Sea Kayaking Kodiak, Alaska - Exploring an Island Paradise

Thousands of miles of awe-inspiring coastline have enticed a small, but growing, number of adventurers to discover the wonders of sea kayaking Southwest Alaska. At the forefront of destinations in this remote region is Kodiak. The island is the second largest island in the United States, yet, owing to it’s numerous fjords, no point of land on Kodiak Island is more than 15 miles from the sea. Don’t be deceived by Kodiak’s listing as the fourth-largest community in Alaska; it is still small enough to get by with it’s one traffic light turned off.
Locals have long known of Kodiak’s natural bounty; native Koniag hunters used the qayaq or baidarka for thousands of years for hunting, transportation and recreation. Today, the community boasts more than 100 resident paddlers, young and old, and experience levels vary from recreational to expedition-ready. Despite its reputation as a fishing community, on the streets of this town more watercraft are carried on roof racks than trailers. From their lofty perch atop vehicles, Kodiak’s kayaks pivot through the city’s bustle between evening and weekend paddling outings, making their way to the rocky islets and protected bays unique to the island.
The geophysical relief of Kodiak Island is phenomenal. Rocky coasts at sea level quickly rise to 3,000-foot peaks in the space of a few miles. Ice fields still dominate the interior of the island, and snow is visible on the major peaks though midsummer. At sea level, coasts with easterly exposure consist of jagged rock cliffs and towering spires, while more protected shores may enjoy gentle coastline and broad beaches, either white from volcanic ash or black from volcanic shale. With a long look east toward continental North America some 500 miles away, Kodiak is one of the few places on the west coast where one can watch the sun rise over the Pacific.
Within a day’s paddle from the city, kayakers can visit any of a dozen uninhabited islands. These waters are also home to five species of whale, which come to Kodiak to feed continuously during the long summer days. Whale sightings just offshore are relatively common to local paddlers. Though Kodiak can be exposed to the ferocity of the North Pacific, during the summer months calm winds and seas prevail, and open-ocean crossings of one to three miles are commonplace. A series of these crossings intermixed with coastal exploration suggest possibilities for roundtrip expeditions from simple overnights to weeks-long trips of several hundred miles.
On windier days, a short drive from the City of Kodiak to Anton Larsen Bay provides paddlers an escape from the easterly seas, and is home to an abundance of seabirds and aquatic wildlife who seem to take a similar interest in the refuge provided there. Sea otters in this bay, once hunted by paddlers in baidarkas, watch curiously from a safe distance. When heavy surf is on the menu, drive to the nearby Pasagshak beaches to find surf kayakers, surfers and harbor seals riding waves alongside one another, and put in to ride some of the island’s wildest waves.
Kodiak is proud of its kayaking heritage and newfound status as an adventurer’s destination. Several local shops and outfitters provide kayak sales, equipment and guided tours and rentals. Paddlers wave to one another, passing in cars or out in the channel. Whether it’s for the recreational or expedition paddler, Kodiak is a world-class sea kayaking destination.
About the Author: Andy Schroeder is a sea kayaking guide, boat captain and adventure writer. He is the owner of Orcas Unlimited, an Alaska-based eco-tourism outfitter.
Resources: Kodiak Island Convention and Visitor’s Bureau; http://www.kodiak.org/
Orcas Unlimited Charters of Kodiak; http://www.orcasunlimited.com/
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Kayaking in Washington State

There are some states that lend themselves to kayaking while others do not. Kayaking in Washington State will quickly lead you to conclude Washington is one of the top states for a paddle.
The West Coast of the United States is a great place to take your family's next vacation. The many different climates, scenery and outdoor spots to see make this area of the country a good choice for a trip that will be memorable and enjoyable. One state to make sure to see on your trip to the west coast is Washington – and an activity you should be sure to do while here is kayaking. Kayaking in Washington state can be perfect for the whole family.
Kayaking is a great water sport for those who want a little adventure on their next vacation. A kayak is a type of small watercraft that is human-powered, meaning the passengers must paddle the boat in order to get to their destination, instead of just relying on a motor or wind power. Kayaks are typically covered boats with a canoe-like shape, that also include a spray skirt that covers the passengers (paddlers) sitting in the cockpit. A kayak can accommodate between one and three paddlers at a time.
Washington is a state that's perfect for both beginners and experts to enjoy kayaking. The beautiful inlet waters of Puget Sound offer a protected and tranquil area for people who want to try the more challenging sport of sea kayaking. San Juan Island, located near Seattle, Washington, are a perfect place to sea kayak, and this place even offers the opportunity to see orca whales while paddling! MSNBC (news network) even rated kayaking by San Juan Island one of the top ten adventures in the United States.
San Juan Safaris offers some of the most highly rated kayaking in Washington state, with three hour sea kayaking tours and three hour family kayaking tours available to take part in. Take your trip during spring, summer or fall to make sure that you'll see the beautiful orca whales cresting in the ocean while you're paddling your kayak on your tour. You can also rent a kayak from San Juan Safaris, and while on San Juan Island, enjoy some of the hiking and other outdoor activities that are available.
Whether you're with the family or on your own, kayaking in Washington State is a great trip for those who are looking for a different sort of outdoor vacation. Sea kayaking, with its adventurous spirit as well as relaxing scenery, makes a good trip for anyone looking to try something new – and you'll be sure to want to return again and again.
Rick Chapo is with NomadJournals.com - makers of paddle sport journals that make unique birthday gifts.
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Sea Kayaking in Hampton Roads

The beautiful Tidewater area of Virginia, also referred to as Hampton Roads, offers a wide variety of sun-filled activities for tourists and locals alike. From sandy beaches and amusement parks to aquariums and zoos, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, and the surrounding areas have activities that are sure to please everyone. The Hampton Roads area is also well known for its terrific sea kayaking areas.
The oceans, bays, and inlets of Hampton Roads offer sea kayakers miles and miles of tranquil and scenic waterways. There are a number of kayaking tours available in the area, including ecological tours that examine the wondrous plant and animal life of the Tidewater area. More experienced kayakers can rent equipment from one of the many outfitters located throughout the area or can bring their own equipment to enjoy their own adventure in one of the popular Hampton Roads kayaking areas.
Rudee Inlet is a great launch site for beginning kayakers or those looking for a short, easy paddle. Just outside of the oceanfront area of Virginia Beach, the Rudee Inlet boat launch is right by the popular marine science museum. A variety of fish, birds, and plant life are visible along the shores near the launch and to the south of the ramp. The southern portion of Rudee Inlet ends after about half a mile. To the north of the ramp, another half a mile out, is the entrance to the Atlantic Ocean. Watch out for other boaters while paddling this section. Fishing in the inlet is excellent, especially around the bridge just before the ocean. The Rudee Inlet boat launch provides plenty of parking for cars and trailers and there are two commercial campgrounds nearby as well as a state park with oceanside camping facilities.
At the northern end of Virginia Beach’s oceanfront strip is the Lynnhaven Inlet, which feeds into both the Atlantic Ocean and the Lynnhaven River. The fairly new boat launch charges a $2.00 fee for kayaks and can be quite busy during peak season. The channel leading to the sea is generally full of jet skis and large motorboats, but the river is ideal for kayaking in Hampton Roads. The saltwater marshes of the Lynnhaven River are home to several species of birds, including the Bald Eagle. The river also provides a great view of some of the best residential real estate in Virginia Beach. There are several resorts and hotels nearby, as well as First Landing State Park with a campground. Beware of wind and tides around the Lynnhaven Inlet because it can have a drastic affect on the water condition and depth.
If you are looking for a great area for a weekend kayaking trip in Hampton Roads, try False Cape State Park, a land barrier between Back Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. False Cape is surrounded by the Back Bay Wildlife Refuge, so there is no access to vehicles. There are several ways to enter the park while kayaking, but the waters of the Back Bay are recommended for experienced paddlers only. If you plan to camp in one of False Cape’s four primitive tent campgrounds, you will need reservations and will most likely want to leave from the Little Island City Park boat launch in Sandbridge, just south of Virginia Beach. Overnight parking is permitted as long as your camping confirmation letter is visible in the dash. Barbour Hill Bay is 6.9 miles from the launch and offers a boat ramp and camping, while the bay side of False Cape Landing offers the same and is 8.7 miles away. Ocean camp sites are also available, but there is no boat landing on this side. Fires are not permitted inside the prak, so bring along a small camp stove, like the Coleman Breeze, if you plan to cook during your stay. Kayaking to False Cape is a great Hampton Roads kayaking day trip for advanced kayakers as well. Picnic areas are easily accessible from the boat ramps.
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Modern Kayak Types

Modern kayaks may be categorized into sea kayak, white water kayak, racing kayak, and surf kayak. These kayaks are made from wood, rotomolded plastic, fiberglass, carbon fiber, Kevlar, or fiber over aluminum or wooden frame. They are available in single, double, and sometimes even in three- or four-person models. Let us discuss about the modern kayak in detail.
Modern kayak types:
1. Sea kayak: these are designed to accommodate one or two paddlers. These are more maneuverable and have extreme stability and cargo capacity. Sea kayak has further subtypes that include:
• Strip-built- that is more close to rigid fiberglass boat but very light in comparison to it.
• Sit-on-top- these are used for fishing, diving and can usually accommodate 1-2 but also come have models that can accommodate 3-4 people. Normally, the seat of this kayak is above the water level, so the center of gravity is higher. In order to compensate, the width is increased for the same length of a traditional kayak.
2. Skin-on-frame- the design, technique, material and construction of these kayaks is more similar to traditional kayaks. These are the lightest among all and are being used in Greenland by Inuit people for hunting.
3. Recreational- these are built for paddlers interested in photography, a peaceful paddle in a lake, or fishing. These have larger cockpit and wider beam for stability reasons. The capacity of cargo is limited, and the length is less than 12 feet.
4. Whitewater kayak: are highly maneuverable and are made of rigid material like polyethylene. The length of these kayaks is small (6-10 feet) in comparison to others. Small boats are maneuverable but slow. Whitewater kayaks do not require inherent speed, as they move down with the current. In kayak rodeo competition, whitewater paddlers use rapids features to do tricks while they are in one place on the river.
5. Surf kayak: also known as surf skis, are narrow and long kayaks for surf zone rescue and surf breaking waves. Surf kayaking uses kayaks similar to whitewater kayak design. The only difference is that they have a planing hull. Surf kayaks can be 12 feet long to increase the planing speed on wave and to have good paddling speed for catching waves. A variation to closed cockpit surf kayak design is open cockpit (Waveski) design.
6. Racing kayak: these are designed for speed. To achieve stability, the paddler requires subsatntial skill, as the hull is extremely narrow. These kayaks have subtypes of flat water and slalom kayak.
7. Multi type kayaks: these include inflatable and pedal kayaks.
• Inflatable kayak-these can be easily stored and transported. They are made of polyurethane, PVC, or hypalon. You can inflate them with hand, foot, or electric pump. They are highly portable, stable, easy to master, and are slower than traditional boats.
• Pedal kayak- is a special type of boat using pedals allowing the paddler to propel the vessel with underwater flippers instead of a paddle.
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Learning To Kayak

All right, so you've decided that you want to learn how to paddle a kayak, but you're not sure where to start. Should you take lessons, learn from an experienced friend, or wing it on your own?
The answer is that all of these options can work, and have for thousands of paddlers. Learning on your own can be tricky, and you'll probably make every mistake in the book before you get comfortable, but it certainly is a viable option. Just make sure you're in reasonable aerobic condition, have a modest amount of smarts and common sense, and are willing to be patient.
A good kayaking instructor, on the other hand, can make the whole process much easier--and safer--and it doesn't have to be a formal instructor from a paddling shop or business.
If you have friends or family who are experienced paddlers, consider asking them for some informal instruction. Just let them know that you're just starting out, and that you'll need a lot of patience and understanding for the first few excursions. If you have access to a pool that allows kayaks in the water, this can provide a great way to get some initial training, especially in getting your roll mechanics down.
If you don't know any experienced paddlers, consider joining a local kayak club in your area. These clubs and organizations can be great resources for all kinds of paddling information, tours, instruction, and networking. You may even find someone in the club who's a certified instructor or who's willing to help a newbie get their feet (and all their other parts) wet.
And then, of course, there's the option of finding a certified kayaking instructor. Ask to see the person's resume, and any certifications and formal training he or she's had. And before you whip out your checkbook, ask to see your perspective instructor on the water. Does he or she seem skilled and confident when handling their kayak? Does their equipment look to be well maintained? Do they explain what they're doing and why they're doing it?
Most of all, how does this person come across? Do they appear to be patient and approachable? Do they answer your questions quickly and with confidence? Is this someone who makes you feel comfortable? Without a good rapport, after all, it's almost impossible to get the most out of any instruction, paddling or otherwise.
In the end, the best approach to learning how to kayak is up to you. If you feel comfortable learning on your own, go for it. Just make sure to take your time and always think safety first. If you decide to go with an instructor, take the time to choose wisely, and get the most for your training dollars.
Kent Johnson--author, webmaster, kayakerWant your next kayaking adventure to be the best ever?The Kayaking Journal--your source for paddling tips and info==> http://kayakingjournal.com
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