paddling with a camera

Category: video

  • Train or Relax with my POV video – paddling, rowing, biking

    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 action camera mounted on a paddleboard
      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.

  • Paddling stories with my real voice vs AI voiceover

    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:

  • Stand Up and Paddle – Morning on Boyd Lake

    Stand Up and Paddle – Morning on Boyd Lake

    I am relatively new to stand up paddling (SUP). Relatively … I mean I’ve been paddling for more than 50 years, but I started SUPing just 10 years ago. In September of 2012 I got my first paddleboard: 14′ Bark Expedition. Later, I did some long distance river races on different paddleboards including Missouri River 340, shorter races on the Missouri River in South Dakota and Chattajack in Tennessee. Perhaps, I should post some comments on my 10 years experience with stand up paddling.

    Meanwhile, I just added a short video to my fitover67 Youtube channel – sunrise and morning in Boyd Lake State Park featuring my old SIC X-14.0 paddleboard. I believe it is similar to the newer SIC Okeanos series.? These were actually 2 or 3 morning paddling sessions in August 2019. This year Boyd Lake is much lower and my favorite tree is gone.

    Please visit my channel. I would greatly appreciate any comments. I am going to create more content like this combining video, still images, music and sounds recorded outdoors.

  • A Girl Who Loves to Run – Laura’s Story by Chase Jarvis

    Chase Jarvis blog is one of several photoblogs I read. I am under influence of his POV (point-of-view) photography. I haven’t tried anything like that with a bike yet, but I started to play with a Bogen – Manfrotto Magic Armand Super Clampon my surfrigger canoe.

    Here is Laura’s Story by Chase Jarvis. A video clip about a girl who loves to run. A simple narration combined with video and still pictures. Different and interesting shooting angles.

    It would be nice to create something similar about a paddler.