Kayaking, anyone?
Posted: Mon Apr 23, 2018 9:29 pm
I met for the first time, last week, with a gal's kayaking group in a nearby little town. Gray-hairs like myself, gals only, casual floating on the river (about 25 minutes from me), lunch afterwards. Their group is an offshoot of their local garden club. Never met these gals before but thought I'd dip my toe into the proverbial waters. A new group of friends!
For now, I'm able to borrow/test drive some kayaks, but since it has been nearly 30 years since I've even been in/on one, I'd like to get basic skills up to par before obtaining my own vessel. Most of these gals have sit-on kayaks, since this particular river has no white water, no hugely challenging sections, and the sit-ons are easier to get in and out of. I'll probably get a sit-on (sit upon? when I have my own.
I've discovered that I really like a seat back that is very upright, I like a longer paddle, and I like (so far) the kayaks in the 8-10' range. Speaking as a total newbie, of course. DH is agitating for me to consider something 12-14' long (his beer buddies have this size---they are all taller than me!). I prefer to have a kayak that I can man-handle into/out of my truck on my own if I really take to this endeavor. We are land-locked here, so no sea kayaking. Lakes are about an hour or two away, but rivers are much closer.
I'd value some input from those who kayak occasionally or routinely re: length, features, brands, etc. Thanks in advance!
For now, I'm able to borrow/test drive some kayaks, but since it has been nearly 30 years since I've even been in/on one, I'd like to get basic skills up to par before obtaining my own vessel. Most of these gals have sit-on kayaks, since this particular river has no white water, no hugely challenging sections, and the sit-ons are easier to get in and out of. I'll probably get a sit-on (sit upon? when I have my own.
I've discovered that I really like a seat back that is very upright, I like a longer paddle, and I like (so far) the kayaks in the 8-10' range. Speaking as a total newbie, of course. DH is agitating for me to consider something 12-14' long (his beer buddies have this size---they are all taller than me!). I prefer to have a kayak that I can man-handle into/out of my truck on my own if I really take to this endeavor. We are land-locked here, so no sea kayaking. Lakes are about an hour or two away, but rivers are much closer.
I'd value some input from those who kayak occasionally or routinely re: length, features, brands, etc. Thanks in advance!