As NK's blogger and social media maven, I strive to stay connected to Kestrel customers in all kinds of ways- our blog, Twitter, Facebook, e-mail, the phone, drag races, shooting ranges, and trade shows. I love hearing how our customers use our products. Especially because they're always doing something interesting!

One of our loyal Kestrel customers, Nigel Richards, sent me this pic of him checking out some winds before taking a sail on his 19ft 1960 sailboat.

Nigel says the Kestrel helps him to determine whether the winds are appropriate for a good, relaxing sail.

Kestrel Pocket Weather Meters are a perfect portable on-board sailing companion. Kestrel Meters are waterproof and float, measure all relevant weather data for water activities- wind, temp, baro pressure, even water temp...and they never complain of sea sickness.

Our Business Development Manager, Christy Munding, and her boyfriend recently bought their first sailboat and have been spending all their free time being anti-land lubbers. Hm, perhaps we can schedule our next team meeting on the Mystic Munding boat? (I made up that name, I'm not quite sure what they've named it yet- but buoy oh buoy I think I just gave them a great idea. Yuck, yuck.)

Ok, one last Sailor joke and then I promise I'll stick to my day job:

"Two people are out sailing when suddenly a hand appears in the sea.

'What's this?' asked the skipper, 'It looks as if someone is drowning!'

'No,' explained his crew, 'It's just a little wave.'

Here's Nigel Richards as he checks his Kestrel 2000

Kestrel Pocket Weather Meters travel to many interesting places with our brave and adventurous customers; the glaciers of the Antarctic, the turquoise balmy waters surrounding the Great Barrier Reef, the insane elevation points of Mt. Everest. While Kestrel Meters are built just for these intense environments, they're also perfect for the general outdoor enthusiast. Many of our customers want to do their favorite outdoor activity and know what kind of conditions they're up against.

The author is training for a marathon and thanks to the Kestrel 4500 discovered why he was so winded! (Pardon the weather humor:)

Check out this latest review from a great resource on all things outdoor- 4alloutdoors.org.

http://4alloutdoors.org/?s=kestrel

Katie doesn't just sell NK's line of waterproof electronics for rowing and paddling- she uses them to win championships!
We're proud to announce our Sales & Marketing Manager, Katie Godfrey, is on her way to Prague for the 2009 Dragon Boat World Championship.

Katie is the drummer for the US Dragon Boat Team. The drummer has been called the "heartbeat" of the boat, rhythmically banging a drum to help keep the paddlers' strokes consistent and serve as a motivator. The US team will be facing about 20-30 other boats representing competitors from all over the world. Teams train year round for this enormous worldwide event.

The US team earned the right to compete in the 2009 World competition after a tough national race held last year in California. Paddlers are a dedicated group, training year round for this event, many times going out twice a day. Katie has practiced with the team twice a week after work and even on weekends to be prepared for the World Championships.
This year, Katie is joined by a very special teammate who also happens to be her biggest fan...her husband Tim! Husband and wife are 2 of the 22 people on the boat that will be working their way to a big win!

I asked Katie how she gets her "game face" on right before the race amidst the excitement and fierce competition. Katie says, "It is intense. You go to the line and hear so many different languages. You have to keep all focus inside of your boat and not allow distractions." Easier said than done, I'm sure!

With a World Championship on the line and pressure mounting, Katie shares how she keeps her nerves in check, "All nerves leave when we get to the line and then it is just a clean focus on what needs to be done to get to the finish."

Spoken like a true (World Dragon Boat) Champ.

Best of luck Katie and the US Dragon Boat Team! NK will be rooting for you.

Check back for updates on how they did.

The Dragon Boat World Championships will be held from Aug 26-30th.

http://www.dragonboat2009.com/