Options for tracking your paddles

Written by Jason Learned on 14 May 2012. Posted in Miscellaneous

I get a lot of questions about what options people have to track their paddles. For starters, there is the old tried and true, paper journal and pencil which works for people who have not embraced the computer age. The simple answer is that there are no off the shelf programs designed to track our paddle advetures. I have however over the years come up a few solutions and have landed on one that works quite well for me.

I started off using a spreadsheet program such as Microsoft Excel or Apple’s Numbers and they work alright. Each column in the spreadsheet is a different item you want to record about each paddle and each row represents a single paddle. Whats cool is that if you have a little knowledge about excel you can do a little math and have a running total of miles, or average speed, etc. What I did not like about this option is I like to include some type of narrative about each paddle and neither program is great for this.

Here is an example excel spreadsheet27 KB I used to use.

Another option I used for a while is Microsoft Word 2010 and harnessing the notebook layout feature. I liked this as you can have multiple tabs along the side. For instance I had one for trips, training, seminars, meetings, etc. What was cool is that if you put in a outline format you could collapse the out line making it neat and tidy. This however had one draw back. If you wanted to look up how many SKIV trips you have done you would have to go through each entry and count them by hand. The same goes for distance, speed, etc. This is essentially a paper journal.

Here is an example of a simple paddling journal76.6 KB using MS Word 2010, view in the Notebook Layout.
Here is an example of the BCU Coaches Log70.77 KB using MS Word 2010, view in he notebook layout.

What I am currently using is a program that is only available for the Mac. That program is called Bento 4, (Currently $49.00). Bento 4 is a personal database program made by Filemaker. PC users don’t fret. You can do the same thing with Microsoft Access (Currently $139.95) although you are on your own for setting it up.

For this trip I launch out of Vaughn Bay and cross over to the top of Treasure Island and paddle down between the mainland and the island. There is a really cool vibe coming from this area. If you plan it right to reach Treasure on mid to rising tide, then you should have enough water to pass under the bridge connecting Stretch Island to the mainland. If not then you will have paddle along the eastern shores of Stretch Island.
I then cross back over to the Key Peninsula and visit Dutcher cove and paddle as far up the little cove as I can as there are some interesting sights to see. From Dutcher Cove, I paddle north back into Vaughn Bay before the outgoing tide is too strong to paddle against to get back in the bay. There is lot to see and explore in Vaughn Bay as well take your time and paddle the entire shoreline!
SKILL LEVEL:

Newcomers

As a newcomer you have had little to no instruction on how to wet exit and get back in your boat or prevent capsizes effectively. You should only paddle in protected waters near shore and with a friend that can show you the basics. Only attempt short crossings when accompanied and only launch when you know that the weather is good and not going to change. Avoid any tidal current. The Pacific Northwest is a beautiful place to discover by paddling but there are hidden dangers that you can avoid with a little bit of knowledge and skills.

To increase your knowledge and skills, find clubs and schools by visiting my Resources Page.

Transitional Paddlers

As a transitional paddler you have been shown and are proficient at wet exiting and self rescues in deepwater. You should have a solid brace to keep yourself upright, you may even be working on getting a reliable roll in the pool or on flat waters. You know the basic paddle strokes and are able to maneuver your boat proficiently on flat water with little wind. You should be able to paddle up to 8 miles in a protected inland environment over the course of a day.

This level of skill would be the equivalent of ACA L2 Skills or BCU 2 Star Skills.

Developing Paddlers

As a developing paddler you should be a self-sufficient paddler that has some formal training, can assess hazards confidently and are comfortable in moderate conditions. You should be comfortable paddling in winds up to 15 knots and waves/swell up to 3 feet, as well as be able to self-rescue effectively in these conditions. A developing paddler can maintain an effective course in wind and waves, as well as be able to roll their kayak in open water. You should be proficient with deep water rescues and towing systems. As a developing paddler you should have an understanding of trip planning, navigation and equipment selection and be capable of paddling 15 NM over the course of a day.

This level of skill would be the equivalent of ACA L3 Skills or BCU 3 Star Skills.

Progressive Paddlers

As a progressive paddler you are used to paddling with competent peers in more bumpy ocean settings and are confident in winds up to 20 knots with swells up to 6 feet, you look for more challenging sessions. A progressive paddler will have a well-rounded sea kayaking background and be able to perform all the fundamental skills in moderate to rough water. You should have a reliable roll in open dynamic water, be able to paddle 15 to 20 NM over the course of a day. At this level, paddlers should possess good seamanship skills such as environmental/weather and sea state awareness, tidal and trip planning, on-water navigation and be knowledgeable about emergency procedures and rough water rescues.

This level of skill would be the equivalent of ACA L4 Skills, BCU 4 Star Skills or higher.

SK Rating:

SK III

This is a longer crossing where you will be exposed and committed if the wind comes up.

Distance:	11 NM
Charts:	NOAA 18448
Launch:	Vaughn Bay Boat Ramp
Radio Channels:	VHF 16
Weather:	Puget Sound and Hood Canal
Tides:	Vaughn, Case Inlet (Tides)

With Bento you can view and enter information in beautiful forms, get quick sorting, and advanced searching. All of this without being a computer guru. You just have to download and import them into the Bento program and you are ready to track you paddles.

Bento Paddle Logs1.35 MB

Bento also comes loaded with dozens of themes to make your forms look how you want. There is even an Bento app for your iPad and iPhone that wirelessly syncs with your desktop version.

Miscellaneous Stuff

Options for tracking your paddles

SKILL LEVEL:

Newcomers

Transitionals

Developing

Progressive

SK Rating:

SK III