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…
Browsing: kayak
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…
Forget the rapids, sunsets and sandy beaches. No matter what craft you’re in, it’s the wildlife you encounter while paddling that’s often the most memorable. But you’re not going to find much of it touring the Mississippi through Minneapolis or joining the throngs on the Gauley. To get where the wild things are you have to go a little farther off the beaten path. Following are a few of our favorite hotspots, where you can catch everything from whale flukes to caribou from the seat of your cockpit. American Alligator 1. Everglades National Park, Florida The best alligator viewing in…
The foreword sweep is the building block of all kayaking strokes. There are three sweep variations an intermediate/advanced paddler should know and practice: the stern draw (last half of full sweep), the full sweep and the aggressive sweep. Let’s look at each and study where and when each is most effective. 1. Stern draw Sweeps to control the stern of your boat are most important when you are learning to go straight, ferry and surf. For these moves, you’ll want sweeps that finish with a stern draw. Follow the blade with your torso and eyes. This will give you good…