Putting it Together - The Ideal Sea Kayak

So, I recently started the discussion about sea kayak selection, what to look for, and where to look for it.  I never delved into specifics, but promised I'd return for a deeper look.  With that in mind, here we go.

We left off with some very basic parameters of design: long and lean, with hatches, cockpits, decklines, and water tight bulkheads.  So beyond that, what do you need to know?

Today, modern sea kayaks are generally broken down into two categories: North American designs and British designs.  To the naked eye, the differences are subtle.  To the experienced paddler, they're about as vast in design as the far sides of the ocean from which they originated.

Generally speaking, North American style sea kayaks are higher volume, have a longer waterline, and are equipped with rudders.  The higher volume can increase space in the cockpit for larger paddlers and add valuable storage space for long trips and expeditions.  The longer waterline most commonly associated with North American hulls equates to increased hull speed and greater efficiency while underway.  Foot-controlled rudders ease steering, and with the longer waterline on these craft, it's a welcomed aid.

By comparison, British style sea kayaks are virtual polar opposites.  As a general rule, these are lower in volume, have a noticeable amount of rocker (shorter waterline) from bow to stern, and are absent a rudder.  Some Brits have a skeg, which is a deployable blade or fin that drops from the hull just aft of the paddler, but these don't steer the kayak, they merely aid in directional assistance via straight tracking in confused seas and high wind.

At this point, if you're thinking I'm going to wax poetically about the pros of each style of boat, you can simply forget it.  I've owned both, I've paddled both, and my vast experience has led me across the (big) pond for good.  The British are coming, and they're here to stay.

So, what makes British sea kayaks superior? 

First and foremost for me is the absence of a rudder.  Folks, rudders are a crutch.  They don't teach you to properly steer a kayak; they merely keep your toes wiggling while you paddle.  Proper kayak maneuvering is done via strokes and edging your kayak.  Period.  "Why do all of that if I can just use a rudder," you might ask?  Here's two reasons: rudders are mechanical and as such, are prone to failure.  The second reason?  Rudders make you lazy!  More on that in a minute, but for now, let's get back to rudders and mechanical failure.  Most paddling ruddered kayaks couldn't steer them if a rudder cable broke and their lives depended on it.  Don't believe me?  I recently did a trip where a couple paddling a ruddered tandem kayak had a bolt fall out of their rudder with about four VERY windy miles left in the trip and they were literally paddling in circles in the middle of the Tennessee River.  I attached my tow line to their bow and got them to the planned takeout without incident, but if I hadn't, they were in for a much longer and stressful trip than what they'd planned for.  Ironically enough, I'd just had a discussion with another couple on the trip - each paddling solo kayaks - about the evils of rudders.  Each seemed convinced that their ruddered sea kayaks were superior.  I posed the same question to them: "What would you do if those rudders failed?"  They didn't quite know how to respond, but the looks on their faces answered my question when I passed them some thirty minutes later ... towing the rudderless and disabled couple in their tandem.  This all leads to the second disadvantage to rudders and that's their ability to make paddlers lazy.  If you're merely wiggling your toes when you paddle, then you aren't using the edges of your kayak for which they were designed - edging.  Throwing a sea kayak over on its edge where the cockpit rim is mere inches from the surface and feeling that turn start to carve is one of the greatest joys in all of sea kayaking.  You're paddling the kayak as it was intended to be paddled, and you're mastering a must-have skill in sea kayaking.  My way of looking at it is this ... you're not just sitting in a kayak, but you're actually paddling that sea kayak.

One other huge disadvantage to a rudder that I'll throw out there, is that they make rolling a kayak next to impossible.  Since the mechanics of an eskimo roll center around the lower body and a solid footing to brace against, how on earth can you possibly gain that footing if your feet move?  In fact, the very act of trying to brace off of a moving footpeg once you've flipped over could be enough to actually dislodge you from your kayak.  Now you've gone from attempting a roll, to attempting an open water self-rescue.  Still think rudders are 'easier?'

The inherent low volume design of British sea kayaks can be a real detriment to packrats on a mutiday or overnight trip.  So the question you need to ask yourself is, "How much room do I really need?"  Most can get by with as much as one half of the space they currently have in the dry storage of their sea kayaks.  If they can't, then they aren't being realistic when packing.  Two people don't need a four-burner stove, six person tent, and a queen size air mattress.  If you do, then sell your sea kayak and buy a motor home.  I can almost pack what I need for a late spring to early fall overnighter in what most would consider a "book bag" sized load and I'm not kidding.  My shelter and sleeping bag alone could fit into a plastic shopping bag.  Even if I do a week of backpacking on the AT, then I won't carry more than a 4000 cubic inch pack will haul and my low volume Brit kayak probably has twice that in dry storage space.  On the same front, don't use your size as a reason to buy more volume.  I'm 6'3" with size 13 feet, and I still fit into my low volume British boat with room to spare.

Moving along with volume, what does all of this mean on the water?  Well, naturally, if you swell the internal dimensions of a sea kayak, then you've also swelled the external dimensions.  It relates like this: take a large beach ball and a small beach ball, inflate both, and toss them into the water on a windy day.  Then, count to 50 and see which ball has been moved the greatest distance by the wind in that time.  Big, fat, high volume North American kayaks will behave similarly when compared to their British counterparts; rendering them harder to handle in the chop.  A story that I can relate here is last year's River Rocks Kayak Races.  The morning of the race dawned clear and cool with the post-frontal winds blowing 15-20 from the north.  When the starting gun went off, several in higher volume sea kayaks were off-course 30 yards into the race while my low volume sea kayak flew like a dart along my intended route and I never even dropped the skeg.  I won that race, by the way.

The waterlines of North American and British kayaks are as different as night and day.  If you took one of each and set them on a picnic table, you'd see that the hull of the North American styled hull rests squarely on that table top for its full length, while the British hull curves - or 'rockers' - up toward the bow and stern ends beginning 2'-3' from the center point just below the cockpit.  The longer North American hulls boast greater speed; a selling point which I will gladly conceed.  The more heavily rockered British hulls provide greater maneuverability; a selling point I'd much rather have.  Additionally, the added rocker to a British hull also makes them inherently more stable when things get chaotic.  Here's how: as waves build and the kayak begins to get tossed, the longer North American boat puts more hull in the water to be affected.  Conversely, the more heavily rockered British hull is riding with largely only its midsection in the chop with the ends riding free of crashing waves.  Now, keep that scenario in mind and go back to the volume comparrison.  The North American hull stretches long in the soup and it's getting battered by waves fore and aft ... only worsened by the fact that it has a huge amount of volume above the water which is simultaneously getting shoved around by the wind.  On the other hand, that rockered British hull is riding loose and agile in the soup; its ends riding well above the grabby froth beneath them ... all the while, the low volume decks above water are well out of the wind and assisting the paddler to focus on nothing but the destination and the song in his or her head.

Ultimately, the decision is of course yours, but I'll never own anything but British styled sea kayaks as long as I may paddle.  They're the choice of instructors, expedition paddlers, and weekend warriors from the newest to the most seasoned.  They're agile, fun to paddle, and they reward good technique; all the while helping you to get there.

For the best, most proven British sea kayaks, I recommend kayaks from: Valley (Etain, Aquanaut, & Avocet), Sea Kayaking UK (Romany & Explorer), Wilderness Systems (Tempest), P&H/Venture (Capella), Current Designs (Sirocco), TideRace (Xplore & Xcite), and of course the finest I've ever paddled, North Shore Sea Kayaks (Atlantic & Aspect series).

-rob

I'm pleased to announce...

After years of using - and abusing - Adventure Technology Paddles, I'm now representing them as a Brand Ambassador!  AT paddles are total works of art, expertly crafted in the US of A, and there's something in the line for everyone.  AT were the pioneers of bent shaft paddle technology, foam core blades, and the only ones utilizing unified blade to shaft construction for durability and low swing weight.

If you'd like to try one, get some more details, or find out how to get one for yourself ... lemme know and I'm happy to assist!

The Myths of Kayak Selection and Finding the Proper Boat

Long a hot topic for me, this is one I wanted to address early and just get it out there.  I recently received my new issue of Canoe & Kayak magazine's gear guide and as usual, the myriad of kayaks out there for model year 2012 are enough to send most shoppers into sensory overload.  The cover clearly boasts "408 BOATS(!)," yet as I scan the pages, I pick out the same 5 or 6 sea kayaks I'd even consider owning.  Alas, I have an advantage and I know what suits me with regards to boat designs, but most aren't as fortunate when buying boats ... even those that have purchased before.  My intent with this post is to (hopefully) sharpen the learning curve for those considering a first, or even second, flatwater kayak purchase.

Please allow me to first clarify my demographics and then we'll get down to bid'ness.  My target audience here are those that are about to make their first purchase, or perhaps even those that are about to make their second ill-informed purchase and will actually appreciate some advice from someone who's been putting folks in boats for almost two decades.  In a few days, I'll make another entry about the specifics of the ideal sea kayak; and I'll leave this more to the genre of your first sea kayak and misconceptions that surround novice paddlers.

There's no doubt that the slate is chock full of designs and the entry level paddler can quickly become lost.  There are long boats and short boats, wide boats and skinny boats, boats with rudders and those without, and boats from specialty retailers and boats from 'big-box' discounters.  So where do we start?

Let me save you a lot of grief right now and tell you to avoid the 'big box' retailers like the plague.  Why?  'Cause the same salesperson willing to mis-inform you on a kayak purchase is also the same salesperson who will attempt to do the exact same to the next 5 people who come in the door ... the first looking for new golf shoes, the second looking for a new baseball glove for their nephew, the third looking for a new tennis skirt, the fourth looking for a weight bench, and the fifth looking for the right ammo to bag 'em a big 'ol buck.  See where I'm going with this?  Specialty paddlesports retailers are just that - specialty.  I work very closely with The Paddling Store in Guntersville, AL, with our fine local retailer, Rock/Creek Outfitters here in Chattanooga, and with several sea kayak outfitters I've dealt personally with out on the east coast.  The reason is because these folks deal strictly with kayaks and kayakers.  It's their sole (soul?) focus.  Another reason to steer clear of the 'big box' retailers - and perhaps the most obvious - is because they don't even sell sea kayaks.  "Wait a minute," you say, "I've seen longer flatwater boats with hatches and decklines in those huge mega stores!"  Ummm ... no you haven't.  The reason you haven't (since you're now wondering), is because no real sea kayak manufacturer would ever sell kayaks to them in the first place.  You see, they want real paddling professionals selling their gear, not someone who will also be selling tennis skirts and buck slayin' ammo.  Get it?  Specialty kayak retailers can offer demos, set you up with a paddling club, and have a wealth of knowledge to set you on the correct path.

The next notion we need need to clear off the table right now is this whole "beginner" thing.  I hate that term.  Exactly what qualifies someone to be a "beginner?"  Is it any paddler that's still learning?  If it is, then I'm a card-carrying "beginner" because I still strive to learn something everytime I head out!  Okay, you might be a beginner if you don't even know how to swim, but that might be the ONLY thing that would warrant that classification.  Too often when asking someone why they bought the boat they bought, I hear, "Well, this is a good beginner boat."  Really?  And just how long do you intend to be a beginner?  My point is this, all too often, kayaks are bought based more on what people plan to grow out of, rather than what they plan to grow in to.  Do me a favor and go back and read that last sentence again.  When I used to sell whitewater boats, folks would come to me and ask, "What would be a good boat for a beginner?"  My reply never wavered and was the same canned response every single time: "Whichever boat that will kick your ass."  It was always followed by a quizical look, so then I'd follow with something like this:

"Look, you aren't going to be a beginner forever.  Wouldn't you rather have a boat you can grow into, rather out of?  Why too, would you drop a grand on a boat that you intend to just learn in; only to drop another grand in a month or two when you've finally got things figured out a little?  Why not buy the boat now, that you'll end up wanting to buy in a few months anyway?"

Pretty novel, isn't it?  Get this "beginner" crap out of your head now and plan to buy yourself a big-boy boat.  Sea kayaks don't get worn out and broken like whitewater boats, so just go on make ONE purchase and make it the right one.  It's entirely possible that you might struggle a little at first, but these are the very struggles that will greatly excellerate your learning.

This leads me to my next point of clarification: recreational kayaks are NOT sea kayaks.  Uh, oh ... I stepped on toes.  Well, so be it.  This is a sea kayak blog, afterall.  I don't care for rec boats that much and the primary reason is because they're all too often marketed as "beginner" (here we go again) sea kayaks.  This couldn't be further from the truth because they're slow, they can only be edged by Chuck Norris, they're poorly constructed, and they barely carry any gear.  Rec kayaks do have a place, but it's typically in the backyard of Nana and Grampa's lakehouse for the grandkids to explore the cove in.  Rec kayaks won't teach you anything about paddling because their LONE design concept is to keep the user upright.  Sea kayakers rely on skill and technique to remain upright, not their equipment.

If your kayaking goal is to explore the cove at your grandparent's place on the lake, then a rec kayak will be perfect.  If, however, your goal is to cover miles and miles, get a great workout, conquer less than perfect conditions, go on multi-day trips, or tackle a coastal environment, then you're looking for a bonafide sea kayak and nothing less.

So, you've made the right choice to buy from a reputable kayak dealer, you've shed the rediculous title of "beginner," and you've been warned as to the evils of rec kayaks.  What are we looking for in a sea kayak?  Again, I'll address specifics here in a few days on the same bat channel, but as a general rule, true sea kayaks range between 15 and 18 feet long, and have a beam width between 20 and 24 inches.  Additionally, they'll have multiple sealed bulkheads and dry hatches, cockpits sized to accept a sprayskirt, excellent outfitting to facilitate rolling and bracing, and perimeter decklines to assist with rescues.  These are all attributes that better sea kayaks have in common.

I'll add a disclaimer that being landlocked does have many disadvantages when choosing sea kayaks because we just don't have the market here for retailers to carry vast arrays of boats to get touchy/feely with.  Research and paddling clubs are a huge help to further broaden horizons, but you sometimes still have to locate boats in order to try them.  It's not uncommon for inland sea kayakers like us to have to head out to the coast for a few days to try even more designs, so keep that as an option to help you make a solid decision.  Then there's me.  If you want advice, just say so.  After a brief discussion and some basic measurements, I can pretty easily whittle your boat choices down to several models of sea kayaks and save you a ton of leg-work.

Good luck with your purchase and I'll see you on the water in your sleek new sea kayak.

-rob

Chill Out - Tips For Winter Paddling

Winter has descended on us here in the Tennessee Valley and I've finally arrived at my favorite time of the year to paddle.  The water is still from diminished power boat traffic and I can paddle for hours without getting out of my boat feeling like I've just endured several hours in an Apache Sweat Lodge.

Granted, it's also the time of year that many of my dual-bladed brothers and sisters have long since hung their gear waiting on more 'ideal' climes.  Big mistake.  In an earlier post I discussed that paddling is a personal journey for each of us and we should all paddle for our own reasons.  To those that just can't endure the cold and have made a conscious decision to stay off the water, stay warm, and avoid the chance of disaster, then you have my blessings on your decision.  For those that wish to extend their season(s) and see what they might be missing at this time of year, then I'd like to offer some insights from years of paddling in frigid weather.

First and foremost, and this will serve as your disclaimer for the day, don't go out there if you just don't 'do' cold, if you don't have the equipment to be out there, or you don't have the self-rescue skills to keep you safe.  This is NOT the time to play games with your personal well-being!  Paddling in cold weather has inherent dangers and should never be taken mildly.

I'm fortunate in that I'm inherently warm most of the time; a blessing at this time of year - a curse when the mercury climbs.  Even if you fall into this category, it's a moot point if you can't survive a surprise submersion.  One thing is a given at this time of year ... the water is insanely cold.  Even on the mildest winter days here in Chattanooga when the air temps climb into the 50's, the water can still be a numbing temperature.  How do you cope?  Whether the air is warm or cool, you need to be prepared.

I'd first suggest that you be VERY confident in your abilities.  If the temp drops, the wind picks up, or a large boat wake should break over the bow of your kayak, are you prepared and comfortable with these situations?  If wind-waves make you nervous in July, then forget altogether about going out there in February.  Self assesment is absolutely crucial here and you should be dead-level honest with yourself before venturing out.  I don't worry about myself, because mentally and physically I'm prepared.  I have a solid roll, solid boat handling skills, self-rescue techniques that I can rely on, I'm in great shape, the very best gear money can buy, and absolute confidence in all of the above.

It pisses me off that so many sea kayakers won't take the time to learn to roll.  Opportunities exist around every corner to attend free roll classes, yet most chalk it up to being a whitewater-only skill.  Warm or cold, a roll can save the day ... and your life.  Ditto too, for learning rescue techniques.  Can you assist a fellow paddler or yourself if you should exit your boat?  If the above doesn't apply, again, please stay home.

Gear plays a crucial role and should never be taken lightly.  I'm amazed at what I see paddlers wear.  Sweatshirts, jeans, and windbreakers have no place on the water.  Ever.  Do you see these items hanging in your local paddling shop?  No you don't ... for a reason.  Dress in synthetic layers of poly, fleece, nylon, etc; then add or subtract as necessary.  My personal wardrobe for paddling is extensive to cover any conditions that I might encounter, but the basics center around the time-tested ThinSkins, ThickSkins, and Zephyr jackets and bottoms from Immersion Research.  Cover your hands with gloves or pogies (pogies are my personal choice - but we'll save that for a future blog entry), a warm skull covering of wool, fleece, or neoprene for your head, and warm, solid footwear for your feet, and you've got the basics.  I could go on for pages and pages - and someday I may - about clothing that is specific for paddling, but this is your high level overview for today's message.  Lastly, never leave shore without your first-aid kit and some warm clothes sealed in a drybag just in case.  It's pretty simple actually; you grab a synthetic tee, a fleece jacket, fleece pants, warm hat and gloves, and toss all of that into a drybag that NEVER leaves your boat during the cold months.  While you're at it, go ahead and toss in a tarp and lighter as well.  That should just about cover it.  Your personal selections will solely be based on what your body can take in terms of cold, but only you can answer that.

Sprayskirts are gear and could be lumped in above, but I'm giving them a special nod based on what I've witnessed with my own eyes at this time of year.  I don't paddle without one no matter the season, but in winter, they're crucial.  They seal your boat against cold spray, trap warmth inside your boat, and give you a snowball's chance in Bermuda when an eskimo roll is needed.  I'll also add too, that winter isn't the time for that flimsy nylon deck you use sometimes in the summer to keep your thighs from getting sunburned.  No, winter requires a full neoprene deck for maximum waterproofness in your kayak and the reliable seal needed for a roll.  Don't skimp here, got it?

The last thought I'll offer up is a relatively novel concept, but if you'll try it, I'll guarantee results.  If you get chilly, paddle harder!  Winter paddles aren't the time to float.  Stretch your paddling muscles, breathe deep, and put it in gear.  A vigorous winter paddle is surprisingly toasty!

Let's review quickly to make sure y'all are paying attention, shall we?  Know what you're doing, be prepared for emergencies, learn rescue techniques for yourself and others, and don't dress like a hobo.  Cool?  Let's paddle.

If you spent your hard-earned money on a sleek sea kayak and all of the goodies, don't pass opportunities to enjoy this pursuit year 'round.  Take the necessary precautions, but don't let cold weather keep your boat hanging like a museum display for 4 or 5 months out of the year because if you do, you're missing out.  Paddling in the winter holds special opportunities for those that get out there and you'll experience things you can't get when it's warm.  I'll share an example: years ago I did a sunrise paddle on Chickamauga right when a snowstorm hit.  The morning was so still that I could actually hear the snowflakes hitting the water!  This was going on while y'all were still in bed or just enjoying your first cup of java for the day.  See what you missed?  Sure it was cold when I launched, but once underway, I was as warm - or warmer - than I am sitting right here in my den with my feet propped up and this warm netbook across my legs.  Be honest with yourself and your abilities, choose your gear carefully, grab a like-minded (and like-abilitied) buddy, and go chill!

-rob

The Current State of Landlocked Sea Kayaking

So, where are we as inland sea kayakers?  This could be some eye-opening revelations, some ruffled feathers, or some calls-to-action for some by the time they finish reading this entry.

I have to admit that while I sit and peck at the keyboard, I could both lavish and lash, so I'll just do what I do best ... speak and hope it sinks in.

To me, we as inland sea kayakers need a bit of a wake-up.  There are far too many paddling our inland placid waters with a chip riding on their stern cleverly disguised as the status quo.  I'll not mince words, so read along and see if you fit the mold.  If you do, then let it sink in and return for more as my goal is to kick some paradigms squarely in the ass.

Our whitewater brothers and sisters should teach us all something: that Class II begins to become a little monotonous after learning eddy turns, how to ferry, and how to draw stroke on the face of a wave.  I mean, really, how much of that can any rookie take before they are ready to shed that moniker and head for some Class III with their new-found knowledge?  I mean, they want to improve!  God forbid we as sea kayakers should desire the same!

We as sea kayakers already face the burden of being "the guys that don't want to paddle the tough stuff," so why on earth do so many of our longboat brethren go out of their way to perpetuate that ideology?  We are inundated with those that won't go out when it's cold, windy, not between the hours of 11am and 2pm, and wouldn't learn rescue techniques if our lives (or sadly, the lives of those we paddle with) depended on it.  We paddle in jeans, we get a quarter of a mile behind after a quarter of mile of paddling, we have to stop and rest after the second quarter mile, and we drop off the radar if an overnight trip is planned and we have to (gasp) sleep on the ground.  We paddle boats as wide as they are long, wear lifejackets made for wakeboarders, and have car racks made out of swimming pool noodles.  We couldn't turn a kayak without a rudder, we've never bothered to attend a roll class, and we damned sure won't subscribe to 'Sea Kayaker' Magazine to gain the slightest amount of knowledge as to why the above is just flat-out wrong!  It's time to wake up, y'all.

I can't fathom going into a pursuit and just thinking to myself, "I'm doing as little as required and maybe I'll make it thru unscathed.  I mean, maybe things like sprayskirts, rolls, rescues, quality gear, and sleek sea kayaks are just for those who circumnavigate Iceland before breakfast and us mortals should just sneak by with whatever they tell us to buy at the local mass-merchant."  WAKE UP!  Why get involved in anything if you aren't seeking every opportunity and every shred of advanced thinking?  Why paddle two miles and not think to yourself, "What would it be like to paddle six, eight, TEN miles?"  Why flounder along in a rec boat struggling to keep up when there are these really cool things available to the public called "sea kayaks?"

This is where I - or your consciousness - will kick in.  I freaking hate the status quo.  I believe in a sunnier side to everything and if there's a better, more efficient, more comfortable, or safer way to go about something, then I'll damned sure be the one to crack a beer and champion the cause.  I hate being led to believe that just 'cause something is the way it is, that it has to remain that way just because some ill-informed moron has led me to believe it HAS to be that way.

I'm not one to circumnavigate Iceland before breakfast, by the way, but if the phone rings and I get the invite, you'd better bet your best piece of drygear that I'd like my chances to hang with those animals and I'd be tying the North Shore on the Jeep before you even got out of bed.  I'm not afraid of anything in my kayak and it becomes the great equalizer when dealing with less-than-desirable conditions.  I like my chances, period.  Why?  Because I don't subscribe to the staus quo, I always desire to learn, and pushing myself has only taught me more and with each opportunity to push further, comes another chance to learn.

Sadly, I'm the minority.  So many others bought a boat because it was a good deal, wore paddling what they wore to work the day previous, and believed they couldn't get hurt because it was only "flat water." I don't begrudge you or judge you and I'll definitely paddle with you under ideal conditions for your skill-set, but when things get dicey, this big dog's jumping off the porch to play and you'd be better to just keep your seat.  The fact remains - and I'll pull no punches - that I have no room for incompetence and if your very presence on the water compromises my ability to come home to Sally and Parker, then by all means, stay on the porch.

What irks me, and I've said it before, is that so many around here just 'float' along and if they were on the coast where REAL sea kayakers dwell, they'd still be like that Class II whitewater paddler fumbling with peel-outs and they'd be relegated to only the perfectly sublime paddling conditions because no real coastal paddler is taking you along for the ride (i.e. ... you'd never go paddling).  Is that where you want to be?  Really??

Just because we're holed-up in a reservoir or rivers wider than a football field doesn't mean we can't learn and improve our circumstances.  It doesn't mean we can't outfit ourselves with the very best boats and gear we can afford.  And last but not least, it surely doesn't mean we can stop learning or want to improve our abilities as paddlers.  We aren't dealing with tidal currents and tides, but we are dealing with TVA releases and yacht traffic, so why not do yourself a favor and educate yourself on this?  Learn to roll, learn to rescue a swimming kayaker, and learn how stroke X affects boat position Y.

Feelin' like I touched a nerve?  Did I hurt your fee-weeings?  Suck it up and educate yourself, because if you read all of this and you aren't the least bit concerned about improving your abilities as a sea kayaker - even one who paddles on a lake - then take up something else, 'cause I don't want you on the water with me.

-rob

Sea Kayaks in a Freshwater Sea

In a territory dominated by whitewater, what makes some of us choose to paddle our long, skinny boats on inland waterways?  The reasons are as varied as each of us, but some similarities lurk below the proverbial surface.  I'll throw out some scenarios and then give you my own reasons, but ultimately it's no one's business why you paddle, what you paddle, or for what reasons.

Many sought out whitewater kayaking as their first option, and then quickly realized that freezing water and sharp rocks weren't their cup of tea.  Still others took up sea kayaking because they discovered our two-bladed sport later in life and simply felt that whitewater wasn't even a viable option.  Others still just desire a sport that is less complicated, less demanding, and less life-threatening.

Me?  I actually began as a whitewater junky.  Fueled by adrenaline, a slight ego, and Rob Zombie; I ran as many Southeastern favorites as I could.  The notion of sea kayaking actually drew criticism from me;  "Why on earth would anyone paddle one of those things when they could be running drops and swapping ends?"  It was purely by happenstance that I one day found myself in a sea kayak and you wanna know what ... it was damned fun!  Sure, it wasn't twelve-point-cartwheeled-fun, but it was fun in a subdued way - a DIFFERENT way.  Soon, my whitewater kayaks were collecting dust and I was putting miles and miles under the hull of my sea kayak.  There was something about the gentle glide of the hull and the more serene environment that seemed to really agree with me.

Before long, I was going about paddling sea kayaks with the same gusto that I once reserved for my whitewater kayaking.  I desired to learn everything about it that I could - hull design, paddling technique,  destinations, like-minded friends, and more challenging conditions all became my focus as more and more miles passed beneath my smooth, displacement hulled boat.  Not only did I not even miss barreling down rapids, but I didn't even think about it any longer.  My only desire was to paddle longer distances, paddle them in less time, and paddle them better than I had in previous outings.  I've got nothing to prove.  I've run big waterfalls, Class V whitewater, and I've surf kayaked 12' swells in an Atlantic tropical storm.  I don't paddle sea kayaks because I'm looking for an easier solution to get my feet wet - I paddle them for other reasons ... MY reasons.

I love the connection I feel to the water in my sea kayak.  Whether it's a perfectly placed stroke or a well-executed edge to carve a turn, I learn from what my blades and my boat teach me.  That may well be the ultimate sea kayak experience for me; the interaction between myself, my equipment, and the water.  I also love the exercise.  Kayaking is a portable sport and taking my sea kayak to work with me is a regular occurrence so that I can get a few miles in at the end of the day to clear the noggin.  Paddling sea kayaks seems to clear my head as well as anything, so to call it therapeutic would be an understatement.  As a backpacker, I love loading my camping gear into my sea kayak and going on overnight excursions.  This helps to feed my exploratory and expedition-like personality.  Another reason is 'The Test.'  As mentioned, I have nothing to prove, but going out to paddle when everyone else is on the couch or in bed is something I feed off of (big bites, too).  Pouring rain, howling wind, snow, and the dark of night - these are the conditions that make me want to paddle even more.  If we aren't constantly testing ourselves and our resolve, then we die ... it's that simple.  Lastly, I paddle sea kayaks for the simple pleasure of sharing all of the above with others.  In fact, it's a passion just helping others experience all that makes sea kayaking the wonderful sport that is.

Bottom line: paddle for your reasons and embrace all that the sport has to offer, but don't ever let the excuse of not living BY the sea prevent you from paddling these magnificent craft.

-rob