Canoecopia is a magical place where piles and piles of outdoor companies come and show off their wares to throngs of folks anxiously awaiting the kayaking and canoeing season. And indeed if that were all it would be well worth it. But Canoecopia also offers nonstop lectures and demostraitions from some of the greatest paddlers out there on any topic you can imagine! When your brain is about to explode with everything going on inside the Alliance Center, you can take a break and head into the city for some great restaurants and maybe a tasty adult beverage. Yes people, Canoecopia has it all.

Will you be there, Kelly? Why, yes I will! And I’ll be joined by a cadre of Kokatat paddlers and supporters along with the upper echelon of Kokatat. As an added bonus I will be blogging straight from Canoecopia with some videos so who knows, you might just see yourself on this very page come March 9-11. Come on out and join me! - Kelly Blades

The month rounded off with a wonderful visit to Tybee Island and some instruction. We were blessed with some good waves and very strong winds on the first day, the winds left for the second but the waves stayed for the first half leaving us some wonderful play. For the second half of the weekend we did a couple of lovely trips - the first around the north of the Island back to the house and the second out to Long Island and back up Tybee Creek to the house. What a lovely start to the year! I have also been able to get some go training in using a sprint river boat I got from RSA to paddle on the Roanoke River in Roanoke, VA. The water levels have been fine, the rapids fun and the flatwater varied. It has been great for my balance but I think most of the locals are wondering what I am up to. Hopefully the warmer weather will stay with us for a little while longer so I can keep going. - Ben Lawry. Photo courtesy of Jeff Forseth.

The Stephen Forster Stout Tour is for me remembering my best friend who passed away doing what he loved. Stephen and I had spent the last 5 years paddling together in all parts of the continent. When we were younger we would always look through guide books or search the internet for big drops or any type of fun white water. We didn’t always run what we looked up but we always looked to the next time that we could possibly run it.

The Stout Tour is most of Stephens good friends or people he had an impact on kayaking, going back to all the drops, rapids, and anything else that looks good and firing it up. Stephens enthusiasm towards kayaking is something that will live on with friends and it is what fuels the Stout Tour. - Kyle Hull

Volleyball and hacky sack are everyday activities for Kokatat employees but this futsal experience was a first for most who participated. With a combination of new shoes and old outdoor soccer skills, the Lime Team suited-up and showed-up for fun and camaraderie in the face of some talented and skilled competitors. Although their overall record didn’t earn bragging rights there is no doubt, each who played deserves applause. To start something new, even as a team can be intimidating, and to finish something that took effort and struggle can be rewarding. The Lime Team fought for every epic goal scored and every defensive maneuver. In the end, all those who attended were witness to the Kokatat spirit. We work hard and have fun doing it. The evidence is in the blisters, sore muscles and tall tales of futsal memories retold with the background hum of sewing machines at the Kokatat factory. - Alynn Zdawczynski, Administrative Assistant

As you can see I have repaired it a few times and it still keeps on ticking! The jackets that are out their now do not have the long cuffs which I prefer. A lot of people still comment on this style and where they can get one.

As a former outdoor outfitter in the sea kayaking industry for over 35 years and a BCU Instructor this jacket has been a wonderful product-its unfortunate that soon it may have to be retired before it disintegrates. - Bob Haskell, Kennebunkport Conservation Trust Island Steward Program Director