Inflatable Kayak Blog

Let’s face it…kayaking is definitely more fun when paddling in warmer waters! But, once in awhile we’re all tempted to try some cold weather paddling. Whether you consider yourself a Novice or Advanced Kayaker, here are a few reminders you should always retain when in the chilly waters.

* Always, Always, Always wear your life jacket. Wearing your life jacket at all times when in the water may be the one thing that buys the time just long enough to save your life.
* Know your Limits! It is so important to recognize the limitations of your abilities, especially in cold weather conditions. Be honest with not only yourself but, with those around you. Someone’s life may depend on it.
* Dress Appropriately! Extreme cold is best left in the water! Insulating one’s own body heat is your best defense against the elements. Wear a layer of clothing that will wick the perspiration off your skin. (For example, cotton is a very poor material because it soaks up water and holds it against the skin.) Add a layer over that to create insulation and finally your full body dry suit which is designed to keep both the wind and water from soaking both you and your inner layers. Don’t forget about your hands, feet, and hats either!
* Be Prepared! Always bring safety, rescue, and navigational aids along with adequate food, water, and extra protective clothing.

These are just a few necessary basics that could make the difference between having a great experience and surviving one. Always let someone know where you are going to be and when you should be expected to return. Happy Kayaking!

Guest blogger Nani Russell works for Marketing Media Management as a Creative Account Executive, is the mother of two beautiful children, and loves spending time in the outdoors, including her own native Hawaii.

I was looking for interesting places to paddle along the Georgia Coastline and found some information on Crooked River State Park, just outside of St. Marys, GA, one of the oldest cities in the United States. It’s essentially the gateway to Cumberland Island National Seashore, the largest of the Georgia Coast’s barrier islands. The seashore covers 17 miles of white sandy secluded beaches complete with wild horses, sea turtles, dolphins, shore birds, dune fields, maritime forest, and salt marshes. Sounds like a pretty nice place to experience nature.

Hiking is very popular at Crooked River State Park. There are three trails you can follow and it is best to stop by the visitors center to get a copy of the trail map to help you navigate the trails. Cherry Point trail is a 4-mile trail, Harriett’s Bluff is a 6 mile trail and Grover Island is an 8 mile trail. All are round trip distances. Dolphins travel in groups upriver to fish and are spotted 50% of the time on all three trails. Once the dolphins corner a school of bait fish, they will surface often to breathe while feeding. You can hear their blows to locate them. More than 100 gulls, cormorants, and egrets often perch on a raised boardwalk across the marsh. Bald eagles and osprey have also been spotted.

Elliott’s Bluff public launch is probably the best launch area for kayaks. If you take an chance and launch at a random location along the shore you may experience the oyster beds that will cut your feet and may do some damage to your kayak. An inflatable kayak might be more prone to damage than a hard shell kayak, although the Sea Eagle Explorer kayak material has been known to stand up to oyster beds quite well. It’s also best to launch your kayak when the tide is coming in, so it’s best to check the tides before planning your paddle.

Now that I’ve discovered Crooked Lake State Park, it’s right up there on my list of places I want to kayak. And the dolphins might move it to the top for our next trip!