Boat Wraps

If you own a boat, then you know the amount of pride you feel when you take your lady out on the water. The only complaint you might have is how standard most boats look. They may have a different color scheme but for the most part, the decoration styles of most boats are the same. You would like your boat to look different from the rest, but airbrushing can be extremely costly. If you really want your boat to stand out and show off your personality than a boat wrap might be just for you. This can be a wrap that shows you are part of a sailing team or if you just want to make your boat different from anyone else's in the harbor. The choice is yours.

A boat wrap or marine wraps as it is officially called is not an airbrush job. Up until recently most boat lovers spiced up the look of their boat with an airbrush job. Airbrushing costs a lot of money and time. Your boat might have to go through some prep work before the airbrush even starts and the airbrushing itself can take some time. You could be missing valuable time out on the water. With boat wrapping you don't have to worry about any of that. The boat wrap goes over almost any hull with very little prep. There is no scraping or painting required. This is why boat wrapping is so much less expensive than say an airbrush or even a detail job. Most of the time with those projects you have to prep your boat. Your boat might have to be painted or scraped. This adds into the cost of the work. With a boat wrap there is none of that which is why the cost of boat wrapping is half of what an airbrush job would cost you. Boat wraps are easy and quick to install. The whole procedure usually takes just a day and then your boat can be back in the water. If down the line you change your mind either about the design or you want to upgrade your design it can be removed or stripped off and replaced with no damage to your boats body.

The design on the wrap will vary from owner to owner. This is your boat. You can make it as exciting and colorful as you want. The best part is because it is installed over your hull, you don't have to worry about mistakes being made like you do when your boat is being airbrushed or detailed. The boat wrap company will make sure everything is perfect before they even begin to install your images on your boat. Boat wraps are printed out before they are installed on your boat so if you see something you don't' like or it doesn't meet your vision, you can change it before its put on your boat. You can't do that with airbrush.

So whether you are an avid fisherman, a boat racer, or a boater hobbyist having a boat that is different from everyone else's is more of a reality than you thought possible with boat wraps.

To learn more about custom boat wraps and companies who can supply you with one, visit http://www.signzoo.com/boat-graphics/marine-wraps/boat-graphics.html

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Hal_Lewis

Kayaking From One Side of the River to the Other

There you are standing on the shore. A hundred feet across the river on the other shore sit your buddies. And they have the food and beverages! How do you get across?

Crossing a river with a decent flow can be a bit…err, unpleasant. The basic idea is to get from your side to the other side with the minimum amount of strain and distance going downstream. There are two ways to go about this – the accepted way and my way.

The accepted way to cross a river with a decent flow is known as the eggbeater. Okay, it is really called ferrying, but the name is misleading. Regardless, this process involves paddling like hell. You launch from the shore facing upriver and begin paddling. The idea is to angle your boat such that you are paddling both upriver and across at the same time. Since the water is flowing the other way, you are essentially looking for an equilibrium where you are moving sideways, but not up or down the river.

In my humble opinion, ferrying sucks. Yes, it will get you to the other side, but you will be in a foul mood when you get there. You will be exhausted. Your arms will be like spaghetti. You will be cussing up a storm. It truly is not fun. If the river has no current or is fairly narrow, knock yourself out ferrying around. Alternatively, you can try my lazy man approach.

In my view, humans were born with hands and arms so they could paddle. Looking farther down the body, you will note that we all have legs and feet as well. Walking is a natural act. Paddling up and across a river is not. We spend much less energy and effort walking. You can see where this is headed.

A much better way to get across the river is to “sort of” ferry. Launch like you would when you ferry. In fact, ferry away until something happens. When you get to fast current on the river, forget ferrying. Who are you to challenge mother nature? Fool! Turn downstream with the flow and crank it across as fast as you can. When you come out of the flow on the other side, you will have momentum that you can use to head to shore. As you get good at it, you will be able to angle yourself to bleed the momentum off completely just as you get to shore. Now get on your feet and hoof it up the shore to your friends.

I know. I know. Won’t I have to carry my kayak? Yes. Unless you have a stainless steel kayak, it is going to require a lot less effort than ferrying. If you do have a heavy kayak, go with a novel approach. Leave it. Who is going to take it? A bear?

At the end of the day, the choice is yours. You can ferry and give yourself a seizure or use my lazy man strategy. Try ferrying a wide river a few times and I have a feeling you will come around to my viewpoint.

Rick Chapo is with NomadJournals.com - makers of paddlesports journals that make unique gifts for him.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Richard_Chapo

Camping on Catalina Island

Preparing for a Catalina Island camping trip requires some careful planning and packing, as you won't have your car or RV with you.

Since the Santa Catalina Island Conservancy owns most of Catalina, the natural beauty is well preserved, so you are in for a real treat.

There are five campgrounds on the island, not counting the boat-in campsites. Most people arrive by ferry or private boat, so you want to pack enough, but not too much.

A permit is required by all campers, which can be obtained at the Two Harbors Visitor Services or Avalon's Island Plaza. When arriving at the island, you must check in with them before going to your campground.

For Catalina Island camping reservations, call 310-510-8368. You may also be able to rent camping gear such as tents, sleeping bags and pads. All the campgrounds charge $12 per adult per night and $6 per child. They also all have a 10-day maximum stay limit. Unfortunately for campers who love to bring their dogs along, no pets are allowed.

HERMIT GULCH CAMPGROUND

Located 1 1/2 miles from the boat landing on Avalon Canyon Road, you can hike in or take a taxi from Avalon. It is set on a grassy field with trees, inland near Wrigley Memorial and Botanical Garden.

This campground has 54 tent sites. You’ll find flush toilets, showers, picnic tables, BBQs and a small store. Propane, charcoal, firewood and ice is available for sale from the rangers.

TWO HARBORS CAMPGROUND

This campground is located in Two Harbors on a bluff above the beach. You can either hike 1/4 mile uphill from Two Harbors or take the Safari Bus. There are 43 tent sites and 3 group sites. Several of the sites are sheltered, which is a blessing during the hot summer days. There are chemical toilets, cold showers, a snack bar and a coin laundry. Activities include snorkeling and biking.

LITTLE HARBOR CAMPGROUND

A third campground is the Little Harbor Campground. Located 7 miles east of Two Harbors and 16 miles west of Avalon, you can get there by hiking (for the studly), or take the Safari Bus from Two Harbors or Avalon.

This campground has 17 tent sites, of which 8 are group sites. They have chemical toilets, cold showers, picnic tables, a BBQ and a fire ring. You can snorkel and swim at two sandy beaches.

If you prefer, you can arrange in advance with Visitor Services to have your gear transported from Two Harbors for a fee.

BLACKJACK CAMPGROUND

Another of the campgrounds on Catalina Island is the Blackjack Campground. It is located near Mt. Orizaba, which is the highest peak on the island. It is inland, set amongst the trees. Located 9 miles west of Avalon and 11 1/2 miles east of Two Harbors off Old Stage Road, you can access it by a 1 1/2 mile hike to the campground. To get to the trailhead, hike in or take the Safari Bus or Airport Shuttle from Avalon. You can check in at either Avalon's Island Plaza or Two Harbors Guest Services.

This campground has 11 primitive tent sites, along with chemical toilets, BBQ, fire ring and picnic tables.

PARSON’S LANDING CAMPGROUND

This campground is found between Land's End and Arrow Point. Located 7 miles west of Two Harbors, you must hike in or come by kayak to get there.

It has 8 primitive tent sites, chemical toilets, BBQ, fire ring and picnic tables. There is no water so you must bring your own. They may include water and firewood in the fee, so double-check this when you make your reservation. It faces the beach, which is nice, but it is advisable to bring your own shade

BOAT-IN CAMPSITES

A unique way to experience Catalina Island camping is by boat or kayak. There are nine named boat-in camping areas in all, covering a total of 17 campsites.

All are situated around the northeast shore of Avalon. They are primitive sites with no water, toilets or moorings. You must pack out your trash and bring your own portable toilets and water. No fires are allowed. A ranger will check you in and then checks on each site daily. Kayak rentals are available in Avalon. For more information, call 310-510-7265.

If you love to camp by the beach, try getting away from the hustle and bustle and crowds of the mainland by camping on Catalina Island.

Laura Eggers operates the website http://www.southern-california-beaches-vacation-guide.com, which offers visitors a plethora of information about the different beach areas to help with planning their beach vacation in sunny Southern California.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Laura_Eggers

Whitewater Kayaking in Wisconsin

The beautifully diverse state of Wisconsin is crossed with beautiful and scenic rivers frequented by both kayakers and canoeists, as well as those enjoying a day of tubing, rafting, or just relaxing on the river. With more than 40 rivers for kayaking and canoeing, it is no wonder the whitewater kayaking in Wisconsin is some of the best in the nation. This brief guide will cover some of the best whitewater kayaking spots in Wisconsin.

The Bad River, winding through northern Wisconsin, offers more than 40 miles of whitewater for kayaking and rafting. Beginning at Devil’s Gate footbridge in Ashland County, intermediate whitewater kayakers can brave class I through III rapids for 18.8 miles of scenic, mountainous views before ending at Elm Hoist Road. Another popular stretch of the Bad River for advanced whitewater kayaking also begins at Devil’s Gate footbridge and boasts 6.2 miles of class III-V rapids, as well as breathtaking views of the Gogebic Range in Wisconsin.

There are many other sections of the Bad River that offer fun and exciting whitewater kayaking adventures for experienced paddlers, as well as a few calmer Wisconsin kayaking rivers nearby. If you are planning on kayaking Bad River, there are a limited number of hotels in the area and a few nearby campgrounds. It is recommended that you make reservations for overnight accommodations in advance. The best time to kayak the Bad River is in the spring, but the landscape is quite colorful in the fall. A variety of plant and animal life is abundant along the undeveloped shoreline and Native American artifacts have been discovered as well.

The Montreal River, passing through Iron and Gogebic Counties in Wisconsin, offers 40 miles of whitewater kayaking for paddlers of all experience levels. The Erickson Road to Saxon Falls Dam section of the Montreal River is a relaxing 16.7 mile paddle with class I and II rapids, perfect for beginners or to warm up for the highly difficult western fork of the river. The challenging western branch of the Montreal River features class II through V rapids and several waterfalls for an ultimate whitewater kayaking experience.

Accommodations can be found at several nearby hotels and campgrounds. The water gates at the area dams can create very low water levels at times, so it is recommended to check on gate openings before planning your whitewater kayaking trip. If the water is too low, the Montreal River is practically impassable. You can also enjoy hiking to Wisconsin’s beautiful waterfalls or whitewater kayaking on the other numerous rivers nearby.

There are plenty of majestic rivers that offer outstanding whitewater kayaking in Wisconsin, from a refreshing paddle down the east fork of the Chippewa River to the heart-stopping rapids of the Potato River. Several of Wisconsin’s whitewater rivers are perfect for multiple day kayak trips. Plan ahead and make the necessary preparations for overnight camping along the river and remember a durable, lightweight camping tent like the Coleman Exponent Krypton 2 that comfortably sleeps two and weighs less than 8 pounds.

For more tips and information about Camping Gear, check out http: www.summitcampinggear.com.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Nicole_Munoz

Kayaking - Indiana

When you think of kayaking, you probably do not think of Indiana. If you are in the state, however, kayaking in Indiana may prove to be surprisingly fun.

Indiana is not the first state in which you might expect to find water activities or sports. Relatively landlocked, and located in the Midwest away from any coastal areas, Indiana still manages to play host to a number of outdoor activities involving water. One such activity is kayaking – Indiana offers both the experienced and novice kayak paddler a great place to enjoy this exciting water sport. The many kayak rental and tour companies found on the rivers of Indiana offer families and others a great place to explore the world of kayaking.

A kayak is a human-powered boat, meaning that no motors or external power such as wind is used to power the boat. It is typically a covered canoe shaped boat, that also includes a canopy over the cockpit, or area where the paddler sits. Kayaks are paddled with at least two paddles, and generally can hold between one and three paddlers. Kayaks are also designed quite differently than canoes, although shaped somewhat similarly, and are not at all the same even though in some countries such as Great Britain they are both called canoes.

One place that kayaking Indiana is really popular is at Blue's Canoe Livery, located in a remote spot 45 miles south of Indianapolis, Indiana. Blue's Canoe Livery offers canoe and kayaking trips on the Driftwood River, which runs through the central southern portion of the state. This canoe tour company stocks enough canoes and kayaks that they can outfit several large groups at a time, meaning that you needn't bring your own equipment – they'll be sure to have some you can rent. Camping is also available through Blue's Canoe Livery.

This kayaking company offers trips from their livery to Atterbury (a trip that takes two to three hours and is about six miles long), and from the livery to Furnas Mill (an eight mile long trip that takes three to five hours). If you choose to take part in the overnight camping available here, you can use your own tent, and modern amenities such as hot showers are available.

No matter which place you choose for kayaking, Indiana offers many different rivers and tour guides to make your kayaking adventure exciting and comfortable. You can choose to kayak on a day trip, stay overnight, or even make an entire vacation based around this fun water sport – it's all up to you and your family!

Rick Chapo is with NomadJournals.com - makers of paddle sport journals that make unique birthday gifts.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Richard_Chapo

The Thrills and Scares of Kayaking

Have you ever wanted to ride the Rapids, see the mountains from a new view, and feel the water washing over you as you tackled the raging river? If any of these apply to you then you are looking for the Thrill of Kayaking. Kayaking is often considered an adrenaline junkie sport, due to taking on a rampaging river in nothing but a small covered boat. This is the closest any sport can get to finding true difficulties that combine with nervous sensations condensed into the shortest time possible.

As a man or woman, you cannot compare the combination of skill, keeping your cool, and using dexterity, while using only your hands, eyes, and head. The feel of knowing when to strike, while knowing that the water and rocks surrounding you can and will take you down. Cooling that quenching fire in you while embracing the thrill of the rapids and the idea of concurring nature.

This may help to explain the fascination with Kayaking making it the popular sport it is, however the professionalism of the sport may have a large part in it as well. To find your real experience while navigating the waters, you might consider going to one of these very popular Rivers. You can go as far as New Zealand and the The Shotover River, The Buller River, The Karamea River, each located on South Island; or The Rangitikei River, The Mohaka River on North Island.

If you do not want to travel that far then maybe you want to go somewhere here in the U.S. such as The Tuolumne River in California, The Chattooga River in Georgia, The Rogue River, and The Illinois River in Oregon, also The Middle Fork of the Salmon, and The Selway River both in Idaho. There are plenty of resources available as well, these will help you to learn about Kayaking and the history of Kayaking.

Kayaks were developed by natives in the Arctic regions. They were used to hunt on Island Lakes and in the coastal waters of the Arctic Ocean, Bering Sea, North Atlantic, and North Pacific. The Kayaks were made from animal skins stretched across a wooden frame. Archaeologists have traced the Kayak back to over 4,000 years ago, with the oldest left on exhibit in the State Museum of Ethnology in Munich.

Even areas in the Pacific Ocean have their own version of the Kayak, these places range from Hawaii to the Tonga and farther. The basic design is still the same with only the materials changing throughout time, once animal skin and wood made up the Kayak, where now you will find more made of Fiberglass and High-Tech Plastic.

The Kayak and Canoe have a general goal in mind but the Kayak goes farther and maneuvers easier on Ocean trips and White Water Rapids. The only real thing separating the Kayak is the use of them, this will determine what is added or taken away from each Kayak. Performance and handle are also different which each style of Kayak, and while some are designed for the Rapids others are intended for more laid back uses.

Kayaking has been growing for centuries but in the last 10 years or so from the 1990’s to today saw the most growth in the actual sport of Kayaking. The sport of Kayaking has even made it into races and the Olympics.

Learn all about the best areas to kayak, safety tips, proper equipment and technique at: http://www.kayakingbasics.com

Kayaking.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Rita_Lambros-Segur

Essential And Life Saving Safety Tips Highly Recommended In Kayaking!

In every endeavour that man engages himself, the issue of safety is an issue that should be highly imbibed. There should be no excuses as this can mean the loss of life when safety precautions are not honored. In the area of Kayaking, it is vital that every Kayaker should consider this as important as the art of Kayaking itself. No wonder the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has its rules concerning safety when it comes to Aviation matters.

If you are a Kayaker, you should already know that Kayaking is a sports adventure that is risky by nature and must be fully understood before anyone goes into it. Hence it is advisable if you are just starting, to understand such issues as reading the behaviour of water at different times of the day. Because this will help you to avoid being in the water when stormy weathers appear. This can cause the upsetting of the calm waters and may have catastrophic effect on anything floating on the waters. Apart from that, you want to make sure that your Kayaking equipments are high quality and you have learnt enough Kayaking skills to sufficiently take you through the waters without trouble.

On the other hand, you want to also learn how to swim. All professional Kayakers must as a requirement know how to swim very well. Obviously, since Kayaking is a water adventure, you need to fully understand the water in all areas to avoid being caught unaware by unforseen water events. To fully acquaint yourself with swimming, you will need to learn the art of swimming from either a professional swimmer or visit a neighborhood area that allows swimming in a pool. You must initially have the assistance of a lifebouy or water jacket to help in bouyancy while learning the swimming strokes. Such strokes as breast and butterfly are strokes you should learn how use to your advantage. When you have done all this, it is necessary that you repeat this swimming session over a period of time till you are comfortable on the waters without a life jacket while swimming.

One thing that might cause you fright for the novice Kayaker, is water creatures. You need not be afraid of them because when they see you with your Kayak, they swim away thinking you are one big fish trying to prey on them, unless if you are in inland waters where if any shark exist at all, can hardly find its way upstream. So you need not be afraid of the waters.

Learning how to swim first before kayaking will help you to avoid panic when problem situations arise in the water, it will help you to skillfully and confidently battle any difficulty you may have in the water when you eventually meet them. When you are through with your learning exercise on swimming, you can go to a real but not deep water to practice what you have learnt. If you don't have access to one, you might consider going with an experienced swimmer to the real water and try and test difficult situations and see how you are able to conquer and manage them. Over time you will see that you are confident and poised as you master all the techniques in Swimming and Kayaking.

For the Kayaker, who is a pro, his watch word is "Always Be Prepared". Expect problems even if they are never there. This will help you to successfully battle any one incase of any eventuality in Kayaking.

Joe Okoro writes about Kayaking in his free reports. You can sign up for his courses and get additional information by visiting: http://www.coolcashjackpot.com/kayakingform.htm

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Joe_Okoro

Highly Advised Safety precautions for Kayakers and Boat Riders!

One of the riskiest sporting adventure one can think of is Whitewater Kayaking. If you are Kayaking, special attention should be paid to safety, and precautions should be your watch word. To maximise your safety, you will need to practice very well before you start Kayaking. On few occasions, the Kayak may capsize. When this happens, the person who is paddling the Kayak is turned upside down while still stuck in the seat of the Kayak/Boat. On occasions like this, you will need to wear a floating gear to avoid drowning. It is also important that you do not panic as this will make you loose control of the situation and the consequences may be fatal.

In order words, it is better and safer that you must have completed your Kayaking practice sessions in waters that are not deep prior to your initial Kayaking. Test and efficiently master all the Kayaking strokes to keep the Kayak afloat and balanced. With this done, there is lesser chance of your Kayak capsizing when you are sporting or travelling with it.

Let's us take a look at some of the rules of Kayaking.

1. Always have a safety gear while Kayaking.
2. You must always wear a life jacket while Kayaking.

The above requirements are put in place by the Coast Guards as a rule and by most countries and you must abide by them.

Below are some answers to some problem situations that might arise while Kayaking.

How do I help myself when my Kayak/boat tumbles?

If you are Kayaking in Whitewater the best thing to do will be to disengage yourself from the boat as quickly as you can. Because allowing yourself a little while longer can increase your danger as rocks pave way and water runs faster in Whitewater. If you have practiced before Kayaking, you should be able to hold your breath for at least 30 seconds to 1 minute in preparation for this event whenever it happens.

Is it possible for me to gain access and balance to the Kayak again?

Yes it is. However, this depends on the make and type of the Kayak, that is why you will need to have a good understanding of the Kayak before Kayaking. It is recommended that you see the user manual of any Kayak you will be using. This will give you insight on how to best handle any Kayak when problem situations like this arises.

What type of clothing should I put on while Kayaking?

If you will be Kayaking on temperate area where you are at a risk of freezing, then Wet Suit is advised in addition to the life jacket that you will be wearing. However, if you are not on temperate zone, there is no need for a wet suit.

Is Rushing recommended if my boat tumbles?

You don't have to rush. Allow the floating of the boat to carry you safely to the shore. Unless you have a fast running water, which will obviously rush you to wherever you maneuver yourself to.

Is there any standard rule that Kayakers must follow?

From the forgoing, it is evident that there are some rules that must be followed for you to successfully and safely Kayak. These I have mentioned throughout this article as stated above, do well to go through them and you will have little or no problem when you are ready for one of the most exciting, adventurous, and exciting sports of our time in the natural waters.

Joe Okoro writes about Kayaking in his free reports. You can sign up for his courses and get additional information by visiting: http://www.coolcashjackpot.com/kayakingform.htm

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Joe_Okoro

The Highly Recommended Basic Safety Rules And Codes In Kayaking!

There are some basic recommendations that are mandatory if you must Kayak in the waters. These codes and recommendations are for the safety of every Kayaker. As a matter of fact if you do not learn them and apply them so well, you stand at a risk of loosing your life. This is due to the fact that Kayaking is a risky adventure that many Olympic athlete undergoes. To be fully competent and qualified, you must abide by these rules. What are these codes and rules?

To acquaint yourself fully with these rules and codes, you will need to read up articles on the AWA safety codes. This will give you a good insight into how you can benefit yourself and apply yourself. These rules must be followed before you ever venture into the waters. You must understand that all the codes and rules work in your favour.

Among the codes of conduct you will see in the AWA is the personal safety rule. This include responsibility for your actions; which means you must know how to swim very well, you must have a lifebouy or jacket that allows bouyancy, you must learn to control your Kayak at all times, having the ability to stop, reverse or row away from an imminent danger on the water, You must be confident to maneuver difficult water terrain.

In Kayaking, you must always be prepared for danger situations. Alertness at all times is a prerequisite for you. The AWA lists all possible problem situations you may confront. One of them is Kayaking on a high speed waters and having the ability and strenght as well as skill to control your boat.

Other rules include what you put on. You must always put on the proper attire. Be it cold water or extreme weather that can cause freezing. A measure of warmth should be provided by your attire. You may want to know that the waters too have its own life and to fully interact successfully in its terrain, you must understand how life interacts there. In it you will see rocks, fallen trees, broken dams, piles and other possible obstruction that can cause a hitch to your Kayaking activity. You do well to acknowledge this.

All this information will help you to be fully prepared and make you alert at all time. You will learn to study the waters and foresee any obstacles on your way even before you get there.

In areas where you have dams, you want to be wary of such places because an inexperienced Kayaker can have problems here. Sometimes it appears as if the water is going upstream, but in reality it is not. In principle, if you did not understand this and plow ahead, calamity is imminent. However, for the experienced Kayaker the best thing to do under this situation will be to swim underneath the waters or try getting out of the water.

Kayaking activities require that you go out in groups. Teamwork is used for racing in the waters. When you go out take atleast one person and learn group Kayaking. This will help you accomplish some paddling skills that is needed to win when racing on the water as a group. You must be in top health condition to do this because the sports called Kayaking is an activity that saps strenght. So you need lots of it to triumph.

What about Rescue drills? It is one thing you should learn. If a Kayaking member is in trouble how do you help him? You will need repeated practice on rescue drills to do this. Some drills include how to administer artificial respiration, and other underwater activity that can aid you in floating a capsized Kayak back on board.

There are a lot of information to be learned as a Kayaker, you can get more information by going online to search for this or visit any Library and search for this information on the AWA rules and code of conduct.

Joe Okoro writes about Kayaking in his free reports. You can sign up for his courses and get additional information by visiting: http://www.coolcashjackpot.com/kayakingform.htm

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Joe_Okoro

Perfecting Skills Needed To Win Your Competitors In Kayaking Racing!

Preparation is one aspect that defines a good performer in any human endeavour. In everything we do to better our lives such as sports competition, public talk, training and so on, preparation makes all the obvious difference.

Bringing it home, every sports person must as a rule always prepare to perfect his skill in whatever sporting activity he is engaging himself in. In the area of Kayaking, this fact also holds true. Kayaking is a sporting activity which has gradually gained popularity to the extent that it became one of Olympics major and recognised water racing sports in the year 1936. The Canoeist or Kayakers gain up to 10,000 meters in water racing events.

The Olympic records has all the details concerning prominent historical events about Kayaking such as the 117 km of the Danish Race or that of Arkansas in the 25 Mile race. All these are in the achives and can be accessed by anyone interested in the subject.

The sport of Kayaking has many facets, there is whitewater kayaking, Wild water and so on. Wild water is a famous one that Kayakers also participates in. To engage in this sport, the Kayaker must be very trained and must have learnt all the required technical skills for this sport. For the professional Kayakers, a method that has always worked for them while Kayaking is leaving their paddle in the Kayak while the kayak is hauled down into the stream. They support the vessel with all their knees and at the same time try to avoid serious injuries that might result from this action.

Most Kayakers exercise caution when choosing Kayak. Their boat is usually longer for racing and is made of light weight material such as fiberglass. Though nowadays hot mold veneer is another light weight Kayak that has almost the same mechanical properties with the fiberglass made boats, but it is a better option. A Professional Kayaker Also select two seat Kayak knowing fully well that these types races faster than the single seat or conventional kayaks.

The racing comes in two forms; long distance and sprint racing. The sprint racing need too much strenght of the muscle because of the quick succession of paddle strokes you will employ while Kayaking. Unlike the long distance, where you will need a lesser succession of strokes. However, before ever engaging in Kayaking race, as a matter of fact, you must train long and hard. You must have a schedule you will stick to, to make sure you have perfected your Kayaking skills before you ever venture into Kayaking. I must warn you that Kayaking requires too much strenght of the muscle to make it a success for the competitors. Therefore you must train yourself to withstand strenght strain over prolong use of the muscle.

In the real Kayaking competition, the decision to use any stroke to achieve your main goal of winning the race totally depends on your good knowledge of the various strokes and manuvrability style to suit any particular situation. You will need to understand and master the basic strokes which include draw, telemark, and reverse strokes. Then fully understand through practice that some of the stroke application are not always specific to any particular situation, you can always improvise any strategy that you feel will save any tough situation in a race.

To succeed, you need discipline. During training make goals, stick to them and achieve them. Write a checklist, follow it through and jot down each accomplished goals as you go, also include details such as your pulse rate, paddling, strokes, weight and so on.

Finally, consistent practice, self discipline, training, developing of useful skills, determination plus an enduring strenght is the key to out beat your competition when it comes to Kayaking race. Apply the above strategy and you will surely win.

Joe Okoro writes about Kayaking in his free reports. You can sign up for his courses and get additional information by visiting: http://www.coolcashjackpot.com/kayakingform.htm

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Joe_Okoro

Trekking, Mountaineering, and Sea Kayaking Equipment - How to Buy Gear Without Spending a Fortune

Having the correct equipment for a trekking, mountaineering, or sea kayaking trip, be it for 1 day or 100, is critical. I know it sounds cliche, but, at times, your tent or raincoat really is the only thing standing between you and big problems. That said, you don't have to go out and spend a fortune on equipment. The trick is knowing where you can save, and where you should splurge.


I'll begin with the items you should spend some money on, getting the best you can: a backpack and a pair of boots. You will be wearing your backpack everyday, with loads from 2-40 kg (4-80 lbs.). That's a lot of weight. And there's no faster way to ruin a good trip than to have a backpack that doesn't fit correctly. For a 1-3 day trekking, sea kayaking, or mountaineering trip, we recommend a bag of at least 45 liters. It needs to be large enough to carry everything you need without having a hundred things dangling off your pack. For longer expeditions, you'll need a bigger pack, potentially much bigger. For week long trips, a minimum of 75 liters is required to hold everything, and I often use a 95-110 liter bag for mountaineering trips where I'll be carrying rope or climbing gear. The Arc Teryx Bora 95 or the Osprey Crescent 110 are good places to start, as there aren't many bags this size on the market. As far as I know, Osprey makes the only womens only 100+ liter bag (Luna 110).

Just as important as getting the right bag is getting it fitted properly. It's worth calling ahead to your local gear shop to make an appointment with someone who really knows what they're doing. Gear shops, big and small, tend to have a few really good salespeople, and it's worth coming back to speak with one of them.

The other difficult-to-get-right piece of equipment is boots. Whether you're shopping for leather or plastic boots, try and find the shop(s) with the largest selection of shoes. Try on many pairs, even if the first ones you try feel good. You may find something that fits better. A good tip is to try on shoes in the afternoon, as your feet will swell during the day. When you've found a pair that you like, take your time to test them; walk around the store for at least 30 minutes. Kick some stairs to see if your toes hit the front of the boot easily. Stand on an edge and see if your heels lift up a lot. Any problems you have now will be magnified 1000 times when you're in the mountains. It's also worth asking about the store's exchange/return policy. Often you can take the shoes home and wear them INSIDE for a few days to make sure they're right for you. Do it! Lastly, if the first (or second or third) shop you go to doesn't have the right ones for you, go somewhere else. Boots and backpacks need to fit well.

Luckily, the rest of your kit doesn't have to be top notch or brand new. Things like Gore-tex jackets and pants can often be found at thrift stores/op shops/charity stores for $20-30. Gore-tex is essentially the same today as it was in 1995, so buy a used Gore-tex coat and pants. Just make sure it's in good condition; make sure the zips work and the fabric is in good shape. To help revitalize old Gore-tex, use a product called TX Direct from Nikwax (or similar). It's a spray on waterproof coating that comes on all new Gore-tex style coats, and tends to wear off over a few weeks. With a quick spray, and your coat is like new. This product is available at REI, EMS, Cotswolds, and most other outdoor shops.

The same goes for baselayers, hats, gloves, and the like. You can pick up a pair of old long underwear for $3-5 in most used clothing stores. They may smell a bit, but take them home, use a bit of Fabreeze, and you'll be just fine. And you get extra fashion points if your long undies are the ugliest of the expedition (think: The Hamburgler). You shouldn't have any problem locating used goods for most of your clothing.

The only piece of gear to specifically avoid buying used are sleeping bags, particularly synthetic sleeping bags. Sythetic fill (polarguard, hollofil, primaloft or any of the other types of synthetic fill) wears out quickly. After 3 months of regular use, a bag that was rated to -10 will only be warm to 0 (or warmer). The moral here is not to spend a fortune on a bag at all, as they don't keep their temperature rating very long. If you look around, you can very often find brand new -10 degree synthetic sleeping bags for $80-$100. Get a decent, inexpensive bag that still compresses down to a small size (about 10" x 20" is a good, average size for a 0 degree bag). Strike that balance between price and size, and you'll be fine.

In general, keep in mind that fit and function are much more important than fashion. There are lots of people who sell gear because it isn't in the new season's colors or they didn't like the way it looked on them. You may look a bit silly in bright orange jacket and pants, but your bank account will be much happier for it. And, hey, use the extra money to visit some exotic place, like Patagonia...

If you'd like to know more about what you should bring on a trip, please take a look at these example gear lists

Benjamin Gorelick is the owner of Extremely Patagonia Expeditions. Extremely Patagonia has more than 50 years combined expertise providing quality trekking, sea kayaking, and mountaineering expeditions in remote Patagonia, Chile, as well as wilderness medicine and avalanche safety courses in Patagonia.

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