02:03:26
Average Speed: 2.76 mph
Max Speed: 7.02 mph
03.25.2017
Dave and I went for a paddle on a decent Saturday while the kids played at home with the moms. We headed down south past the emperor's summer home, explored the protected cove a bit before lapping the rocky island and headed back. Awesome paddle as always. It was good getting Dave out on the water again as we keep talking about it at work.
Total Distance: 5.49 miles
Duration: 01:44:02
Average Speed: 3.17 mph
Max Speed: 7.34 mph
03.19.2017
Lauched down south and headed south into Aburatsubo Bay and Shoiso Bay. Another day with really clear waters and the water was glass exploring the bays. There were also lots of sailboats moored in each bay… This trip completed kayaking the entire side of the Miura Peninsula.
Total Distance: 7.74 miles
Duration: 02:05:52
Average Speed: 3.69 mph
Max Speed: 6.36 mph
03.18.2017
It was a routine paddle around Zushi Beach, but man the water was so clear and calm. It was a beautiful morning with Mt. Fuji out behind a slightly hazy sky… Gotta do some fish watching darting through the kelp.
Total Distance: 3.76 miles
Duration: 01:00:15
Average Speed: 3.74 mph
Max Speed: 6.57 mph
03.12.2017
Got my old friend Aaron on the Kayak as we did a lap around the Tori Gate and snaked through the rocks. It was a little choppy on the southern side of the Tori Gate, but a good trip. Aaron took out the old guster as he wasn't confident in his kayaking skills.
Total Distance: 2.11 miles
Duration: 00:59:51
Average Speed: 2.11 mph
Max Speed: 7.13 mph
02.25.2017
Completed my fourth trip around Enoshima Island, this time with be awesome former boss Jeromy as he did it hung over. It was really calm on the trip towards the island and we got to surf the waves coming in. The wind picked up a bit on the way back which made the very last part very tiring. Great trip overall.
Total Distance: 12.46 miles
Duration: 04:17:50
Average Speed: 2.9 mph
Max Speed: 7.52 mph
02.19.2017
Headed to one of Mt. Fuji’s Five Lakes during Presidents Day Weekend and kayaked Lake Kawaguchi. Went for an early morning paddle across the entire lake… it was a cold, crisp and very windy trip at times. During gusts, I could barely maintain ground while paddling my hardest. The lake spray also built up a layer of ice on my kayak, paddle and jacket.
It was an awesome lake with an amazing Mt. Fuji view. My only regret was I didn’t make it out for a 2nd trip on the lake.
Total Distance: 9.06 miles
Duration: 03:05:28
Average Speed: 2.93 mph
Max Speed: 7.21 mph
02.12.2017
Landed on Kasa Island again, but this time launched from home on Morito Beach. Beautiful weather with Mt. Fuji out, but not super calm waters and there was still some leftover chop/rollers from the windy day yesterday.
I think Kasa Island is one of my more favorite trips in Japan so far, the water is so clear with a lot of rocky / sandy areas to explore. I walked around more on the island this time collecting shells for Arlyn.
Total Distance: 9.93 miles
Duration: 02:44:31
Average Speed: 3.62 mph
Max Speed: 6.72 mph
02.05.2017
Lauched down south again, this time on a calm day. Explored a little of Arasaki Park, there was a really cool canal carved through rocks... Continued North crossing Otawa Bay into Saji Marina, through a tiny canal and landed on Kasa Island. There was a nice sandy landing spot on the island and a small Tori gate to see. After that, lapped the island and headed back.
Total Distance: 7.51 miles
Duration: 02:02:23
Average Speed: 3.68 mph
Max Speed: 6.56 mph
01.16.2017
Headed down south and lauched from a sandy beach with free parking just past Soleil Park. The goal was the paddle North into Otawa Bay and do a lap around Kasa Island, but the conditions didn’t allow so. It was really rough with waves coming in higher than my head. It took me a bit to even lauch trying to time the waves, one still crashed over me filling the kayak up as I didn’t have the skirt on yet… luckily I did bring the pump.
It wasn’t an exploring type day, more of a playing in the waves working on technique and trying not to flip type of day. Fuji was out though, so that made it nice. I only made it past Arasaki Park before deciding to head back…
Total Distance: 2.91 miles
Duration: 00:55:16
Average Speed: 3.16 mph
Max Speed: 10.12 mph
