Otisco Lake

August 16, 2015 Otisco Lake

 It was a scorcher today and several kayakers headed for the water. A few travelled to Chippewa Bay on the St Lawrence, one sought shade at the Owasco Inlet and a handful stayed local to paddle the scheduled Otisco Lake.
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#Kayaking 101: What's the Worse That Could Happen?

By Pete Koerner

Everywhere you look these days, there seems to be a kayak. Television shows, T.V. commercials, magazine ads for Viagra and practically every other car on the interstate seem to be featuring kayaks. Once only available in specialty stores - from people who actually know something about kayaks and kayaking - kayaks are now available in major chain sporting goods stores where anyone can walk in, purchase a kayak, leave the store with it and get on the water with absolutely no clue about what they're doing or what they'll do when things no longer look like the fun time they saw on the commercial. So, what's the big deal, you wonder? What's the worst that could happen?

Well, for starters, you could die. Kayaking is a very safe, extremely fun and relatively easy sport to get into. The cost of entry for someone wanting to join the ranks of kayakers worldwide can range from a few hundred to several thousand dollars - depending on the quality of kayak and equipment you purchase. For instance, you could go into a major sporting goods store and walk out with some kind of kayak, PFD, and a paddle for around $300.00-$400.00, assuming you purchased one of the cheapest models on the showroom floor, and the least expensive (read heavy, unwieldy and uncomfortable) paddle and PFD. Will it float? Yes. Is it appropriate for the water you paddle in? Maybe, but that's the point. There's a good chance that neither you, nor anyone in the sporting goods store knows whether or not a particular boat is safe or appropriate for the water in which you paddle. That's why specialty stores exist; and that's why you should at least talk to your local kayak experts before paying a major chain store to put you at risk - over a few bucks.

Kayaking is a water sport - meaning it's done on the water. The water is not home to us, no matter how at-home we may feel out there. When kayaking, there's always the possibility that you'll take a swim. This is true of any watercraft or water sport. If you end up in the water, several factors come into play that will determine your outcome. First, what kind of water is it? Cold water and fast-moving water are, in and of themselves, dangerous. Water with obstructions - visible or submerged - can also be quite dangerous if you are unaware of them and/or their location, or if you have an unplanned encounter with them. Marine life can pose a threat, as can wind, weather, tidal currents, boat traffic and simply getting lost. Tidal influences, for example, left a mother and her small son stranded on a mud flat for hours before a Coast Guard helicopter lifted them to safety. They were within 400-feet of shore, but could not safely walk through the mud and it would be 5-hours before the tide gave them enough water to get off the mud flat. Being eaten alive by mosquitoes and no-see-ums while stuck in the mud with no food or water was probably not the adventure this mother hoped for. A little local knowledge, a map and a tide chart would have helped. But you're not likely to get any of that from a sporting goods chain.

Thus far, I've been referring to Flat-water kayaking because it seems so benign; but let me take this opportunity to simply state, flat out: Whitewater kayaking is absolutely dangerous and should never be attempted without instruction - and that includes Surf Kayaking. Basically, you could break your neck or become pinned and drown doing this type of kayaking without learning some technical skills first. But even sea kayakers and kayakers who plan on paddling in marshes and estuaries need to learn some skills and become familiar with tides, currents, weather and other local particulars such as wildlife and navigation. All it takes is a little wind to turn a relatively calm tidal river into a choppy mess even experts won't paddle in. And, along many parts of the coast, if you don't know the tides and currents, you're likely to get swept somewhere you don't want to be and not be able to get back.

Recently in Southeast Georgia, three-men in their mid-to-late-twenties set out on a 2-hour, self-guided tour on a marked paddling trail with numbered markers corresponding to a free map given away at the State Park where this trip starts and ends. They didn't stick to the course and didn't know how to navigate or read a map. Their adventure kept them out hours past their scheduled return time and by then the wind had changed - making it impossible for them to return. They had no food and had finished their water early in the day. The water was warm and there was little chance they would drown or become hypothermic, but one of them was startled by a Dolphin that surfaced beside his cockpit and caused him to fall over in a few feet of water. In that area, oyster beds are common and he was lucky he wasn't injured on one. The men gave up fighting surface conditions and landed along a tree line where they began walking - hoping to find a road. They walked several miles before being found and finally returned to their vehicle 11-hours after setting-out on their 2-hour adventure. That's not the worst, but that's not ideal, either.

Kayaking is fun; and everyone should give it a try. But kayaking is a sport that can and has killed people who weren't planning on dying when they unstrapped the kayak from their roof rack. If you want to enjoy this sport, you need to start on the right foot - with an education. You can learn more than you'd imagine just taking a guided tour from a professional outfitter; but classes are available for the more serious or safety-conscious paddlers who want to truly stack the odds in their favor. Read books, kayaking magazines and surf the internet for the information you need to keep you safe on the water. A little information and a lot of common sense may get you by; but consider the risks and consequences inherent to the water you will be paddling in and get some proper instruction if you really want to be as safe as you can be on the water. What's the worst that can happen? That's exactly the question you need to ask yourself.

Pete Koerner has been a Professional Kayak Instructor and Guide for over 16-years, as well as being a 26-year Fire-Rescue-EMS veteran who has served and instructed on Dive Teams and Water Rescue Teams in major metropolitan fire departments. Pete, along with his wife, Jennifer (also a professional kayak instructor and Fire-Rescue-EMS veteran, owns and operates Up The Creek Xpeditions in St. Marys, Georgia.

Up The Creek Xpeditions has provided Corporate Team-Building and luxury resort kayaking services to clients such as The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island Plantation and Cabin Bluff since 1997 with a Perfect Safety and Customer Service Record. Up The Creek Xpeditions provides the very best in professional kayak guiding and instruction and, because of our Public Safety background, has the highest safety standards in the industry.

Visit: http://www.UpTheCreekX.com to find out more.
Or, you can email us at: KayakUTC@Gmail.com.

Also, feel free to contact us by phone at (912)882-0911.

Videos of some of our trips can also be seen on our You Tube channel: UpTheCreekX.

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July Camping Trip – Rollins Pond

We paddled the small loop starting at Rollins Pond and going clockwise. We saw a hawk, geese, loons and not much else in the form of wildlife. The wilderness view is beautiful in all directions and so peaceful.
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The #BlackRiver

The Black River starts in the lower Adirondacks near Forestport (think: Buffalo Head Restaurant) and ends 120 miles or so later in Lake Ontario.

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July 12, 2015
Salmon River Reservoir

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The #CayugaLake #SUP Cup

July 31 - August  2, 2015

 

 Welcome to the largest fresh water SUP race east of Lake Tahoe! The Cayuga Lake SUP Cup takes place on July 31 - August  2, 2015 at beautiful Myers Park in Lansing, NY. The SUP Cup is a 3-day community expo celebrating lake, land, and human wellness in the beautiful Finger Lakes Region of Upstate NY. 

The Best Cheap Recreational #Kayak - 5 Things To Look For

By Christy Haussler

You're dying to get out on the water. You want to buy a kayak, but your budget is limited. You know that you want to paddle some lakes and a few rivers that aren't white water, but what kind of kayak do you buy? How do you know you are getting a great deal on a kayak? Will you even want to use this kayak in a year?

Let's answer all those questions and more to help you find the best cheap recreational kayak available.

First, let's make sure you understand what a recreational kayak is, before we even get to the point of talking about the best cheap kayaks on the market.

As the name implies, recreational kayaks are for the recreational user. They are perfect for the hobbyist who wants to get out on the water for pleasure, exercise, recreation and mental health. I just threw the mental health in there because it sure is true. Kayaking can be a huge stress reliever, but that's a different post for a different day! A recreational kayak is versatile enough to use on flat water and some rivers. It is stable enough for a beginner, and tracks well enough to be used for long paddles. It's a comfortable boat, with lots of storage room for your gear. The recreational kayak is a great choice for 90% of the people who kayak!

Whether you want to get a sit on top or a sit in kayak, there are a few things you should look for. Unfortunately for so many people, a cheap recreational kayak has turned out to be just that - cheap! You truly do get what you pay for when it comes to buying a recreational kayak. Just because I don't recommend getting a cheap kayak, that doesn't mean you need to spend a ton of money. I want you to get the best recreational kayak you can afford, and love using it for a very long time!

5 things to look for in a recreational kayak:

1. Comfortable Seating

Any kayak you buy should have padding on the seat and some adjustments that can be made to the seat. Never, ever buy a kayak with only a plastic roto-molded seat. You will regret the decision halfway through your first paddle. You are stuck with the seat on any kayak that you get, so your money will be well spent by making sure your seat is properly padded and adjustable.

2. Size Matters... not so much

Kayaks come in different lengths for a reason. Generally, the shorter the kayak, the easier it is to turn and maneuver. The longer the kayak, the better it tracks in a straight line. It is important to know what types of water you will be paddling in before you make a purchase. Recreational kayaks are generally between 10' and 12'. There isn't going to be a huge amount difference between a 10' and 12' kayak. Both sizes work great in several types of water, so don't sweat too much over this choice. Don't forget that a larger kayak will weigh more, so make sure you can pick it up by yourself.

3. Storage Space and Deck Rigging

Anytime you are looking at recreational kayaks, you want to pay attention to the available amount of dry storage space built into the kayak. Trust me, you will want to take things out with you that you don't want to get wet, so this space will be extremely valuable. Look at the outside of the kayak. Does it have a paddle holder and other bungee type rigging around the deck for storing items you want to keep within reach? You may think these things are not important, but they soon will be. You need to have places on your boat where you can stow things and attach items that you may want to use during your paddle. You also need to know that deck rigging, paddle holders and other attachments can be added to almost any kayak after you purchase it. However, you this may require professional installation.

4. Price

Realistically, you should plan on spending $500-$700 on a good quality kayak. There are plenty of name brand models that have good recreational kayaks in this price range. In this price range, you can get good storage space and great seating that you will be happy with for a long time. You can find kayaks much cheaper than $500, but honestly I would not recommend going with a kayak that is at the bottom of the price range. They will be much harder to paddle, they will have uncomfortable seating, and you won't have the storage space to be comfortable while you are out on the water. Remember, we want to get you the BEST cheap recreational kayak, not the cheapest one on the market.

5. Brands

You will never regret purchasing a kayak from a kayak building company. I have seen tons of generic molded kayaks made in factories over seas, that have a label slapped on them and they are widely sold at low cost outlets all over the country. There are a lot of reasons to avoid these kayaks, but the main reason is that they are not made by people who actually kayak. There are several US based companies that were started by kayaking enthusiasts, and they make great kayaks.

I want you to get the best recreational kayak you can, for the cheapest price. It may mean you need to shop around and look for deals. Buying from a kayak making company will mean you get a great recreational kayak that you can use for many years to come.

Here is a list of kayak manufacturers that I recommend, and the recreational models that fall within the $500-$800 price range:

Jackson Kayaks - Cruise 10

Wilderness Kayaks - Tarpon 100, Aspire 100

Perception Kayaks - Prodigy, Tribute, Impulse

Liquid Logic Kayaks - Remix 10

Hobie Kayaks - Lanai Old Town - Vapor 10 XT, Dirigo 106

Finding the best cheap recreational kayak, may not be an easy task, but if you do it right you will have a kayak that you will love for years to come!

Christy Haussler is an avid paddler with more than 10 years of experience. Christy gets out on the water in kayaks and SUPs whenever she isn't working. From paddling the flat water of Western NC and Upstate SC, to her ocean paddling experiences in the beautiful Florida Keys, Christy writes all about paddling on her website http://www.paddlegogy.com.

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