Aquapac-sponsored paddler about to embark on 5-month journey around Great Lakes

Bryan Hansel aims to promote paddlesports participation and resource protection

Grand Marais, Minn – (For immediate release) – If Minnesota’s Bryan Hansel sits down later this year to start his “What I did on my summer vacation” essay his opening sentence should be pretty easy.

Paddle.

That’s what the 37-year-old photographer, writer and guide will be doing this year as he attempts to become the first person to complete a 5-month, 3,800-mile solo kayak circumnavigation of all the Great Lakes.

Hansel is undertaking the water journey with the goals of promoting improved stewardship of the Great Lakes, increasing interest of the paddlesports and documenting his travels in a book, including photographs he captures while shooting through his waterproof Aquapac case for his SLR camera.

“Picture taking while paddling a kayak in big waves is always a challenge,” Hansel said. “With an Aquapac case protecting my camera I can concentrate on getting the picture I want instead of worrying about keeping my camera dry.”

Aquapac is proud to offer Hansel some peace-of-mind. The daunting kayak trip, which begins May 2 on the northwestern edge of Lake Superior, will provide plenty of other distractions from wind and waves to campsite availability to physical exhaustion: Some days he plans to paddle more than 30 miles.

“We wish Bryan the best of luck on this adventure,” said Aquapac CEO Tim Turnbull. “We knew we had to get involved in this project when we heard about his goals. We’re really appreciative that he’s championing a blend of recreation and conservation around a one-of-a-kind resource and we’re glad we can help out.”

Hansel is thankful for Aquapac, too.

“Five months in a kayak is demanding on electronics, and I need to know that my equipment is going to stay functional the entire time,” said Hansel. “With Aquapac 100% Waterproof cases protecting my electronic gear, I can concentrate on paddling instead of having to worry about keeping my gear dry.”

Like Aquapac, Hansel uses Twitter (bryanhansel), where he’ll “tweet” about his excursion. He can also be followed at www.aroundthegreatlakes.com.

For more information on Aquapac, please visit www.aquapac.net Media interested in a scheduled of Hansel’s trip, should contact Matt Crawford at Pale Morning Media, matt_crawford@madriver.com or call 802.583.6069. Hansel’s phone number is 218.387.2502.

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It’s hard not to like a company with a trademark of “Your face is not a baby’s butt. Don’t wipe it like one!” So, when Martha Van Inwegen, Action Wipes creator, owner, marketer, contacted me via Twitter that she might be interested in sponsoring the expedition, I jumped at the chance. She sent out some samples of her product, I tried it out after a sweaty cross country ski, and I felt clean and fresh. One try sold me on the product.

About the product from their website:

Durable Washable Reusable
Directions For Use
Pull wipe out and open to full size. Clean face…body…neck…Recycle! Wash and clean bike, equipment,yoga mat, car, furniture… Anything!
You’ve changed since your days in the nursery… You’re bigger, play harder,smell stronger and your skin is not as smooth as your once cute baby behind. That’s why we created a bigger, thicker wipe specially for you. One thatdoesn’t leave you smelling like a baby, or remind you of one when its your time to play.

Action Wipes are created with a clean, fresh aromatic scent that smells like you just stepped into a spa. They’re made with all natural ingredients and therapeutic aromatherapy oils of tea tree and eucalyptus to clean sweaty pores and remove bacteria.

They have a mild sudsing action that doesn’t require rinsing, so you’re doing more than just wiping your skin, you’re actually cleaning it! Quick to dry, it leaves your skin soft – not sticky.

Action Wipes are naturally antiseptic, anti-fungal and anti-inflammatory, so they’re good for your skin. The gentle formula is safe for your face, sensitive skin, kids, pets and our planet too.

Did we mention they’re extra big? Yup, click here to see a comparison with other popular wipes. And they’re extra strong too! Unlike other single-use wipes, Action Wipes can actually withstand several machine washings and drying, so you can repurpose them for other uses – such as washing your dishes when you’re out camping, cleaning your equipment, dusting your furniture… When done, recycle them!

So go ahead, use them before, during and after Triathlons, Yoga, Music Festivals, Burning Man, Surfing (great to clean dried salt off face!) Golf, Tennis, Camping, Hiking, Backpacking, Soccer, Rugby, Roller Derby, Horse Back Riding, Motocross, Racketball, Football, Baseball, Wine Tasting, Travelling… what ever!

I’d like to thank Action Wipes for the sponsorship and take just a moment to mention that Lance Armstrong U Need Action Wipes!

Seals Sprayskirts have sponsored the expedition with a Pro Shocker Sprayskirt. Joe at Seals had my do a cockpit tracing [Seal's tracing worksheet] of my Nigel Dennis Explorer. I sent it in, and we found that the stock 1.4 size will fit my kayak perfectly. If a standard size skirt wouldn’t have fit, they were going to make a custom skirt for me. The whole process was easy and assured that I’ll have a great fitting skirt for those harry surf landings that I’ll be going through.

A little more information about Seals Sprayskirts from their website:

Seals Sprayskirts has a lot to be proud of.

Not only has its diverse U.S. workforce been cranking out innovative and dependable spray decks by hand since July 1983, but the company has supplied every U.S. Olympic Kayak Team with skirts since the L.A. Games in 1984.

Seals is proud to be recognized for sprayskirt innovations such as the tensioned deck stay and rim grip fabrics, but it’s also stoked to be involved in its community. Nestled in the Adirondack foothills, Seals has designed a new Green Initiative Program, confirming the company’s commitment to preserving the integrity of environment around its community. The new program pinpoints energy- and waste-reduction strategies and promotes environmental consciousness. The company has also conducted a full waste-stream analysis to max cost savings as well as to reduce waste that might otherwise end up in a landfill.

On top of that, Seals is intent on improving supports for citizens with developmental disabilities. The sprayskirt manufacturer contracts for sewing and assembly services with two local workshops that employ adults with learning disabilities.

So, we’re not just talking about a company that makes an exciting line of sprayskirts. We’re talking about a company that is committed to social responsibility, and … happens to make kickin’ kayak skirts, too.

I want to thank Seals Sprayskirts for the sponsorship, and I want to thank Joe and Kelly at Seals for getting everything set-up and shipped out.

I’d like to thank Pacific Outdoor Equipment for the sponsorship of the Around the Great Lakes Expedition. I’m really excited about the new AO Lite Sleeping Pad that I’ll be using on the trip, and as a bonus, it matches the color of my kayak. (I didn’t get my AT trail name having miss-matched gear. ) I’ll also be using WXtex drybags and camera bags for the trip. I’ve used WXtex in the past and love them. They’re durable and light. They are also providing a lightweight bear-bag system and some pack chickens for a bit of humor and enjoyment on the trip.

ABOUT Pacific Outdoor Equipment

We believe that GOOD GEAR = LESS WASTE, and try to drive our product development in the direction of sustainable innovation. We are a small company, with an eye on the big, blue, planet, and do everything within the code of integrity and responsibility – do no harm, and innovate relentlessly. From sleeping pads to welded bags, we outfit switched on folks participating in human powered activities with gear constructed from welded and waterproof fabrics. From Bike to Sea Kayak, Backpacking and Canoeing, we like to get outside and believe we make the best products to make those adventures more fun and exciting. We wish Bryan the best of luck on his Great Lake Adventure in 2009, and look forward to reading his stories. Cheers Mate!

Thanks!!!!

The Around the Great Lakes Expedition is proud to have Epic Kayaks as a sponsor. Epic is a company founded by paddlers with a passion for kayaking that stems from a background in racing. They’ve used that passion to move modern technology seen in high-end Olympic level racing into touring equipment.

For my trip, they’ve sponsored me with two paddles. A Full Carbon Active Touring model and a Hybrid Signature Relaxed Touring model. The Active Touring paddles weighs a super light 23 ounces, and the Relaxed Touring paddles weighs 26 ounces. Both paddles adjust from 210cm to 220cm via an inovative Lenght-Lock system.

Having both a high angle and low angle paddle with the ability to change the length will allow me to vary the paddles not only for the conditions but also for how I’m feeling that day. It’s exciting to have this option.

I want to thank Epic Kayaks for sponsoring the trip with paddles, a shirt, and a sweet paddling ball cap. I look forward to powering my trip with Epic.

Enertia meals are specially designed for wilderness adventurers who want great tasting, lightweight, high-energy food. ETF meals are packaged to withstand the rigors of extended outdoor travel, conserve space, save fuel, and provide Leave No Trace efficiency. ETF base camp is located in Marietta, Ohio where Team Enertia strives to create the highest quality customer service, and best tasting meals on the trail. Get yours at www.trailfoods.com.

I’ve used Enertia on many previous trips and sold them when I worked retail. They’re easy to make, taste great, and have a significant calorie load. Plus, they’re inexpensive and are filling.

I’m proud to have Enertia Trail Foods sponsoring the expedition, and I’d like to extend a very big thank you to them for coming along for the trip.

The Around the Great Lakes Expedition is proud to have Kokatat Watersports Wear as a sponsor.  Kokatat makes the best drysuits on the market. Their lifevests are top notch, and their reliability is unsurpassed. They are committed to not only making some of the best gear on the market, but also to supporting the development and growth of the sport. Kokatat means “into the water” and I’m glad to be carrying Kokatat into the water with me.

Since I’ve started paddling, I’ve had the opportunity to use Kokatat gear, but over the last few years, working as a kayaking guide, I’ve put participants into Kokatat gear five to six days a week. Even with the everyday use our gear sees, if it wasn’t for the dirt stains, you wouldn’t be able to tell it sees that kind of use. This stuff is durable.

On the Great Lakes, especially on Superior the water is extremely cold. When I start my expedition in May, the water temperature will be somewhere around 37°F (2.7°C), so it’s important to dress for the water and not the warmer air. Using a Kokatat drysuit, I know I’ll be protected from the brutally cold water while being able to stay comfortable in the warmer air because of their breathable fabrics.

I’d like to thank Kokatat for believing in this expedition and giving me a sponsorship.

6d6Design, a Freelance Web Design and Graphic Design company, has sponsored the Around the Great Lakes Expedition with a new theme for the expedition website. 6d6Design has built websites for photographers and explorers and, perhaps, most notably Brian Brawdy. For this site, he had two main design challenges:

1. Produce a website theme that could tell the story of my Around the Great Lakes Expedition.
2. Build the site, so each section could be easily searchable for visitors looking to paddle that section.

Over the last few months, 6d6Design has taken the website from this:

To the current look:

The new theme not only displays multiple random images from the gallery, but it prominately displays my sponsors, and allows my posts to be more easily seen and searched. It also is in tune with my Around the Great Lakes Expedition Sponsorship Proposal [Download - 870kb]. I love the random header images, and the support for Piclens and Cooliris, which has to be one of the coolest ways to view the image gallery.

This is a top notch theme that I’m proud to display on my website. If you’re looking for top quality original work, check out 6d6Design.

For the trip, I’ll be paddling a new NDK Explorer. It’s on the ground in the US and will soon be shipping my way. The boat was given to me by an anonymous sponsor. He heard about the trip and thought I should be paddling one of the best expedition kayaks in the world, so now I will be.

Thanks for the support! Getting a new kevlar expedition proven kayak is a huge plus for the trip.

The Around the Great Lakes Expedition is proud to have Java Juice as a sponsor. Java Juice is coffee in a package. It’s fast, easy, and delicious. Just add water … coffee’s ready.

I’ve been using Java Juice on my personal trips over the past couple of years and have found it the easiest and fastest way to make and enjoy a great tasting cup of coffee in the woods. And there is no cleaning up of coffee grounds.

My favorite way to drink Java Juice is simply pour 12 ounces of hot water into my coffee mug and then mix with the extract. For afternoons on cold days, I like the following mix – It works especially well if the water that you’re filtering is cold.

Kayak Camping Mocha

• 1/2 package Hot Chocolate Mix
• 2 Tablespoons of Dried Milk
• 10 ounces of Cold Water
• 1 package of Java Juice.

Mix the milk into the water first until dissolved. Then add the Hot Chocolate Mix until dissolved. Add a package of Java Juice and enjoy.

Java Juice at Baby Beach, Aruba

Java Juice on an old coral shelf, Aruba.

Java Juice in Aruba.