FINALLY!!! The first PaddleFree video is on YouTube. Check it out at www.paddlefree.co.uk or www.youtube.com/user/PaddleFree2010
Thursday, 29 April 2010
Tuesday, 27 April 2010
Why don't we ever read the instructions first?!?!
Technology; love it or hate it?
At the moment I can't decide!! However, the frustrations I am currently having in the mini-mission to create a youtube video are entirely of my own making. Here's how it's played out so far:
Video camera, check.
Record video, check.
Transfer video to computer, check.
Edit video, file type not supported.
Read instructions on how to operate video camera and video editing software.
Anyone else see the issue with this version of events.......................d'oh!
So, now downloading new software to convert files to be able to use old software and video should be on it's way soon. What a muppet!
Onto more exciting news! The Bristol 10k is just 2 weeks away!!! Dan is training hard, and Kerri and I are thinking about it alot. So far the furthest I have run is 5.6k, but I am resolving to increase that this week. Darn things like, a full time job, eating and sleeping keep getting in the way. Not to mention trying to get everything organised for the May launch. But heyho! so long as we all finish it's all groovy. I am actually considering going running in the mornings before work to get in some practice (Mum, pick yourself up off the floor! I am capable of rising before 8am. I think). Kerri is actually a pretty good runner and I think both she and dan will whoop my behind in the time stakes, but I figure it's the taking part that counts!
Also, I am hoping that the next 2 weeks will see me become the proud owner of my very first sea kayak. Yup, that's right, I don't have a kayak yet! I have had a paddle for 2 years now but nothing to use it with. The guys at the family adventure store are trying to get a Wilderness systems Tempest 165 for me to trial (the seat looks uber comfy and the reviews have been great so far). In Falmouth SeaKayakingCornwall prefer Nigel Dennis Kayak Explorers, and though they are fab boats I am very much looking forward to seeing what the Tempest has to offer. So far I have trialled a couple of Dagger boats but they weren't really suited for 5'6" short legged people. I am finding as well that I prefer the fibreglass boats, might be my imagination but they seem a bit smoother in the water.
The PaddleFree t-shirts and hoodies have been met with resounding success from the team. I hope to get some pictures up soon (does anyone know how to tweet a picture?!?!). And this past weekend I managed to get my two god-daughters (aged almost 3 and almost 5) to join their Aunty Sara on a sit-on-top kayak for a paddle. They loved it!! Give them a few more years and they'll be paddling free too!! It was a great day!
Well, I suppose I had better get back to this video editing larky and see what i can smush together.
Sara x
At the moment I can't decide!! However, the frustrations I am currently having in the mini-mission to create a youtube video are entirely of my own making. Here's how it's played out so far:
Video camera, check.
Record video, check.
Transfer video to computer, check.
Edit video, file type not supported.
Read instructions on how to operate video camera and video editing software.
Anyone else see the issue with this version of events.......................d'oh!
So, now downloading new software to convert files to be able to use old software and video should be on it's way soon. What a muppet!
Onto more exciting news! The Bristol 10k is just 2 weeks away!!! Dan is training hard, and Kerri and I are thinking about it alot. So far the furthest I have run is 5.6k, but I am resolving to increase that this week. Darn things like, a full time job, eating and sleeping keep getting in the way. Not to mention trying to get everything organised for the May launch. But heyho! so long as we all finish it's all groovy. I am actually considering going running in the mornings before work to get in some practice (Mum, pick yourself up off the floor! I am capable of rising before 8am. I think). Kerri is actually a pretty good runner and I think both she and dan will whoop my behind in the time stakes, but I figure it's the taking part that counts!
Also, I am hoping that the next 2 weeks will see me become the proud owner of my very first sea kayak. Yup, that's right, I don't have a kayak yet! I have had a paddle for 2 years now but nothing to use it with. The guys at the family adventure store are trying to get a Wilderness systems Tempest 165 for me to trial (the seat looks uber comfy and the reviews have been great so far). In Falmouth SeaKayakingCornwall prefer Nigel Dennis Kayak Explorers, and though they are fab boats I am very much looking forward to seeing what the Tempest has to offer. So far I have trialled a couple of Dagger boats but they weren't really suited for 5'6" short legged people. I am finding as well that I prefer the fibreglass boats, might be my imagination but they seem a bit smoother in the water.
The PaddleFree t-shirts and hoodies have been met with resounding success from the team. I hope to get some pictures up soon (does anyone know how to tweet a picture?!?!). And this past weekend I managed to get my two god-daughters (aged almost 3 and almost 5) to join their Aunty Sara on a sit-on-top kayak for a paddle. They loved it!! Give them a few more years and they'll be paddling free too!! It was a great day!
Well, I suppose I had better get back to this video editing larky and see what i can smush together.
Sara x
Friday, 16 April 2010
Perfect Conditions, Rough Times and Renewed Vigor
It's been a week of ups and downs. Two concurrent training weekends have been left half completed. One decimated by the behvioural issues of a 3 legged banshee masquerading as the worlds cutest dog and one cut short by a delightful ear infection which is now being treated by antiphyschotic drugs?!?! The gutting thing is that both of the days I missed were just just stunning kayaking conditions, darn! Definitely a downer and I seemed to be taking a hit both pysically and mentally.
However, it' starting to look up. Depsite some drowsy side-effects the drugs seem to be socking it to my ear infection and I find my spirits lifting. I have just finished reading the book "Rowing the Atlantic" by Roz Savage and it made me realise a few things:
1. You don't have to be the biggest, bravest or strongest to follow your dreams.
2. Big things start with small things, PaddleFree is nowhere near as big as rowing the Atlantic (don't worry Dan I have no intention of ever doing this!) but it's a small step towards a big difference for the 2 organisations we're supporting.
3. Being brave is being afraid and sensibly doing it anyway.
4. It's okay to be scared.
5. I really want to do this!!!
I was down hearted that PaddleFree maybe wasn't seen by others as being very challenging when Dan and I are pouring heart and soul into the project. But it doesn't matter what other people think of it. We know that it is challenging for us and if people don't care, we'll make them care! We want to get people excited about this project, so with less than 45 days til launch day (gulp!) the race is on to get the word out there!
The first round of media bumpf went out this week. I was on Radio Scilly sounding like a slightly strangled oompaloompa and we had a very positive reaction from Pirate FM in Cornwall. Also we have been invited to be Blue Champions with the Blue Project (www.theblueproject.org), how exciting!! So it's getting there. The project clothing is also due any day now so keep an eye on the gallery and blog for PaddleFree's first modelling shoot!
I end this blog on a very positive note. PaddleFree will launch at the end of next month and it will be great!
Sara x
However, it' starting to look up. Depsite some drowsy side-effects the drugs seem to be socking it to my ear infection and I find my spirits lifting. I have just finished reading the book "Rowing the Atlantic" by Roz Savage and it made me realise a few things:
1. You don't have to be the biggest, bravest or strongest to follow your dreams.
2. Big things start with small things, PaddleFree is nowhere near as big as rowing the Atlantic (don't worry Dan I have no intention of ever doing this!) but it's a small step towards a big difference for the 2 organisations we're supporting.
3. Being brave is being afraid and sensibly doing it anyway.
4. It's okay to be scared.
5. I really want to do this!!!
I was down hearted that PaddleFree maybe wasn't seen by others as being very challenging when Dan and I are pouring heart and soul into the project. But it doesn't matter what other people think of it. We know that it is challenging for us and if people don't care, we'll make them care! We want to get people excited about this project, so with less than 45 days til launch day (gulp!) the race is on to get the word out there!
The first round of media bumpf went out this week. I was on Radio Scilly sounding like a slightly strangled oompaloompa and we had a very positive reaction from Pirate FM in Cornwall. Also we have been invited to be Blue Champions with the Blue Project (www.theblueproject.org), how exciting!! So it's getting there. The project clothing is also due any day now so keep an eye on the gallery and blog for PaddleFree's first modelling shoot!
I end this blog on a very positive note. PaddleFree will launch at the end of next month and it will be great!
Sara x
Tuesday, 6 April 2010
Look momma, I wrotes a blog! AKA We have a boat!
Evening ladies and gents! This is indeed the long-awaited first blog from Skipper Dan. In the news this evening, we have a support boat sorted out! Thanks to Mr Chris Danican from the Downs Sailing Club in Deal, we will be using Wavedancer, as modeled here on a previous visit to the West Country:
Nope, not the big one with the cranes. Nope, not the smaller one next to it either. And no, I'm afraid it's not the nice wooden one either! But it is a very comfy RIB with more than enough room for the PaddleFree Safety Team, the PaddleFree Photography Team, the PaddleFree Film Crew (all of those are me by the way...!) and any other spectators that want to join us!
In other news the training for the run is going well. I'm upto 7.5k at the moment, and have promised Sara and Kerri a bottle of bubbly each if either of them can beat me! The race is on ;-)
That's most of it from me really. Though I think that damn clock on the website is broken, it keeps managing to lose days somewhere I'm sure! We must have more than 53 days, 11 hours, 11 minutes and 42 seconds, right?!!
Night all!
Nope, not the big one with the cranes. Nope, not the smaller one next to it either. And no, I'm afraid it's not the nice wooden one either! But it is a very comfy RIB with more than enough room for the PaddleFree Safety Team, the PaddleFree Photography Team, the PaddleFree Film Crew (all of those are me by the way...!) and any other spectators that want to join us!
In other news the training for the run is going well. I'm upto 7.5k at the moment, and have promised Sara and Kerri a bottle of bubbly each if either of them can beat me! The race is on ;-)
That's most of it from me really. Though I think that damn clock on the website is broken, it keeps managing to lose days somewhere I'm sure! We must have more than 53 days, 11 hours, 11 minutes and 42 seconds, right?!!
Night all!
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