Inflatable Kayak Blog

Hi, it’s Sabrina again continuing with my series of holiday gift giving ideas for paddlers. This week I want to suggest two ideas for the young paddlers on your list. Children can also be quite particular when it comes to what they like and want and are influenced by what they see and hear other children talking about. My first suggestion is for the younger children on your list from ages 2 to 7 who like to be in the water.

Sea Squirts Life Jackets:
These adorable life jackets and swim assist vests are colorful neoprene colored to look like their favorite characters from the movies, “Clownfish”, “Grrreat White Shark”, “Killa Whale”, “Blue Dolphin” or “Pink Dolphin”. Because of the fun design, it encourages kids to wear the life jacket when they are in the water. What little boy or girl wouldn’t like pretending they are a whale swimming along side their friends?

But a cute as they are, they are also comfortable for the child. There is a tech fabric liner that provides extra comfort against their skin, they are easy to clip and zip with a heavy duty plastic zipper and clips, and they provide and extra layer of warmth for when your child is blue lipped and doesn’t want to come out of the water. The back fin isn’t just for fun. It is flexible so it lies flat when your child is sitting in a boat or on a chair on the beach, but it is also a place to grab on to if your child is in trouble and needs to be lifted out of the water. It comes in three sizes providing extra comfort. And best of all they are Coast Guard approved.

It’s a great gift idea that can make them happy and you, too. The kids will love looking like a fish and you can rest easier knowing they are wearing their Sea Squirts life jacket.

Kids Kayak Paddle:
For the young paddler on your shopping list, why not consider getting them their own kayak paddle? As I said earlier, kids can be particular when it comes to things they like. Imagine how important they will feel having their own kayak paddle instead of just making due with something geared for an adult. Children’s kayak paddles can be hard to find, but the one’s that are custom made by Cannon are not only high quality, but also very affordable. The Cannon ‘K’ series two-piece paddles are lightweight and have a smaller diameter shaft making it more comfortable for smaller hands to grip. Cannon children’s kayak paddles are made in Minnesota, right here in the USA.

Hope you find these gift ideas helpful for the young paddler on your shopping list. Remember shopping early helps take the stress out of the holidays and finding fun and custom made gifts for your special water lovers can make it a Christmas to remember.

Check back next week for more gift giving ideas for the outdoor person in your life. Until then, keep your paddle in the water and your butt in the boat!

Hello my kayaking friends, Sabrina Marx here with part two of my series on Holiday Gifting for the paddlers on your list. Today we’re looking at gifts related to the fast growing sport of stand up paddle boarding. If you have one of those ‘stand up flat water surfers’ on your list, here are three gift suggestions.

An Adjustable Paddle for a SUP (Stand Up Paddle Board)
When buying a stand up paddle, most people look for a paddle that’s about 8 inches higher than a person’s height. That can be a problem for a couple that shares their SUP, especially if they are of different heights. Some paddlers also want to adjust the length of their paddle for different types of paddling conditions. An adjustable SUP paddle is the answer.

My recommendation is the Cannon Adjustable Stand Up Paddle. They are custom made in their factory in Minnesota. The shaft is constructed of your choice of aircraft grade aluminum or lighter materials such as fiberglass or the even lighter, carbon material. Cannon’s two or three piece innovative construction allows you to adjust the length of your stand up paddle as well as break it down for travel. The paddle is adjustable up to 8 inches, for example you can order a paddle that is 74 inches, adjustable up to 82 inches. Cannon custom crafts the paddle to whatever range you specify.

Another reason the Cannon adjustable is a good gift is that anyone can appreciate an upgrade, and the Cannon quality will be a step up from most paddles that are being used by recreational stand up paddlers.

A Safety First Gift
The United States Coast Guard now classifies stand up paddle boards as a vessel as they do kayaks and canoes. Therefore this classification requires, by federal law, that each person must have a personal flotation devise (PFD) and safety whistle ‘on board’ while paddling outside surfing and swimming zones.

The PFD in a Bag backpack is a simple, quick, easy and inexpensive way to adhere to this mandate. Each backpack kit includes one adult sized type II personal flotation device, safety whistle, & hardware needed to attach to board in a beach friendly backpack. It attaches easily to stand up paddle boards and is great for holding car keys, water bottle, first aid kit & other personal items while paddling.

Sail The Wild Blue Yonder
WindPaddle Sails, who make small portable sails for kayaks, canoes and small boats, have introduced the Makani Sail, specially designed for stand up paddle boards. The “Makani” uses existing or owner-added deck hardware for mounting and is easily launched by pulling on the sheets/control lines. It sails downwind and with cross winds. The Makani SUP Sail is just another way stand up paddlers can enjoy their SUP’s.

Well those are my suggestions for stand up paddlers. I hope today’s article has helped you in your gift giving planning. Feel free to share this article with your friends and check back for more in our series on Holiday Gifting for the paddlers on your list. Until then… keep your paddle in the water and your butt in the boat!

By Sabrina Marx

Over the next few weeks, I’ll be recommending some products for the paddlers on your gift list, but before I do I want to preface these suggestions with some words of advice … do a little research first.

Whatever the hobby or pastime, hunting, fishing, rock climbing, golf, antique collecting, scrap booking or anything that captures a person’s passion, there’s always a point where you become fairly particular about the tools you use. Often, even someone who casually pursues a hobby can be selective about their golf clubs, fishing pole or kayak paddle. This is where the research comes in.

You will actually want to research your gift for a couple reasons. One being that you want to give someone a gift that they will like and really use and not want to return. The other being that your gift reflects on that person’s impression of you. For example, if you get them something that they like and is useful, they will know that you put some thought into the gift. You’ve heard the term “It’s the thought that counts”, well it does!

Here are a couple examples …

Inflatable Kayaks:
Sea Eagle inflatable kayak packages are as low as $199, so it’s not a stretch for someone to buy a package as a gift. Even the packages that run up to $1000 can sometimes be looked at as gifts. It’s encouraging to know that you can get a lot of boat for a little money when buying a portable kayak or boat.

Inflatable Kayaks – What to research?
Make sure that the person you’re buying for would actually like an inflatable kayak. It may save them some storage room and they wouldn’t have to use a car carrier anymore, but they may not like the way inflatable kayaks track in the water. There are lots of articles in this blog where you can research the differences between hard shell, folding and inflatable kayaks including my inflatable kayak reviews based on customer comments.

Another important thing to remember with inflatable kayaks or inflatable boats or crafts of any kind is that it’s not like buying a paddle or life vest or book for someone who already goes kayaking or paddleboarding or whatever. DON’T buy a kayak package for someone who hasn’t kayaked or that you “think” they would like it. Research by asking their friends, spouses, etc., then make an educated decision. If you KNOW that the person WOULD ACTUALLY LIKE an inflatable or folding kayak, then go for it. If you don’t KNOW FOR SURE, then DON’T GO THERE!

Every year I hear about someone who thinks they know what they’re buying and they don’t. The husband that just looked at the box and said “what the hell is this? I don’t want a kayak.” The Mom that thought her son should get more exercise and the son totally rejected the gift. Or the person who does kayak, but only wants a hard shell kayak and has no use for “blow up boats”.

Paddles:
Could be a good bet when buying as gift for a paddler. There are still some areas where research is crucial, like a kayak paddle or stand up paddle, since they can be items that a paddler can get particular about. However, some paddlers just don’t want to spend the extra dollars and you can upgrade their experience with a higher quality paddle. It’s worth looking into.

Other Accessories:
Accessories are probably the best area to look into for the paddler on your list. There are so many varied possibilities, but I’ll mention a few. Portable sails, such as the WindPaddle can give almost any small boat the option of ‘sailing’. Books and Videos on a person’s particular outdoor interest can be a thoughtful gift. There are also specific accessories depending on what type of kayaking that person participates in, such as a foot rest, a paddle float, a specific type of life vest or sunglasses. How to decide? Do some research?

In the end, I’m not trying to discourage you from buying something specifically related to the paddler or boater on your list, I’m only trying to help you get them the gift that they’ll remember and appreciate the most.

Next week I’ll have some specific, detailed suggestions for you. So, until then, keep your paddle in the water and your butt in the boat!

I’ve written a few articles about how to choose a kayak paddle and we’ve had others who have posted their ‘kayak paddle picking’ methods on our blog. The primary conclusion we’ve all come to is that choosing a kayak paddle really comes down to personal preference and an individual’s paddling style.

There are recommended lengths based on a paddler’s height and the width of your kayak, but those guidelines are simply good “rules of thumb” to get you started in choosing your kayak paddle.

Beginning paddlers shouldn’t fret or make a “big thing” out of picking the perfect paddle. The best choice is to pick a paddle that falls into the guidelines and head out to the water. It’s totally too early to tell what you really like until you get out there and paddle for awhile. It might take a year or two to decide what you really like. Then you can spend some extra dollars for a better paddle that fits your individual style.

I ran across this video that does a good job of explaining and demonstrating the whys and wherefores of paddle choices. Check it out and you’ll have a better understanding of how to choose a kayak paddle.

By Dee Owens

Knowing how to choose the right paddle can be a tricky business. You need to take into consideration what type of kayaking you will be doing, how tall you are, and the width of your kayak. When looking for paddles, you will also want to consider what material the paddles are made of and how much resistance you want while paddling.

Whitewater kayaking requires a certain type of paddle to help you navigate through the rougher waters, while tour style kayaking is more laid back and requires a less resistant style of paddle.

Your fitness level plays a major role in deciding what type of kayak paddle is right for you as well. If you are a stronger person you can use one of the more resistant, longer paddles. Conversely, if you do not have a lot of upper body strength you will want to consider a paddle that is shorter and has less resistance in the water.

Your height is also considered when choosing the right paddle. You do not want one that is too tall for you or too short. The width of your kayak combined with your arm span or height also is a key factor. The wider or taller your kayak is, the longer a kayak paddle you will need; this is to help you reach the water easier and more efficiently. While shorter or narrower kayaks require a shorter kayak paddle.

After determining the length of your paddle, you will want to consider paddle and blade material and shaft length and shape. Paddles are made from aluminum, carbon, fiberglass, graphite, Kevlar, plastic and wood. The material used will determine the weight, flexibility and durability of the paddles and, of course, affect the cost.

The blades of the kayak paddles come in different lengths and shapes. Blades can be long or short, narrow or wide, feathered or un-feathered, spoon shaped or tapered shape. Wider blades provide more speed, but also need more energy to paddle it. The blades on a feathered type angle towards another while the un-feathered are parallel.

Finally, when choosing a kayak paddle, take into consideration your experience and how often you get out onto the water. You certainly don’t have to spend every day on the water to be a kayaker, but if you are new to the sport or cannot be on the water very often, then choose one of the easier to maneuver and lighter paddles. You’ll be glad you did in the long run.

Dee Owens has published two novels and a variety of articles online.