Kayaking North Coast Rivers

All about Kayaking

Author: Terry Price

You will love this wonderful and exciting sport that will keep you and your whole family healthy for many years to come. It is called Kayaking! The kayak was derived from the Eskimo canoe and was originally made of sealskin stretched over a framework of driftwood or whalebone. The entire craft was completely covered except where the paddler sits. Primarily used as a hunting canoe, the kayak is propelled by a double-bladed paddle. Even today the kayak is used extensively in ice-jambed waters because of its maneuverability. Kayaking has been featured as part of the Olympic games since 1936. The paddler generally wears a waterproof skin-shirt that is laced to the craft, which allows him to turn all the way over without sinking. The paddler sits down in the cockpit of the kayak with feet pointed forward. The cockpit may be sealed off with a spray skirt. The spray skirt usually prevents water from entering the kayak in the even it should capsize.

Imagine yourself in a kayak gliding effortlessly on still water through a beautiful green valley where the river then pours into a sandy cove and an endless reach of ocean and sky outline the horizon. Many kayakers of all ages experience this serene scene when exploring the waterways. Kayaking has been done as a recreational sport since the early 70's all over the world including some very wild and remote places. Many folk love the adrenaline rush when charging down a challenging river full of rapids and waterfalls. This is only for the brave of heart, not recommended as something you would take small children on.

Kayaking will dramatically improve and enrich your life both from a mental and physical perspective. You don't have to charge down a whitewater river to enjoy this great sport. Many folks choose to frequent quiet local ponds, lakes, protected coastlines, and lazy rivers and streams. Kayaks come in all shapes and sizes and you are advised to rent one first if you are a beginner to see if this is a sport you would like to spend more of your time and money on.

Step by Step - Boarding a Kayak, and Staying Dry

Author: Ryan Calkins

One of the trickiest things related to kayaking, believe it or not, is getting into the kayak. When I first began kayaking this was one of the more annoying things that I was faced with at the beginning of each trip. Me or my kayak would end up being soggy before I even started down the river.

So to help you out, here is a step-by-step process you can use to safely and dryly board your kayak.

Step one: Place your kayak in ankle deep water.

Step Two: Place your paddle perpendicularly across the back deck of the kayak with 3/4 of the paddle hanging off one side.

Step Three: Grip the paddle with your thumb and hold on to the coaming on the back of the cockpit with one hand.

Step Four: Using your paddle as a BALANCE, not a weight support, sit down on the back deck of the kayak behind the cockpit, keeping one foot in the water and the other in the cockpit.

Step Five: After regaining your balance, place your other foot in the cockpit.

Step Six: Slide down into the seat, and your on your way.

Enjoy the ride!

Author: Ryan Calkins

There are three major materials that kayaks are made from. These materials are Rotationally Molded Plastic (Rotomold), Fiberglass, and Kevlar. I've put together some descriptions and comparisons of the different materials. It is useful to know what to look for in a kayak, this should help.

Rotomold - Rotomold kayaks are basically indestructible. You can paddle them over rocks, drag them down trails, and throw them off the roof of your car or truck and the only signs you will see are a few dings and scratches. Rotomold is also the material that is most widely used among kayak manufacturers. This material is also the cheapest in cost of all three major materials, but also weighs about ten percent more than fiberglass does. The heavier weight does not affect how well the kayak floats.

Fiberglass - The benefit of a fiberglass kayak is that it is much lighter than a rotomold kayak, but you can also expect to pay about 15-20 percent more for a fiberglass kayak than you would for a rotomold kayak. You also have to take better care of a fiberglass kayak. You have to pay attention to any rips in the fiberglass, which will need to be patched.

You will also have to wash off the kayak after any saltwater exposure so that the salt does not eat away at your kayak. But the durability of a fiberglass kayak is quite satisfactory as long as you are not dragging it across or bouncing it off rocks.

Kevlar - The final major type of kayak materials is Kevlar. The same material that is in bulletproof vests used by military branches and police forces. Kevlar is the lightest material you can get today. It is significantly lighter than fiberglass is, and is incredibly strong. A 19 foot Kevlar kayak is about 21 pounds lighter than a fiberglass one, and as strong as rotomold.

Author: Rick Chapo

White water rafting is simply a blast and a great way to get away from the clutter of life. Alas, your rafting experiences can fade with time. The best way to prevent this is to keep a white water rafting journal.

White Water Rafting Journals

Take a minute to give some consideration to your most recent rafting trip. What sticks out in your mind? Where the rapids raging, the water low or somebody hilariously falling out of the boat? Now think about the first time you ever went white water rafting.

I bet you can't remember much about the trip besides a few snippets. The experiences you've forgotten are lost to time. If you keep a white water rafting journal, this won't be the case.

There are famous instances of people keeping journals throughout time. Of course, Anne Frank's Diary is the best example. In her diary, Anne kept a running commentary of the two years her family spent hiding from the Nazis. While your white water rafting experiences better be more lighthearted, keeping a journal will let you remember them as the years pass.

A good white water rafting journal combines a number of characteristics.

First, it should be compact.

Second, it should have a case to protect it from getting wet and turned to mulch.

Third, the journal should contain blank areas to write your notes.

Fourth, the journal should contain cue spaces to remind you to keep notes on specific things.

Cues should include:

1. Who you went white water rafting with,

2. Where you went rafting and the time of year,

3. Who you met and contact information for them,

4. The river and weather conditions,

5. How challenging the river was, and

6. Any events that occurred while off the river.

At the end of the rafting trip, you should be able to get the following from your journal:

1. Contact information for other rafters you met,

2. Details of the trip, whether you would go again and perhaps better times to do so.

3. Memories to reflect upon years later, and

4. Something to pass on to your friends, children and grandchildren.

To get the most out of your white water rafting journal, you should write in it just before you start, during breaks such as lunch and when you return. If you go with friends or your family, the journal will turn into a keepsake for the family. During family events such as the holidays, it makes for great reading. As you grow older [and we all do], the journal will make great fodder for reflection.