learn to kayak

I work for Kailua Sailboards and Kayaks on Oahu. Sometimes I guide Japanese tourists out to the nearby small islands for an eco tour. This is one of the best kayaking areas in Hawaii. I’ve also kayaked in Thailand, etc. Here are a few shots. This first one is off of Koh Samui Island in the sourthern gulf of Thailand. Little Matlang island is upper left.

So, I actually kayaked off the coast of Maui! Stunning! It was so much fun. My friend and I kayaked tandum, and we went with a tour-led group. I think we did pretty well for first timers. We also snorkled a bunch, which was a workout in and of itself.

Good times! I’m hoping to learn how to conserve energy and kayak properly. We’ll see.

I was out a couple times last summer in a borrowed boat, but it was clumsy. (Ahem, I was clumsy.) I’ve looked up info on courses, but they’re expensive and I’ve got a bunch of other stuff I want to do in the meantime. I might reconsider in June or July. In the meantime, I’m going to work on building up arm strength!

How much length and width do I need to place the kayak inside the car between the bucket seats and still have room for Frogette’s car seat and the box with the inflatable kayak and the accessories on either side?

I know I’m not brave enough to do anything crazy, but some class 1 and 2 rapids are my goal…

i wanna learn how to kayak. I live at Torrance, California and I do not have any idea where to sign up for a class. any suggestions?

Hello, 43T kayakers!

I am in the market to buy a small, used kayak that will fit inside my Honda Element when I take out the back seat.

Does anyone have any advice or suggestions? How much money do you think is reasonable to spend?

We are too heavy for all three of us to go in the inflatable kayak together, so I want to, despite our current unpredictable financial situation, break our budget and buy a used kayak.

The conditions are:
I want it to be small enough to fit in the Element. I know that the small ones are harder to steer, but I really don’t want to mess with securing a kayak to the top of the car when we already have the Element which will easily fit a small kayak inside.
Also, it has to be cheap, since even my willingness to make this out of budget expenditure is limited by the money we actually have. Even if I put it on a credit card, I eventually have to pay for it.

So, I need to start looking on Craig’s list or something like that.

Anyone reading this have advice to give me on brands or other factors for buying a small, used kayak?

YAY! I’ve registered for a complete series of classes. I have kayacked before but didn’t quite know what I was doing. This set of lessons at Ecomarine will give me all the beginner skills up to Level One so I can rent a kayack on my own. Not that i want to rent on my own, but I could.

I’m taking it with a friend I’d like to see more of so that should be fun too!!!

I bought a kayak for my son so now all three of us have one. It looks like we will be able to arrange lessons some time in January. I picked up a DVD on rolling and there is some really cool stuff on there. I can’t wait to get started.