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The Little Chop regulars Paul Hogan, Lou Bliss, Jeannette Hogan, and Steve Draper

The final Big Chop of the season is coming up on Thursday, Sept 2nd, and we hope to see a big turnout for this one. We only have a few single kayaks to rent so if you may need to call Ecomarine to see if they will rent you a boat for the night.

We still have tickets available at registration for the wrap up party at the Rocky Mountain Flatbread Company. We'll be giving away a ton of great draw prizes including 4 pairs of Ryders sunglasses, a Stohlquist PFD, 4 Lasso locks, a entry to the Mind Over Mountain Adventure Race, and our grand prize a Think PowerWing paddle!

I have posted the results from Race #9 and there are photos on the Big Chop Facebook Page too.

THE BIG CHOP HAS A FACEBOOK PAGE. BE A FAN.

Join the Big Chop on facebook and be our friend. I'll post the full set of photos there too. Click here to be a fan.

Once again, the kayakers were the majority on the waters of False Creek and more seem to be content to participate in the Little Chop. I think it might have something to do with getting the 'good table,' the coldest beer, and the freshest hotdogs. Am I right, or am I right?

Thanks to Sophia Ha for coming out to shoot the Big Chop with her BIG camera. Once she sends me the photos, I'll post them up to the Big Chop's Facebook page.

REMINDER: We will be selling tickets to the Big Chop's Year End Party starting at the nextt race on August 5th. Tickets are $15 and they always sell out early. More details will be posted on this blog as we firm up more details. Bring extra cash to the next race.

FINALLY! This is the kind of weather we've been waiting for all year! Tomorrow's Big Chop is going to be the place to be with cool ocean breeze followed by a cool beverage drink! We hope to see you all out there for the sixth race of the season.

Sorry for the delay in posting week #3's results and photos! The resutls are on the right and here are few photos from the blackberry!

Paddlefest is a series of urban paddling events developed by MEC to support the enjoyment, growth and safe practice of paddling sports across Canada. The Vancouver event will feature water and on-land workshops, along with the possibility to try out boats from different manufacturers. New this year: a Paddleswap to exchange new and used gear. Capacity is limited, and paddlers wanting to participate are encouraged to pre-register.

SUMMER ARRIVES JUST IN TIME FOR THE BIG CHOP.
May 14, 2010

Had the Canucks won game six, it would have put game seven on the same day as last night's Big Chop. Lucky for us that didn't happen because I'm sure all of you would rather paddle than watch the Canacks battle it out one more time?

It was perfect paddling weather for all abilities and we sent everyone out on the Backside Loop course for a 8km or 4km adventure.

Selina, George, and a friend volunteered to time the finish. Thanks to you guys and to Dave, Deanna, Florida, Hugh, Melissa, and all the MEC staff for volunteering your time!

It was an exciting battle in the Little Chop between the female racers. Team Fab (Kimberly Hall and Liz Scott) squeaked out the win over Brenda and Nancy who tried to 'quietly' sprint it out but just missed out. Solo paddler Sarah Newman also competed for the top spot.

MEC's Mark Kelly and North Water's Morgan Goldie take Trish for a ride in circles.

Liz Scott wins two tickets to EAT! Vancouver which is coming to the Vancouver Convention Centre on May 28-30th.

CHOPPY AT THE CHOP. FIRST BIG CHOP SEES WHITECAPS.
April 30, 2010

Ryan Pogue belts out the course route instructions to the 48 paddlers on opening night of the MEC Big Chop Summer Paddle Series. The windy weather conditions meant that we had to go the 'creek' route which avoided the big waves for the Little Choppers. Ryan still had the Big Choppers go out to the Red Can for a bit of the swells and everyone was extra cautious making that turn.

Little Chop regulars, Kimbery Hall and Liz Scott (above), sporting the pink Stohlquist PFDs, were the fastest team in double kayak category. Bruce Passmore in an OC1 won the Little Chop overall and Shane Martin won the Big Chop. Full results on the sidebar.

Professional endurance athlete and course director for the Squamish Mind Over Mountain Adventure Race, Jen Segger, made the trip down from Squamish to take on the Little Chop on her Stand Up Paddleboard (SUP). Norm Hann also made the trip and did the Big Chop on his SUP. Starting on May 3rd, Norm will be paddling his SUP from Kitimat to Bella Bella to raise awareness to the proposed Enbridge oil pipeline and tanker traffic and its potentially devastating effects to the traditional food harvesting areas of First Nations and wildlife of the Great Bear Rainforest. We wish Norm all the best on his 300km journey!

Louise Bliss (above) took in her first Big Chop and liked it so much that she's already booked her kayak for next week!

THE BIG CHOP IS BACK ON FOR 2010!
March 21, 2010

Over the past few months, Ryan has been Hawaii and I have been working on the Olympics, but during that we managed to exchange a few emails and put some effort into this year's Big Chop season. We have set the schedule and we have secured Mountain Equipment Co-op for another season!

Our first event of the 10 race series, kicks off on Thursday, April 29th, at 7:00pm and continues every two weeks thereafter until we hit the final race on Sept 2nd. We'll clean off the BBQ, dust of the kayaks, and we ensure the prize table is filled with lots of swag every race.

Please help us spread the word of the Big Chop to your friends. We would love to see more paddlers out there -- both newbies and speedsters. Stay tuned for futher announcments of our grand prizes and other details about series pass registration incentives.

THE END IS NEAR! PARTY TIME.
Sept 1, 2009

Let's hope the rain hold off for the final race of the season! It's going to be a bit shorter anyway so you will be out and back in no time. Then it's off to the Rocky Mountain Flatbread Company for the series party!

We still have approximately 15 tickets left for the party so come early to registration to buy one.

Results from race number 9 are now posted as well. Great to see another 60 paddles out.

All our kayaks are now booked but we have one canoe left. Ecomarine is renting boats for this one so give them a call to reserve a boat.

RACE NUMBER EIGHT IN THE BAG
August 6, 2009
photos by Kelli Power

It was another fantastic night to be on the water. 56 paddlers hit the water with a solid contingent of first timers taking part in the Little Chop. Once again, it was Chris Dobrovolny clocking the fastest time followed closely by John Markez.

Ryan was manning the BBQ and cooking up the post race smokies. We also had a cooler of cold beverages that seemed to be a hit with the racers. Of course, everyone stayed for the heaps of draw prizes.

There are only two more sessions of the Big Chop and tickets for the Series Party are now on sale. We sold a bunch of them tonight and the rest will most likely go at race #9. Tickets are $15 each and include pizza and salad at the Rocky Mountain Flatbread Company.

BRING PRIZING FOR THE PILE!
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
photos by Roger Krygsveld

For some reason, I forgot to post the results for Week #5 and now I'm late on Week #6! Sorry! But to make up for it, I have added a whole bunch of photo galleries. Look to the right beside the Results and there are photo links for Race #2, #3, #5, and #6. When I get a bit more time, I'll work on adding images for Race #1 and #4.

The Big Chop continues to draw many newbies in addition to all the regulars. The MEC pre-race clinics continue to run at full capacity and requires bookings weeks in advance.

Thanks again to all our amazing sponsors and volunteers for their continued support. Special mention this week goes out to Ross Hales at Stohlquist for bringing out his gas powered blender. Also, it's great to finallly have the Helly Hansen prizing on the table. And thanks to Brian and Trista for donating the movie gift certificates!

If you have something from home or from the company you work for, please feel free to bring it and add it to the pile!

DID YOU MISS ME?
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
photos by Roger Krygsveld

Sorry to have missed race #5 of the Big Chop Summer Paddle Series. I was offered a free entry to the Coast Capital Savings Charity Golf Tournament at Northview and I couldn't pass that up! Thanks to Ryan and the rest of the Big Chop volunteer crew for running the race without me!

THE FUN TIMES JUST KEEP ON ROLLIN'
Thursday, June 11, 2009
photos by Roger Krygsveld

The mouth of False Creek was filled with Big and Little Choppers with all levels of paddling abilities from the super pro like national level paddler, Dion Maxwell, to first timer like Melissa and Emily.

HOT AND SUNNY. JUST HOW THE BIG CHOPPERS LIKE IT.
Saturday, May 30, 2009
photos by Roger Krygsveld

American, Eric Moll, was in town and dropped in on the Big Chop to show us the power of the paddle south of the 49th. Another 60 paddlers followed in his wake all motivated to get to the finish line and chow down on a post race smokie. Moll finished the 9km course in 43:47 followed by Deep Cove Kayak owner, Bob Putnam. Carolyn Daubney made her first appearance of the season and was the fastest female across the line. It was Bob Price and Mae Segar who took home the Little Chop crown.

Sheila Jonnes wins the Kayaking for Fitness book donated from Ecomarine Kayak Co.

George Power wins a tech top donated from MEC (I think it will look better on his wife, Kelly, though)

SMOOTHIES, HOTDOGS, AND SOME PADDLING
Friday, May 14, 2009
photos by Roger Krygsveld

We were all sad that the Canucks lost to Chicago, but at least people weren't conflicted over what to do on a sunny Thursday evening. We had 60 eager paddlers on the start line including seven year old Olivia Kelly and a Stand Up Paddle Boarder, Dale Rollins. Stolhquist's Ross Hale was back with his gas powered blender making everyone post race smoothies while Robyn was on the BBQ cooking up a feast of hotdogs.

We had a whole bunch of first time Big Choppers who survived the challenges of the Little Chop Course which took them out to Second Beach and back. Chris D was the speediest guy on the Big Chop course edging out Warren Bruce and Gary and Marshall in the double surfski.

A special thanks goes out to all the volunteers tonight! Thanks Robyn, Roger, Stu, Dave, Deanna, Kelly, George, and Graeme! And another shout out goes to all our sponsors especially those that made it out to paddle and show their spirit!

Great shot with the Planetarium and the Vancouver Children's Festival in the backgrond.

THE BIG CHOP TAKES ON THE CANUCKS
Thursday, April 30, 2009

Despite going head to head with the Canucks vs Blackhawks in game one of the playoffs, we had a solid turnout of paddlers for the first race of the MEC Big Chop Summer Paddle Series. 51 non-hockey fans ( ;0) ) took to the waters in either the 4km or 8km paddle race and it was France's Jean Rillard who won tonight's event. You can find the results are on the right sidebar.

Highlights of the night included Stohlquist's Ross Hale making strawberry smoothies using his gas powered blender followed by the large turnout of first time Big Choppers!

The next race is on May 13th. Remember that you can purchase a Season's Pass for $80 next week and it includes a Helly Hansen Lifa Cool tech top valued at $40.

Thanks to our sponsors, volunteers, and you the racer for coming out and supporting the Big Chop!

CITYTV VISITS THE BIG CHOP
Monday, April 27, 2009

CityTV's Breakfast Television reporter, Greg Harper, was out learning to paddle at the MEC Big Chop Summer Paddle Series promo this morning. It was a beautiful day on the water as we simulated the Big Chop for the morning viewers.

Big THANKS to the crew at CityTV for the feature and to Stuart, Gary, Mark, Morgan, Steven, Kimberley, and Amanda for being our 'extras!'

PS All the double kayaks are booked up but you can rent one from Ecomarine Kayaking for the same rates. It's a short walk to get your boat and a quick warmup paddle back to the Big Chop beach. Call Ecomarine at (604) 689-7575.

WELCOME ECOMARINE!
Wednesday, March 4, 2009

The MEC Big Chop Summer Paddle Series is please to welcome Ecomarine Kayak Centre to the team of sponsors. Ecomarine will join us as a prizing sponsor and with that comes even more great prizes to add to the heaping table of goodies every week. AND at the final race/party, the will be offering a grand prize package featuring a kayaking season’s pass, allowing the winner to use a kayak 2 hours per day for an entire year from date of 1st paddle! This is an over $500 value!

For over 29 years Ecomarine has focused on supporting Vancouver’s passion for paddling. The retail store on Granville Island offers a complete selection of boats, gear, and accessories for any kayaker. Whether you are a first-timer or an experienced paddler, Ecomarine has exactly what you are looking for. They also have an ocean kayaking school where their goal is to make a positive difference in people’s lives through paddling. We are constantly sharing with others what we know in an effective and supportive environment. Our small class sizes, passionate staff and excellent facilities combine to make learning kayaking easy and fun. Get started on your paddling journey. Get kayaking with the specialists at Ecomarine. Stop by for a browse while you are on the island. We look forward to your visit!

2009 SEASON ANNOUNCED!
Monday, January 26, 2009

Mountain Equipment Coop is back on board for another year and that means that we are a go for year three of the MEC Big Chop Summer Paddle Series!

The new 2009 race schedule has now been posted to the website so you can save the dates in your calendar. We will be spending the next few months getting all of our other sponsors secured so we can have a heaping pile of draw prizes at each race.

If you know of a company that may want to join the Big Chop sponsorship team, please feel free to send them our way!

GO TO OLDER POSTS

THE BIG CHOP HAS A FACEBOOK PAGE. BE A FAN.

SUMMER ARRIVES JUST IN TIME FOR THE BIG CHOP. May 14, 2010

CHOPPY AT THE CHOP. FIRST BIG CHOP SEES WHITECAPS. April 30, 2010

THE BIG CHOP IS BACK ON FOR 2010! March 21, 2010

THE END IS NEAR! PARTY TIME. Sept 1, 2009

RACE NUMBER EIGHT IN THE BAG August 6, 2009 photos by Kelli Power

BRING PRIZING FOR THE PILE! Wednesday, July 15, 2009 photos by Roger Krygsveld

DID YOU MISS ME? Tuesday, July 7, 2009 photos by Roger Krygsveld

THE FUN TIMES JUST KEEP ON ROLLIN' Thursday, June 11, 2009 photos by Roger Krygsveld

HOT AND SUNNY. JUST HOW THE BIG CHOPPERS LIKE IT. Saturday, May 30, 2009 photos by Roger Krygsveld

SMOOTHIES, HOTDOGS, AND SOME PADDLING Friday, May 14, 2009 photos by Roger Krygsveld

THE BIG CHOP TAKES ON THE CANUCKS Thursday, April 30, 2009

CITYTV VISITS THE BIG CHOP Monday, April 27, 2009

WELCOME ECOMARINE! Wednesday, March 4, 2009

2009 SEASON ANNOUNCED! Monday, January 26, 2009