The History of the White Water Canoe Sprint

By Paul Makepeace

We take a look at how canoeing started as a sport and how it has developed from the Inuit People to become an Olympic discipline. The one name that is synonymous with canoes and kayaks is the Scottish barrister John MacGregor, he was the first European to use an Inuit Kayak for transportation. MacGregor was also the founder of the first kayak club, aptly named The Royal Club of London in 1866; this was established in London because of the interest and access to Europe.

MacGregor decided to organise the first canoeing competition, this was held in 1869 and created great interest in the canoe and kayak designs for this new sport. The canoe sport became popular all over Europe and spread to America where in 1871 the New York Canoe Club was established.

The sport of canoeing became a worldwide sport when it was officially introduced as an event in the 1936 Berlin Games, the Canoe Sprint was born. Women had their own category introduced in the 1948 Olympics. The acceptance of the Canoe Sprint as an Olympic sport, created the need for the British Canoe Union which was formed in 1936 for the Olympics. This union was created so that Great Britain could send a competitive team to Berlin and hopefully bring back medals, this did not come to pass, but the foundations were formed so that future medal hopes will have support and training.

The Olympic Canoe Sprint has changed a great deal over the years, this is due to the improvement in standards and the technology involved in building canoes and kayaks, so that each individual has the same opportunities.

The upcoming 2012 Olympics in London has released their canoe and kayaking programme will consist of 12 events, eight of which are men and four of which are women. There is a new sprint that will feature in the Olympics for the first time; the 200m event, this is sure to be fast paced and high-octane fun for the spectators. This will be in the mens and women's K1 events. The 500m races will include the K1, K2 and K4 for women's while the men will race in the K1, K2, K4, C1 and C2 over the 1000m course. The Olympic Canoe Sprint medals have been predominantly won by European, this shows the influences that MacGregor still has when he set in place the foundation of kayaking in 1869 with the first competition.

Come and experience the UK's Newest White Water Rafting Centre. Get ready to experience the thrills, obstacles and drops of world class White Water Rafting.

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International Sea Kayaking Guide Books

By Jared R Harmon

Kayakers who want to add to their sea kayaking adventures and explorations will find many destinations to choose from in sea kayaking guide books. Here are a few of the those available.

Guide to Sea Kayaking Central & Northern California

Authors Roger Schumann and Jan Shriner included over 40 sea kayaking trips with over 100 alternative routes. Created for beginners along with expert sea kayakers, the book includes mile by mile descriptions of routes, outstanding landmarks, maps, and interesting sights.

Sea Kayaking Maryland's Chesapeake Bay: Day Trips on the Tidal Tributaries and Coastlines of the Western and Eastern Shore

Written by Michael Savario and Andrea Nolan, this is billed as the first and only kayaking guide to the Chesapeake Bay region. The book covers over 30 trips.

The Chesapeake watershed covers over 64,000 square miles and drains part of six states as well as Washington, D.C. The tidal shoreline is 4,600 miles long. There are over 400 rivers and creeks.
This guide covers trips in the Bay, in tributaries and along both East and West shores. Details includes put-ins, put-outs, winds, currents, equipment, security, and paddling. Sidebars note salt marsh ecology, wildlife and social and maritime history.

Low-impact paddling techniques are talked over together with hypo/hyperthermia, and more.

Sea Kayaking Along the Mid-Atlantic Coast: Coastal Paddling Adventures From New York to Chesapeake Bay

Veteran coast paddler Tamsin Venn chose 30 kayaking trips along the mid-Atlantic shoreline to comprise in this guide book. Detailed route descriptions are provided, together with local history, wildlife, ecology, maps and NOAA chart references, access, parking, launching and landing, trip mileage, harbor information, tidal ranges, currents, weather, equipment and more.

Scottish Canoe Classics

Eddy Palmer chose his favorite 25 inland touring routes and included them here. Numerous photos and specially commissioned maps provide detail. Routes are worthwhile for open canoe and touring kayaks. There's loads of variety. The journeys happen on inland lochs, sheltered sea lochs and rivers of up to Grade 2.
Sea Kayaking (Outside Adventure Travels)

Veteran kayaker Jonathan Hanson particulars 25 coastlines spanning seven seas from Northwest Territories to Baja, from the Great Barrier Reef to the Everglades, from the Greek Isles to Tierra del Fuego, from the Red Sea to Fiji. Readers will find out how to see the powerful Orcas (killer whales) off the coast of British Columbia, dolphins racing in the Sea of Cortez off Baja, beluga whales cruising the Arctic and gray seals and puffins on the cliffs of Scotland's Hebrides.
Wild Coast (The)

Volume 1: A Kayaking, Hiking and Recreational Guide for North and West Vancouver Island
John Kimantas covers the geography, ecology, history and attractions of North and West Vancouver Island with dozens of color photos and maps. Eleven chapters are included. Each describes a different island area with comforts, attractions, ecology, history, place names, landing sites, campgrounds and general trivia. This guidebook allows the reader to plan and get the most from exploring this spectacular coast.

From the United States to the Great Barrier Reef to Vancouver Island, these guide books supply sea kayaking trips for beginners and experts alike.

Find out more about the author in:

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Suggestions For Picking the Right Place to Paddle in the Finger Lakes & Central Regions of New York

By Sue Freeman

You're thinking of going paddling in the Finger Lakes Region, or maybe in part of Central New York, but you're clueless about where to go. That's not unusual. There are so many options that picking the right place can be an overwhelming task. Let's narrow it down. Below you'll find suggestions on some of the best places to head if you're looking for:

- Special experiences from a kayak or canoe

- Docile streams to meander down

- Kayak and camping options

- Beautiful ponds to putter about in

- Long rivers to cover some distance

- Fast water adventures

Every single one of these options (and many more) are mapped and detailed in the guidebook "Take A Paddle - Finger Lakes New York Quiet Water for Canoes and Kayaks."

Special Experiences from a Kayak in the Finger Lakes & Central Regions of NY

Pity those who only rely on their car for transportation. They miss so many unique sights and adventures. If you're willing to paddle a kayak you can go, see, and experience some aspects of the Finger Lakes region that few get to see.

1. Paddle among the river otters. Honeoye Inlet (at the south end of Honeoye Lake) was a release point for the river otter restoration project.
2. Lock through an Erie Canal lock. Sitting at the bottom of a lock chamber in a kayak makes you feel mighty small. The noises of the lock tender shifting gears and the lock doors clanking and grinding as they open and close is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, not to be missed. Just be sure to take a pair of gloves to protect your hands as you hold onto the cable that runs from top to bottom in the lock. Locks can be found in Macedon, Palmyra, Newark, Lyons, Clyde, Galen, Montezuma, Seneca Falls, and Clay.
3. Chimney Bluffs is a glacial moraine that has been cut into artistic peaks and spires along the shore of Lake Ontario by the forces of wind and water. On a calm day, paddle along the shore of Lake Ontario and gaze up in wonder at this work of natural art.
4. Sand dunes in New York State? You bet! Paddle Deer Creek to Lake Ontario and near the shore you'll pass through a series of sand dunes.
5. Paddle under the Erie Canal. Nine Mile Creek flows under the Erie Canal which is carried high overhead in an arched aqueduct. Now, where else can you do that?
6. Paddle through Ninemile Swamp on the Sangerfield River where wildlife and wildflowers will be your escort. This is a true escape into nature.

Maps and details for each of these special experiences and others can be found in the guidebook "Take A Paddle - Finger Lakes New York Quiet Water for Canoes & Kayaks."

Docile Streams of the Finger Lakes Region

"Flat water" is the technical lingo for docile streams that drift along with a gentle or nonexistent current. Without major drops in elevation, they don't plummet over waterfalls or roil in rapids. You can drift down them with a leisurely paddle and not worry too much about sharp turns or impediments along the way. Of course, even the most docile stream can get a blown down tree from a storm or become an angry torrent with enough rain or snow melt. Generally, if you're looking for a docile stream you should limit your paddling to summer and fall.

Docile streams also lend themselves to two-way travel. Without a strong current you can paddle both upstream and downstream. This means you don't have to hassle with spotting a car or arranging for a shuttle.

The Finger Lakes region teems with docile streams that wander through gorgeous countryside. Here are a few of my favorites:

1. Circumnavigate an island. Using a section of the Erie Canal and a remote loop of the Seneca River you can paddle 10.7 miles around Howland Island. This is part of the Northern Montezuma Wildlife Management Area so be sure to take your binoculars for the excellent bird watching opportunities.
2. The Erie Canal today is wide and deep - dredged years ago to allow passage of barges. But remnants of the old, smaller canal still exist. One such segment runs between Dewitt and Canastota and is called the Old Erie Canal. You can paddle all 17 miles or choose a smaller segment. Along the way you will traverse through aqueducts over creeks and have to duck under bridges. Just like the famous Erie Canal song says, it's "low bridge everybody down."
3. Rent boats at Puddledockers in Ithaca and paddle the Cayuga Lake Inlet. There's much to look at along the way and you can even stop at the docks enroute to enjoy a meal, a drink, or ice cream.
4. West River Marsh at the south end of Canandaigua Lake is a lazy stream that can be paddled year-round, except when frozen. Enjoy the peace and quiet tucked below the towering hills that surround Canandaigua Lake.

Maps and details for each of these docile streams and others can be found in the guidebook "Take A Paddle - Finger Lakes New York Quiet Water for Canoes & Kayaks."

Kayaking & Camping In the Finger Lakes / Central Region of NY State

One of the things I love about kayaking is the opportunity it affords me to escape into nature, away from motorboats, away from throngs of people, and away from man-made noise. By combining camping and kayaking you can extend the escape and submerse yourself in nature. Some wonderful opportunities for these escapes exist in the Finger Lakes region. But first, camping needs to be sub-divided into two distinct experiences. The first is the use of campgrounds where you can set up a tent or use a camper and enjoy the luxury of a shower after a day of paddling. As drawbacks, you won't escape the noise and throngs of people and there is a cost involved. Primitive camping, on the other hand, is free and offers solitude and quiet, but you have to be willing to forego showers and flush toilets. You choose.

Campgrounds:

1. Stay at Fairhaven Beach State Park and paddle Sterling Creek. Fairhaven Beach State Park is a spectacular 1,400-acre site with nearly two miles of Lake Ontario shoreline. A stay here can combine shoreline walks, hikes on trails, and paddling on Sterling Pond and Sterling Creek. The creek is easy to paddle both upstream and down so you won't need to hassle with a shuttle. Be sure to take along binoculars. A swamp called "The Moat" abuts the creek and is teeming with hawks, herons, ducks, geese, turtles and frogs.
2. Stay at Hickories Park and circumnavigate Hiawatha Island on the Susquehanna River. Hickories Park is a campground owned by the Town of Owego that sits on the banks of the Susquehanna River. Launch from the campground and paddle upstream or down on the wide, slow river. Bring along your fishing gear and angle for walleye, bass and tiger muskellunge. Downstream it's a short paddle to 112-acre Hiawatha Island which is owned by The Waterman Conservation Education Center and offers two miles of hiking trails.
3. Camp at Park Station Recreation Center and paddle Park Station Lake. Park Station Recreation Center in Erin offers 6 miles of hiking trails, a RV and tent campground, and a 100-acre man-made lake to paddle or fish.

Primitive Camping:

1. Tent camping is allowed at the locks along the Erie Canal. Simply ask permission from the lockmaster. Camp at Lock 30 Canal Park in Macedon and you can paddle through history. Between Macedon & Palmyra you'll experience 3 versions of the Erie Canal - each from a different time period, see remains of an aqueduct, and even lock-through a canal lock.
2. Become an explorer on a 21 mile loop using the Erie Canal and Clyde River and camp along the shore in the Galen Marsh Wildlife Management Area. A true sense of adventure is helpful for this trip.
3. Long Pond in Smithville offers 10 primitive campsites at its north end that are free and on a first-come, first-served basis. The mile-long pond is undeveloped and tree-lined, part of the Long Pond State Forest, and is dappled with pond lilies.

Maps and details for each of these camping/paddling adventures and others can be found in the guidebook "Take A Paddle - Finger Lakes New York Quiet Water for Canoes & Kayaks."

Ponds of the Finger Lakes & Central Region of NYS

Yes, you can paddle the Finger Lakes themselves. But, they tend to be large lakes that are long and skinny. While paddling them you have to contend with wind, waves, and motorboats. Lucky for paddlers, the Finger Lakes region is dotted with many small lakes and ponds that are off the normal "tourist radar" and offer a much more pleasant human-powered boating experience. They also offer diversity. Each has a personality of its own, making pond hopping a fun Finger Lakes region sport.

1. Looking for shallow and pristine? Then choose Parker Pond or Otter Lake. They both sit between Cato & Meridian. It's just you and the wildlife in these ponds tucked inside a wooded wetland.
2. For a totally different experience go paddle Kasoag Lake & Green Pond. These waterways sport convoluted shorelines dotted with vintage cottages. Be a peeping Tom as you wind in and out of the lily-filled coves and among pine dotted islands.
3. Labrador Pond is a natural glacial pond tucked in a valley between steep wooded hills without a man-made structure in sight. After paddling, head across Route 91 and take a short walk up a trail to Tinker Falls. Here, you can walk behind the wall of water as it plummets off the limestone caprock.
4. Take a picnic lunch and paddle out to Red Bank Island in Lamoka Lake where you can swing off a tree rope, swim, and enjoy a leisurely meal with a spectacular view.

Maps and details for each of these pond adventures and others can be found in the guidebook "Take A Paddle - Finger Lakes New York Quiet Water for Canoes & Kayaks."

Long Rivers of the Finger Lakes Region

Are you aching to dip that paddle in a stream and cover some ground? You're in luck in the Finger Lakes region. The rivers here aren't wide, deep, fast moving behemoths that the term "river" may conger in your mind. They are significant waterways but the shores are close by and the currents are generally helpful, not menacing (except during spring melt of course). I loved paddling the rivers here. You can get a cadence going and meld into a trance as the countryside drifts by.

In the upper reaches of these rivers they can be creek-like with twists and turns and obstacles such as downed trees or submerged dams. It's just enough excitement to keep you alert and on guard.

1. One of the more creek-like rivers is the East Branch Tioughnioga River between Cuyler and Cortland. No day dreaming allowed here. Expect 20 miles of good paddling.
2. The Otselic River begins creek-like in Cincinnatus and is more river-like 14 miles later when it meets the north end of Whitney Point Reservoir. Birds will serenade you on this remote wilderness stream.
3. The Tioughnioga River flows in a wide valley with low banks, providing a panoramic view rimmed with farm-dotted hills. It runs 21 miles from Marathon to Chenango Forks. 4. Running 15 miles from Wallace to Bath, the Cohocton River is an especially beautiful river. This clear water stream flows over a rocky bottom, and allows you to watch fish as you float or paddle downstream. On route, you pass beautiful, lush scenery and have ample opportunity to take breaks along shore.

Maps and details for each of these long paddling rivers and others can be found in the guidebook "Take A Paddle - Finger Lakes New York Quiet Water for Canoes & Kayaks."

Fast Water Adventures in the Finger Lakes Region of NY State

Lakes, ponds, and meandering streams - they can all be found in the Finger Lakes region. But, so too will you find fast water streams that offer frolicking adventures for more experienced or more adventurous kayakers. These generally aren't white water - except during spring melt season - but they are streams where the water moves swiftly and you need to be adept at rounding sharp corners and avoiding obstacles such as downed trees or dams.

These are fun streams where your skills can be tested. You're just as likely to round a bend and find several deer standing in the creek drinking as you are to experience a game of tag with a great blue heron. The herons have a tendency to flush as you approach, fly downstream and rest on a limb until you approach and flush them again, and again, and again. Heron tag is one of the many joys of paddling in the Finger Lakes region. Here are a few of my favorite Finger Lakes region fast water adventures:

1. Canandaigua Outlet drains from Canandaigua Lake into the Erie Canal. Near Canandaigua Lake it's canalized and drops over several waterfalls but between Manchester and Lyons it's a moving water lover's paradise.
2. Ganargua Creek (also called Mud Creek) has a fast and twisty run between Palmyra and Lyons. Go have a whoop-hollering good time.
3. Owasco Outlet runs with clear water over a rocky bed so it's enticing to watch the fish and not pay full attention to what's ahead. The section between Throopsville and the Seneca River is 10 miles of fun.
4. Equally fun, but quite different is the other end of Owasco Lake on the Owasco Inlet. It's two streams in one. From Moravia to the Route 38 Bridge it's a fast moving, narrow, winding stream. Downstream from Route 38 it widens into a deep slow moving channel through Owasco Flats. Here, you're eye level with fields of ferns and get to enjoy deer, muskrats, great blue herons and beavers until you reach Owasco Lake.

Maps and details for each of these fast water adventures and others can be found in the guidebook "Take A Paddle - Finger Lakes New York Quiet Water for Canoes & Kayaks."(http://www.footprintpress.com/paddling/TAPfingerlakesPreview.htm)

Sue Freeman is the author of 14 guidebooks to fun outdoors in Central & Western New Your State. They can all be viewed at http://www.footprintpress.com.

Contact Sue at sue@footprintpress.com for photos to accompany this article.

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Kayak Fishing in New Jersey

By Craig Sheppard

To most outsiders New Jersey is best known for its busy highways, less than scenic views from the turnpike, and as the home of HBO's hit series the Sopranos. However, those of us who live and kayak fish in the Garden state know better. The truth is that New Jersey offers a wide variety of both fresh and salt water fishing opportunities for kayak anglers.

Have Kayak, will Travel

The good news is that if you plan on kayak fishing in NJ you will not have to travel very far. In fact, you can drive from the top of NJ to the bottom in less than 3 hours making day trips very easy to plan. There are also many campsites, bed & breakfasts, and hotels throughout the state if you want to get away for the weekend or longer.

Northern Region

The northern part of the NJ is dotted with fresh water lakes, reservoirs, rivers, and streams that hold many popular fresh water game-fish and pan fish including: large mouth bass, small mouth bass, northern pike, muskellunge, pickerel, walleye, hybrid bass, rainbow trout, brown trout, Lake Trout, salmon, common carp, grass carp,channel catfish, bullhead catfish, yellow perch, white perch,white crappie, black crappie, blue gills, sunfish, rock bass, and more. All of these fish species are available within a 1 hour drive of New York City and Newark Airport. If your are not sure what bodies of water are open to the public you can visit the NJ Fish and Game website. There you will find a list of places to fish, the state fishing regulations, licensing information, and a wealth of resources about NJ's fisheries.

Although the northern section of NJ is not well known for its saltwater fishery there is one notable exception. The NJ Meadowlands offers relatively easy access to a salt water marsh system that holds a good number of fish species including: striped bass, blue fish, weakfish, winter & summer flounder, and many more. The Meadowlands is also a kayak friendly system complete with launch ramps, good parking facilities, and a River Keeper who is dedicated to protecting this fragile ecosystem from pollution and development. The River Keeper Center also offers guided kayak tours of the ecosystem for a reasonable fee.

Central & Southern Regions

The Central and Southern sections of NJ are also very rich with freshwater fishing opportunities which include most of the species available up north. However, the biggest draw to the central and southern portions of the state is the access to the salt water bays, beaches, and the open ocean. New Jersey has over 100 miles of beach front, many inlets, and an extensive intracoastal systems of bays, estuaries, salt marshes, and tidal rivers. The top saltwater game-fish in this region include: striped bass, blue fish, weakfish, winter & summer flounder, black fish, sea bass, false albecore, mackerel, porgies, cod, northern kingfish, hickory shad, many species of sharks, and the occasional red or black drum. For those willing to venture out a little farther tuna can also be targeted in season. All of the salt water fishing regulations can be found on the NJ Fish and Game website. NJ does not require a salt water fishing license at this time, but that may change in the near future.

Launching

New Jersey is a highly populated state with lots of private property and no trespassing signs, but there is still plenty of public access for kayak anglers to launch safely without breaking any laws. Always be sure to do your homework before launching to avoid unnecessary parking tickets or fines. Launch locations and public access points for NJ can be found online with a little effort. The NJ Fish and Game web site is great place to start. There are also online paddling resources that offer this type of information as well including the Jersey Shore Sea Kayak Association, the Hackensack River Keeper Website, and Kayak Fishing Stuff. Great care should be taken when launching a kayak through the surf zone into the open ocean. If you have never surf launched a kayak before you need to practice in the warm summer months with no additional gear. Once you have become proficient at surf launching you should find a friendly group of kayak anglers to join out on the open water. When kayak fishing in the ocean there is definitely safety in numbers. Note: You can find home videos of kayak surf launches online and will learn much from others mistakes.

Safety

Kayak anglers are required to carry a Personal Flotation Device (PFD), a whistle or sound making device (air-horn), and a signaling mirror. PFDs MUSt be worn by kayakers 14 and under, adults need only have it within reach, but why take chances with your safety. A PFD will only save your life if you are wearing it. Coastal kayak anglers should also carry a VHF Marine Band Radio, a compass, GPS, and possibly a satellite locating device. It is also a very good idea for all kayakers to leave a float plan with a friend or family member. A responsible kayak angler should take every precaution to avoid becoming a statistic! When kayak fishing during the cold water periods of Spring, late fall, and winter it is very important to be wearing protective clothing in the event that you fall off of your kayak and into the water. Dry suits are the best option. Wetsuits will suffice, but will not be as comfortable as a good dry suit.

In Conclusion

New Jersey is without a doubt one of the best kayak fishing destinations in the Northeast. Kayak anglers can fish from early spring until late fall for both fresh and salt water species all within a relatively short distance of home. If you live and fish in New Jersey and do not fish from a kayak - get one! It will greatly increase your fishing opportunities, get you closer to the action, and because kayaking is a green activity you will be doing your part to make the world around you a better place.

Craig Sheppard is an experienced kayak angler, outdoors enthusiast, and the General Manager of Kayak Fishing Stuff

To learn more about kayak fishing and fishing kayaks visit:

http://www.kayakfishingstuff.com

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Kayaking and Canoeing in Suffolk County, New York

By David Champley

If you love being on the water and love the outdoors, canoeing and kayaking might be a good way to spend a day. There are plenty of opportunities to rent a canoe or kayak to spend a day in the waters of Suffolk County.

One great opportunity is to spend time right off Montauk Point in the Atlantic Ocean exploring and following the finback whale. There are whale watching activities run and organized by the Okeanos Ocean Research group, a non-profit research group that runs whale watching tours. You can watch biologists do population studies of the whales and feed them as well.

Another way to spend the day is to paddle down the Peconic River in a 17 foot canoe. The entire trip is about eight miles. Part of the trip is very desolate with isolated trees along with less desolate areas. The canoes are built for two and must be picked up five times to cross slight dams. The Peconic Paddler located on Peconic Avenue in Riverhead runs a day trip that lasts for about four to five hours. They also rent canoes to individuals who spend the day by themselves without a specific trip also.

For a combination canoe and fishing trip, try renting a canoe down the Nissequogue River between Smithtown and Kings Park. You can also bring your own fishing gear for the excursion. As you can see, there are many options to kayak and canoe in Suffolk County. Whichever you choose, make sure you remain safe and have a great time.

David Champley has been writing about recreational activities on Long Island for the past three years. He also enjoys writing about other subjects like Long Island printing providers and what is best for your small business printing needs.

David Champley

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The History of White Water Canoeing at the Olympics

By Paul Makepeace

White water canoeing has had an interesting past in the Olympic programme as it has been taken out a few times and then reinstated as a sport. Canoeing has been in the Olympics since 1932 when a form of canoeing, the canoe sprint was introduced to the Olympic programme. The canoe sprint has 12 medal events in the programme and includes a distances of 500m and 1000m, each of which are highly demanding and requires the utmost skill and endurance. Many of the canoeists were from sporting background originally and switched to the sport when they didn't make the grade. This extra enthusiasm and drive moved the sport forward to what it is today. There will be some changes in the London 2012 Olympic programme as the 500m event will be replaced by the shorter 200m race, this will be the first time this event will be featured in the games, as promises to be an exciting inclusion for the sport.

Other disciplines in canoeing then became apparent, one of the most popular, the canoe slalom made its debut in the 1972 Olympics, we then didn't see it again until the 1992 Barcelona games. This was where Great Britain won their first ever medal in the Canadian Singles Class winning, Gareth Marriott won a Silver medal and was the starting point for a huge breakthrough in interest and participation in White Water Rafting and Canoeing.

The first Great Britain Gold medal came at the 2008 Olympics when Tim Brabants became champion of the K1M event in Beijing. He then followed up this history breaking feat by then taking a Bronze Medal in the K1M 500m event, this was even more astounding as it was just 24 hours later. This put him down as the most successful Great Britain Canoeists in Olympic history.

Tim's endeavours in 2008 has inspired a new generation of canoeists which are taking the sport to a new level in Great Britain. The UK now has some of the finest facilities in the world in which has helped the training and appeal for the next Olympics in London 2012. Many of these new facilities would not have been possible without the success of individuals and the Great Britain tem in the previous Olympics. The funding and interest in the sport demanded that UK facilities improved and came up to standards with the rest of the world so that Great Britain can train and grow to the next level, to be competing in major competitions in the future.

Come and experience the UK's Newest White Water Rafting Centre. Get ready to experience the thrills, obstacles and drops of world class White Water Rafting.

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Packing a First Aid Kit for Kayaking - Waterproof Kits for Inflatable Kayaks

By Christine Layton

Even if you're heading into safe waters it's always important to pack a good first aid kit to bring with you while kayaking. A first aid kit should be stored in a strong waterproof container and include important items that will help you in an emergency, if you get an injury or if you just need to treat a few scrapes. The kit should also be very lightweight and suitable to fit in all kayaks, including inflatable kayaks.

First, select a durable container for your kit. The waterproof container can be a hard plastic case or just a very good bag that can be sealed easily. Many companies produce these containers that are designed for water sports like canoeing and kayaking.

Next, add basic first aid supplies. This includes band-aids in various sizes, ibuprofen, antibiotic ointment, alcohol and antiseptic wipes, self-stick bandages, antihistamine, tweezers and a first aid manual. You should also include some bug bite spray that reduces itching. Add a small bottle of strong sunscreen and any prescription medication you may need to take, including an inhaler. Finally, super glue can help to treat blisters, allowing you to paddle without pain.

Kayaking Supplies: What to Pack in Inflatable Kayaks

There are also some items you should bring specific to kayaking or heading into a more secluded area. A whistle can help you signal for help if you become injured or stuck. A drink for hydration like Gatorade is a good choice to keep your fluids up if you're stranded. You should also pack some emergency food like energy bars and trail mix. Dramamine in pill or chewable form can fight motion sickness. This is good to pack even if you've never experienced morning sickness in inflatable kayaks before. A bottle of iodine can treat water to make it potable in an emergency while a wrist support can give you the ability to paddle if you start to develop tendonitis or wrist pain.

Inflatable kayaks are a great way to enjoy the water but it's always important to pack a good first aid kit to be prepared. You never know when the weather will turn or you will suffer even a minor injury. Being prepared means you'll be able to take care of yourself in an emergency and get yourself to help when you need it. This list contains everything necessary for a very well-made kit, although there may be some additional items you can include for your unique situation.

Christine Layton is an outdoor enthusiast who works with Boats To Go, the best source for inflatable kayaks, boats and rafts. With the lowest prices in the country, Boatstogo.com is the first stop for kayakers who want a quality vessel.

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