Originally Posted By Loreigh So my best friend and I decided that we wanted to do something unconventional for Thanksgiving this year. Somehow we came up with the idea of going kayaking. She goes all the time but I have never been kayaking before in my life and I have just commited to spending 5 days/4 nights in one. In addition I wont be getting any turkey. But the trip promises to be an adventure and I am excited. Any of you have fun (or scary) kayaking stories?? Any advice you can give?
Originally Posted By mickeymeg You will have a blast. Just remember when you are packing that zip lock bags are your best friend !
Originally Posted By SuzieQ Whitewater or flat? In November, I'm guessing flatwater. Bring a sense of balance and make sure you learn to right yourself before leaving on your trip. And always, always, always make sure your car keys and cell phone are in a FLOATING dry bag! LOL Have an awesome time! (Oh, and maybe start doing arm and shoulder exercises to strengthen your upper body. You'll be less sore from paddling.)
Originally Posted By sherrytodd Whitewater or sea? I've done them both. Can provide advice if I know which.
Originally Posted By DisneyJen057 I went kayaking in Hawaii once and I had a blast! I wasn't out as long as you plan on going. I only was out for 6 hours and it was part of a snorkeling package. I didn't get as tired or sore as I was expecting and I would definitely do it again. I hope you have a great time!
Originally Posted By Loreigh It will be flatwater mostly. A few rapids along the way. We will be going down a river and stopping to camp each night. You guys probably understand what that means better than I do. Thanks for all the advice and comments!
Originally Posted By SuzieQ Then you definitely want to learn to roll before you go, and you definitely want at least one small floating dry bag! My husband and his brother are kayaking the South Fork of the American River on Sunday. It's class III rapids. Lot's of fun!
Originally Posted By trekkeruss Get the paddles with the carbon blades shaped like Mickey's head. LOL. Kidding.
Originally Posted By sherrytodd I agree, learn to roll before you go. Check out your community pools and such to see if they have lessons.
Originally Posted By mickeymeg when/if you roll in the river keep your eyes on the water underneath you. I was demonstrating how to roll to a friend and not paying proper attention and smoked my head pretty good on a rock that I should have known was there. Just a little embarassing not to mention painful.
Originally Posted By LuLu Wow, I am totally impressed! I wanted to go kayaking for *one hour* in Catalina last year but chickened out! However, if it requires a sense of balance, maybe I made the wise choice... :-D
Originally Posted By Autopia Deb Kayaking isn't really that hard, although I never mastered the full Eskimo roll, I can do a half roll. And if I can Kayak anyone can. I once go bonked on the head by a kayak when I was a kid trying to get it into the ocean. A wave hit it just right and conk, right in the noggin.
Originally Posted By SuzieQ Absolutely. You always want a helmet when on a river. The river we go down is fed by snowmelt. We wear wetsuits, booties, lifejacket and helmet, even at the height of summer.
