paddling — Blog - Joshua Forester

Endurance Paddling Showdown: Surfski vs. Kayak

If we come over here to the hull shape of the 18X, it's a little bit broader and that accounts for stability. It is a sea kayak, so it's it's made for billowing waves and big chop out in the ocean. Obviously, it's got a lot more carrying capacity than the surfski. That's a good thing when you're doing a very long paddle and you have to carry a lot of gear with you. The carrying capacity of the 18X is far superior to that of the V10 surfski, and mainly that's because of the hatches that they have in the bow and also the stern back here; but also to the right back of the paddler that's accessible from the cockpit…

PaddlingJoshua ForesterDecember 31, 2019lake lanierThe Lanier Lap, Georgia, paddling Comments

The Lanier Lap - How We Did It

I missed the sun. I missed watching it rise and fall over the lake. I missed the rainbows of colors it pours over the sky—a heavenly canvas mirrored by the surface upon which I flew decorated with a million million sparkles as the water’s ripples become the ticker tape of my passing. I missed the calmness of a clear night—the silky, moonlit quiet of the water. So calm that you feel like the lake is whispering to you to be still for just a moment with her, so quiet that you can marvel at the sound of your own heartbeat carrying over her serene waters. I missed the lake day celebrations, the children swimming under the watchful eyes of their parents, the smell of grilling, and the sounds of splashing. The sun did eventually come out, and I finally dried out...mostly…

PaddlingJoshua ForesterJune 12, 2019Lake LanierThe Lanier Lap, Georgia, paddling Comments

The Allatoona Run - Fifty Five Hours in Review

It may be shocking, but when I set out to do The Lanier Lap, I would not consider myself a paddler. My primary strength in adventurer racing has always been that I seem to do fairly well at everything BUT the paddling portions, and for the latter I just do what I can to get through it quickly. In fact, in planning The ‘Toona Run, I realized that it would be seven times longer than I had ever paddled continuously by myself. Which is kind of nuts in an of itself. Separately, there was an issue with training. Looking at it in the beginning of the year and as a potential project for the year, I was already behind on training…

Epic Kayaks Named Sponsor of The Lanier Lap

“Epic is excited to be part of the Lanier Lap. As a brand, we are focused on performance and efficiency, and Joshua's lofty goal of a 4-day, 400-mile circumnavigation of Lake Lanier seemed a perfect fit,” said Epic Kayak’s Bruce Poacher. For my training leading up to it—including The ‘Toona Run—I will be paddling the Epic V10 Surfski with an Epic Full Carbon construction ProGrip Series Wing paddle above. Check out the jaw-dropping vessel…

PaddlingJoshua ForesterApril 22, 2019Epic KayaksThe Lanier Lap, sponsorship, paddlingComment

The Lake Allatoona Run

The ‘Toona Run is the time in motion equivalent to running three 50-mile ultra marathons back to back…to grueling back. To be honest, I’m not sure how my body will respond. But finding out before The Lanier Lap—twice the distance—takes place is my goal. Never have I felt so underprepared for something, and there seems to be such little time between now and then to get that way.

PaddlingJoshua ForesterApril 12, 2019Lake AllatoonaThe Lanier Lap, Georgia, paddling, Lake AllatoonaComment

Supporting The Lanier Lap

Apparently The Lanier Lap has been getting some shares around the interwebs, and numerous generous people have reached out to ask how they can help support the project. So I decided to give everyone the skinny below on how you guys can help!

PaddlingJoshua ForesterApril 8, 2019Lake LanierThe Lanier Lap, Georgia, paddlingComment

RailRiders Named Sponsor of The Lanier Lap

Jared Zissu, point man from RailRiders, said, “RailRiders is proud to be partnering with Josh Forester. His background in extreme endurance sports and harsh environments makes him an ideal Team RailRiders athlete. Josh is attempting to circumnavigate Lake Lanier by kayak non-stop. Along the way, he will be testing and evaluating different styles from RailRiders and we are looking forward to some great imagery, testimonials, and a cool adventure story as well.”

PaddlingJoshua ForesterMarch 29, 2019Lake Lanierpaddling, The Lanier Lap, sponsorship Comment

Cumberland Island Getaway

I attempted to walk with dignity to the ocean to wash them off, only to break into a run after I simply could not take it any more. Wading into the water was sweet relief, and for a wonderful moment I was both cool and relieved be bug free. It was at that moment I was surprised to see two dorsal fins in the shallows a mere hundred feet away. It became clear they weren’t dolphins when one of the sharks launched out of the water with a fish in front of its tooth-filled maw, the entranceway into its stomach opening and closing several times midair. I was in awe. It was one of those jaw-dropping moments on Shark Week where upon seeing it you swear off oceans for good. The shark was roughly 5-6 feet long head to tail, and I wouldn’t have guessed it to be in such shallow water. The dorsal fin of the other was no smaller. I was then faced with a decision--to stay in the water with the sharks, or to return to the sand gnats. With a vigilant eye focused on the sharks, I stayed. It was in this way I learned I hate sand gnats more than death…