Inflatable Kayak Blog

You might think that the only important stretches you do before kayaking are for the upper body, but the hamstrings and other larger lower body muscles are also an important part of a full kayak paddle stroke. Loosen up the hamstrings as well as the glutes and lower back muscles by standing with your feet about 6 to 8 inches apart. While keeping your legs as straight as possible, bend forward and touch your hands to your feet. This is a stretch that takes some flexibility. Although you may not be able to do it as well as you’d like in the beginning, eventually you can get those muscles conditioned to execute it properly and get the full benefit from the stretch.

I posted a blog a few weeks ago about kayak etiquette dealing with touching other people’s kayaks. The main message was “don’t touch” unless you’re saving a kayak from danger or accidentally floating away. A buddy of mine mentioned that I should have added another point of etiquette that kind of goes along with the ‘moving’ issue. He always has a problem when people ‘step over’ his or another person’s kayak unless it’s absolutely unavoidable. It seems innocent enough, but it’s kind of like invading someone’s space. It doesn’t bother me so much but it is something to be aware of when you’re in a crowded area where there’s lots of different kinds of kayaks. No sense in irritating anybody by accidentally kicking their $3000 TRAK folding kayak. You probably wouldn’t hurt it, but hey, it’s the thought that counts.

I have a co-worker that takes a trip to Texas every year. She knows that I have an inflatable kayak and she suggested a place not to far from where she goes to visit family every year that she thought would make a nice trip.

It is the Brazos River, about 1 hour south of Dallas or 2 hours north of Austin. The Spanish explorers named it Los Brazos di Dios or “the Arms of God”. It is the longest river in Texas and flows nearly 1200 miles from headwaters in New Mexico to the gulf. Some of the oldest human remains in North America were found in this region. She said that there have been many arrowheads and artifacts found all along the river. She told me it is very unpopulated with a wide variety of wild life as well as being a scenic area with high limestone cliffs and many caves to explore. Sounds really nice! I’m adding it to my list to check out when we decide to make a trip to the Texas area.

If you’re already a float tube fisherman or you’ve been wanting to try out this unique fishing method, now is a great time to pick up a real bargain on the Creek Company ODC (Outdoor Discovery Craft) 420 Float Tube. They’ve authorized a clearance price on their 2008 models at $100 off the regular price of $249.99. A great discount. The best part is that the 2008 model is basically the same as the new 2009 models, they just have too many in stock and they want to clear them out. The ODC 420’s are available at this price while they last. Check out PortableKayaks.com for more information.

It sure has been a long Winter, at least where I live, and today is the first day of Spring! I always have liked Spring. It’s probably my favorite season, not just because when I pick up my kayak paddle, I know I’ll actually be using it soon, but also because it’s the time of year that nature renews itself. The fresh greening of the land and colorful blossoms fill my eyes with beauty and my heart with optimism, something we all could use a lot more of these days. What nature does to transform the earth is truly amazing. Let’s hope this spring brings a beautiful, positive transformation to all our lives and, oh yeah, some great kayaking in 2009!

Kayaking may look effortless but it does task the muscles, so it’s a good idea to make sure you stretch out those muscles before and after you paddle your inflatable or folding kayak. Here’s an ‘Arm Over Head Stretch’ that works nicely. Standing with feet at shoulder-width and holding your back and neck erect, raise your arms above your head. Reach over with your left hand and gently pull the right elbow over the head. For a greater stretch, you can lean your torso slightly to the left. Hold for 30 seconds while breathing deeply, then repeat for other side. This move stretches the arms and the upper shoulders. Remember to breathe deeply during any type of exercise. It helps you to relax.

One of the great advantages of having an inflatable or folding kayak is the ability to go kayaking pretty much anywhere. The portability is a prime asset, however it can tempt you to journey into unfamiliar water more often. If I’m just putting in for a short paddle in an area where I can see from the shore all of the area I’ll be paddling in, I’m not too concerned. But if I’m looking to go down or up river for a longer distance, I’ll try to find someone locally who knows the river and what kind of hazards you may encounter. There may be waterfalls, sections of rapids or really shallow places you need to know about. They may also be able to point you in the direction of some other great paddling spots.

With the cold winter weather slowly turning to spring weather, I have been getting the itch to kayak, so I’ve been checking out kayaking blogs and looking for interesting places to launch my Sea Eagle 330 inflatable kayak. I have always thought that I would like to visit Montana. I hear it’s beautiful up there. Though they seem to have plenty of whitewater rivers, I was looking for something a bit more mild and the Jefferson River looked like it might fit what I had in mind. The Jefferson River and the Madison River form the official beginning of the Missouri River in an area that was visited by Lewis and Clark during their expeditions. It’s claimed that when paddling in this area, the scenic beauty is really something, very much like what it would have looked during the Lewis and Clark time, with only very few signs of human habitation and lots of wildlife such as eagles, osprey, herons deer and other waterfowl. The best times to go there are in the spring and fall as the water level can be low during the summer. I’m really looking forward to making this trip.

One of the hottest new trends in paddle sports is using a stand up paddleboard. It’s not nearly as difficult as surfing and lots of fun. It’s like strolling on the water and waves aren’t necessary. You stand upright on a board, similar to a surfboard and navigate it with a lightweight paddle. Originating in Hawaii, It’s been around for years, but has really begun gaining popularity.

Sea Eagle is always on top of the latest trends and they usually find ways to adapt them into inflatable, portable versions. Their Longboard 11 Stand Up Paddleboard is no exception. It’s a package deal that includes, pump, carry bag & paddle. Plus Sea Eagle includes a seat, footrest and kayak paddle to allow you the additional option of sitting down on the board and paddling it like a kayak. The price for the entire package is less than most inflatable boards alone and the quality is excellent, as usual, for the price.

I’m always on the lookout for great places to take my Sea Eagle inflatable kayak and I’m often drawn to the beauty of the Caribbean islands. Barbados is an island paradise that has much to offer travelers. There are 70 plus square miles of pristine sugar-sand beaches to accommodate sun-worshiping tourists. There are different coastal features on the island’s oceanfronts. The east and north coasts are on the Atlantic Ocean side of the island and the waters tend to be a little rougher than the sea on the south and west sides. If you like exploring, then the beaches on the north and east side offer the most picturesque landscapes including caves and pristine white sand that are perfect for an afternoon picnic. If water sports or swimming are on your daily plans, the warm, generally calm beaches on the western and southern coasts are where you want to be. The kayaking is also best in these areas. I hear that the scenic trips over colorful coral reefs are excellent. There you can check out the beauty and marine life including one of my favorites, sea turtles that these reefs have to offer visitors. I have a long wish list of places to travel to but Barbados is on it for sure!