The Adventure of #Kayaking

Chippewa Bay June 26, 2016

By Larry S. Kang

Nature has always surprised man with its bountiful abundance of beauty and strength. The mighty seas and the long rivers, twisting and turning, and the fierce rapids have always been intimidating. However, there are those adventurers that master the waters through various means, and kayaking is one of these. In one style of kayak, the paddler faces forward with their legs in front of them underneath a deck, and uses a double bladed paddle. Another style is the sit on top kayak. Most kayaks have a long front and rear deck and differ according to the type of water they are designed for. Ocean or sea kayaking is often done in the open sea, while whitewater kayaking is kayaking down the river rapids.

Kayaking adventures come in various different forms throughout the world. Kayaking enthusiasts commonly engage in whale watching, for example. Getting a glimpse of a gray whale or a humpback whale can be a memorable lifetime experience. Some kayakers have even had the opportunity to go kayaking alongside orcas, or killer whales. In a kayak, you can explore the extraordinary wilderness of the ocean in its fullest beauty. Having your own kayaking adventure increases awareness about the environment, the ecosystem and the need to preserve it.

Kayaking lets you discover and enjoy the enchantment and wonder of the beautiful waters and unmatched skies. Outstanding scenery and wildlife are added attractions which kayaking offers and acts as a total stress reliever. In addition to sea kayaking, kayaking adventures can also include lake kayaking and river rafting excursions. It is not necessary to have some prior experience in kayaking as guides who value safety and training as top priorities are available to cater to small groups of kayaking enthusiasts.

Thousands of plants, hundreds of different birds, and pristine waterways await you when you set out on a kayaking expedition. Like in every other sport, there is equipment that no paddler should be without. The primary equipment obviously is the kayak. The type of kayak largely depends on the size of the water body you plan to go kayaking in. For example, whitewater kayaks are much different from sea kayaks. The kayak you choose depends on what type of paddling you prefer, whether whitewater, lake, or ocean.

The next essential piece of equipment is the paddle. There are different types of paddles for different types of kayaking. A little research online or at an outdoor equipment store can help you choose the right paddle for your kayak. Also needed will be a life jacket, or personal flotation device, for every kayaker. Helmets are also required for whitewater kayaking. So, if you intend to go whitewater kayaking, you should definitely include a helmet on your shopping list.

Now that you have a fair idea of the abundant fun kayaking offers and the necessary equipment for this activity, pack your bags, set out on your kayaking expedition, and most of all enjoy! And, please remember to pack all your safety gear such as your life jacket or personal flotation device to ensure safe kayaking adventures!

Larry Kang is a writer on outdoor recreation topics such as hiking, kayaking, and nature photography. Learn more about kayaking trips [http://www.kayaksandkayaking.com] at Kayaks and Kayaking - Kayaking Trips [http://kayaksandkayaking.com/category/kayaking-trips].

Note: If you find this article useful, feel free to republish it on your website, e-zine, or newsletter as long as the credits above remain intact and the hyperlinks stay active.

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Getaways in NY - Weekend Getaways in New York

CNY Kayakers at May’s Point June 19, 2016

By Clineth Carter
This summer, you may want to escape New York City and be out in the natural outdoors. You don't have to go far or spend much money to find breathtaking getaways in NY. There is a lot to do within a couple hours of drive or train ride from the city. Though New York State is known for New York City and its skyscrapers, there is a lot of natural beauty to be enjoyed and explored in the varied regions of upstate New York. There are various activities to partake in and destinations to discover for the whole family and your friends. It will be a wonderful way to slow down and unwind from the hectic life of the city.
If you are the rugged outdoorsy type, then go for camping in NY at the various New York State camping parks. There is a lot to do near most camping sites such as such as canoeing, kayaking, swimming, mountain biking, hiking, fishing and you will enjoy the beauty and magnificence of upstate New York.
If sleeping in a tent is not your cup of tea, then renting a cabin would be the ideal getaway for you. There are several affordable cabins in NY that you can rent for the weekend or the whole week. Some of cabins in NY are secluded waterfront getaways overlooking scenic mountain ranges and you will absolutely fall in love with peacefulness and splendor of your surroundings.
If renting the whole place doesn't fit your budget, then renting a New York bed and breakfast would be just what the doctor ordered. You can still enjoy the majestic outdoors and scenic waterways of upstate New York and engage in numerous activities near most New York bed and breakfasts.
There are various regions to consider for getaways in NY depending on how far you would like to drive and the activities you would like to get into. If you don't want to drive far then you should consider the Catskills or Hudson Valley regions as both regions are within a two hour drive of New York City. The Catskills region is located west of the Hudson River and east of the river is the Hudson Valley region. Add another hour or two to your drive north and you will find the Adirondacks. This is where you will find Lake George and other popular weekend destinations. Also, few hours drive north west of NYC is the Finger Lakes region. As the name indicates, Finger Lakes should be your choice of destination if you are looking to get into water sports such as boating, swimming, kayaking, canoeing and more...
It's recommended that you research and reserve your accommodation for your getaways in NY. Some of the cabins, bed & breakfasts or New York State camping sites might be booked months in advance. So plan ahead and reserve your lodging so that you know where you're resting your head during your excursion. If you want to unwind and relax in the outdoors and get away for the weekend this summer, go for getaways in NY and enjoy the magnificent natural beauty of New York State.
Get additional information about Getaways in NY [http://www.funarena.com/new-york/1846-places-weekend-getaways] and visit our website to find more information about activities in NYC [http://www.funarena.com/].
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Clineth_Carter/593193
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Interesting Facts About Ocean #Kayaks

Moffitt Beach Camping Weekend

 
By Temple Wright
You would have wondered many times that why so many surfers enjoy venturing miles into the sea on their kayaks. Whenever you go to any waterfront areas these days, you will find many different types of kayaking activities going on the waters. There are different types of kayaks gears that are available these days to suit variety of needs and types of water conditions. For example, some kayaks are designed to be used on gentle water conditions, such as lakes and bays, while some are typically designed to be used on moving waters, such as rivers and ocean kayaks. Whitewater kayaking is more entertaining and famous than ocean kayaking; however, ocean kayaking provides great option for surfing.
Kayaks Types
Usually kayaks are nothing but slender boats to be used for sailing on still waters. However, if you want to do kayaking on ocean, the design must be modified to adopt the unpredictable waters of the ocean. Surfers need to use proper kayaks so that they can stand against the strength of the powerful ocean waves. Ocean kayaks are considerably different from normal ones with more strength. They are also significantly longer than normal kayaks. Generally, you will find ocean kayak to be as large as 15-16 feet in length and 25 feet in width. Also these kayaking gears are made from variety of materials; however, the most typical ones are rigid kayak and foldable kayak. With the many technological innovations coming through the designing and manufacturing of the kayak, there are a wide variety of kayaking gears available these days, including surf kayak, inflatable kayak, and sit-on-top kayak.
Ocean kayaking gears are designed to accommodate two paddlers and that is why they have long length. Also their long length helps in increasing the ability of the surfer to surf on the narrow waves and straight lines. The width is also typically designed to adjust to ocean waters and wider space increases the storage area. However, surf kayaks are designed to be very narrow. Kayaks paddles used for ocean surfing are designed in a different manner. Usually, you will find variety of paddles, including European paddles, wing paddles, Greenland paddles, etc. for ocean kayaks.
Ocean kayaking steering gears comes in different types, such as skegs or rudders. Skegs are usually straight in design, and they set well in the trunk of the boat. Rudders, on the other hand, are attached at the stern and are operated using wires from kayak's cockpit. These rudders can be retracted at the time of beach landing. All these gears are developed for smooth paddling in typical cases of surfing against the ocean's strong wind.
Another use of kayak is in fishing. Fishing enthusiasts love this gear because it is less expensive. However, since fishing is usually done in rough conditions it is very important for surfers to keep the required kayaks accessories. These include different types of seat options, various paddles, storage compartments, rod holders, or built-in bait tanks.
Earlier people used to believe that kayaks are only designed to be used for surfing on calm waters of lakes or rivers. However, kayaking can be done on any kind of water surface, and this had made kayaking a very popular activity. Many surfing enthusiasts are now using kayaks for the ultimate fun whether it is on lakes or oceans. If you want to enjoy the ocean waters, invest in a good kayak and start exploring the sea.
Ocean kayaks are definitely incomplete without good gears. Visit http://www.paddlerscove.com. It is a one stop site that provides all kinds of kayaks for the surfers. Whether you are looking for ocean kayaks or any other types of kayak accessories or gears, this site offers all.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Temple_Wright/610327
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Types of Whitewater #Kayaks - How to Avoid Choosing the Wrong Kayak

By Jonathan Chase Hawkins

Kayaking is an adventurous sport, and is definitely not meant for the weak-hearted. Whitewater kayaking is a sport that involves paddling a kayak on a whitewater river. Whitewater kayaking is of many types, ranging from gentle waters to dangerous whitewater, involving rapids of 6 grades. Grade I is the slow moving water, while Grade VI consists of aggressive stretches of water.

Due to the many grades of whitewater, not all manufactured kayaks are suitable for every grade. There are mainly 4 types of whitewater kayaks available. It is good to note that these kayaks are very different from sea kayaks. All of these are very easy to maneuver, while maintaining high stability in the water. Features of the 4 types of whitewater kayaks are listed below.

River Running Kayaks

These kayaks are perfect for beginners, as well as for the experienced paddler. These kayaks are designed with soft edges, and are quite stable, and extremely fast, due to their substantial volume and length. Their flat bottom enables advanced kayakers to surf with ease. River Running kayaks are extremely comfortable and their smooth round bows, make it easy to brace and roll. Remarkably, these kayaks also contain outfitting that can be customized.

Creeking Kayaks

If you're interested in risks, thrills and extreme adventure in whitewater, then a creek boat is the one you're looking for. Creeking kayaks are designed to maneuver very technical and difficult rapids, while enduring every abuse of boulders and rocks in the narrow creeks. These kayaks have potentially less chance of getting caught up in between the rocks, due to their soft chine. These kayaks are usually 8 feet in length and have a rounded displacement hull, allowing for soft landings, even from huge drops! Creeking kayaks are the largest in the whitewater family. These kayaks are definitely built with the whitewater thrill seeker in mind.

Freestyle Kayaks

These are also known as Rodeo or Playboating kayaks. If you like to be artistic or gymnastic, to perform moves like spinning, surfing and various other vertical moves, then this kayak could be the one you're looking for. Read on and see if this is the one you need. With a Freestyle kayak, you can perform tricks on a variety of river features, and perform even better on waves and holes. These kayaks are short and have centralized distribution of volume, in their sterns and bows.

Free Running Kayaks

Free Running kayaks are designed for those kayakers, who love paddling the river, but want to enjoy the thrill of the entire river. You could call this type of kayak, a hybrid between a river running kayak and a freestyle kayak. Of the 4 types of kayaks, these are the most suitable for beginners, who can use them to learn how to brace, roll and play. The best thing about these kayaks is that they provide enough stability to go on a down river exploration.

Now that you have all the information about the 4 types of whitewater kayaks, you can make a well-informed decision, based on your level of expertise.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Jonathan_Chase_Hawkins/620929
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The Capsize Drill for a Closed Cockpit #Kayak & Kayuta Lake

Kayuta Lake Trip Report

By Matt Stephens

Capsizing and Escaping from a Closed Cockpit Kayak - The Basic and First Procedure

Introduction

When kayaking one of the most crucial things to be able to do is escape from your kayak should you need to, for example if you capsize and are unable to roll back up and there is no one else in the vicinity to rescue you (using a T Rescue, or often called an Eskimo Rescue).

Before setting out on the water the correct equipment should be worn; buoyancy aid (life jacket), helmet, warm clothing - dry, semi dry kagool or clothing to protect from elements (sun, rain, wind), appropriate foot wear. Other optional equipment includes a spray deck (covering the cockpit, stopping water to enter the kayak) in the form of cloth or neoprene.

The Capsize and Escape Drill (in a scenario)

You are out paddling on the river with your local kayak club on mild water (grade 1 - 2) and find you loose balance within some moving water and consequently end upside down. You have not yet learnt to self rescue (screw roll, hand roll) yourself back up.

1) Don't panic - doing so will reduce the amount of time you are able to hold your breath and may also lead to mistakes. Relax...that's the key.

2) When the kayak's settled in the water (ie. not still rolling over) its time for the most important part of the drill, Three loud bangs on the bottom of the kayak. To do this simply lean forwards (moving your head towards the spray deck) and reaching your hands out of the water onto the base of the kayak, in the middle of the cockpit area. From here bang three times.

This allows other kayakers near to you to be aware of your situation and take appropriate action.

This could lead to your being rescued in the form of an Eskimo Rescue.

3) Next, whilst remaining leant forward, move your hands into the same position as the three bangs stage above. This time however, bring your hands further towards the front of the kayak (around level with the front of your cockpit) whilst keeping them out of the water. They should now be positioned to the side of the kayak.

Now whilst holding this position, move your hands so that the palms of your hand are facing you (meaning your little finger is touching the kayak on both sides). Now move both hands down to the rear of the kayak, slowly, whilst keeping them out of the water as if you were directing a lorry reversing into a space.

Once your hands are level with the rear of the cockpit (around level with the back of your seat), turn your palms around so that they now face the front of the kayak. Then move them in a Reciprocating fashion, back and forth from front to back. See diagram below.

See diagram: http://www.eveshampaddlesport.co.uk/images/capsize_hand.jpg

This may seem silly but this allows you to find the nose of a kayak should someone try to Eskimo Rescue you by bringing their kayak in a T Shape to yours.

If this were a Eskimo Rescue you'd now pull yourself from the other kayakers kayak back up.

Lets continue as if there was no-one to rescue you, meaning you now need to escape the kayak and get wetter.

4) Pull the loop/strap/hoop at the front of your cockpit which is attached to your spray deck (the device that stops water entering your kayak).

This releases your deck, and water will start to enter your kayak. Don't panic!

5) Next whilst remaining in your kayak move your hands to behind the rear of your seat, with one hand either side of the kayak.

Push off from here using your hands, and you will naturally pivot out of your kayak in a sort of side ways "U" Shape.

6) You are now swimming in the water, whilst keeping hold of your paddle and kayak swim to the nearest or safest get out point (such as a slipway or fishing platform) and make an egress.

Note: whilst swimming a fellow kayaker may be able to empty your kayak of water and get you back in whilst still remaining on the river. This is called an "X Rescue".

Empty kayak and keep warm, by wrapping up and keeping out of the wind.

Matt Stephens

Evesham Paddlesport, 2007

[http://www.eveshampaddlesport.co.uk]

The Vale of Evesham's Kayak and Canoe Club

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Uncover the #Outdoor Adventurer in You

Camillus Kayak Shop Demo Day May 29th 2016

By Brian Ramsey

As a young person you were fascinated by the articles in National Geographic magazine and you yearned to be like the individuals in the articles. Even now, as you are older, you enjoy watching Discovery channel and Animal Planet and secretly wish you were one of the characters in the show, taking part in an outdoor adventure. Despite these desires you never seem to have the outdoor adventures you yearn for.

Limited finances, pressures of work, family responsibilities are the reasons you give yourself for not being able to explore the outdoors. None of these should be reasons to prevent you from uncovering the outdoor adventurer that lies within you. Instead of seeking the big adventure you can have a series of small outdoor adventures that will fulfill the yearning for adventure

The question some may ask is where and how do I experience these smaller adventures. The opportunity for an outdoor adventure exists in every location. Every locality usually has a local hiking club and the majority of these clubs are usually happy to have non-members along for a small fee. In addition to hiking clubs there is sometimes a local field naturalist club that organises field trips that non-members can participate in. Hiking is a good way to experience nature and at the same time provide the body with valuable exercise. Some people may think that the years of sitting in front of the television will prevent them from undertaking the rigors of a strenuous hike. Most hiking clubs rate their hikes with a scale ranging from Easy to Challenging. You can start with the easy hikes and over time build to the challenging hikes.

Many hikes are day hikes so you can take one day out of your weekend to be an outdoor enthusiast and still have time for your family responsibilities. An advantage of participating with a hiking club is the safety and security of being with an organised group that knows the trails, thus preventing you from getting lost.

Another great way to experience the outdoors is kayaking. When the term kayaking is used, many immediately think of fast rushing water , navigating large boulders and the heart stopping adrenaline rush of white water kayaking. Kayaking is not however only white water, there are many slow moving rivers, large lakes and sheltered bays where a pleasurable morning or afternoon can be spent paddling. In most areas where there is a sizable body of water, local kayak shops or outfitters can be found. These kayak shops will often have boats available for rental and sometimes organize kayaking expeditions on weekends.

Some individuals are scared of kayaks because they have never used them. Learning the basics of kayaking is however very simple and can be done with a few minutes of instruction. Once the basics have been learned and equipped with a personal flotation device (life jacket) an entire realm of nature viewing is opened up along streams, in ponds and in sheltered bays.

An overnight or weekend camping trip is yet another opportunity for the outdoor enthusiast to awaken that adventurous spirit. You may think that camping requires having plenty of camping equipment, but that is not applicable in every situation. A very good article, Surviving Camping Equipment Overload - How to Manage on a Small Budget, can be found at the Outdoors Trinidad web site. A camping trip is also an opportunity to have other family members participate in your outdoor adventure.

Another opportunity for having family members participate in outdoor activities is a cycling trip. This can be a weekend trip or just a day spent cycling along country roads. One of the great things about a family cycling outing is that you proceed at your own pace. If an interesting bird or animal is seen you can stop to observe and then resume your ride.

So go ahead and organize your mini adventures and uncover the outdoor adventurer in you.

Brian Ramsey operates the web site, Outdoors Trinidad, and is the author of the CD, Discovering the Birds of Trinidad and Tobago.

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#Kayaking Footwear

Camillus Kayak Shop Demo Day 2016

Author: Jakob Jelling

Kayaking footwear comes in several different designs, to keep your feet safe and, in some cases, warm.

Kayaking will obviously not require the same type of footwear that you would wear to the store or on the street. However, since you will not always be in the kayak (eventually you're going to have to come back to land and get out of it), you'll probably want to have some sort of shoes just in case you have to come back to a rougher part of the beach. You don't want to hurt your feet just because you have been in a kayak.

Something to keep in mind about regular shoes, of course, is that they tend to be fairly heavy. Therefore, if you end up using a regular pair of shoes, you will probably be adding unnecessary weight to your feet. Part of the reason that you're adding extra weight is that regular shoes do not repel water in the same way that water footwear would. The other down side do this is that your regular shoes will also not dry out very quickly at all. In fact, you'll probably be stuck with wet shoes for a long time after you finally get done kayaking.

The best type of footwear for kayaking is more like a slipper. These shoes might not be waterproof, but if you are in water that is too cold for your feet, you should probably look into getting a dry suit that covers your feet as well.

The nice thing about these slipper shoes is that as soon as you step out of the water, most of it will drain away. The result is that you are left with damp but not too soggy shoes which will probably dry out fairly quickly. The other thing that you get with this footwear instead of going barefoot is that you'll know that your feet are being protected each time you step on the bottom - and considering that you can never be quite sure what is just under the sand, this is probably a good thing.

However, if the slipper footwear is not right for you, several other companies offer sandals that might suit your needs as well. While sandals will not close over your feet in the same way, they will still be able to protect your feet from anything that happens to be under the sand.

You can also purchase socks for kayaking which will keep your feet warm.

About the author

Jakob Jelling is the founder of http://www.kayakhelp.com. Please visit his complete kayaking guide for all skills and ages.