Category: Paddling
Canoeing Basics and Frequently Asked Questions
| June 17, 2011 | Posted by admin under Paddling |
What gear will I need? So you’ve got your canoe. There are a few other essential items that you will need before you hit the water. Paddles: Canoe paddles have just one blade. One of the most important determining factors in paddle selection is length. Talk with our paddling specialists to make sure you get…
Paddling: Lightning and Sudden Summer Storms
| June 17, 2011 | Posted by admin under Paddling |
This is the time of year when sudden summer storms take paddlers off guard. Paddling in the rain isn’t a big deal, but lightning follows many of these storms. This can be a big deal. According to the National Severe Storms Laboratory in Norman, Oklahoma, more people die each year from lightning than from hurricanes…
How to Recognize Poison Ivy: Canoeing / Kayaking
| June 17, 2011 | Posted by admin under Paddling |
It’s lurking along the riverbanks, camouflaged in green, a seemingly harmless plant. You probably don’t even notice it. Until you brush up against it, then you are a goner. The most common ailment that plagues paddlers seems to be poison ivy and oak. If you share space with these plants, which thrives along riverbanks, you…
Stretches and Shoulder Strengthening Exercises for Paddlers
| June 17, 2011 | Posted by admin under Paddling |
So what is the most heart-breaking thing a paddler can experience? Your significant other leaving you for your best friend and taking your dog too? Not even! Everyone knows one of the most heinous things that can happen to a boater is injuring that oh so important joint, the shoulder. Sports are always plagued by…
Pack it In: Tips for Packing Your Kayak for Camping and Touring
| June 16, 2011 | Posted by admin under Paddling |
The nice thing about kayak camping is you don’t need to carry everything on your back. Therefore, it may be tempting to bring everything including the kitchen sink. The problem is, a kitchen sink won’t fit through the hatches on a touring kayak. And neither will most of the stuff you are tempted to take.…
Dressing for Canoe and Kayak River Trips
| June 16, 2011 | Posted by admin under Paddling |
Dressing both safely and comfortably for river trips can be a challenging task. It is hard to be comfortable while donning 20 extra pounds of fabric; yet, the fastest way to ruin a trip is by getting cold. When dressing for river trips, it is crucial to prepare for all types of weather. Even if…
Paddling: Dressing for Hot Weather
| June 15, 2011 | Posted by admin under Paddling |
First, this piece of advice: always dress for the water temperature. Even if it is 100 degrees out, you can still get hypothermia from a long, cold swim. Dressing for a paddling session on a hot summer day can be quite a conundrum. It seems silly to bake in a dry top, but you should…
Proper Footwear: Canoeing and Kayaking Booties and Socks
| June 15, 2011 | Posted by admin under Paddling |
I’ve noticed that a lot paddlers are vehemently opposed to shoes (hence, the nasty feet). They wear their sandals year round, and usually only when they are required to. Most of us, however, like to treat our feet with care. I especially like to keep mine warm. Keep your feet warm and you will retain…
Touring Kayaks: Does the Boat Fit You or You Fit the Boat
| June 15, 2011 | Posted by admin under Paddling |
Buying a touring kayak can be as simple or as frustrating as you make it. If you already know what you want and there is a dealer nearby, you are in luck. But if you live in an area where kayaking isn’t well entrenched, there may not be much of an assortment at the local…
Choose the Right Kayak: Sport, Recreational, Touring, Sit-on-Tops
| June 15, 2011 | Posted by admin under Paddling |
Probably more than any other topic regarding kayaking I am asked to help in choosing a first kayak. The boat one uses is a fairly subjective matter in which personal bias can play a large part. In an effort to help those of you who are confused by the myriad of boats available I am…