Kayaking.
10-05-2011, 02:43 PM
#31
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Miami, FL
Posts: 477
Kayaking is fantastic! We(hubby and I) have a tandem sit on top and we fish from it and can take along a cooler with lunch in it. It is a great hobby and can make you feel as though you are alone in the world even in Miami, FL! You go girl!
10-05-2011, 03:49 PM
#33
Super Member
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Carlisle, PA
Posts: 1,964
Dear Ashlett - I am so happy you finally tried kayaking. I have been involved in the sport in a major way for over 30 years. I was partners in a design/manufacturing company with a dear friend for many years and I taught both my girls who have gone on to compete in kayak racing for longer than I can remember. In 2000, my eldest girl came in 7th in Sprint Races at the Empire State Games held in Binghamton, NY.
One thing you need to know is that you must try out several kayaks before you buy one. Not all kayaks fit all bodies. Go for one that is wide and stable and has some sort of skeg (fin) on the bottom to help you track straight. Sit in the boats, try them out on the water. If your legs fall asleep, try another boat.
Make sure you are able to pick up your kayak on your own, with out help. Fiberglass or Kevlar kayaks are the best, but there are some decent models out there made of PVC for the beginner. Do your homework. Over the years I've seen too many people run out and buy a kayak and then find they're so dissatisfied with their purchase.
Educate yourself before you put your money down on the counter - it'll be time well spent. Good kayak shops will make sure you get the one that will best suit your needs.
Good Luck and Happy Paddling!!
P.S. One last thing - you might want to check out some kayaking classes in your area just to learn the basics and safety aspects of the sport. I used to run a series of classes at an indoor pool, but that pool was shut down for renovations. Won't re-open till next year.
One thing you need to know is that you must try out several kayaks before you buy one. Not all kayaks fit all bodies. Go for one that is wide and stable and has some sort of skeg (fin) on the bottom to help you track straight. Sit in the boats, try them out on the water. If your legs fall asleep, try another boat.
Make sure you are able to pick up your kayak on your own, with out help. Fiberglass or Kevlar kayaks are the best, but there are some decent models out there made of PVC for the beginner. Do your homework. Over the years I've seen too many people run out and buy a kayak and then find they're so dissatisfied with their purchase.
Educate yourself before you put your money down on the counter - it'll be time well spent. Good kayak shops will make sure you get the one that will best suit your needs.
Good Luck and Happy Paddling!!
P.S. One last thing - you might want to check out some kayaking classes in your area just to learn the basics and safety aspects of the sport. I used to run a series of classes at an indoor pool, but that pool was shut down for renovations. Won't re-open till next year.
10-05-2011, 04:02 PM
#34
Member
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Changes Frequently
Posts: 19
Have been "Paddlin" for 15 years and never tire of it. Favorite place to get my paddle wet is in Florida Keys. Only advice might be to consider weight of what you buy as you will be lifting it on top of vehicle. We ended up buying hullevators.
10-05-2011, 05:04 PM
#36
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 955
Our kayaks are permanent "fixtures" on our tow car behind our motor home.... along with our bikes. We love the kayaks and used them always when on our 37 ft sailboat sailing Canadian waters. They were much easier to launch (than the dinghy), stable, and you can really sneak up on seals, birds and otters cause they can't hear you coming...... It is an easy sport to learn and if you stay on flat water you probably can't get into too much trouble. There was a place in Canada called Squirrel Cove where we would anchor the boat. There was a reversing lagoon that (with the tides in and out) would have a small RAPID.... OMG! We had soooo much fun in that little rapid...... You would have thot we were doing class 5's......
10-05-2011, 05:58 PM
#39
Super Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Odessa, Washington
Posts: 1,872
Originally Posted by catmcclure
Some friends of mine loaned us their kayaks and DH and I loved them. We're too old to buy and use frequently, but would be nice to borrow occasionally. By the way, they're the type that you sit on top - if you tip over you're not trapped.
http://sterlingharbor.com/oceanKayaks.htm
http://sterlingharbor.com/oceanKayaks.htm
10-05-2011, 07:01 PM
#40
Member
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Missouri
Posts: 76
Hope you enjoy it! It's a lot of fun. I've done a little bit of kayaking but I think I'll stick to lakes from now on. Never tried river kayaking, but I've had two too many memorable experiences on the ocean to ever want to try it again!
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