Inflatable Kayak Blog

During our recent trip to Fairfield Glade Resort we took our Sea Eagle 330 inflatable kayak so we could get out on some of their many lakes and do some kayaking. It didn’t turn out to be the best kayaking weather while we were there. It was very hot most of the days and we had rain several other days. In fact, we were just leaving the condo to go kayaking one morning and as we opened the door to head to the car, the heavens opened up and the area got a much needed rain shower. But by the time it was over, it was too humid to get out for a paddle.

We did manage to make it to Lake Glastowbury the morning before we had to leave. It was still pretty hot, but we figured it would be cooler on the water so we found our way to the boat launch and got the kayak launched in the very calm waters of the moderate size lake. The lake was like glass it was so calm and made for some beautiful reflection pictures. We paddled around the perimeter of the lake and it was just the right amount of time in the kayak for only our second kayak trip of the year.

We did have some company on this paddle, a family in a canoe and two kayaks were also out for a paddle and we passed them on our way back to the launch site. It was such a peaceful place and aside from the other paddlers, we had the lake all to ourselves. How cool is that!

Living in southern Indiana, we don’t have a lot of beautiful lakes and rivers to go kayaking in, and having a hotter than normal spring and summer has postponed us getting our kayak in the water until this past week while we were on vacation at the Fairfield Glade resort in Tennessee. We love the area and they have many beautiful lakes to put the kayak in for a paddle. Though it was still fairly warm we took the kayak to one of the largest and deepest lakes at the resort, Lake Dartmoor. We launched from the little beach area and had several curious onlookers checking us out as we were inflating the kayak. We always love to tell people how much we love our inflatable kayak and show them how easy it is to get it inflated and into the water.

We had been on this part of the lake before, but always love to check out the big beautiful homes as we paddle by. As we were paddling to the nearest golf hole, a line of geese came swimming across the lake. We watched as they made their way to the other end of the lake. I had my camera, as usual, and managed to get several pictures of them as they passed by us.

There was a slight breeze on the water that help keep us a little cool and also gave us a chance to try out our Windpaddle sail. We were pleasantly surprised that even with the small breeze we were able to get the kayak moving along pretty well. We definitely need more practice with that, but it will be handy to have on future paddling trips.

We didn’t want to stay out too long seeing it was our first trip of the year, but it felt great to get out on the water, get some exercise and get some great pictures too.

Contributed by Victoria Adams

Alligators can be found in the Southern portions of the United States such as Florida, Louisiana, Alabama, Georgia, South and North Carolina, Mississippi, Eastern Texas, Virginia, and the southern tip of Oklahoma. Avid Kayakers need to be aware of proper safety measures and what one should do if they encounter an alligator while kayaking in these areas. Alligators have the capability to kill a human, but are naturally wary of people and will only attack when provoked.

In some states there are laws that protect alligators from harassment and molestation by tourists. So by all means kayak and enjoy the water, but be cautious and respectful of Alligators and their environment.

Be prepared and contact your local fish and wildlife organization for information about Alligator mating season, behavioral patterns, and the times that predators feed.

What do you do if you encounter an Alligator on your trip?

1. Do not panic! Just leave them alone! And Don’t Feed Them! It is against the law to feed Alligators. The reason is because if humans feed alligators then alligators will become desensitized and more prone to attack.
2. A must for kayaking in dangerous waters is a PDF whistle. PDF stands for personal flotation device. The whistle is typically plastic and without a pea in it to prevent corrosion and to facilitate using it if it gets wet and is attached to your life jacket so you don’t lose it. If you encounter an alligator you can use the noise from your PDF whistle to scare it off.
3. If you are in an area where you see signs of Alligator activity (for example a muddy wallow where they like to roll, a slide for them to slip into the lake or river, and/or Alligator eggs), leave the area as quickly and as calmly as you can. Gators are naturally territorial and will defend their eggs aggressively.

More than likely if you encounter a gator and it is your first time seeing one you are going to panic. You may feel threatened, and you may want to run or paddle wildly. If possible, try to have someone who has experience in gator encounters with you when paddling in potential gator areas. The buddy system works wonders in helping you overcome your fears. If you see gator activity in an area, make a notation and call the fish and wildlife organization and notify them of your sighting.

This might make you feel a little safer if you are kayaking in an inflatable kayak or a folding kayak. Most of the material components in these type kayaks are designed to keep you afloat even if the hull of your boat is punctured. For example, even the smallest Sea Eagle 330 inflatable kayak has three separate air chambers for the floor and each side of the kayak. Most importantly be safe, do your research about the area you choose to kayak, and have respect for the alligator populations leave them alone.

If you’d like to read more, here are a collection of links to a variety of additional information about alligators in general and kayaking around alligators.

http://www.topkayaker.net/Articles/NatureIssues/sharks.htm#ali

http://www.clubkayak.com/greenwave/showpage.asp?page=070609_Alligators

http://www.topkayaker.net/Articles/Instruction/SignalDevices.html

http://members.tripod.com/lauras_house/alligator.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Alligator

Webster defines kayak as “man’s boat.” It is interesting in this politically correct world that you would find a definition using such a connotation.

But, alas it is springtime and the romance at this change of season leads one to thinking. What should I do now since spring has sprung? Some would say I’m too old for such an adventure but “too old” is not in my vocabulary.

The long winter cold nights are only a memory and the love of nature and the beauty it beckons await the “man” and his boat. Where to vacation is as broad a spectrum as the types of kayak available. Should one consider the overdue fishing trip or a white-water adventure?  Would a gentle path for the casual paddler coupled with viewing the beauty of nature be best? So many decisions and what delight in the process of planning the “man” trip now that spring time has emerged.

Memory of past trips reminds me of bouncing off rocks as the fast-moving water splashed in my face. Am I ready for freestyle and competition or do I want to put off that vigorous training for a more relaxing journey?

I am considering a trip to Kentucky to visit friends which would entail a paddle down the Green River in Mammoth Cave National Park. I can imagine the sunny afternoon and the blue-green grass of the “Bluegrass State” that this journey would provide.

However, I could stay in Hawaii in my piece of paradise on the Island of Maui and paddle with my friends.  I do lead our group and they respect my skills and my delight in the adventure. At least I think that is what they enjoy the most. It could be the picnic that I bring along or the ukulele music and hula I perform for the evening entertainment after our day’s journey out in our kayaks.

I hate those days that you have to make tough decisions, trying to pick from visits with old friends in Kentucky or old friends here at home. Ah, but if I go to Kentucky and enjoy Green River kayaking, then I can then go on to enjoy Churchill Downs and the horses. Wonder what else the “red hat” ladies would like to do? I hear Indiana has some great places to paddle a kayak too.

Submitted by San Dee Crabtree, a “red hat” lady. This story was inspired by Queen Adele who in her late seventies is a top kayaker in Maui. She visits Kentucky and enjoys our change of pace and trying to keep up with Ms. Adele is a joy to behold. She has ladies all over kayaking and treasuring their days.

Written by guest author Sam Wright

My accountant (wife), informed me last year that our vacation fund for 2010 was being cut in favor of increased rent, utilities, and other necessities. I offered MY ideas on how we could cut expenses, but she just wasn’t going for the whole PB&J and Ramen Noodle diet and for some reason ditching the apartment, buying an RV and living in State Parks wasn’t tickling her fancy either. So, in an effort to keep the peace and avoid the couch, I agreed to her notion of having a “Staycation” this year.
“Staycation” is the new term for taking a vacation either at home or nearby. To my chagrin, the wife put me in charge of ferreting out a few destinations and activities that would be fun and not break our budget. He, he, he. Little did she know what she was getting herself into.

After a little research on our State Park websites, I ran across a few articles and advertisements expounding the benefits of kayaking. Surprisingly, kayaks were easy to find, cheaper than ever, and now made with new materials that produce great portability. From any city, I could search online and find an appealing lake, an old mill stream, or some other challenging waterway. There was even a kayak for every imaginable use and skill level.

This was the sales pitch I gave my wife as I searched for the perfect kayak and the best water way near my hometown. I presented my findings and the overall reasonable price of “our” new endeavor and she was impressed. So much so, that we ordered two Sea Eagle 330 inflatable kayaks! Who would have thought our discovery of such a novel hobby could produce such renewed excitement back into our lives?

Now we don’t have to wait until summer vacation. We just pick our escape weekend, grab our inflatable kayaks, and then focus on the beautiful scenery and the joy of having fun together.

Currently, I am awaiting our next adventure, but the wife said it will be a few months before she can join me. It appears that we had a little too much fun on one of our weekend kayak trips, but the grandparents are looking forward to the new addition in our life. Maybe I’ll look into the training requirements for my own future rodeo kayak team.

by Thomas Alan Gray

As spring snowmelt and rainfall contribute to the watershed, many area streams suddenly become navigable and interesting.

The Sturgeon River in Alberta, which runs from north of Edmonton into the North Saskatchewan River, is a great example. Normally sluggish at best, and even dried out in late summer, during spring the river becomes a popular spot with local paddlers. (NOTE: Sturgeon River picture courtesy of AlbertaFirst.com)

“The most popular spring training run on the Sturgeon,” reports Mark Lund, author of Mark’s Guide for Edmonton Paddlers, “is the run between Bon Accord and Gibbons”. Specifically, the access is on the right bank on Range Road 240, south of Bon Accord, and the egress is at the Gibbons Bridge (12.2 km) or at other points downstream. It is possible to continue down to the North Saskatchewan River for a 36 km trip. Both the start and finish of these runs are within an hour’s drive of Edmonton.

The Sturgeon is generally considered to best between late April and early May each year, though Mark notes that “Local paddlers have also reported good paddling after some long and heavy rainstorms.”

The Sturgeon is Grade 1 to 1+ overall, with some Class 1 to 2 rapids during high water.  Novice paddlers with basic strokes and some knowledge of and skill with basic river maneuvers (eddie turns, ferries) will find it a good run.

Mark describes the river as having sections “very pretty with heavy growths of spruce along the banks, other sections wind through willow and oxbow flats where poplar, birch and rose bushes line the banks.”   Hazards include barbed wire fences, log jams, plugged culverts, and beaver dams. The latter, Mark says, can provide enough of a drop for a little surfing below the dam.

Mark’s Guide is now in its seventh edition and has expanded to include the entire province of Alberta. The guide is a great resource for picking out places to paddle whatever type of kayak you have, a hard shell, a folding kayak or an inflatable.

(About the Author: Thomas Alan Gray has done whitewater kayaking in Germany and both flatwater and whitewater canoeing in Canada. He was a certified recreational canoe instructor while serving as a leader with Scouts Canada. He’s camped in all four seasons for more years than he cares to admit.)

By Guest Blogger … Sheryl Connelly

It’s no secret that you bought your portable kayak because of it’s compact storage and transportability. According to most customers, that’s the number one reason they purchased an inflatable or a folding kayak instead of a traditional hard shell model. And the possibility of taking your kayak with you on an airplane may also have been a key consideration. But with all the changes in baggage requirements, is that still a viable expectation? The short answer is “yes”. However, there are some things to investigate before you fly ….
·    Find out EXACTLY what the policy is of the airline you will be flying regarding transporting portable boats. You need to know what your specific airline and airport’s baggage policy is. Your WORST CASE scenario will be the “official policy” of the airline. If the check-in attendant is having a bad day or is a stickler for the rules you need to be prepared to pay any extra charges or plan on leaving your kayak at home.
·    If you do take your kayak with you, our readers tell us they have had the best luck putting them in a surfboard bag or large duffle bag. Be discrete, polite, and ask them to HELP YOU with getting your boat to your destination. There are different baggage allowances for domestic and international flights. It is helpful to inform the airline that you will be taking an “inflatable boat” or “small surf board” with you when you make your reservation. That way, they’ll get the idea that it’s something compact. If this information is pre-loaded in their computer when you check-in, your kayak is more likely to get through. We’d also suggest that you avoid using the word “kayak” when you interact with airline personnel. they may not comprehend that a kayak can be carried in a bag.
·    DON’T BELIEVE what you hear (unless it is in writing). Processing hundreds of people for a Trans-Atlantic flight can be stressful on attendants and things are often different at the check-in counter.
·    ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS  have a Plan B ready if something happens, like an emergency rental or purchase option in should Plan A fall through.
·    Be familiar with current customs policies and be sure to take off all sales tags to avoid the question of duty and taxes.

What are the most convenient portable kayaks for traveling? Weight is the main consideration when flying. Here are a few recommendations that are all super lightweight, compact, inflate or assemble quickly, and paddle very well.
·    Innova Sunny – Tandem but can also be converted for solo, 29 pounds, very fast, great for flatwater, calm rivers and oceans
·    Innova Safari – Solo, 24 pounds, extremely popular whitewater kayak, good for up to class III rapids and ocean surf
·    Sea Eagle 330 – Tandem but can be converted for solo as well, 26 pounds, best for flatwater, calm rivers and very calm oceans, however it’s capable for up to class III whitewater.
·    Any of the PakBoat Puffin folding kayaks. Ranging from 17 to 28 pounds and easy to assemble, they all paddle great, best for use on calm water.
·    Also take a look at the Airis Sport or Play. These solo kayaks come with their own backpack!

Sheryl Connelly is a writer and an avid outdoors woman. Learn more about Sheryl at www.managemmm.com.

It’s pretty easy to go to the computer, pull up a map web site and find a new waterway where you can plan a paddling adventure. It’s a great resource. But many of the people I’ve talked to also recommend the Delorme’s series of Atlas and Gazeteer Map Books. The Delorme books are considered some of the most detailed maps available, in some cases they even include unused old roads that aren’t much more than hiking paths anymore. That’s what you call “detailed”.

The DeLorme company was founded in the mid 1970′s by David DeLorme who became so frustrated by the only available maps of an area in Maine that he decided to create one that lived up to his expectations. According to Wikipedia, DeLorme combined state highway, county, and town maps as well as federal surveys to produce ‘The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer’ which was printed in a large format book with an initial printing of 10,000 and marketed out of his car. The Gazetter listed bicycle trails, canoeing and kayaking trips, museum and historic sites and proved successful enough to expand into other states. The Delorme’s Atlas and Gazeteers Series now offers Maps for almost every state in the United States.

So, if you are one of those kayakers who likes to combine your paddling with discovery, you might want to check into the DeLorme’s series of map books.

No, this isn’t a tip about how to use duct tape (aka ‘Duck Tape’) as a PFD (personal flotation device). I’m sure that one won’t work. But duct tape can be considered a lifesaver because of it’s many, many uses. The tricky thing is how to carry it with you on your paddling, camping or fishing trips since it’s totally impractical to carry along a big bulky roll. Here’s a way you can carry a small supply with you on your outings. Wrap a few feet around a disposable lighter. You will be ready for any emergency and it won’t take up much space in a backpack or dry bag. The lighter might come in handy, too.

(Following our previous guest blogger’s post about kayaking in the Emerald Isle, we had another blog submission from Thomas Alan Gray about a good source to help plan a trip.)

Planning a canoeing or kayaking trip in Northern Ireland? A terrific planning resource is canoeni.com. “Northern Ireland has a lot to offer the recreational paddler,” notes the site. “It has natural resources to cater for all aspects of canoeing and kayaking at all levels, from surf to white water to open and flat water paddling.”

Although the site is mainly oriented to canoeing, the Where to Paddle section will be of particular interest to kayaking enthusiasts. This section offers maps of Northern Ireland, each showing locations for flat water, sea kayaking, kayak surfing, and white water. The maps allow the user to select a particular stretch of water and drill down for further details about grade, water conditions, access and egress sites, points of interest, and local history. Important knowledge to match up with your kayaking abilities and the capabilities of your hard shell, folding or inflatable kayak. 

Flat Water Kayaking Trips in Northern Ireland
The flat water sections, eminently suitable for recreational canoeing and kayaking, are mostly in the loughs (lakes), the Quoile Estuary in the east, and the Lower Bann and Blackwater Rivers.

Where to Go Sea Kayaking in Northern Ireland
Sea kayaking sites range from the tidal reaches along Donegal on the north down along the eastern coast to the overfalls and races at Carlingford Lough on the south. There are islands to hop, rocks to dodge, caverns to explore on anything from a day trip to a challenging expedition.

Northern Ireland White Water Kayaking Trips
White water for canoeing and kayaking can be found throughout Northern Ireland, with runs mostly ranging from Class I to Class II, but with higher difficulties on specific rivers and stretches (the mountain spate river Glenam has Class IV-V stretches with large drops and heavy rapids, for example). Many stretches have rapids and weirs to run. Some of the weirs can be dangerous to fatal.

Kayak Surfing in Northern Ireland
For kayak surfing, head to the north coast. “Great surf for all levels of experience from the beginner to the pro!” says canoeni.com. The surf sites stretch in a narrow belt from Benone to White Park Bay. With the exception of White Park, the surf areas have nearby car parks and most are within walking distance of a town so facilities are handy.

Countryside Recreation in Northern Ireland
This well-designed and functional web site is maintained by The Countryside Access and Activities Network (CAAN). The CAAN was established in 1999 as a charitable organization mandated to provide strategic development, management and promotion of countryside recreation. It serves as an umbrella organization, bringing together groups interested in or involved with Countryside Recreation in Northern Ireland.
In addition to kayaking and canoeing, “countryside recreation” includes walking and hiking, climbing and “coasteering”, cycling and mountain biking, orienteering, and development and maintenance of environmental trails. Surely there’s a lot to do before and after a kayak expedition!
Anyone planning a kayaking trip to Northern Ireland can spend happy hours investigating and planning by simply checking in at canoeni.com.

(About the Author: Thomas Alan Gray has done whitewater kayaking in Germany and both flatwater and whitewater canoeing in Canada. He was a certified recreational canoe instructor while serving as a leader with Scouts Canada. He’s camped in all four seasons for more years than he cares to admit.)