paddling with a camera

Author: Marek

Train or Relax with my POV video – paddling, rowing, biking
Over the past year, I’ve been recording POV (point-of-view) footage from my outdoor adventures – mostly paddling, rowing, and biking. These videos offer a first-person view of real workouts in some of the most scenic areas of northern Colorado.

So far, I’ve filmed in places like: Boyd Lake, Carter Lake, Horsetooth Reservoir, and Boedecker Reservoir and bike trails around Fort Collins, Loveland, and Windsor.

I use a DJI Action 5 camera mounted with RAM mounts – on my bike’s handlebar, inside the cockpit of my Sea Wind canoe, or just above the mirror on my Liteboat rowing shell. Occasionally, I test other setups using SeaSucker or Neewer suction mounts to capture new angles. In the past I used GoPro cameras. Sometimes, I am using Sony RX0 II camera, but mostly for still images or static video, especially, with a partially submerged camera.
Waterproof DJI Action 5 camera mounted with RAM mount on a decked expedition canoe.
Cockpit of touring e-bike, Superdelite by Riese-Muller with a biking computer and DJI Action 5 camera mounted on handlebar.
DJI Osmo Action 4 camera mounted with GorillaPod on a bow of packraft – Horsetooth Reservoir in northern Colorado.
rowing mirror and action camera with suction cup mount
Sonmy RX0 II
DJI Action 5 camera mounted with RAM mount onan decked expedition canoe, dusk winter scenery on Horsetooth Reservoir in Colorado.
GoPro Hero 10 black, waterproof action camera mounted with a popular articulated RAM mount on mountain bike handlebars against river landscape.
GoPro Hero 10 waterproof action camera mounted with RAM mount and Seasucker suction cup on a deck of paddleboard or kayak.
GoPro Hero action camera mounted with Seasucker suction cup and RAM mount on a stand up paddleboard by SIC SUP.
These recordings have evolved into four categories of video content, shared on YouTube and Kinomap:

1. Outdoor Scenery for Indoor Workouts

If you enjoy the idea of “training through nature,” this playlist might be for you. These longer videos (up to 1 hour) feature real paddling, rowing or biking sessions with ambient sounds (paddling/rowing), some text commentary and music from Epidemic Sound. Ideal for indoor rowing, cycling, or just watching to feel immersed in nature.

2. Virtual Training with GPS and Heart Rate (on Kinomap)

These are interactive, data-driven training videos for use with rowing, cycling, or running machines. Each session includes GPS tracks and HRM (heart rate monitor) data, synced with the video in real time. No music – just the natural sound of the activity and terrain.

3. 10 Minutes of Relaxation (YouTube Series)

My newest video series is designed for quick, calming breaks. These 10-minute POV videos combine real paddling or rowing footage with the soothing sound of the paddle or oars, gentle ambient music, and peaceful scenery. Great for stress relief, quiet focus, or simply unwinding.

4. Inspirational Shorts for Aging Athletes

I also create short 2–4 minute videos exploring themes like realistic optimism, resilience, self-forgiveness, and movement as medicine—all from the perspective of an aging athlete and active senior. These include paddling or biking footage, reflective narration, and motivational ideas.

My most recent paddling footage comes from training sessions for the Missouri River 340 (MR340) – a 340-mile nonstop endurance race I’ll be paddling this July. It’s a major challenge and a key part of my training and motivation this year.

If you’re using any of these videos for your indoor workouts, mental breaks, or just to connect with nature from home, I’d love to hear about it! Feel free to leave a comment or message me directly.

Thanks for following along in this journey.
June 21, 2025
Paddling stories with my real voice vs AI voiceover
In my latest YouTube video, I’m trying something different – and I’d love your input.

For years, I’ve used my own voice in videos where I share stories from my paddling, rowing, biking, and endurance races like the Missouri River 340. However, even after 36 years in the U.S., my accent is still strong — and it’s part of who I am. It adds authenticity and a personal connection. Some of my videos also use just ambient sounds, text, and music to tell the story.

Recently, though, I experimented with something new: using an AI-generated voiceover.

I chose “Sean,” a calm and clear British voice from Epidemic Sound. The result was smooth and professional — maybe more polished than my own recordings. But it made me wonder: does that polish come at the cost of personality?

After publishing that AI-narrated video, one viewer left a comment that stuck with me:

I believe your own voice has much more character than the AI voice. I heard you speak in an older kettlebell video and your accent is wonderful.

That gave me an idea: why not ask my viewers directly?

So in this new video, I present two versions of the same clip — one in my own voice, and one with Sean’s AI narration. There’s even a playful moment where we both try to introduce ourselves. (Spoiler: only one of us can pronounce “Marek Uliasz” correctly.)

This isn’t just a technical experiment — it’s about connection. Some videos are personal, with me talking to the camera. Others are quiet, reflective, faceless shots from the water. Maybe different voices are better suited to different moods.

Now I’d love to hear what you think.
Watch the video, compare the two voices, and let me know: Should I keep using my voice? Use AI? Or blend both? Thank you for your input.

Also, I’ve included a few frames from the video below.
Recent videos on my FitOver67 channel using AI voiceover:
- My best is enough – a message for every aging athlete or active senior
- 10 Life lessons from Rainer Maria Rilke when paddling and rowing
June 16, 2025
Boyd Lake at dusk: bike and canoe adventure
I love photographing Boyd Lake at sunrise and sunset. This year I visited this State Park twice.

Gravel biking

First time it was in late January. The lake was covered by a solid ice and there was a lot of ice fishing going on. I rode a gravel bike, Trek Checkpoint, from my home in Fort Collins opting for one of several routes ranging from 22 to 26 miles, primarily on dedicated biking trails. For added variety, I occasionally incorporate sections of bike routes on residential streets. While these trails are mostly paved, it’s possible to find dirt paths along the shores of Boyd Lake.
Canoe paddling

The second visit was in the middle of March with Seawind canoe. The lake is opened for boating or any form of paddling this year on March 11th. It looks that there are no winter restrictions for paddling on lakes within Larimer County parks: Horsetooth Reservoir and Carter Lake.

I paddled a 8.5 loop around the lake starting a the rowing beach. It was a good workout with some wind. Seawind canoe is my strongest candidate for 340 Missouri River race this year. The lake was pretty full (88%), but I couldn’t reach the dam structure in southeastern corner, so we need a little bit more water. I was paddling too slow and missed beautiful sunset color by 10 minutes at my launching and finishing spot. However, I shot some pictures at blue hour. What is the blue hour?

Blue hour

Blue hour refers to the period of twilight before sunrise or after sunset when the sky takes on a deep blue hue with a soft, diffused quality of light. It occurs when the sun is below the horizon, and the indirect sunlight passes through the Earth’s atmosphere, scattering shorter blue wavelengths more effectively than longer red wavelengths. As a result, the sky appears predominantly blue during this time, creating a unique and visually appealing atmosphere for photography.

Photographers often cherish the blue hour for its atmospheric qualities, soft lighting, and vibrant colors. It’s considered an ideal time to capture landscapes, cityscapes, and architectural shots, as the gentle, diffused light can add depth, mood, and a sense of tranquility to the images. Additionally, during the blue hour, artificial lights such as streetlights and building illuminations become more pronounced, further enhancing the overall aesthetic appeal of the scene.

Dawn and sunrise

Later in spring and summer the lake will become very busy and crowded with all sort of power boats including jet ski. It may be a good time to practice stand up paddling skills in waves and chop. But, I will be rather driving to Boyd lake before sunrise when it is still calm and quiet. Here is a selection of old pictures and a video clips from early mornings on Boyd Lake.
Royalty free images

The pictures above were shot with Sony A7R5 mirrorless camera with 24-105 zoom lens on a light travel tripod. It is my standard gear for biking and paddling. As usual, I am adding all pictures to my stock photography portfolio. There are available for licensing as royalty free images from Adobe stock and other agencies online. My portfolio currently includes: 30,000+ still images, 1000+ video clips, and growing stock of conceptual vector illustrations.

Feel free to explore the paddling and rowing playlists on my FitOver67 youtube channel for more content.
March 21, 2024
Florida to Colorado with 4Runner and Liteboat Rowing Shell
In late November, I embarked on an 8-day trip from Colorado to Florida and back. The primary goal was to bring home a rowing shell and, of course, capture as many pictures and video clips as possible. I drove my Toyota 4Runner, accompanied by my dog Milo. Our accommodations mostly involved car camping, with a couple of nights spent in a motel in Sarasota, FL. While I am still in the process of editing the images from this journey, below is a small selection for you to preview.

My first photo session took place in eastern Colorado, capturing the sunset over the South Platte River near Crook. It showcased a typical late fall scene with low water levels and exposed sandbars.

I reached Brownville, Nebraska, around midnight, and the following morning, I crossed the Missouri River before continuing my journey southeastward.

I took a longer stop at the Katy Trail near Rocheport, MO. You can see more leaves on trees than in Colorado. Rocheport is a place I consistently visit when traversing Missouri.
The next night stop and morning photo session was at Colbert Ferry Park, Natchez Trace National Parkway. I love the Natchez Trace. I previously covered the entire span of this parkway in 2017 and 2018 after participating in the Chattajack Race. This visit, however, was brief, and I also explored the nearby town of Florence with additional old truss bridges over the Tennessee River.
The third car camping night I spent already in northern Florida in somewhere the middle of Apalachicola National Forest near Tallahassee.

My visit to Florida was pretty short. I picked up the Literace 1x, a solo rowing shell in Sarassota from Coastal Rowing USA. This boat is designed and manufactured in France by Liteboat. I got many valuable tips and instructions from Jim Henderson and also did some rowing in his boat. Certainly, there is much more practice and training ahead of me to get comfortable in this boat. I believe that this visit was worth driving to Florida comparing to shipping the boat to Colorado and incurring a $1200 freight cost.

During my final photo session in Florida, I captured the sunrise over Tampa Bay from Skyway Beach. I reflected on my experiences of paddling across Tampa Bay three times during WaterTribe racing events – once in a Surfrigger outrigger canoe and twice in a Seawind expedition canoe.
On my journey back to Colorado, I made another stop, dedicating a longer morning session to photography at Colbert Ferry Park along the shores of the Tennessee River. The atmosphere was enveloped in thick fog, gradually giving way to a clearing sky as the morning unfolded. I took several pictures featuring my Toyota 4Runner with the Literace boat securely strapped to the roof racks.
From Colbert Ferry Park, I embarked on a brief side trip along the Tennessee River, exploring the Riverton Rose Trail and Pickwick Lake dam.
I made an evening photo stop at the confluence of the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers, near Fort Defiance State Park in Cairo, Illinois. The scene featured bustling barge traffic and presented two picturesque old truss bridges for capturing in photographs.
The final night of my trip was spent in the heart of Missouri at Roberts Bluff Access, located on the shores of the Lamine River. This spot served as a resting place during all of my racing trips to Missouri throughout the year. The following day brought cold and windy weather, with snow showers starting in Nebraska. The drive back to Colorado was challenging and slow, but I safely arrived home.
As usual, I am adding all pictures and video clips from this trip to my stock photography portfolio. They are now available for licensing as royalty-free images and video content. Stay tuned for additional images featuring the Literace 1x rowing shell, with a focus on capturing its grace on the water—coming soon.

Related posts and video:
- Liteboat rowing shell versus Toyota 4Runner SUV
- Starting coastal rowing in Colorado with Liteboat racing shell
December 7, 2023
Summer paddling, swimming and photography on Horsetooth Reservoir
Stand up paddling

During August 2023 I visited Horsetooth Reservoir several times with Starboard Waterline SUP, the same board I paddled in the Missouri River 340 race. It was rather a relaxed paddling with a lot of photography since I was recovering from the race which was very tough this year. I typically launched my board from Soldier Cove at Lory State Park, a serene and relatively uncrowded location, even on weekends.

Later in the month, my focus shifted as I prepared for the Middle Loup River Challenge in Nebraska. For this endeavor, I opted for my trusty 2014 Starboard All Star, which bore the battle scars and dents acquired from countless journeys through shallow river waters.
Open water swimming

I combined my recent stand up paddling with some open water swimming. At this time it was more about photography than fitness, but I am going to swim more even if I need to wear wetsuit soon.

I’ve been around water paddling and sailing for almost 60 years, but I must admit that I am not a proficient swimmer. I grew up in Sandomierz, a small town in Poland without a swimming pool. Fortunately, there was Vistula River, a smaller version of the Missouri River, partially regulated, but also with wild sections, sand dredges and barge traffic. So, I learned to swim by myself without any formal instructions in some old river channels.

I have additional motivation for open water swimming. Recently, I launch my battle against candida overgrowth. Swimming in chlorinated pools is discouraged in such situations because chlorine not only eliminates bacteria in the water but also disrupts the body’s and skin natural bacterial flora.
Navigational lights on paddleboard

I like to paddle late in evenings even well after sunset. In Horsetooth Reservoir I am using LED navigational lights by NaviSafe, the same as in Missouri River 340 Race. They are approved by the US Coast Guard for up to 2 Nautical Miles. These come with suction cups, but can be also mounted on GoPro type mounts. Suction cups don’t work reliably on decks of my paddleboards at least in muddy Missouri River, so recently I am using GoPro mounts. You can find cheaper and simpler lights, but I have been using NaviSafe lights without any problems with all my recent MR340 races.
September 18, 2023
First time of Starboard Waterline SUP on Horsetooth Reservoir
Lory State Park – Soldier Cove

In mid-June, I went paddleboarding on Horsetooth Reservoir, starting from Soldier Cove in Lory State Park. I believe it is the shortest walk from the park to the water and puts you in the middle of somewhat protected and quiet area of the Horsetooth Reservoir. It’s a convenient launch spot when the water level is high, but not as ideal when the water is low due to the longer walk and muddy shores. Currently, the water level is high, but it still can go a little bit higher.

Starboard Waterline SUP on Horsetooth Reservoir

I particularly enjoy paddling on Horsetooth Reservoir during colder seasons when boat ramps are closed and there is no power boat traffic. However, I often wonder why power boats feel the need to play loud and obnoxious music throughout the entire lake. Fortunately, the evening became quiet just before dusk, allowing me to have a pleasant photo shoot in South Eltuck Cove and enjoy the sounds of nature, including the birds.

This was my first time using the Starboard Waterline paddleboard on Horsetooth Reservoir. It is a fast and low-profile touring board designed for flatwater. I’m considering using it for the Missouri River 340 race later this year. I have previously paddled the Waterline on smaller lakes like Beaver Pond in Arapaho Bend Natural Area and Boedecker Reservoir. I also used it during the Mean Lamine race in Missouri back in late April.

During my paddleboarding session on Horsetooth, I encountered strong headwinds and waves earlier in the afternoon. The paddleboard was noticeably slower compared to calm water conditions. The narrow bow lacks buoyancy and tends to get submerged in larger waves. I still need to conduct further testing in various conditions and with heavier loads, as expected during the MR340 race.

I am currently in the process of editing video clips and time-lapse footage from this paddling session. I primarily used my “big” camera, the Sony A7R5, and didn’t have the opportunity to use my action cameras. I am adding above pictures to my stock photography portfolio and they are available for royalty free licensing.

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Related posts:
June 15, 2023
Beautiful Calm Sunrise over Missouri River at Dalton Bottoms
On my recent trip to Missouri to participate in the Mean Lamine race, I took some time to revisit various places along the Missouri River. Despite less-than-ideal weather conditions, I was fortunate enough to witness a nice sunrise at the Dalton Bottoms river access.

During the Missouri River 340 race, I usually paddle this section of the river at night and often take a short break at the Dalton Bottoms ramp for some rest: arriving after midnight, and leaving well before sunrise. In earlier years, I used to be the only one there, but now it’s quite popular among racers and their support teams. However, during my visit in late April, Dalton Bottoms was serene and peaceful, with only one fishing boat arriving shortly after sunrise. I spent some time there shooting pictures and video. You are welcome to check a small slideshow of my favorite shots.
I will probably stop at Dalton Bottoms again in August during the 2023 MR 340 race unless I manage to paddle all the way to Glasgow for my first longer rest stop.

Related posts:
April 30, 2023
2023 Waterline Starboard SUP from a Frog Perspective
For the last couple of weeks I was paddling stand up paddleboards on Beaver Pond in Arapaho Bend Natural Area. I am trying to compare my three 14’x28″ paddleboards from a perspective of long distance paddling and racing like Missouri River 340 race. The new board, 2023 Waterline by Starboard is getting the most attention.
This paddle board is designed as a specialised flat-water touring paddleboard, the Waterline promises the smoothest and most relaxing paddling sensation in conditions up to shin high chop.

The Waterline’s shape hand hull design is focused on achieving maximum speed and stability with no splash or sound.

At 75% speed, this hull is faster than our race boards, so in essence, for most riders, it’s the quickest ride ever.
Starboard

I am assuming that he Waterline board is optimized to be fast and efficient at about 75% efforts. I still need more paddling in different conditions to make any conclusions. Meanwhile I am getting more comfortable with that paddleboard, and, of course, I am shooting some pictures and video during each training workout.

Here is a series of pictures shot from a water level with my Sony RX0 II camera after 6 mile paddling. The light wasn’t so great on a cloudy day, but at least the frog perspective was interesting.
Water in my paddling pond is getting warmer. Last week I changed from my winter paddling boots, Chota Mukluks, to waterproof Sealskinz socks and Keen water sandals. Although it’s still a bit chilly, it feels great to be paddling without the extra bulk of the boots.

What footwear do you prefer for cold weather paddling? Let me know in the comments!
April 9, 2023
Breaking the Ice: Winter Stand Up Paddleboarding in Colorado
Beaver Pond in Arapaho Bend Natural Area in Fort Collins is my favorite and convenient spot for some short paddling workouts. In 2023, I started to paddle there in early March as soon as the ice cover was just beginning to thaw. In my last paddling on March 13 a half of the lake was ice free, but wind was shifting the ice opening and closing channels along shores. Nevertheless, I managed to complete 5 laps along the lake on my SIC X-14 stand up paddleboard. Some passages required cutting through a soft ice which added an extra challenge to my workout.

While Beaver Pond may not offer the same breathtaking views as Horsetooth Reservoir, it provides the convenience of a parking spot at Strauss Cabin road, allowing for easy access to the water. Horsetooth at low water levels requires a long and steep walk to reach the water’s edge When boat ramps are open situation will be different. But for now, I can park at a very shore of the Beaver Pond.

I need about 4 minutes to upload my SUP to the roof of my 4Runner and more or less the same time to launch a paddleboard to Beaver Pond. I use LockRack racks on my 4runner to carry paddleboards, canoes and whitewater kayak, but for narrow racing kayaks I need a different setup, V-type racks from Goodboy or KayakPro.

Although the water at Beaver Pond remains icy, I am comfortable paddling without a dry suit by staying close to the shore and bringing spare clothes. This is a welcome relief from winter paddling on Horsetooth Reservoir, where full immersion gear is a must.

Concerning scenery, if you look carefully, you see Longs Peak from the Beaver Pond. You will need some time to get used to highway noise, but there is amazing amount of wildlife. Last time, I was paddling in a usual company of geese, ducks and blue herons, and a visiting guest – bald eagle.
During one of my ice passages I shot a few pictures from a frog perspective. Shooting with a camera at water level or partially submerged camera is perhaps my favorite way to create paddling selfies. I am using Sony RX0 II camera mounted on a small desktop tripod. That camera and how it compares to a popular GoPro camera deserves a special post. And, I am still using waterproof Olympus TG5 camera for paddling. I believe that the current version TG6 is not much different.
March 16, 2023