Welcome to www.joeoblenis.com

Here you will find some of my favorite links on a variety of topics such as kayaking, canoeing, cycling, snowshoeing etc. This page will be updated fairly often so check back soon.

Speedstroke Gym

   Kayak and canoe ergometers, the best in the business! Coming soon to Thunder Bay Ontario!

 www.havriet.com

   Website of Swedish designer Johan Wirsen.

   Among many of his accomplishments, Johan is the designer of the Tahe Greenland sea kayak as well as many others.

 Greenlandorbust:

   Website for Helen Wilson, the 2008 Greenland Rolling Champion. 

   In 2008, Helen won the Women's solo rolling competion, the team rolling competition and the Harpoon Throwing competition at the Championships in Greenland (the World Championships). Quite simply put, she is the best in the world! Browse her site and check it out. 

   As of July 08, 2009, Helen Wilson is now sponsored by Joe O'Blenis Paddles! I'm very exctied about working with Helen in the years to come. 

 Tahe Marine Kayaks:

NOW IN Thunder Bay Ontario! 

   One of the biggest kayak manufacturers in Northern Europe, Tahe Kayaks was established in 1989. Over time both the range and number of kayaks has increased. Product development and production takes place on the northern coast of Estonia, using the most advanced technology and best materials available. Tahe Kayak’s products are primarily marketed in Scandinavia but the market has grown with each year and now Estonian kayaks are known and appreciated in many other countries round the world. 

Brooks Paddling Gear:

   Sprayskirts, PFD's, Greenland Paddling gear, Wetsuits etc... check it out! 

The entire Brooks line of kayaking gear and paddling wear is now available by special order. Some items now in stock. 

Handcrafted Canoes

Souris River Canoes: 

   Located in the heart of canoe country, Atitokan Ontario,  Souris River has been building a fine line of tripping canoes since the early '90's.. check 'em out!

Kayakpro:

   Racing and fitness kayaks plus fast sea kayaks! 

 Feathercraft Folding Kayaks:

   Folding kayaks? These folks are known as being the best in the business. 

Wavelength Magazine:

  Based out of Vancouver Island in British Columbia, this magazine, available in both printed and online formats, was recently purchased by one of my best friends in BC, John Kimantis. Always a great publication, I expect to see it grow bigger and better than ever with John at the controls.

 Kokatat Watersports:

    The best in paddling wear, PFD's etc.

   Kokatat was a major sponsor of mine when i circumnavigagted Vancouver Island in the summer of 2007 in setting a solo speed record for paddling around the island. When I return in the fall of 2009 to try sand reclaim the record (broken in 2008 by Kokatat paddler and rep Sean Morley) I'll again have my Kokatat gear with me.

   Check 'em out!

Clipper Canoes:

   Clipper Canoes is a high end Canadian manufacturer of canoes located in Abbotsford British Columbia. They were a major sponsor of my 2004 solo Cross Canada Canoe expedition as they provided me with a kevlar Sea-1 canoe for the expedition. They also make over 30 diferent models ranging from 14' solo canoes on up to 41' Voyageur Canoes and Outrigger Canoes. I later went on to work for Clipper and it was a great place to work. Check out there site. 

WWW.MYCCR.COM

   This site is a great resource for canoeists all across Canada. It stands for "My Canadian Canoe Routes". It is full of route information and forums, divided up province by province and Territory by Territory.  

The Wild Coast:

   A series of 3 guidebooks and a pair of Marine Atlases that cover the BC coast from Alaska down through the Inside Passage and all of Vancouver Island.  I used these atlases for navigation when breaking the speed record for cicumnavigating Vancouver Island in 2007. My good friend John Kiantis did an exceptional job on these books and I aim to follow a similar format for my series of books in the works for the Lake Superior area.

West Coast Paddler:

   Great website developed by a few of "the boys" out in British Columbia. Great resource for anyone interested in paddling the BC coast.

Yukon River Quest:

   740 Kilometer canoe & kayak race from Whitehorse to Dawson City Yukon down the Yukon River. This is an exceptional race and one that I greatly look forward to doing again!!

 Click below to follow along with Matt and Emily of Thunder Bay Ontario as they take on the long distance backpacking trail, the Appalachian Trail in the eastern states. They will be updating their blog as often as possible throughout their trip.