Kayak Skirts: When To Use, How To Wear, What To Buy

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March 4, 2020

Two women paddling a tandem sea kayak, wearing sprayskirts — A sprayskirt is a worthwhile investment if you'll be paddling in any waves or cold conditions.

If you’re new to kayaking, you may keep hearing the word skirt or sprayskirt. And you may be wondering, what is a kayak skirt? Depending on the kayaking you’re doing, a kayak skirt can be an essential piece of gear.

How does a kayak skirt work? Well, when you sit in the cockpit of your kayak without a skirt, there is an open space between your body and the kayak shell. If you end up in any kind of rough water, this is where your vessel will take on water. With water in your boat, you’ll lose buoyancy, which will make the boat capsize easier. And if the water is cold, it’ll take all the fun out of kayaking.

The kayak skirt essentially seals this hole, making you and your kayak one solid piece of gear and preventing the majority of the water from getting into your boat.

Do I need a sprayskirt for my kayak?

Whether you need a kayak skirt or not really depends on the kind of kayaking you’re doing. If you’ll be in warm, sheltered, flatwater lakes for the majority of your paddling, you can get away without one. Likewise, if your kayak is a cottage toy where half the fun is tipping and falling out of the boat to go for a swim, then you’re all good.

If you’re just out for calm sunset paddles, sometimes it’s nice to have a skirt to keep yourself warm and dry, but not entirely necessary. A skirt can also be helpful if you have a couple items in your kayak you want to keep dry.

But if you plan on doing some whitewater runs on a river, exploring the choppy Great Lakes, or touring on the ocean, a skirt will make your kayaking experience a safe and enjoyable one. Any time there are waves, chop, windblown water, or rushing river water, using a skirt is essential. If the water is cresting the bow, it’s coming in your boat. And there is a limited amount of water you can have in your boat before you start getting into trouble.

[ Further reading: Kayak Gear And Accessories: Everything You Need To Go Kayaking ]

How to buy a kayak skirt

What size kayak skirt do I need?

Just like buying any kind of gear, there will be an endless number of options when you start looking for a skirt. How do you size a kayak sprayskirt? First off, you’ll need to figure out the size of your cockpit. How do you size a kayak cockpit? Great question. The easiest and most surefire way to do so is by contacting your kayak’s manufacturer. Their website will usually have this information on it; just be sure to find your boat model and size. If you have an obscure kayak you can always just measure the width and length of the cockpit and use these measurements to find the correct skirt.

Secondly, you’ll need to make sure the waist size is correct. Think about what you’ll be wearing while paddling so you get the right size.

The way manufacturers size their skirts varies, but if you go to their website they should have decent sizing charts. When they write about “tunnel size” this is the size of the part of the skirt that goes around your waist, while “cockpit size” is the size of your boat’s cockpit.

Neoprene vs. nylon

Kayak sprayskirts are usually made of either neoprene or nylon. There are pros and cons of each. Recreational and touring kayak skirts are often made of waterproof, breathable nylon. Sometimes they’ll have suspenders, which you can adjust for ventilation. These skirts generally have an elastic drawcord that seals around the rim of the kayak’s cockpit. Nylon skirts aren’t completely water resistant, but are comfortable and practical for less extreme kayaking.

Neoprene is used for whitewater skirts and some touring sprayskirts. Neoprene has a lot of stretch to it and creates a very secure and watertight seal to your boat. Some skirts are reinforced to keep them stiff and attached while being pounded with waves. The one hindrance of neoprene is it can get pretty warm and offers no ventilation.

What to think about

Again, depending on what kind of kayaking you’re doing, the way the skirt attaches to your boat becomes important. Many of the recreational skirts use a draw cord. This makes fitting the skirt a bit easier, but has more chance of letting water in.

Whitewater skirts tend to use what is called a rubber rand—a stiff rubber edge that lies flat under the rim of the cockpit. It’s completely watertight and resists being torn off by moving water. Getting the cockpit sizing right on neoprene skirts is essential because of this tight fit.

Best sprayskirt brands

There are plenty of brands manufacturing kayak skirts these days, but the following are some of the best when it comes to quality and functionality:

Advanced Elements
Delta Kayaks
Level Six
North Water
Perception Kayaks
Wilderness Systems

Kayak skirt reviews

Here are a few sprayskirts our team at Paddling Magazine has reviewed:

How to put on a kayak skirt

The first time you put on a kayak skirt it may seem like the most difficult thing in the world. But it’ll get easier with time and practice. First, with your paddling wear and PFD on, you step into the skirt and get it roughly situated and tightened on your waist. Then you step into the boat.

Sitting in the boat, you’ll need to get the skirt under the rim of the boat behind you. It’ll feel like you’re doing some kind of painful yoga, but you’ll get it. Once it is under the rim at the back, use both hands to push the skirt under the cockpit rim, moving both hands forward (right hand on the right side, left hand on the left side), and work your way slowly up to the front. Be sure the grab handle is on top of the skirt when you get the final few inches at the front of the skirt under the rim. Then tighten up any suspenders or waist adjustments until you’re comfortable.

How to make a kayak skirt

If you’re the DIY type, then you may be wondering about a DIY kayak skirt. And yes, of course you can make your own. You’ll need some sewing skills and sewing equipment, and you’ll need to source your own materials. Whether the time and effort involved will save you any money is totally debatable, but we too love a good challenge.

There may be better resources out there to get this done, but a quick search found these two resources:

Re: Make Your Own Nylon Sprayskirt (Kayak Forum)
Making Your Own Spray Skirt (California Kayak Friends)

Good luck!

What’s So Special About Wooden Canoes And Their Builders?

By

David Jackson

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March 3, 2020

canoe builder Bill Miller — A master of his realm. | Photo: David Jackson

Waiting near the Via Rail train station in Bathurst, New Brunswick, digging down in my pocket scrounging enough change for a cup of coffee, my hand emerged a few bucks richer and with flakes of aromatic cedar shavings.

I was on my way home from visiting Bill Miller, the dedicated canoe builder whose father helped pioneer a style of East Coast river canoe in 1925, and already the memories were falling all over the ground. What’s so special about wooden canoes and their builders is when you leave the shop, you go with a sliver of their craft. The aroma of cedar and varnish, a dusty hat, and a few token brass tacks jingling in my pocket are a reminder of the magic of wooden canoes.

[ Further reading: Behind 40 Years Of The Wooden Canoe Heritage Association ]

In our world of carbon fiber gunwales, tough stuff hulls, and sub-30-pound canoes, it’s easy to forget the origins of these new-age boats, and to glance over the passing generations who toiled over the crafts we adore.

When Miller built his first canoe, it was off a mold his grandfather, William Vic Miller, had hued out with an ax at his home on the Tobique River in Nictau, New Brunswick. Miller Canoes were designed with a purpose—to pole sportsmen and freight up or down the shallow, swift rivers nearby. This meant a hull wide enough to stand and maneuver from, and enough length and depth to displace heavy loads through rapids.

A wood canoe begins well before the shop. In the case of Miller’s boats, the first stage starts in the woods behind his home. Each time a canoe is purchased, Miller walks to his backyard, chainsaw in hand, studies a cedar which he has often watched grow up, and admires its straight grain and lack of visible knots. When Miller fells what he refers to as “a perfect canoe tree,” the life of another has begun.

[ Also read: How To Install Your Own Wooden Gunwales ]

From the mill to the planer, every bit of the canoe, save brass tacks and marine varnish, is created in the workshop. Seats are hand fastened and meticulously caned, gunwales are cut from 21-foot spruce or ash tree lengths. Every detail is hand manipulated by an old-time master.

There are still workshops where these experiences are lived on the daily, places such as Headwater Canoes, Bear Mountain Boats, and in Miller’s dusty, 94-year-old shop. There’s a feeling of homecoming here, like a church on Sunday or the river when the level is just right.

I’ve been back to spend time with Bill Miller every year since my first visit some six years ago, and I’ve collected quite the arsenal of treasures from his gold chest of a canoe shop. From handcrafted bird’s eye maple paddles he helped me shape, to a miniature 15-foot Miller I paddle and adore when visiting my family’s home in the Ottawa Valley.

There’s nothing, however, I treasure as much as the little Ziploc bags full of shavings I’ve collected from the shop, or my dusty Miller Canoes hat. For every time I catch their whiff, I’m reminded of life’s important, albeit dusty, places.

David Jackson is a writer and photojournalist living in Thunder Bay, Ontario.

A master of his realm. | Photo: David Jackson

David Hadden Joins Esquif

By

Brian Day

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March 3, 2020

Last month, Esquif Canoes of Frampton, Quebec, announced David Hadden joined their team as Director of Business Development. Esquif owner Jacques Chasse is looking forward to working with Hadden to grow Esquif’s presence in the U.S. market.

Chasse says that while Esquif has a strong market presence in Canada, it has limited penetration into the U.S. market. “We don’t cover the U.S. as well as we would like,” said Chasse. He’s optimistic Esquif can move into new U.S. storefronts based on the strength of their canoe designs and the performance advantages of T-Formex, a high-impact ABS plastic laminate aiming to fill the void Royalex left when discontinued in 2013. Chasse sees Hadden as a central part of this push.

David Hadden Hadden comes to Esquif with 30 years of experience in the paddlesports industry. He grew up in Vermont as an avid canoeist and landed his first job with Mad River Canoe in 1990. Since then, his career has included roles with Dagger, Wenonah and Current Designs, Walden, Emotion, Heritage and, most recently, Johnson Outdoors. Along the way, Hadden had the opportunity to learn the ins-and-outs of everything from sea kayaks to fishing kayaks, but canoes have always been close to his heart. He’s excited to be back in the world of specialty canoeing at Esquif.

“It’s fun to return to my roots,” he said.

For Hadden, T-Formex fills an essential niche in the world of canoeing. He points out Royalex was a popular material because of its toughness, versatility and performance on the water. “There was a need for Royalex in the past and there’s a need for T-Formex now,” said Hadden. “Hands down, there is no better material for being on a river and moving water.”

The challenge for T-Formex, said Chasse, is reintroducing paddlers to the benefits of the material. When Royalex disappeared, explained Chasse, it left a hole in the market dealers and manufacturers tried to fill with other materials. Those materials had a few years to build momentum while Esquif worked to perfect T-Formex. Now, Esquif is playing catch-up.

“We have to overcome three years of marketing,” said Chasse.

Chasse’s approach to this challenge is to take his canoes to a broader audience by expanding his dealer network in the U.S. “We believe enough in T-Formex that we want to take it directly to paddlers,” said Chasse. “You need boats on the water where they’re proven to be tougher.”

David Hadden The toughness of T-Formex is something Hadden says serious users are asking for. He’s spoken with livery operations resorting to buying used Royalex canoes online to keep their fleets at full strength. He’s confident there is pent-up demand for Royalex that can only be filled by T-Formex.

Hadden isn’t just enthusiastic about the prospects for Esquif’s new material, he’s excited to see the innovation coming out of specialty canoe manufacturers, including a resurgence of lightweight pack boats and a renewed focus on sporting canoes. Hadden hopes to incorporate the best features from the kayak fishing world, including tackle organization systems and lightweight electric motors, into new canoe designs.

According to Hadden, Esquif’s focus on T-Formex gives the brand advantages over its competitors, even those who use T-Formex in their own designs. Hadden explains Esquif canoes are designed from the ground up with a focus on T-Formex, which is the primary material the brand employs in its designs. This focus allows the Esquif design team to create hulls that are optimized for T-Formex, rather than adapted from composite designs.

The success of Esquif with T-Formex is part of a trend Hadden sees within the paddlesports industry, namely, smaller manufacturers that focus on a specialty aspect of the market have an advantage, regardless of whether manufacturing high-end composite canoes or specialized fishing kayaks. To Hadden, specialization is key.

“The paddlesports companies thriving are the ones bringing consumers a solution to a problem,” he added. “Durability without sacrificing performance and maintaining a reasonable carrying and transportation weight has always been an issue. We believe T-Formex is the answer.”

The Problem with V-Shaped Hulls

By

Paul Mason

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March 1, 2020

V-Hull vs Flat Hull.-Paul Mason — V-Hull vs Flat Hull. Photo: Paul Mason

Some whitewater canoe designs appear to be timeless.

I remember the excitement when another canoe instructor, Curtis Berryman, and I pooled our resources to buy an old Mad River Explorer canoe. At that time, it was the boat of choice for local whitewater canoe trips as well as introducing newcomers to whitewater.

Affectionally nicknamed the Starship Enterprise, its stable, moderate V hull helped us scrap through a number of misadventures as we pushed our version of the sport of whitewater canoeing. We accomplished, sort of, our first tandem enders in the Starship. A less than joyful experience for the bow paddler since the length of the canoe meant the bow would hit bottom, thus pinning the bow paddler to the bottom of the canoe until we resurfaced again.

The Starship was our craft for our first attempt at boofing. Mark Scriver and I launched Curtis off a bridge, from the top of our car, in the Starship. Rest assured, the car wasn’t moving. We’re not crazy!

*The Starship Enterprise in action. Photo: Paul Mason*

Eventually, my father, Bill Mason, arrived home with the first solo whitewater playboat any of us had seen. Nolan Whitewall’s radically short 14-foot Descender. The Starship was relegated to a tandem-only boat. Over time, its bent gunwales and 100-pound patched hull resulted in it spending more and more time in the old canoe pile.

Almost 20 years later, I needed one more canoe for a tandem canoe course. Out came the Starship. A little vinegar, acetone and soap cleaned off most of the moss from the hull. Fresh knee pads to replace the squirrel-chewed ones, some airbags and it was ready for the mission.

[ Discover the best whitewater canoes of the year in the Paddling Buyer’s Guide. ]

With our new approach to using the MITH technique (momentum, initiate, tilt, hold), the emphasis is on maintaining tilt while carving turns. The crew in the Starship kept losing their carve, after employing my best coaching techniques… to no effect. I hopped in and tried it.

Gee, I’d like more tilt for this demo, but I can’t make it tilt farther, I thought to myself. It must be because it’s so heavy.

The next time I was out, my daughter, Willa, was with me. An experienced instructor herself, she couldn’t make it carve very well either. We concluded the V-hull, which feels so reassuring and covered up many of our errors in the old days, was now preventing the boat from carving. Tilting resulted in the canoe riding on the flat side of the V. No carve at all!

We know the way to stop carving is to flatten your boat on the water—which is to say, no tilt. That’s exactly what was happening.

Whitewater canoe technique has changed, and the demands of our craft have too. Make sure your choice of canoe is enhancing your experience, not sabotaging it.

Paul Mason’s list of canoe courses for 2020 is available at www.canoeinstruction.co.

Guide To Whitewater Rafting In Jackson Hole—Which Adventure Will You Choose?

By

Alicia Owen

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February 27, 2020

Families in blue raft going down river — Dave Hansen is one of the many rafting companies you'll find offering trips down the Snake River. | Photo: Needpix.com

Yellowstone National Park. The Tetons. Hundreds of miles of rivers. Wilderness filled with moose, bear, wolves and more. With so many outdoor attractions awaiting, it’s no wonder Jackson Hole, Wyoming is such a popular destination with outdoor enthusiasts. It is especially popular among rafting enthusiasts and those looking for new thrills to experience while on vacation.

Outside of skiing, Jackson Hole is most notable for its rafting trips down the Snake River. This 1,078-mile-long river, which is the largest tributary to the Columbia River, begins in Yellowstone National Park and winds its way down through Grand Teton National Park before arriving just north of Jackson. The real fun begins in an eight-mile section of river gorge and rocky, evergreen-lined shores.

Today we’re giving you the scoop on this fun, family-friendly section of whitewater rafting in Jackson Hole!

[ Paddling Trip Guide: Browse all rafting trips in the United States ]

Best whitewater rafting in Jackson Hole

If there is one thing this part of the country has no shortage of, it’s rivers. Aside from the Snake River in the immediate vicinity, there are several others within an hour-drive or so to look into as well for whitewater rafting trips.

Snake River

The Snake River is interesting as it provides both calm waters for once-in-a-lifetime wildlife viewing trips and fun sections of rapids. The eight-mile stretch that runs near Jackson Hole ranges from class II to III rapids, with sections sometimes as high as IV during spring snowmelt. This makes for a fun, but safe, trip for beginners and kids.

Gros Ventre River

A short 41-minute drive northeast of Jackson will bring you to the Gros Ventre River. One particularly fun whitewater area is a five-mile stretch below Slide Lake. This section offers class III and IV rapids for an extra exciting time. You will need to take out at the Teton National Park boundary, however, as rafting is prohibited within the park.

Greys River

Located 44 minutes southwest, the Greys River also offers class III to IV rapids. Check out the six-mile length near Little Greys River, which includes several fun rapids, including one named Snaggletooth.

Hoback River

If you’re seeking an extended tour on the river, head southeast an hour to the Hoback River. A bit tamer than the others listed above, this 20-mile section in Sublette Teton county ranges from class I to III. An overnight trip is not out of the question here and there are plenty of campgrounds nearby as well if you are looking for overnight accommodations that are a little less rugged.

Rafting companies in Jackson Hole, WY

With the awesome whitewater opportunities the Snake River provides, there is no shortage of rafting companies based in Jackson Hole. Here are some of the top-rated ones in town.

Sands Whitewater & Scenic River Trips

Being in business for over 50 years, you can rest assured that these folks know the Snake River in this area like the back of their hand. Sands offers eight-mile whitewater rafting tours of the “Grand Canyon” (as the Snake River Canyon is referred to as) in two different raft sizes. All of their whitewater tours run for about three hours.

Sands offers three to four launch times each day, depending on the time of year, and the rafting season typically runs June through September.

For specific dates, you can contact them at 866-312-4957.

14-person raft – $65 for kids (6 to 12), $80 for adults (13+)
Eight-person raft – $85 for adults and kids (6+) alike

Dave Hansen Whitewater & Scenic River Trips

If you’re looking for a company that even the locals agree is the best, check out Dave Hansen. Voted as the “Best Rafting Company” in Jackson Hole for seven consecutive years, the staff here will ensure you have a blast and stay safe too as you take in the scenery and run thrilling rapids through eight miles of the Snake River Canyon.

Each whitewater trip generally runs around 3.5 hours.

Standard raft (10 to 14 people) – $87 for adults, $70 for kids ( to 12)
Eight-person raft – $93 for adults and children (6+)
Dave Hansen also offers combo whitewater and scenic float trips in both the standard rafts and eight-person vessels. Call them at 307-733-6295 for more details.

Barker-Ewing Whitewater

Barker-Ewing offers an array of trip options, from standard whitewater rafting trips to hosting wedding parties and family reunions. Be sure to check out their package trips as well, including a Continental Breakfast Scenic Float & Whitewater Rafting trip and a Wildlife & Whitewater Combo.

Call for more details at 307-733-1000. Trips usually run from late-May through September and last three to 3.5 hours altogether.

Standard raft – $87 for adults, $70 for kids (6 to 12)
Small boat – $93 for adults and kids (6 to 12)

Mad River Boat Trips

Mad River offers three different boat sizes, making your experience on the Snake River a little more customizable. All of their trips are available from mid-June through mid-September and run between three and 3.5 hours in length. For just a little extra, you can also enjoy a riverside lunch with some trips.

Call 1-800-458-7238 for details.

Classic raft (16 people) – $86 for adults, $65 for kids (6+)
Small boats (eight people) – $99 for adults and children (8+)
Super small boats (six people) – $115 for adults, $99 for kids (10+)

For a more comprehensive list of rafting businesses in the area, check out this article from the Jackson Hole Chamber of Commerce.

Raft trips in Jackson Hole, WY

Whether you’ve never been whitewater rafting in your life, have experience under your belt and are looking for something with more thrills, or are somewhere in between, there is a whitewater rafting trip in Jackson Hole for you!

Continental Breakfast Scenic Float & Whitewater Rafting

If you’re looking for the best of both worlds, you can’t go wrong with this trip through Barker-Ewing. Enjoy a light breakfast of “cereals, croissants, fresh fruits, orange juice, hot chocolate and coffee” before you get off to an early start.

Next, you’ll head just south of the Grand Teton National Park boundary to begin your scenic viewing portion of the trip. You’ll enjoy wonderful views of the Teton mountains along the way as well as get a chance to view bald eagles, moose, bears and more. After this seven-mile portion of the trip, you’ll head back to the boathouse to get ready for your eight-mile-long whitewater adventure.

Prices range from $115 to $143.

Small Boats… Big Adventure!

For some heart-pumping fun from the get-go, try one of Mad River’s small boat tours. When it comes to whitewater rafting, the smaller the boat means the more action you get. You can expect to get wetter and wilder on this tour where you will be expected to do some real paddling.

With some quiet areas interspersed among the eight sets of rapids, you may be able to see some wildlife along your route as well, including glimpses of river otters, bald eagles and osprey. The small boat trip will run you $99 per adult and per child (8+).

Small Boat, Big Ride

For the ultimate adventure-seekers, there are the extra small rafts of Lewis & Clark River Expeditions. Boasted as the smallest guided boats in Jackson Hole, you will feel like you’re on a roller coaster as you tackle the rapids of the Snake River in their 13-foot boats.

Depending on water levels, you may also be able to take a dip in the calmer portions of this section of the river. The minimum age for this trip is 8 to 10 (depending on water conditions) and prices range from $80 for kids (8 to 12) and $88 for adults.

[ Also read: Guide To Whitewater Rafting ]

Jackson Hole overnight rafting trips

Unfortunately, overnight rafting trips are no longer offered by the few local companies that used to do so.

However, if you really have your heart set on an overnight trip and don’t mind that it’s not whitewater or rafting, check out these canoe/kayak overnight trips nearby.

Jackson Hole whitewater rafting prices

As you can see from the above sampling of local guided rafting companies, whitewater-only trips will run from about $70 to $115. Since all the tours are around the same time frame of three hours, prices are mostly dependent on which size of boat you decide to take. The smaller the boat, the higher the price of the trip.

For combo trips of whitewater rafting and scenic floating, you can expect to pay anywhere from $115 to $225, depending on the length and type of tour it is (wildlife-viewing, included breakfast or lunch, etc.).

When to go whitewater rafting in Jackson Hole

In general, late-spring through early-fall is the best time to go whitewater rafting in Jackson Hole. If you will not have younger children with you and want to avoid crowds, shoot for May or June. Temperatures will be on the rise and the rapids will still be bigger due to snowmelt from the mountains.

If you have kids with you, August and September may be your best bets. The season will be winding down and there shouldn’t be any concerns about potentially dangerous rapids for younger kids as the waters calm down during the summer months.

What to wear whitewater rafting in Jackson Hole

Preparing for a whitewater rafting trip is exceptionally easy. Here are a few things you will want to wear and keep in mind.

[ Paddling Buyer’s Guide: View all paddling clothing and apparel ]

Synthetic clothing. During the warmer months of July and August, a bathing suit will work just fine. Just be sure to avoid cotton clothing at all costs as it easily soaks up water. Many outfitters will offer wetsuits for rent during cooler times.
Many companies also offer splash jackets at no extra charge. Be sure to check into this if you don’t have a rain coat, fleece or other water-resistant jacket with you for unexpectedly cold days.
Secure shoes. Whether you want to wear tennis shoes you don’t mind getting wet or sandals is up to you, but rafting companies will require them to be some type of shoe with a heel strap so they do not come off. Some outfitters also offer neoprene booties to rent as well.
A change of clothes for after. You will be on a bus for about 40 minutes back to Jackson after your trip. A set of dry clothes to change into is more than a good idea.
Sunglasses, hats and sunscreen during the warm months. As with the shoes, make sure your sunglasses are secured with a strap.

No matter what level of thrills you are looking for, a whitewater rafting adventure in Jackson Hole is sure to please!

Explore Paradise By Paddle With This Guide To Kayaking In Oahu

By

Kiley Whittal

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February 26, 2020

Looking out over coast with view of ocean — Whether you're looking for a laid-back paddle or a full-on adventure, there's a kayak excursion for you in Oahu.

So, you’re thinking about kayaking in Oahu? You’re in for a rich experience full of awe-inspiring scenery, colours and cultural traditions. At least once (if not many, many more times) you’ll exclaim something like, “I’ve just never seen anything this blue!” You’re right, you haven’t. Kayaking in Oahu is a special experience, and once will make you want to turn that into twice, or three times, or four…

Oahu kayaking spots

Kaneohe Bay

Kaneohe Bay is a popular put-in spot for kayakers, and a haven for those looking for an accessible day of kayaking for all skill levels. Kaneohoe Bay is a calm, open bay covering 17 square miles, including scenery you’ll recognize from Pirates of the Caribbean (among other Hollywood movies filmed in the Hawaiian Islands).

Kayakers of all experience levels can enjoy a short trip into the bay, a full day exploring, or access to longer multi-day trips. Kayak the calm waters, snorkel, fish for papio, and enjoy a world-class paddling experience!

Kailua Bay

Kailua Bay is home to some of the best kayaking on Oahu. Located on Oahu’s Windward Coast, Kailua Bay offers easy access to several offshore islands. Day trip from Kailua Bay with a tour guide, rent a kayak for a choose-your-own-adventure in the easily accessible islands, or make it a multi-day trip and stay overnight on one of the nearby islands hotels, Airbnbs, or campgrounds.

Kailua Bay also provides access to the Mokulula Islands, Molokai and Lanikai. The Twin Islands are time-honoured spots for all visitors to Hawaii, but hold a special beauty for paddlers kayaking from Oahu. Both islands are sea bird sanctuaries; the sights around the Twin Islands will entertain both avid and casual birdwatchers alike. The pair of islands are a day trip on kayak from Oahu—challenging enough for those with kayaking experience and calm enough for families or those newer to paddling.

A great option for families visiting the Kailua Bay area is the low-key trip to Popoai, a beautiful island that is a one-mile round-trip and perfect for a shorter day on the water. You’ll have the opportunity to take in an incredible landscape, see green sea turtles and snorkel in the turquoise water, while still keeping your time commitment within a half-day.

Kayak rentals in Oahu

Beautiful water and incredible scenery make kayaking a popular activity on Oahu, and there is no shortage of businesses spanning the island that have kayaks to rent. We’ll cover the main rental and tour companies on Oahu here.

Kailua Beach Adventures, Kailua

If you’re in Honolulu and up for a short drive, Kailua Beach Adventures is a pretty full-service shop that offers both tours and non-guided kayak rentals. It’s a 30- to 45-minute drive from Honolulu depending on which route you choose. Kailua Beach Adventures offers single, double and triple kayaks with half-day to full-day rentals for $59 to $104 USD. If you’re looking for a longer kayak adventure, they also offer multi-day rental options and gear delivery for your convenience, and a great selection of other water sports gear for rent.

Rainbow Watersports, Haliewa

If you’re in Haleiwa, check out Rainbow Watersports. They don’t offer guided kayak tours, but are centrally located in Haleiwa with single and double kayaks available for rent for $30 to $35 per hour. Rainbow Watersports is a great option for kayaking on Oahu for shorter trips.

Shaka Kayaks, North Oahu

If you venture to the northern tip of Oahu, Shaka Kayaks has tours that focus on Hawaiian sea turtle habitats and locations with cinematic-grade scenery. The tours are a great for families to see Oahu’s incredible natural beauty by kayak.

[ Further reading: 6 Questions To Ask Before Your Next Kayak Rental ]

Clear Kayaks

Venturing onto the water in a clear kayak makes for a beautiful excursion that will allow you to truly take in the aquatic life of Oahu. Clear kayaks are not available at all rental companies, so if you have your heart set on this experience, it’s best to scout out your rental options for clear kayaks on Oahu ahead of time.

If you’re on the North Shore near Haleiwa, Hawaii Activities has clear kayaks tours in Waimea Bay. While you can’t rent Hawaiian Activities’ clear kayaks to take out on your own, their tours take you out into the open water of Waimea Bay, which gives you plentiful opportunities to paddle with local residents like the Hawaiian green sea turtle.

In Kailua, Two Good Kayaks offers multiple rental options. Single clear kayaks start at $80 for a half-day, $95 for a full-day, and $400 for a five-day rental. Tandem clear kayaks at Two Good Kayaks rent for $90 for a half-day, $105 for a full-day.

Kayak tours in Oahu

Don’t have much experience in a kayak or simply want to get more out of the locations you’re visiting? Taking a tour is the way to go. Take your pick of the following when in Oahu.

Kailua Beach Adventures

Kailua Beach Adventures offers laid-back, family-friendly, two-hour kayak tours through the beautiful waters of Oahu. The more relaxed tour is $139 per person. If you have more kayaking experience but still want the expertise and local knowledge of a kayak guide, Kailua Beach Adventures also offers an intermediate level tour for $179 per person. For those looking for a more independent kayak adventure in Oahu, self-guided tours are $99 per person.

Kama’aina Kayak & Snorkel Eco-Ventures

Kama’aina Kayak & Snorkel Eco-Ventures is located on the west coast of Oahu, about a 20-minute drive from Central Kailua. Kama’aina offers a wide selection of tour combinations, so you can kayak, snorkel, and SUP in Oahu. If fishing is your thing—don’t worry, there’s plenty of great kayak fishing in Oahu too!

Go Bananas

Go Bananas has locations in Honolulu and Aiea with a good variety of rentals, including kayaks that are well-suited for fishing, starting at $35 per day. The waters around Oahu offer amazing variety in fish, but you can expect to find bait fish like scad mackerel for bringing in larger open water fish, or bonefish, papio and tuna if you stick closer to shore.

This Living in Hawaii article has a good list of common near-shore fish in Oahu. Hawaii has a rich biodiversity and ecological system; guides will be well-versed in their areas, but make sure you’re aware of the restricted fishing areas on Oahu before venturing out on your own.

Best time of year to kayak in Oahu

Hawaii has a gorgeous destination climate year-round, and no matter the time of year there will be kayaking options available to you in Oahu. The average ocean temperature in Hawaii is 74 degrees Fahrenheit.

When you’re planning your kayaking trip in Oahu, keep in mind that during the winter months the ocean swell on the North Shore picks up and creates Hawaii’s legendary waves. That’s great for surfing and wave-watching, but stay off the open water in the North Shore during these months. There are plenty of Oahu kayaking spots that are sheltered year-round, such as Kaneohe Bay and Popoai.

What to pack

When you’re planning what to pack to have the best kayaking adventure on Oahu, don’t stress! For day trips you’ll need the beach basics: a bathing suit, towel, water shoes, sunscreen, sunglasses, a change of clothes, and a beach bag. Kailua Beach Adventures has a great list of what to bring, but not to worry—if you forget anything, most rental companies have extras you can buy or borrow for the day.

Important things to know

The Hawaiian Islands are home to deep cultural roots, traditions, wildlife and natural beauty. Locals of Oahu are passionate about land and ocean conservation, and you’ll frequently see events and organizations dedicated to cleaning up the ocean, reducing single-use plastics, and using reef-safe versions of sunscreen and other products to minimize their impact on sensitive natural resources.

Be respectful of the incredible ecosystem, and feel free to participate in local awareness and conservation activities—your efforts will be welcome and warmly appreciated. Go Hawaii is a great resource for getting the most out of your Oahu adventure, kayaking and beyond!

Guide to Canoeing and Kayaking in Kentucky

By

Kiley Whittal

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February 26, 2020

Canoeing and kayaking in Kentucky is a treat no matter where you go. Whether you’re into kayak fishing, touring or laidback recreational paddling, with so many miles of river Kentucky has options to keep you exploring for a lifetime. If you’re visiting and don’t quite have that much time to enjoy, here are a few of the best places to kayak and canoe in Kentucky.

Best Canoeing and Kayaking in Kentucky

Louisville

Louisville is a unique place for paddling. The Ohio River is centrally located and has an amazing array of shorter day trip opportunities for paddlers of all experience levels. There are also many other worthwhile paddling destinations within a short drive from the city.

Parklands is an interesting canoeing/kayaking spot to check out in Louisville. It has four parks, all of which are connected by one central trail. Parklands is also home to the 60-mile-long Floyds Fork Creek.

Nolin River is another great option to explore if you have time for a bit longer drive from Louisville; the put-in spot is about an hour from downtown. The river provides views of unique rock formations, and a good blend of relaxing float time and gentle rapids to keep things from getting too slow.

Louisville Tours and Rentals

Nachand Canoe & Kayak

Half-day rentals for single or double kayaks, or three-person canoes are $35 to $55. Full-day rentals are $60 to $95.

Phone: 502-753-9271
Website: www.nachandkayaks.com

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Blue Moon Canoe & Kayak

Half- and full-day rentals for canoes and kayaks are $55 to $75. This includes the shuttle to and from the put-in and take-out points. $7 for shuttle service only.

Phone: 502-753-9942
Website: www.bluemooncanoeky.com

Louisville Kayak Company

Centrally located in Louisville. Tour packages and day rentals.

Website: www.louisvillekayakcompany.com

Bowling Green

Drakes Creek is a popular area to kayak and canoe if you’re near Bowling Green, Kentucky. Tourism Kentucky has a useful website with information on paddling Drakes. This is a great area for a day trip—just be ready to disconnect for the day, because there are many spots on Drakes Creek that have poor cell reception.

Visit Bowling Green is an online resource for some of the best kayaking and canoeing areas in Kentucky, and includes information on Warren County Blueways, a picturesque spot for paddlers and anglers.

Bowling Green Tours and Rentals

Drakes Creek Canoe

Seasonal rentals and shuttle service.

Website: www.drakescreekcanoe.com

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Lincoln Trail Outfitters

Recreational kayaks for $40 to $60 for half- and full-day rentals. Fishing kayaks for $60 to 80.

Phone: 270-246-5501
Website: www.lincolntrailoutfitters.com

Shanty Hollow Rentals

Seasonal. $40 to $60 per day with launch drop-off and pick-up included.

Phone: 270-392-9981
Website: www.facebook.com/pg/shantyhollowrentals1

Lexington

Canoeing and kayaking near Kentucky’s second-largest city is by no means second rate. From pastoral river scenes to lush state parks, the Lexington area has plenty of great put-ins to explore.

Lexington Tours and Rentals

Three Trees Kayak and RV Campground

Located 40 minutes outside of Lexington, this is a great home base for paddling adventures in the area. Three Trees has kayak rentals for $20 to $35. It’s located on the Kentucky River, and is one mile from Fort Boonesborough State Park, which is a great place to experience historic Kentucky scenery.

Phone: 859-749-3227
Website: www.threetreeskayak.com

Central Kentucky Kayaking

Located about 30 minutes from Lexington in Paris, Kentucky, Central Kentucky Kayaking operates seasonally starting in May. They run rentals mainly on Stoner Creek, giving paddlers long stretches of river to take in the beautiful horse farms and forests of Kentucky.

Phone: 859-457-0388
Website: www.centralkentuckykayaking.com

Canoe Kentucky

Canoe Kentucky offers a variety of tour opportunities for all experience levels in Frankfort, a 45-minute drive from Lexington. Elkhorn Creek is a popular spot, and Canoe Kentucky has half- and full-day tours ranging from $45 for a solo kayak to $150 for a five-person raft.

Phone: 502-227-4492
Website: www.canoeky.com

Kentucky Cave Kayaking

One of the best paddling adventures in Kentucky is cave kayaking. Mammoth Caves and Red River Gorge are the best spots to find this otherworldly experience. Both offer unique guided tours.

Thrillsville takes you through the caves under Red River Gorge by headlamp, where you’ll hear the history of the cavern and the story of why it flooded. Tours are a shorter experience at one hour; however, there are many other activities at Thrillsville to make for an action-packed day.

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Mammoth Caves is a Kentucky classic, a national park with nearly 12 miles of cave trail, 70+ miles of surface trail, 13 campsites, and boundless exploring for everyone. Recently, a 330 million-year-old shark jaw was found in one of the caves, but don’t worry—there are no sharks today! Paddlers have 30 miles on the Green and Nolin Rivers to fish, explore, camp on islands and floodplains, and enjoy some of the best kayaking and canoeing in Kentucky.

The National Parks Service has an extensive Mammoth Caves website, which features three rental companies: Cave Country Canoe, Green River Canoeing, Inc. and Mammoth Cave Canoe and Kayak.

Best Places to Kayak Fish in Kentucky

There’s plenty on tap for kayak fishing in Kentucky, as the state is home to a variety of fish, including bass, bluegill, perch, crappie, muskellunge and catfish, along with over 100 other species. Alongside the areas mentioned here, most of the Kentucky river system is home to plentiful fishing, and there are many opportunities for exploration.

Tom Wallace Lake in Jefferson Memorial Forest is home to beautiful scenery and great paddling, and is regularly stocked with fish. It’s only a 30-minute drive from downtown Louisville, and is a gorgeous example of Kentucky’s kayak fishing. If you’re heading here, Nachand Canoe & Kayak is a popular option for rentals.

The Lower Barren River is in Bowling Green, and boasts an array of boat access for kayak anglers. Kentucky Tourism recommends kayak fishing in Drakes Creek for its biodiversity and scenic surroundings. Close to Bowling Green, there are several rental options in the Drakes Creek area.

[ Paddling Trip Guide: See all fishing trips in the United States ]

Best Canoe Trips in Kentucky

Multi-day paddling trips are common in Kentucky, and there are many options to suit your experience level and timeline.

In Louisville, the Ohio River is wide and calm for the most part, and is a popular area for local paddlers. If you’re looking for a multi-day trip, you can launch in Louisville and take three or four days to make the journey to Cincinnati.

Other overnight trips in Kentucky include:

17-Mile Upper Cumberland (two days)
Blue Heron to Hwy 927 (two to three days)
Leatherwood Ford to Blue Heron (two to three days)

The above routes are available as guided tours from Sheltowee Trace Adventure Resort. Other routes include:

Kentucky Lake to Lake Barkley
Green River through Mammoth Cave National Park
Station Camp to Blue Heron

[ Paddling Trip Guide: Browse canoe trips in the United States ]

Kentucky Kayaking Laws

You are not required to have a boating license in Kentucky to operate a non-motorized vessel.

Fishing licences are not required in state parks; however, across the state of Kentucky, creel and size restrictions apply in and out of state parks. While it’s not a law, submitting a float plan is a great idea to give those you’re leaving on shore a starting place to look should you be delayed coming off the water.

No matter your experience level, there’s a paddling experience for everyone in Kentucky. | Feature photo: Sorbyphoto/Pixabay

New SPOT Mapping Provides Advanced Navigation and Tracking Services

By

Press Release: Globalstar Canada

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February 25, 2020

New SPOT Mapping Provides Advanced Navigation And Tracking Services For All SPOT Business And Recreational Users

Globalstar Canada Satellite Co., a wholly owned subsidiary of Globalstar Inc. (NYSE MKT: GSAT) and a leader in satellite messaging and emergency notification technologies, today announced new SPOT Mapping services available on all active SPOT service plans and across all SPOT devices. SPOT Mapping is an affordable, easy-to-use, multilingual tool for mapping and managing workers and sharing positions from outdoor journeys, providing peace of mind when the unexpected happens.

SPOT Mapping includes mobile responsive and sharable maps, longer data storage, and various map displays, including satellite, road and terrain options. Users also have the option to view maps in live or history mode, for tracking in real-time or to review previous trips or asset locations.

“We have consistently listened to our customer’s feedback and worked diligently to offer a new enhanced mapping experience,” said Dave Kagan, CEO of Globalstar. “SPOT is proud to have initiated more than 7,000 rescues worldwide and our hope is that our mapping platform brings a new level of visuals and features to keep outdoor adventures safer and more informative than ever.”

SPOT Mapping is now included on all active service plans for the SPOT X, the SPOT Gen 3, the SPOT Trace, and SPOT legacy products. The basic level covers up to five SPOT devices and includes three years of mapping history, as well as an active shared views feature. Users also have the option to upgrade to SPOT Mapping Premium or Enterprise tiers starting at $25.00 USD per year, which includes advanced features such as GeoFence to help manage people and assets independent of the availability of terrestrial communication networks. These levels include increased shared views and position history, unlimited contacts, advanced custom icons and more. For more information on SPOT Mapping Basic, Premium and Enterprise tiers click here.

[ Further reading: SPOT X Two-Way Satellite Communication System Gear Review ]

Powered by the second generation Globalstar Satellite Network, the SPOT family of satellite communication devices provides affordable messaging and tracking for businesses and outdoor enthusiasts around the world. Through a direct connection to the GEOS International Emergency Coordination Center, SPOT has triggered more than 7,000 rescues and counting over the last ten years. More than 30% of worldwide rescues have taken place in Canada.

About SPOT LLC

SPOT LLC, a subsidiary of Globalstar, Inc., provides affordable satellite communication and tracking devices for recreational and business use. SPOT messaging devices use both the GPS satellite network and the Globalstar Satellite Network to transmit and receive text messages and GPS coordinates. Since 2007, SPOT has provided peace of mind by allowing customers to remain in contact with family, friends and co-workers, completely independent of cellular coverage and has helped initiate more than 7,000 rescues worldwide. For more information, visit FindMeSPOT.com.

Note that all SPOT products described in this press release are the products of SPOT LLC, which is not affiliated in any manner with Spot Image of Toulouse, France or Spot Image Corporation of Chantilly, Virginia. SPOT Connect is a trademark of Spot LLC. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

About Globalstar, Inc.

Globalstar is a leading provider of customizable satellite IoT solutions for customers around the world in industries such as government, oil and gas, emergency management, transportation, maritime and outdoor recreation. As a pioneer of mobile satellite voice and data services, Globalstar allows businesses to streamline operations via the Globalstar Satellite Network by connecting people to their devices, supplying personal safety and communication and automating data to more easily monitor and manage mobile assets.

The Company’s product portfolio includes the industry-acclaimed SmartOne asset tracking products, Commercial IoT satellite transmitters and Duplex satellite data modems, the innovative Sat-Fi2 satellite wireless IP hotspot and the SPOT® product line of personal safety, asset and communication devices, all offered with a variety of data service plans. For more information regarding Globalstar Canada Satellite Co., please visit www.globalstar.ca.

SEND Crew Descends Zambezi River

By

Paddling Magazine Staff

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February 25, 2020

The SEND crew is at it again with an epic video of their descent of the Zambezi River in Africa. The Zambezi River is the fourth-longest river in Africa that has some gnarly whitewater that flows into the Indian Ocean.

This video comes with no lack of surfing, flipping, boofing and everything else you want to see in an epic whitewater highlight reel. Outside of the SEND crew’s amazing talent on the water, they never disappoint in capturing great footage and making solid edits. There are some unique perspectives in this video that will leave you wondering how they got up so close.

[ Also watch: SEND Crew Takes On Biggest Waterfall In Chile ]

Going through the comments in the video, everyone seems to be most intrigued by Dane Jackson’s pistol flip on Rapid 5 which is also known as Stairway to Heaven.

The Zambezi River also has a number of commercial rafting trips that descend this river. Some of the raft guides describe Stairway To Heaven as a similar feeling to dropping off a two-story building to give you a little perspective to its impressive size.

Kokatat announces major expansion of production and warehouse facility

By

Press Release: Kokatat

-

February 25, 2020

ARCATA, California — Kokatat, the manufacturer of high-performance paddling gear, is undertaking a significant expansion of its manufacturing and warehouse capabilities – a move that will generate an estimated 30 new engineering and production jobs at its northwestern California headquarters.

Kokatat’s expansion includes an additional 7,500 square feet of production space and 3,000 additional square feet of warehouse and shipping. All told, the additional space will increase the footprint of Kokatat’s headquarters by 40 percent, which currently occupies about 26,250 square feet.

“By growing our space and team here in Arcata, we will be able to better support the growth we’ve seen in both our outdoor sports and government business sectors,” said Jeff Turner, Kokatat’s Director of Sales. “More than 90 percent of our annual revenues are generated by the garments we make here in Arcata. Our commitment to domestic manufacturing is vital to our continued growth.”

Kokatat has been firmly committed to domestic manufacturing beginning with founder and president Steve O’Meara, who recognized from the company’s founding in 1971 that keeping production local was required to control quality and continually develop the finest and driest paddling apparel in the world.

“We’ve proven for 50 years that keeping our production in the United States allows us to adhere to the highest levels of quality and functionality,” said Turner. “This expansion allows us to deepen our devotion to making the best paddling gear available.”

About Kokatat Inc.

Kokatat has been manufacturing paddling gear in Arcata, California, for almost 50 years. At a time when many technical apparel brands were moving manufacturing offshore, Kokatat continued to invest in infrastructure in the United States. Kokatat founder Steve O’Meara was committed to the development of the finest and driest paddling apparel in the world and recognized the need to control and continually evolve the development of our dry wear.

In the early days, Kokatat worked closely with W.L. Gore & Associates, makers of GORE-TEX®, to refine the sewing and sealing techniques required for full immersion suits and tops. Today, our hands-on approach to manufacturing continues to set the standard in paddling apparel. Into the water with Kokatat! Learn more at kokatat.com.