I was into Winter paddling before I got too old or too sensible or something. I had a 12 month calendar so I could check off all the months I managed to get a paddle done, December was a snap, managed January once but never crossed off February. I found myself seriously considering ice studs for the paddle blades, and actually designed an icebreaker attachment for my kayak. This where the plastic kayak scores, draftproof, warmer and tougher! Most folk don't know how to get the best out of the things.

I started to have second thoughts about the whole thing after sliding the bow up onto a submerged ice sheet, just didn't see it. I learned that kayaks for exploring icefields from above need different hull shapes, maybe something like a punt bow, because the regular variety get awful unstable when the bow is perched up on ice. I invented a whole new stroke for the occasion, kinda reverse draw stroke - desperation is the true mother of invention. If you're curious what it feels like, it's probably best to try it on a rock first . . .