| Rivers, Lakes, Coast, Mountains, wild life, bird life, fishing, | | | | what rules and regulations apply to kayaking there. |
| sailing -- experience the great outdoors. All these can | | | | (Usually you do not need a license or certificate.) |
| be seen and enjoyed from a kayak. Take along a | | | | Check where you can launch your kayak from -- |
| camera to capture unforgettable moments. | | | | there should be some spots where it's possible to go |
| Kayaking is fun, and it's exercise too. Sometimes | | | | down to the waters edge and launch, without joining a |
| dangerous, (don't try whitewater until you have some | | | | club. |
| experience), often exhilarating and there is always | | | | The second step is to decide what type of kayak to |
| something to strive for. The Eskimo roll for instance, is | | | | buy. There is such a wide choice today. Perhaps, as |
| how you right yourself when you find yourself upside | | | | it's a first, start at the inflatable kayak level. Inflatables |
| down in the water while still in your kayak. | | | | weigh very little, so they are easy to transport. If you |
| The origin of kayaks is with the Eskimos. They used | | | | are conscious of being environmentally friendly -- |
| them for hunting walrus and seals in the coastal | | | | deflated -- they may be transported by bicycle. They |
| waters of the Arctic. You can imagine how very cold | | | | also very easily fit into a car boot or a roof-pod, |
| that was. Their kayaks were made of sea lion or seal | | | | widening your choice of destinations, since you will be |
| hide sewn over a frame of wood. A hunter sat facing | | | | able to go places which might be difficult if your car |
| forward on the floor of the kayak, and a watertight | | | | was pulling a trailer. And, if you really don't want to |
| 'skirt' was constructed around the body which sealed | | | | splurge a lot of money on a sport you're only just |
| him in (is that where our word 'seal' came from?). This | | | | trying out, then here are two suggestions. |
| was very necessary as he had to be able to get back | | | | For under $100, the solo K1 Challenger by Intex, weighs |
| to shore. You don't survive easily when you're | | | | in at 27 ¾ lbs. |
| stranded in Arctic waters. | | | | For 2 people, at under $120, there is the Challenger K2, |
| "Can anyone paddle a kayak?" you ask. Anyone can | | | | 40lbs, by Intex or the Sevylor Tahiti Classic, 25lbs. |
| start to paddle a kayak. Take it slow. Start on still | | | | Some points to note: |
| water on inland lakes. Wear a PFD (Personal Flotation | | | | 1. The oars don't necessarily come with the kayak. |
| Device -- like a life jacket), and get one your size. | | | | They usually need to be bought separately. |
| Take along a cell phone and a compass. Oh, and | | | | 2. If you're going into out-of-the-usual places, pack a |
| insect repellent! | | | | picnic. |
| "Where do I start?" you ask. | | | | 3. Check out the pump which comes with inflatables. |
| Actually, two places. The first is to decide where you | | | | Some of them are said to take a while to do their |
| want to go. Phone up your local authority and find out | | | | work. Customer comments give a good idea of the |
| where the nearest popular place for still water is. Ask | | | | pros and cons of some deals. |