HAPPY NEW YEAR!

2008 was a great year for P.O.A. We have lots to look back on and talk about. From South Bend, IN to Ontario, Canada (and plenty of trips in between) we have countless pictures and stories to share on our many trips to come. Thanks again to all of you who took and Adventure with us in 2008, and hope that we can see you again in 2009. For those of you that didn't get a chance to join us this past year, we look forward to making new friends and sharing in new Adventures this coming year. Be sure to keep an eye on our website for upcoming Trips and Adventures!!!

I will leave you with a great quote and a question to ask yourself in the upcoming year: "There are two kinds of adventurers: those who go truly hoping to find adventure and those who go secretly hoping they won't." - William Trogdon.

Come find an Adventure with us! Best of Luck in 2009 and HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Adventure On,

Gabriel & Jacob Slominski

Powers Outdoors Adventures

Warren Miller Muskegon...Grandville in 2 Weeks!

Here is a pic of the Three Amigos over at the Frauenthal Theatre in Muskegon, MI., as we sponsored this year's Warren Miller movie "Children of Winter." If you missed it, don't worry...we will be out in even more force on December 12 & 13 at the Grandville High School Auditorium. You can purchase tickets through our website by clicking HERE. You can also buy your tickets at Powers Outdoors in Rockford. Get there early and get a Powers Outdoors T-shirt...or be lucky and catch one as we throw them off stage! Hope to see you at the show.

Thanks to Columbia for hooking us up with these sweet Titanium jackets and be sure to keep an eye out for all of the Columbia SWAG we will be giving away at the shows!

Gabriel Ca$h

P.O.A.

Warren Miller Pre-Party in Chicago!

ITS THAT TIME OF YEAR AGAIN! Time to get ready for the winter season...time for the annual Warren Miller installment. This year WM brings you "Children of Winter." So, we are bringing you a Pre-Party! Join us this Thursday, October 23rd at Plan B located in the heart of Bucktown at 1635 N. Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL. We have tons of cool stuff to give away this year including a 4-day Ski Trip, with Lodging to Keystone, CO; a 3-day Ski Trip with Lodging to Alpine Valley; lots of lift tickets and movie tickets and tons of other WM T-shirts, stickers and SWAG!! Be sure to stop by Plan B for your chance to win some of these great prizes. There is a complimentary Sky Vodka reception from 7-8pm...so what are you waiting for? See you Thursday night!

-P.O.A.

FALL PADDLING HAS ARRIVED...

Call us crazy, but this is one of our favorite times of the year to paddle. The air is crisp. The colors are vivid. The rivers aren't packed full of people. For all of these reasons (and a lot more that you should see for yourselves), a river trip in the fall is tough to beat. Now, throw into that a home cooked meal and some good company...and we're talkin' darn near impossible to beat! So, if you'd like to join us next weekend on the Muskegon River, we would be happy to have you! If you decide to make the trip, here are a few things to consider:

1) Dress in Layers. Even though we are nearing the end of October, if you dress to warm (or not warm enough) you simply won't enjoy your time on the river. So, be sure to start with a decent base layer and then mid-layer on both your top and bottom. Don't forget your rain coat, because even if it isn't raining (hope, hope!) then you can wear it as a wind breaker if necessary.

2) Bring a Change of Clothes. Unlike our summer paddle trips, our fall,winter and spring trips all require that you bring a "dry set" of clothes just in case you take that unexpected dip into the river. Our guides will keep this in one of the guide boats, so that you won't have to worry about the extra bulk.

3) Stay Hydrated. Just because it is cooler outside, doesn't mean that your body can do without liquids. Make it a point bring your Camelbak, Sigg, or a Nalgene bottle for water. And even more important, don't forget to take a drink!

4) Bring Your Camera. The rivers in Michigan this time of year are incredible. The color ranges are so broad that your photos will make you the envy of all your friends. They will be amazed at some of the pictures you bring back from your Adventure!

Hope to see you on one of our next Adventures. Be sure to check out our website at http://www.powersadventures.com/.

Paddle On,

P.O.A.

End of the Summer Paddle

Well, it was back to the Pere Marquette river for our end of the summer paddle! We had a small group but a great trip. The weather was into the 70's and barely a cloud in the sky. It actually felt more like July! Our head cook Rose made sure we stayed full...for lunch, it was cheese fondue with veggies for an appetizer and then her famous dill pickle wraps for the main course. After stuffing ourselves, and even though an afternoon nap sounded good, the group pushed on. Lots of fisherman on the river, mostly trying their hands for the Trout and Steelhead that the PM is known for. Although the river got tight in a few spots, it was good to see the mutual respect of both kayakers and fisherman using the PM. Stay tuned for our next overnight trip that is taking place on the Muskegon River at the end of October. You can sign up HERE for that trip or other upcoming trips at http://www.powersadventures.com/.

Paddle On,

P.O.A.

TRIP THIS WEEKEND!

September 27, 2008:End of Summer Paddle
PereMarquette River, Baldwin, MI
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As summer draws to an end, we head north to the scenic Pere Marquette River located in Baldwin, Michigan. Paddlers will enjoy a beautiful, picturesque day trip that will last around 5 hours. The trip includes a light continental breakfast, lunch on the river, transportation to/from river and a P.O.A. T-shirt.

DETAILS: If you are departing from the Rockford Powers Outdoors, we will be leaving at 8:00 am on Saturday, September 27th (Please arrive at 7:45 am to load up your gear.) We will then stop and pick up the 2nd group at the Newaygo Powers Outdoors around 8:45 am, and departing by 9:15am. (Please arrive at 8:30am in back parking lot to load up your gear). Once we are loaded up in Newaygo, coffee and a light continental breakfast will be served before we head north for the PM River. We should be on the river by around 11:15 am. We will have lunch around 1:30 pm and pull off the river around 4:00 pm. Back in Newaygo by around 5:30 pm, and Rockford by 6:30pm. For the trip, we will be putting in at Rainbow Rapids and paddling down to the Lower Branch landing. Boat rental is available for an additional fee. Please note on your sign up sheet if you have your own boat or if you need to rent.

COST: $75.00 if you have all of your own gear. Kayak/Canoe rental is available for an additional $25.00 (which includes a paddle and pfd).

CLICK TO SIGN UP!

HOPE TO SEE YOU ON THE RIVER THIS WEEKEND!

Paddle On,
P.O.A.

Reflection

REFLECTION: pronounced (ri-flek-shun); Noun.
1. The act of reflecting or the state of being reflected.
2. Something, such as light, radiant heat, sound, or an image, that is reflected.
a. Mental concentration; careful consideration.
b. A thought or an opinion resulting from such consideration.

...Well, here is POA's thought for the day, and you can thank Mr. Ferris Bueller for this one: "Life moves pretty fast...you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it." How true. So take a moment to reflect on the picture above. This was taken at Pancake Bay, located in Ontario, Canada. The POA PaddleCru had just finished the Agawa River, and set up camp on the pristine white sand beaches of Lake Superior. Reflection. Makes you stop and think. Now, stop thinking and get out there and paddle!

Paddle On,
Gabriel Ca$h
P.O.A.

P.O.A. Winter Flashback!

So, I figured it was time to reflect on why we love the Mid-West so much...Seasons! Since summer is coming to an end, and knowing autumn will shortly be upon us, that means winter shall be soon to follow. Just remember, that doesn't mean you can't get out there and paddle. Here is a P.O.A. group just before we launch on the Pere Marquette River at Rainbow Rapids back in December. We believe in 12 months of paddling at P.O.A., so we look forward to seeing you on our Fall Color Tour Paddle in October and our upcoming Winter Paddle in December. Don't forget to check out http://www.PowersAdventures.com/ for details on upcoming trips.

Paddle On,

Gabriel Ca$h
P.O.A.

Have A Safe Labor Day Weekend!

P.O.A. wants to remind you that it will be busy on the water this weekend. With that in mind, here are a few tips and etiquette to remember when you are heading out in your kayak or canoe to do a little holiday paddling. We call them the "3 Be's":

1) Be Visible. Wear bright colored clothing and/or a bright hat. If you have the option, go with your yellow or orange paddle blades. If you only have black or wood blades, hey...its the end of the season and there are a ton of sales on paddles. Now you have a good excuse (for safety's sake of course) to pick up that bright colored paddle! And if paddling at dusk, make sure you have the proper lighting so that other boats can easily spot you. Remember, assume that bigger boats don't always see you, so be sure to do all you can to maximize your visibility.

2) Be Alert. If you are lucky, you will find some nice calm water to navigate without anyone to disturb your relaxing paddle. But, chances are you will run into gobs and gobs (yes, that means a lot) of weekend warriors cruising in speedboats and racing around on jet skis. So, you need to make sure that you are well aware of your surroundings at all times. Plan ahead so that oncoming vessels can easily steer clear of you. Try to avoid heavily congested areas and be sure to give other boaters plenty of distance. Scan for any hazards and be able to react if you spot any.

3) Be Ready. Make sure that if you head out into the waters this weekend, you do so with a full understanding of your limitations. Don't try to paddle an area above your experience level. Conditions can change at any time and you should be sure that you are capable of handling them. Weather is always a factor, so make sure to check it before you head out. Wind can change the water you are paddling through in the blink of an eye. If you have the proper equipment (PFD, pump, paddle float) and are fully prepared, you can assure yourself a great time and a safe return.

So, now that you've given it some thought, get out there! Grab some friends, your better half or your pet and get that paddle in the water. Enjoy the long weekend and we hope to see you on the water soon.

Paddle On,

Gabriel Cash

P.O.A.

Outdoor Retail Convention Highlights

Fellow Outdoor Enthusiast, we have seen the future...and it is good! Powers Outdoors and Powers Outdoors Adventures just returned from our bi-annual trip to Salt Lake City, UT to see the latest and greatest outdoor clothing, footwear and gear. New on the kayak front, Old Town is launching a line called Vapor. But the big hit this year at the "Open Air Demo Days" was the paddle board. These are long boards like surfboards from back in the 50's and 60's only instead of surfing them...you paddle them! It is great exercise and way more fun than you may think. Stay tuned for more information about new gear for 2009!

Whitewater - Here We Come!

So, as July winds to an end we find ourselves in desperate need of WHITEWATER! The best way to get your fix in the Midwest is to head over to the East Race Waterway in South Bend, IN. This will be POA's second trip here this summer and the weather is looking fantastic. Hope to see you there!

Details: POA provides transportation, kayak rental, lunch and a POA T-shirt to everyone signed up fo the trip. We have two seperate starting destinations, Chicago, IL and Rockford, MI. The two groups converge in South Bend for a day of paddling, food and friends. You can check out some more great pix of our last trip on our FLICKR PAGE.

If you missed out this time, unfortunately that is it for 2008. The Waterway's last day for the public is August 10th. So, be sure to put it on your calendar for next summer!

Paddle On,
P.O.A.

Wine Paddle Announced

Wine tasting and the outdoors...
what else is there in life? Well, here is your chance to experience both in the same weekend. Our next trip is scheduled for July 26 and 27. This trip is a 2.5 hour paddle through a chain of lakes. But that is just the beginning. This trip also includes two seperate wine tastings (a white and a red), some food pairings, as well as the option to camp overnight and enjoy a gourmet dinner in the evening and homeade breakfast in the morning. Now that your mouth is watering, you need to check out the details and
SIGN UP HERE!

Hope to see you on our next Adventure!

Paddle On,
P.O.A.

PowerPaddle a SUCCESS!!!

On Saturday, July 5th, Powers Outdoors Adventures was on hand to help sponsor the 7th annual Powers Outdoors PowerPaddle Race on the Muskegon River in Newaygo, MI. As always, there were two races: The Fun Paddle and the HardCore Race. The Fun Paddle had over 40 participants this year, with trophies going to the top 3 and medals through 8th place. Then, the HardCore Race had a Mens and Womens Kayak division and an open Canoe Division (pictured above). The total purse money between those classifications was over $1000! Needless to say, the weather was beautiful and the turnout was great. The highlight of the day was the rivalry between Camp Henry and Camp Newaygo. The camps showed up all dressed up in festive garb, a honeymooning couple, a cow complete with udder and the incredible Hulk just to name a few. Camp Henry walked away victorius and vowed to win again in 2009!

2008 Kayak Symposium

Thank you for making the 6th Annual Powers Outdoors Kayak Symposium a success!!! P.O.A. teamed up with Powers Outdoors for their annual kayak instruction and demo day. Over 200 people attended the event over two days at Wabasis Lake and Brooks Lake. Vendors like Columbia and Teva were on hand to pass out freebies both days. In addition, representatives from Old Town, Necky, Perception, Wilderness Systems, Dagger, Hurricane, Native and Pelican were on hand to explain paddle techniques, rescue examples, and showcase new kayaks. This event grows larger and larger each year, so if you missed it in 2008, start planning now for next year!

P.O.A. Gets its Merit Badge

Last weekend, POA was invited by Boy Scouts of America to teach some of the Powerderhorn classes at Camp Gerber located in Twin Lake, MI. 42 Members of the BSA received detailed instruction and hands on learning of kayak and canoe terminology, strokes and rescue. If your group would like to recieve instruction, please visit our website at www.PowersAdventures.com and email or call us for details.

Don't Try This At Home

We are professionals...(fire made with Eco-Friendly Green Goo)

Now get back to those Memorial Day cookouts and campfires!

Photogenic Guides

Just one of the benefit of booking a trip with P.O.A.!!! (The background helps too!) This pic was taken in front of the amazing Agawa River Falls in Ontario, Canada.

Back from the Canada Trip!

...And in one piece! What a great trip we had. Thank God nobody can predict Canadian weather. We had perfect conditions for the entire trip. Lots of new pictures to check out at the P.O.A. Flikr site. Can't wait to share more stories with you...

We are International!

In less than a week, Powers Outdoors Adventures will embark on our guided trip to the Agawa River in Ontario, Canada. We are taking 9 lucky soles and 4 POA Guides. Looks like a great group and we can't wait to get our paddles in that Canadian water!

Paddle On,
P.O.A.

Free Kayak Instruction!!!

Join Powers Outdoors Adventures this weekend at the Muskegon In-Water Boat show over on Lake Michigan. We have a booth right next to the paddle tank that will highlight some basic kayak instruction. Your guides Jake Slominski and Gabriel Cash will be teaching beginner paddle strokes, self-rescue, and more. We have sessions on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Check out the Paddle Tank schedule at the show for more specific time details.

Don't forget to check out our website at www.PowersAdventures.com

2008 GET OUT MORE TOUR!

The Tour sponsored by Backpacker Magazine and Woolrich will swing into Powers Outdoors in Newaygo on Sunday, May 4th from 1-2pm. Join outdoor pros Sheri and Randy Propster as they share their trail-tested tips with adventurers across the nation. They will be giving away lots of prizes so make sure you attend this educational and FREE event!

Here is the link for more info:
http://getoutmore.backpacker.com/wordpress/

Adventures Camping Tip:

If you are heading out for an overnight journey, ditch your travel pillow and pack an extra down coat instead. Your down or primaloft coat can double as a pillow and come in handy when that unexpected cold front comes through at 3am. This will help you shed weight in your pack and gain some versatility!

Adventure On,
Gabriel Ca$h
P.O.A.

Some of our Trip Photos

Check out some of our recent trips. Our Flickr page is updated with most recent pix from our latest expeditions! www.flickr.com/photos/powersadventures
CHECK US OUT!

Our Guides Rule...

Contact Information

www.PowersAdventures.com

Group Shot!

Adventures is on the Blog!

Well, Well, Well...look who has a Blog!