Several years ago, the desire to paddle big water found me giving my canoe a rest in favor of a kayak. With the new boat and the related equipment ready for Lake Superior, the search was on to find a way to bring my other passion—the guitar—along on my adventure.
For over 30 years I’ve been pickin’ the old six-string. I’ve played in basements and backyards, in cafés and on couches, but there is something about the accompanying hiss and pop of the campfire and the silent glow of the moon that sweetens the hum of wood and steel.
Campfires themselves, quiet and contemplative, seem to blend into one another in the memories of trips past. But a campfire graced with music becomes a milestone, an event that sets that night apart from any other. On some nights the guitar elicits the lending of voices, of harmonies and laughter, while on others it sings alone as faces entranced gently sway in time.
“I can barely fit my usual gear into my kayak, where am I going to put a guitar?”
While a kayak can’t accommodate a full-sized guitar, there are many options out there for those who feel that playing some music of their own is the perfect ending to a day of paddling.
Though guitars come in all shapes and sizes, a true travel guitar measures about 33 by 13 inches or smaller, with a depth of no more than three inches. At the more affordable end of the spectrum are the Baby Taylor and the similar sized Little Martin. Both are compact, fun to play and will only set you back about $300. They’ll also double as great starter guitars for young kids. For those in search of an even smaller option, the Martin Backpacker guitar, while low on tone, is high on portability.
On the higher end are the carbon fiber offerings. Unaffected by humidity, heat or cold, guitars like the Rider by Blackbird or the Cargo by Composite Acoustics are suited to the most demanding pickers and paddlers alike. With one of these sleek little axes in your gear locker, there’s no excuse to go tripping without a guitar again.
I know what you’re thinking: “I can barely fit my usual gear into my kayak, where am I going to put a guitar?”
My solution was to place my guitar in a tall SealLine 35L Kodiak drybag and slip it under the bungees on my stern deck. The setup is waterproof and keeps a low enough profile that it is virtually unaffected by wind or waves. I also had a nylon handle sewn onto the side of the bag to make it convenient to carry around camp or down the beach.
My two-week solo trip through Pukaskwa Park on Lake Superior was a success. I brought my carbon fiber travel guitar. It was great to have on wind- and fog-bound days, not to mention relaxing around the fire at Cascade Falls. Making the transition from canoeing to kayaking has been exciting, and knowing that I can bring my music with me, I have no regrets.
Mike Monaghan is a professional photographer, lifelong paddler and fingerstyle guitarist living in Waterloo, Ontario. You can check out some of his photographic work at mikemonaghan.ca.
This article first appeared in the Spring 2012 issue of Adventure Kayak Magazine. For more great content, subscribe to Adventure Kayak’s print and digital editions here.
