As opposed to “roughing it,” I’d much rather “smooth” it on my kayaking trips. You know, take it easy, relax and enjoy the simple things in life on those trips in a big boat, on easy water, and without portages or time constraints. Sure, it may be the difference between kayak camping and tripping, but so what? You’ll be comfortable doing it. In no particular order of importance, here is my top 10 list of canoe camping creature comforts imperative on any outing: Full Service Kitchen I like to be able to cook a hot meal, not just reheat something.…
Browsing: kayak
When you fall off of a wave or miss a move through a rapid the frequent culprit is an inadvertent, barely perceptible wobble. If this wobble is enough to force you to brace rather than paddle proactively, that alone can cost the move. But even smaller wobbles can cost a move. Here’s the deal: the hull of a kayak or canoe slows significantly when it bobs front to back, or rocks side to side. A barely visible wobble or bob, say one-half inch, is like dragging a coffee cup-sized anchor on each side of the boat. Even small wobbles (side…
Rigging a raft for a multi-day river trip is an art every bit as much as rowing and river running. Unfortunately, many guide wannabes are inept at the skill, producing behemoths of tangled ropes and straps that come undone as soon as the first wave crosses the bow. And when that same boat flips in Lava’s ledge hole, the result is a junkyard of debris that settles to the bottom of Lake Mead. One key is to take your time in the rigging process. This will ensure a package fit for rowing, while giving you the upper hand in the…
Homebound paddlers with babies take heart: just because you’ve procreated doesn’t mean you have to hang up your paddle. Kayaking with kids on river should not be complicated at all. Providing you have the skill, desire and diapers, there are plenty of places to paddle where you can still get your feet wet with the family–and you won’t have to worry about finding a babysitter. 1. Green River, Utah The Green flows first through high desert administered by the Bureau of Land Management, and later through the utterly magnificent, sandstone depths of Labyrinth and Stillwater canyons within Canyonlands National Park.…
Kids and Kayaks can be a winning combination, the unconfined nature of an open boat allowing for a progression of kid zones to accommodate progeny in safety and comfort. Younger children are more passenger than paddler and the littlest ones are best left under the bowman’s watchful eye. Since bow babies are under the supervision of the fore paddler, little outfitting is needed to provide a safe and comfortable kid zone. Recognize, though, that the stern paddler will become the principal means of propulsion, as the bowman will be dealing with more immediate and vocal demands. Bow babies will often…
It was Mother’s Day and the family rule was that you got to pick what you wanted to do on your special day, which for me was paddling. I was met with some opposition from my kids, but I ignored it, proceeded to a sandwich shop for lunch and we were on our way to the river. Cold meatball sandwiches aren’t the most suitable river lunch but that’s what my son loves, so I consented. Soon after we pushed off, the kids began to eat. A meatball fell out of Bryce’s roll so he threw it into the river. His…
Training your four-legged friend for a kayaking escapade is akin to laying down a good rhythmic beat before the melody of the adventure can play out in harmony. It’s not about instilling a ‘fetch’ or a ‘roll over’; this is about embracing the ebb and flow of the water, understanding the gentle sway of the kayak and nurturing a mutual trust that can weather the whims of the wild waves. Begin with basic obedience training, ensuring commands like “sit”, “stay”, and “come” are as rooted in your dog as the instinct to chase a squirrel. Progress gradually to getting your…
Today’s fishing kayaks are stable, capable craft worthy of trust. Even so, we kayak anglers know the sea is full of surprises—and I’m not just talking about hyper-aggressive yellowtail. Follow these simple tips to ensure your kayak-fishing surprises are happy ones. Wear your PFD Trouble strikes when we least expect it. Your PFD won’t do any good in the tankwell. And forget about putting on your life vest when you’re on—or worse, in—the water. It’s requires a contortionist’s flexibility even on flatwater, let alone in a building gale. Complaints that PFDs are too uncomfortable to wear may be true of…
In many ways a kayak is the ideal fishing vessel. It moves silently through the water and puts the fisherman right down near the surface of the water. A successful fisherman knows that most of the information they need to catch fish comes from scanning the surface of the water for clues. Diving birds, small bait fish and larger fish jumping are all clues that fish are actively feeding, which indicates that fishing will likely be successful in the area. Basic Techniques Learning to fish from a sea kayak can present a few challenges when compared to wider and more…
Kayaking is a relaxing activity and through it you get the chance to spend time close to nature. The kayaking lovers opt for summer and fall months, mostly. However, that does not mean you cannot or should not enjoy the activity in the winter months at all. Not everywhere water is frozen in those months! Besides, winter kayaking comes with a few advantages over kayaking in the peak season. Of course, you have to pack in the right accessories and wear suitable attire to beat the chilling cold. The Advantages Of Kayaking In Winter When you indulge in kayaking in…