Kayaking

[Quillfred]

I have found kayaking to be a great adjunct to cycling, giving my upper body a nice workout. For years I windsurfed on the local lake but over time it took its toll on my back and I had to quit. As a child I developed a love for kayaking as my dad would take my out in the SF Bay. A couple of years ago I bought a well-used glass boat from an acquaintance.

Since I decided a few months ago to store my kayaknear a lake (with much easier access), I have been kayaking much more. The summer this year in Seattle has produced many warm sunny days and getting out in the boat has proved irresistable.

Up until yesterday, I had been using a wood paddle which did the job but left me with a fair amount of tendonitis (my guess) in my elbow. Nice new paddles seem expensive so I finally snagged a wonderful glass Swift (made by Eddyline - a Washington company). It made all the difference in the world. I was able to go much further in less time with better access to varying strokes.

Ah, the best of both worlds!

[chickwhorips]

windsurfing question for you. my BF windsurfs and he told me if i get a wetsuit he'll teach me.

what is a good women's wetsuit for windsurfing?

[Quillfred]

In Alaska, I'd imagine the best wetsuit would be a drysuit. BBBrrrrr. In Seattle I used what is called a Farmer John. It is a one-piece sleeveless.

[chickwhorips]

ya it is pretty chilly up here. i figured a full sleeved 5 mm probably should work. don't plan on doing anything in the dead of winter. i'm not that crazy.

[KnottedYet]

Try NRS (Northwest River Sports) for good, sturdy, no frills, cheap wetsuits. I'm very happy with mine.

www.nrsweb.com

[Bad JuJu]

Hey, Quillfred--I got a Swift paddle for my birthday last year--love love love it! Is yours one of the ones with a fabric inlay? Mine is Spiderclouds--a design of red/gold clouds with spiderwebs.

[Quillfred]

Hey, Quillfred--I got a Swift paddle for my birthday last year--love love love it! Is yours one of the ones with a fabric inlay? Mine is Spiderclouds--a design of red/gold clouds with spiderwebs.

That is very cool! Did you design it? Mine is a straight red. I just love that paddle.

I got a later start on Saturday and came back in the dark. oops The store/kayak shed was closed for the night and I had to stash it overnight. But it was worth it. Most of the boats, save a few sailboats were gone and the sunset lighting was exquisite. I'll carry a headlamp next paddle.

We get so much power boat and jet ski traffic on our lake here I feel like a bike commuter around SUVs. The paddle does have good visability as I stood it on end and waved it several times. A friend with a small sailboat actually got hit by a motor boat last summer and got hurt so I am cautious.

It looks like you are in Northern Florida. Have you ever paddled on the Suwannee? I would love to go there sometime. A friend has seen manatees there and raves about it.

http://www.suwanneeriverchamber.com/thingstodo.htm

[Bad JuJu]

Quillfred-That design is one of the designs that Swift offers in its paddles--they have lots of cool ones, and it was so hard to choose.

I've never paddled the Suwannee but would like to some time. I have seen manatees when paddling (and snorkeling) in Crystal River, which is farther south on the Gulf Coast.

Re: power boat traffic, you can get reflective tape to put on your paddle blades that makes them even MORE visible. I have these on mine because I paddle a lot on a bay and the jetskis and waverunners sometimes go crazy!

[ClockworkOrange]

Hey, Quillfred--I got a Swift paddle for my birthday last year--love love love it! Is yours one of the ones with a fabric inlay? Mine is Spiderclouds--a design of red/gold clouds with spiderwebs.

That paddle is so smart, really cool.

I would love to try canoeing but have a bad back, so have to be a bit careful. However, now please don't laugh but have seen a really smart looking inflatable canoe, I think it's a Sevylor Colorado kayak. If I get one, I would love to have a similar paddle to yours:



Thanx for introducing me to yet something else really different ie Spiderclouds.

Sally

[Bad JuJu]

LOVE those penguins, Sally! See that's what I mean--it was so hard to choose what design I wanted on my paddle.

And I would never laugh at somebody's idea of how to get out on the water, well except at our local annual bathtub races. Just get out there however you can! There are also folding boats. I have a persnickety back, too, and I find that kayaking actually feels good.

[Quillfred]

For a few years I had the most basic Sevylor rowboat. It cost $30-40 (or 21 BPS) that I loved as it afforded me access to the two lakes here.

Transporting it was a breeze. I just didn't go further out than I was prepared to swim.

[tulip]

It's a few months before I'll be in the water, but I've taken a serious shine to sea/flat kayaking over the past several years. Last summer I took a series of progressive kayaking lessons and have decided to get a boat of my own. I have access to water at a place where I can keep the boat. Now I just have to find financing...(still have to take care of getting out of this rental and into a condo first) but by the end of the summer, I fully expect to have a boat and all the fixins.

I've paddled and really like the Wildnerness Systems Tempest. We'll see if i can find a used one for a reasonable price.

[rocknrollgirl]

Tulip, I have a Tempest and I love it. I highly recommend the boat.

[Quillfred]

That's very cool Tulip. By flat water, does that mean touring as opposed to surfing waves?

I still need to take touring lessons. I have yet to try salt water and won't until I learn reentry et all. Not knowing how to swim was previously holding me back. Once I rejoin the Mountaineers, a local outdoorsy group, I will have run out of excuses.

My boat is an older fiberglass touring model I bought from a friend. If I were to buy one now, I'd check out Craigslist. eBay is good to educate re: prices for used boats--unless you want to buy new.

[tulip]

I've never kayaked in surf waves. I'm near the Chesapeake Bay, so that's where I paddle.

I'm pretty comfortable with self-rescues, but I need to practice my rolls. I will only practice rolling with other experienced paddlers, though, or in a pool with spotters.

Being close to the Bay means there are several good outfitters that sell new and used boats. I'll start there, and look at Craigs List, too.