The Cobra Tandem Kayak - A Review

The Cobra tandem kayak offers unmatched flexibility. It allows you to use it with another person for whatever your adventure is.Tandem has built various kayak models but none of them can compete with the Cobra Tandem kayak. This kayak is one of the best currently on the market, certainly one of the most stable! Whatever the reason is that you are buying a kayak, the Cobra Tandem will be perfect for you. It is suitable for all your recreational adventures.The Cobra Tandem is among the lightest kayaks available. It is lighter that any other in the tandem collection, weighing a mere 57 pounds. Weight is an important factor in selecting a kayak. Heavier kayaks are often harder to maneuver than lighter ones. Also, a lightweight kayak is easier to transport and load onto the roof of your vehicle. Easier travel makes it more likely that you will want to go places with your kayak.The Cobra is made with a front and a rear seat, with room in the middle for another seat. You might find it useful to invest proper seating rather than the seating supplied as it is a bit basic. It is designed to let you socialize while you paddle. This aspect makes your kayak experience so much more enjoyable and comfortable.With plenty of underdeck storage room for cargo and accessories, your kayak can give you an enjoyable day trip! The Cobra tandem is among the few kayaks that can go on flat water, on the ocean and can be used for surf kayaking. You can have a large amount of fun time in the Cobra tandem. It is perfect for anybody!If you have been looking for the best kayak, look no more. The Cobra tandem is absolutely perfect regardless of what your plans for it are. The Cobra is not expensive. Even though it seats three people, it is lightweight! You won't find a better kayak. With a name like tandem on to it, it must be good! You will risk nothing with this kayak; you will fall in love with it at first sight!
About the Author: Canoes and Kayaks Information will help you with great deals, tips and news, information and reviews about all aspects of boating. Copyright http://www.canoesandkayaks.infoThis article can be reproduced in full as long as the resource box and live links remain intact.

How To Transport Your New Kayak? Get A Car Rack

Right after you buy a kayak, you'll find you also need to buy a car rack to carry it. There are three types of car racks to choose among.People who are shopping for car racks notice right away that there are many to choose from. There are many ways to travel with your kayak on the roof of your vehicle. You want to choose the best one for your kayak and your vehicle. You want to be sure the system that you pick is reliable and suitable for your kayak's size. All three types of kayak mountings are efficient, depending on the vehicle and the kayak.Vertical Support SystemThe vertical support system normally goes on the rear of the vehicle and is usually used on vans or SUVs. The holder has upright poles and straps to keep the kayak in position.Saddle SystemThe saddle system has four padded holders attached to the vehicle for the kayak to sit on. Straps wrap around the kayak to hold it fast. Roller SystemThe roller system is similar to the saddle system except it has wheels that make loading and removing the kayak easier.People usually travel with their kayaks on the roof. Each system works reliably with proper installation, and each system adjusts to the size of the kayak and works for all vehicles. So just choose one, put it on and hit the road and the water!
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How To Protect Your Kayak From Bad Weather

No other brand of kayak cover competes with Danuu Kayak Covers. Danuu covers are created with ease of use and top quality in mind.Danuu Kayak Covers have been shown repeatedly to be the best in their class. Danuu makes covers with a standard of quality that is higher than anyone else's. The double-layered, double-stitched material at each end of the cover protects against rips. The covers protect kayaks from excessive sun exposure and other conditions. Danuu covers are designed to be easy to use so there is no problem putting them on. You simply drape it over the kayak and cinch the straps (four to six of them, depending on the size of the kayak), and you are ready to roll.Danuu covers also feature built-in air holes that ensure that the cover does not catch the wind. A red flag built into the cover makes it easy to find and mark the end of the kayak. Danuu's covers are the most effective and the easiest to use kayak cover on the market.Serious kayakers absolutely have to check out Danuu covers. They are an essential element of kayaking and are worth every cent. If you travel with your kayak and want to keep it in like-new condition, you need to get a Danuu cover. Treat yourself and buy one.
About the Author: Canoes and Kayaks Information will help you with tips and news, information and reviews about all aspects of boating. http://www.canoesandkayaks.infoThis article can be reproduced in full as long as the resource box and live links remain intact.

Inflatable Kayak vs Hardshell - Which Should You Choose?

There are many choices to make when you are buying a kayak - hardshell versus inflatable is one. But with a trusted brand like Stearns, you don't have to worry.If you have not yet bought a kayak, you should know there are advantages of an inflatable kayak over a hardshell kayak. Inflatables are easier to store, transport and enjoy. If you are a beginner or a kayak hobbyist, you ought to consider an inflatable kayak? Stearns makes inflatable kayaks with high quality and that don't cost much. You can choose from several styles. And you will find one suitable to your needs with Stearns inflatable kayaks. Many famous companies make great kayaks, but Stearns is a name that you are able to trust. The company creates kayaks for leisure and recreation, in addition to competition, sport and more. It doesn't matter what kind of kayaking you do, you can find an excellent inflatable kayak from Stearns. You might not believe it at first, but inflatable kayaks are just as good, if not better than hardshell kayaks, in several ways. After your kayak is inflated, you will discover that its cockpits and compartments are the same size, and it is comfortable. You can easily find one that suits your interests among the several different kinds from which you can choose. You can find excellent Stearns inflatable kayaks at sporting and wilderness stores. Stores that sell kayaks have Stearns inflatable kayaks. When you view them firsthand, you will immediately see the many similarities of the inflatable to the hardshell. With so many brands of inflatable kayaks available, there is a lot of competition. Do not let the many names confuse you. Pick the one that has proved to be the best. Stearns inflatable kayaks are among the best brands. I hope you will find this information useful and that you join me very soon in the great sport of kayaking.
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When Is Your Next Cruise

Why Take a Cruise Vacation? Well, with all the cruise lines available, all the cruise destinations, and the range of prices, there exists a cruise to please even the most jaded traveler.If you think about it, it's an extremely cost-effective and time-efficient way to take a holiday. Consider all the time you'd spend driving yourself to several different destinations, packing and unpacking at each hotel, and searching for restaurants and other services. On a cruise you don't drive anywhere for seven, ten, fourteen days or even even more. Even if you were on a bus tour with no driving yourself, you haul your luggage or at least one package and unpack it at every new stop. On a cruise, you check your luggage when you check in and it magically appears in your cabin, stateroom, or even suite. You're at home for the duration of the cruise. And the food! Every ship has several restuarants staffed by world-class chefs, and the cost of the food is included as part of the cruise. At each port, guided tours are available so you won't miss any local attractions. Supervised activities such as snorkeling are available to keep the children occupied. And at the end of your holidy staff will pick up your luggage and place it on shore at the intended pick-up point. Taking a cruise vacation frees you from so many of the hassles of traveling, and leaves you with more time to relax and enjoy your destination.Celebrity Cruise Lines offer some of the best deals in the business. Conde Nast Traveler consistently rates Celebrity Cruises as one of the world's best cruise lines. Services include informative lectures about your location, upscale boutiques, and Las Vegas style entertainment created for Celebrity by Cirque du Soleil. Try your luck in the Casino or collect fine art during an onboad auction. The nightlife spectacular at The Bar At The Edge of the Earth.There's a whole world of pampering waiting for you at the world-famous Aqua-Spa by Elemis. Try a deluxe manicure, a luxurious facial or a relaxing massage. There is even acupuncture by a licensed acupuncturist and Chinese medicine as well. You'll feel renewed and invigorated.Children feel right at home on a Celebrity Cruise. The Celebrity X-Club Youth Program has age-specific activities and entertainment for every child. Science and nature exploration, talent shows, treasure hunts, children's dinner parties, slumber parties and more are all arranged by professional staff. Special areas of the ship are set aside for children only, such as the Shipmates Fun Factory, teen center and pools. When the ship is docked, adults have the option of going on tours by themselves while the children are supervised onboard. What could be more enjoyable or safer?Age or disability are no impediment to cruising. Ships are designed for mobility-impaired passengers, and staff is always ready to assist. Celebrity accommodates those who need dialysis or oxygen, and other medical services can be arranged if requested beforehand. Emergency care is always available on board, saving you the trouble of finding a doctor who speaks your language in a foreign country.Dinner is a vital event in itself on a cruise ship, a tradition dating back to the late 1800's when cruises were for royalty and the wealthy who expected elegant formal dinners. Again, in today's lifestyle the elegant dinner is optional, and for those who like to dine casually, food is available around the clock . However, for those who like a ritzy event where they can show off their best attire and jewelry, there are optional formal dinners where ladies wear long formal gowns or evening dresses and gentlemen have on tuxedos.Did I forget to mention the cruise destination itself? Celebrity Cruises dock at a different port of call every day or two, depending upon distances and sailing time between points of interest. You can stay aboard the ship all day or disembark. You are free to explore every destination on your itinerary as long as you return to the ship before departure time.For a small additional fee, Celebrity offers adventures geared toward the unique features of each destination. As an example, Caribbean cruises offer snorkeling, diving or beach excursions while Alaskan cruises offer helicopter tours or sea kayak trips. For the less adventuresome, commonly there are bus tours or even supervised shopping excursions in the local port. Every single thing, including meals, is prearranged. All you have to do is find the correct line onshore and an experienced guide handles the rest of your tour.
Author BioAuthor is J Shipper who is very interested in Cruises. Check out www.celebrity-cruise-now.info www.2qz.com/condo-cruise-ship www.condo-cruise-ship.com
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Sea Kayak Accessories – Essential And Fun Accessories For Kayakers

Sea Eagle.com is well known for their inflatable whitewater and ocean kayaks. The manufacturer offers a complete line of sea kayak accessories. Some of these accessory items are essential for your safety on the ocean or whitewater trips, others fit into the ‘fun’ category.
Some of the most common inflatable ocean kayak accessory items include:
Life jackets and paddling vests – Coast Guard approved PFDs are a must for owners of inflatable boats and kayaks.
Inflator pump – You can inflate your sea kayak with a hand operated pump. A 110 V high volume inflator/deflator makes the job easier and faster.
Repair kit for kayaks – This is an essential accessory item in case the kayak develops a leak. The kit contains two patches of the hull material, glue and a valve replacement tool.
Bilge pump – A high volume hand operated bilge pump is essential for getting the water out of the inflatable when on the water.
Storage bags for bow and stern – Great boating accessories for storing your supplies and gear.
Kayak carry bag – Deflate and roll up the inflatable sea kayak, then place it on the bag and wrap the bag around it for easy storage.
Seats – It’s nice to have a seat with a back rest in your ocean kayak for long paddling or rowing. These Deluxe seats are very comfortableAlthough there are many more types of accessories you can get for your inflatable ocean kayak, this will give you an idea of what is available.
The most important accessory on the above list is the life jacket or personal flotation device (PFD). A PFD is not considered an accessory for any boat, whether it is an ocean kayak or a dinghy. It is an essential part of any sea kayaking equipment and you should never go out in any inflatable without wearing a Coast Guard approved life vest.
The second most important inflatable boat accessory is your hull repair kit. Although Sea Eagle has a small patch kit for minor repairs there is a better inflatable ocean kayak repair kit available for bigger jobs from Tuff Coat. Most if not all of these boating accessories can be bought from the manufacturer or retailer where you bought the kayak.

About the Author:Kevin Urban is the editor at http://www.inflatable-boats-n-kayaks.com, a practical guide on inflatable boats and hovercrafts.
Article Tags: inflatable, kayak, ocean

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Can A Used Kayak Be As Good As A New One?

A new kayak costs a lot of money. But with a little research, a used kayak can be just as good at half the price.
Kayaks are a big investment for many people. Paying for a kayak does not have to hurt. You can buy a used tandem kayak. Tandem is another large kayak maker that produces dozens of different models of kayak. The Tandem brand has been around long enough that great Tandem kayaks can be bought used for excellent prices and, most of the time, in good shape.
It is easy to find a used kayak. The best way to find a good used kayak is to use the Internet. You will be able to find personal used boats for sale as well as sales through dealers. Modern kayaks have such high quality that demand is rapidly growing for good used models. You can save a lot of money by looking for a used kayak.
When buying a used kayak, it is important to inspect the boat thoroughly before buying it. Kayaks must be in like-new condition. You do not want to put your money into a boat that has been damaged. Dents or patches on the kayak's hull can degrade with the boat's performance. When you have done your thorough check, you might have found a great deal if the kayak is in excellent shape. You could spend thousands of dollars on a new kayak, but you might spend less than half that on a used one! Saving money is important, but so is investing your money.
Before you go to inspect a used kayak, be sure you have done good research and have found the best deals available. You will also want to be sure that you are close to where you plan to buy the used kayak. Your research could be a great reward.
You will then be able to afford more and better equipment, and, just as important, be able to spend more time on the water.

About the Author:You can find great deals, tips and news, information and reviews to help you find used kayaks at http://CanoesAndKayaks.info. This article can be reproduced in full as long as the resource box and live links remain intact. Copyright http://www.canoesandkayaks.info.
Article Tags: kayak, money, tandem

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Kayak Equipment

Enjoying the sport of kayaking takes more than a kayak. You'll also need the right kayaking equipment.
When you venture out to purchase a kayak, don't forget to stock up on all of the essential kayak equipment. The kayak itself is secondary. To make sure that you don't spend your entire budget on the boat, and be forced to settle for second-rate equipment, always purchase your kayak equipment first.
Your kayaking experience will be far less enjoyable if you're up the creek with a poor paddle.
Be sure to have these items on your kayak equipment-shopping list:
* Paddles* Paddle float* Life jackets* Wet suit* Footwear* Spray skirts* Dry bags
If you plan to buy and use a kayak, these pieces are absolutely essential.
Some pieces of kayaking equipment are necessary, others can be considered optional. The most important pieces of must-have kayaking equipment are the paddles. Without good paddles, you'll have trouble navigating your kayak and will not enjoy the experience as much. On the other hand, every kayaker does not require wet suits. Wet suits are only necessary if you are planning on kayaking in cold weather or water. Extreme kayak lovers and professional kayakers generally use Wetsuits.
Life jackets are vitally important to kayakers of every skill level. Even the most skilled kayaker will hit rough water or tip the boat. With no flotation device or life jacket, serious injury or death can occur. Kayaking without a lifejacket is dangerous and against the law. Ensure that you and your passenger have properly fitted lifejackets.
Everyone can find kayaking to be a fun and rewarding sport. With the right kayaking equipment, your adventure over stream, lake and river can be enjoyable and worry-free.
Make your list, and check it twice. Be sure to invest in top quality kayak equipment, and then go shopping for your boat. When you venture out in your new kayak, you'll be ready for any adventure.

About the Author:Daniel Thomas contributes articles to several online magazines, on sports and recreation and recreation and travel issues.
Article Tags: equipment, kayak, kayaking

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Experience The Sea At Orlando’s Sea World

Education, entertainment, wildlife conservation and thrills are what you can expect at Orlando’s SeaWorld. This park has been called the most popular marine-life park in the world, and it certainly lives up to its reputation.
At SeaWorld you can get up close to dolphins, stingrays, water turtles, penguins and the other creatures that inhabit the seas of the earth. Let’s look at some of the attractions that you can experience at this park.
The Wild Arctic is a popular favorite. Here, you'll enter a frozen wonderland with walls of ice nearly a half-inch thick. Exploring this multi-level ecosystem, you'll encounter abundant Arctic animal life seemingly drawn to the old ship. This includes face to face encounters with real walruses, beluga whales, and two famous polar bears named Klondike and Snow.
Do you like penguins? If so then you should make it a point to visit the Penguin Encounter attraction. It is Sea World’s “slice of the Antarctic” and here you can watch penguins waddle about and enjoy themselves.
Stingrays have a fearsome name, but contrary to the name and the reputation they are among the most docile animals of the sea. Visit Sea Worlds Stingray Lagoon and you can watch 200 rays glide through the waters of their protected home. If you put your hand just below the surface, you’re likely to get a velvety “high five” as they swim by. In a nearby nursery, stingray pups learn and play under the watchful eye of SeaWorld’s animal care experts, always on hand to tell you anything you want to know about these graceful, mysterious creatures.
At Turtle Point you can view 300 sea turtles, ranging from tiny hatchlings to 6-foot-long leatherbacks. At Turtle Point you can also learn about and watch some of the endangered and threatened species of sea turtles. Here, these prehistoric-looking reptiles reside in a naturalistic lagoon complete with a beach, sand dunes and indigenous plant life.
Pacific Point Preserve is a recreated Los Angeles nature preserve featuring California sea lions. Here you can meet, touch and even feed some of these remarkable animals. Be sure to get a spot at Pacific Point Preserve at feeding time and you’ll be in for a treat. This laid back community of California sea lions and harbor seals are always ready to entertain a crowd with their animated vocals and endless antics.
In addition to the thrill and wonder of seeing amazing sea creatures up close, the park also has sea-themed thrill rides. One of the newest is Journey to Atlantis.
Here is how the Sea World website, www.seaworld.com, describes this ride: “Brave twists, turns, and watery falls of mythical proportions as you explore the mysterious, lost city of Atlantis aboard this thrilling water coaster ride. Journey along a dark, watery passageway through this sunken city guarded by sirens, whose fury casts riders out on some of the steepest, wettest plunges you’ll find, sending you racing out of the gates of this ill fated utopian paradise.” You can expect to get wet on this ride, so be prepared.
To top off the thrills, SeaWorld is also home to the Kraken, the tallest, fastest, longest and only floorless roller coaster in Orlando. That’s right, it has no floor! Imagine a roller coaster that takes you to heights of a 15-story building, and puts you upside down seven times at speeds reaching 65 mph! Whew, that's Kraken and it can only be found at SeaWorld. (You must be 54 inches tall to ride).
After you have been thrilled by the rides and delighted by the sea creatures, you can chill out at the park’s entertainment and dining area, known as the Waterfront. There is no doubt about it; SeaWorld has a combination of attractions, thrills and fun that is sure to bring a smile to every member of your family.

About the Author:Mark Whichard and his wife Susan are experts in the field of Orlando Disney Villa rentals with experience dating to 1998. Visit their website: http://www.orlandodisneyvillas.com/ for more information about renting villas or homes in Orlando.
Article Tags: penguins, point, sea

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Kayak Tours

When people think of "kayaking", they tend to conjure up visions of chilly boaters taking on the frigid waters of the Great White North. In fact, kayaking is a popular sport across North America and throughout the Pacific.
Virtually anywhere you go in North or South America, there are kayak tours available. Some of the best kayak tours are found in tropical areas or on the ocean. Depending on your skill level, kayak tours can teach beginners the basic techniques of the sport, or can challenge even the most experienced athlete. When you book a kayak tour, expect to take part in a great adventure.
In popular tourist areas like Costa Rica, Florida, Belize and other tropical destinations, an abundance of kayak tours are available. These tours often incorporate other activities including:
* Leisure paddling* Island exploration* Snorkeling* Scuba diving* Swimming* Fishing
These tours are guided by professional kayakers who can assist you with any problems you may have. Of course, these guides are familiar with the area and comfortable with their surroundings, so they may serve as excellent sightseeing tour guides as well.
Visit cities throughout Canada and the United States, and you will find more fantastic kayak touring opportunities. North American kayak tours can include sport and whitewater kayaking, or simply offer a relaxing paddle down a scenic river or across a quiet lake. Wherever tours are offered, lessons are generally also available for first-timers or those needed to brush up on their kayaking skills. Kayaking is a very easy sport to learn. In one day you can go from learning to kayak, to taking part in a great tour to test your new abilities.
Kayak tours are available wherever your travels take you. Even if you are not a skilled kayaker, or have never kayaked at all, you can still take part in a tour. Once you learn the sport you'll fall in love with it; and because kayaking mixes so naturally with other sports, you can work it in to any vacation itinerary.
Search for kayak tours while planning your next vacation. There are dozens of options at many popular destinations. Book a kayak tour as part of your adventure, and treat your family to a day on the water they'll never forget.

About the Author:Christopher Johnson is an author for several popular web magazines, on outdoor recreation and hobbies and recreation subjects.
Article Tags: kayak, kayaking, tour

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Buying Your First Kayak

A couple of decades ago there were two to three models of Kayaks available. Don't be surprised if today you go in the market to find 50 different ultra specialized Kayaks.
The obvious first question is what type of kayaking will you do? Basically there is river, lake, and sea kayaking. River kayaks are very short and tough boats meant for maneuverability and the abuse of whitewater rapids. Sea kayaks are sleek and light and are designed for cruising. Then there are general kayaks that can be used on sea lakes.
There are three basic types of kayaks as far as structure and materials are concerned.
Rigid kayaks are made of plastic, wood or carbon fiber. These are usually the most affordable and are they are the most popular too. Plastic boats are tough and reliable but once damaged can be very difficult to repair. Fiberglass boats are more expensive than plastic but damage is easily repaired, they are also quite light.
For kayak enthusiasts who appreciate aesthetics and beauty, you might want to look at some wooden boats; they are carefully crafted and very beautiful kayaks. There are kits available for folks who are prepared to build their own.
A folding kayak is usually made of wood or aluminum. Their prices are usually high, but they tend to last longer, and are also quite easy to store.
Inflatable boats provide good portability and storage space. They are generally the least expensive kayaks you can buy. Kayak enthusiasts for whom storage and transportation is a major issue will find a good option in these boats.
Another choice to ponder is whether to choose a single-passenger or double-passenger kayak. Both have their own advantages and disadvantages. For a fun family adventure, the double kayak is perfect. It is fast and stable but lacks the maneuverability of a single Kayak.
After deciding on the style of kayak you want to purchase, price becomes a big factor in determining exactly which model to buy. A basic entry-level plastic kayak can be found for as low as $250. Fiberglass boats can cost from anywhere around $900 to $2500. Other plastic models can run as high as $1700. If you want to go for the more exotic kayaks they would cost you a little more. Inflatable boats start at about $125 and go up to about $2000. Folding boats have a huge Price variation, in them and they can cost anywhere between $1500 to $5000.

About the Author:Jake Blackman at http://www-kayaks.info gives you the inside scoop on kayaking. You'll learn what makes a good kayak and how to prepare for a kayaking trip, and much more.
Article Tags: boats, kayak, kayaks

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Sea Kayak - Gives Endless Adventure

Sea kayak encourages the sport of paddling on open waters of lakes, bays and oceans. They are stable and seaworthy with a covered deck and ability to incorporate a spray deck if needed. One of the advantages of these kayaks is that they are extremely maneuverable and versatile and can be used for straight line paddling, comfortable long journeys and for carrying cargos. Sea kayaks has a hot market as it is used in trips which can last for few hours to many weeks, accommodating two to three paddlers along with camping gear, food, water and other supplies.
Sea kayaks are available in a wide array of material, designs and size to meet the needs of different types of paddlers. Most of the modern kayaks carry the contemporary traditional designs but some recent innovation includes: recreational kayaks, small sea kayaks with wide beam, sit-on-tops kayaks, inflatable kayaks and surf skis. Following are some of the important things to note about these kayaks:
Size: Most of these kayaks are between 12 feet to 24feet in length. The width is 18 inches to 28 inches. Specialized kayaks such as surf skis are narrower.
Materials: Many kayaks are made from fiberglass, rot molded polythene and Kevlar. Others are made of carbon fiber and royalex.
Used for trips: Modern sea kayaks are used for carrying large amount of equipments needed for long expedition from tropics to the artic.
Safety: Safety of the kayaks depends only on the paddlers, unless the weather conditions become a hurdle. A well practiced Eskimo roll is essential to safe open water kayaking.
Sea kayaks are present in the market in large amounts, so choosing the one to fit you and your needs has to be carefully done, keeping in mind some important issues as:
1. Suggested paddlers weight range is different for each kayak design.
2. There should be an ideal loading on the kayak.. Never select a kayak by its maximum capacity as many times it is tempting but the total truth is not stated.
3. Front height of the cockpit is important as higher the cockpit entry an exit becomes easy and also less water fills in your lap and inside the kayak.
4. Rear gear of the cockpit needs to be higher and should have solid back rest for comfortable cruising and long kayaking trips.
Sea kayaking is environmentally friendly and appeals to all ages as most us enjoy the beautiful nature, open spaces and fresh air. It offers special kind of freedom and is a natural progression from flat water kayaking to exploring the great oceans.

About the Author:Rajesh Karavadia is the author and webmaster of http://www.kayakscentral.com, an informative website about used kayaks and ocean kayak
Article Tags: cockpit, kayaks, sea

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Prepaid SIM Cards for Thailand

If you are contemplating going to Thailand, visit the famous and popular holiday resort in Asia, the Phuket Island. You will find superb accommodation facilities with some of the finest resort hotels. Phuket Island has one of the most perfect ingredients to be a place for a perfect holiday, with its beautiful beaches, leisure diving, game fishing, elephant riding and sailing around Phi Phi and the local islands. You may decide to take the sea canoe or kayak tour of Phang Nga Bay, or try a liveaboard dive cruise to the Similan islands.
In visiting that country you will need to be in touch with your friends in Thailand and abroad, not to mention your family back home. You need your mobile phone with you. If you take the phone that you use at home, it should be on roaming plan when you are in Thailand, where costs would mount up as and when you call locally or abroad. The costs of those calls will be definitely out of proportion, more-so since you are on roaming. There is a way where you can save 80% on your calls. A pre-paid SIM card for Thailand is all you need to save your cost. You will get a local number with this pre-paid SIM card and all your incoming calls are free, no matter where they generate from. You will pay for your calls that you make like the locals do, and you will not need to enter any contact in buying this pre-paid SIM card for Thailand. You will not receive any bills at the end of the month and you will not be on roaming, saving substantially on that front. With pre-paid SIM cards, you do not have any worries regarding any bills what-so-ever. Call locally and you will pay less than 3 cents a minute on your calls and calling your family back home is as cheap as approximately 56 cents a minute. So you can realise the savings, vis-à-vis to your calls while you are on roaming. Planetomni offers you the best deal in such pre-paid SIM cards. Visit www.planetomni.com/FAQ_sim.shtml for more information.
When you buy the pre-paid SIM card for Thailand, you shall not only receive the SIM card, but also a a talk time credit along with it, so that you need not worry about making calls immediately on reaching Bangkok. When-ever the credit limit is exhausted, or you would want more credit to be added to your talk time, you can easily purchase re-charge vouchers or coupons from almost any shop in Thailand. These vouchers or coupons come in different denomination and you may choose as to how much call time credits that you would want to buy.
Most the part of the world operates on Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), except North America and Canada, where mobile telephony is used in limited GSM frequencies. It is most likely that the GSM phone that you have may not work in Thailand.
The GSM network has four frequency bands of operation and these are - 850 MHz, 900 MHz, 1800 MHz and 1900 MHz. In effect, GSM features four frequency bands. The GSM frequency band used in North America and Canada are 850 MHz and 1900 MHz bands and this sets apart the two countries from the rest of the world. Thailand works on 900MHz, 1800 MHz and 1900MHz bands. Though one of the bandwidth does match with the North American and Canadian mobile network operation, it is always better to verify this from www.planetomni.com/ before you leave home. Apparently it is always better to carry such a handset which will operate on all the frequency band of that country. For this reason, mobile handsets are available in three different categories - Dual Band, Tri-band and Quad Band. The dual band covers frequency bands of 800 MHz and 1900 MHz, the tri-band work on 800 MHz, 900 MHz and 1800 MHz and the quad band has an operational bandwidth of all the four bands. If you are a frequent traveler, it is always safe to carry a quad band handset with you, with no worries in your mind about its operation in the different countries that you visit. Call Planetomni to find out about renting such a mobile or if you like, buying one of those.
While on the subject of mobile handset, you must be sure that the handset you buy or rent should be SIM unlocked. When you enter into a plan with a service provider, the mobile phone might come to you free along with the SIM card. In that contract you have agreed to be with the service provider for a certain period of time. During this period, your mobile will not work with any other SIM card except the one which came along with your handset. This mobile is SIM Locked and will not work with any other SIM card. At the end of the contract period, the service provider will help you to SIM unlock the phone after which you can use that phone with any SIM card of your choice. Therefore, it is advisable for you to make sure that the phone that you are taking to Thailand is SIM unlocked, so that you can use your pre-paid SIM card for Thailand in that phone Planetomni can help you with all the matters, regarding purchase of a SIM card for Thailand to renting or buying an appropriate GSM handset which is SIM unlocked. Visit www.planetomni.com/FAQ_gsm.shtml for more details on the subject.
Cell phone use overseas. In 99% of the world the local cellular service standard is called GSM. We use this in the states as well. When combined with a SIM CARD (which usually goes under the battery of the phone) the phone is able to communicate and the SIM CARD also holds the telephone number and memory for pre-paid credit. Rates can be extremely low using this system. For example in 99% of all SIM CARDS incoming calls are free and calls to the states can cost a trifle. Such as, from the UK to the USA 7 cents/minute, from Israel 22 cents, from Australia 27 cents. Yes, USA Dollar cents! There are today even prepaid service providers in the USA offering rates of 10 cents per minute to call anywhere in the US to any type of phone. No contracts, no credit card checks, no bills. Pre-paid always means no minimums no contracts, no obligations. You only pay for the calls made. You'll need an unlocked GSM tri-band or quadband UNLOCKED phone. You can buy factory unlocked phones and sim cards for more than 170 or the 193 countries on earth from http://www.planetomni.com Tel. # 800-514-2984
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_Dulaney

How To Prepare For The Exciting Sport Of Shark Fishing

If you are actually trying to catch a shark then you should do so with forethought and preparation. The best time to catch a shark is really all year round, people will always say oh man the best time to catch a shark is in June but I think that is dead wrong. You can catch the biggest shark you have ever seen in the middle of winter. People who say that you can only catch them in one month are ignorant and uniformed. Just last week I caught a big bull shark and it's almost Christmas time. You can catch a shark at any time of the year as long as you have some bloody fish bait.
When you are going shark fishing you are going to need many things. The first thing you are going to need is a few shark rods and reels. You will want to have something so that they cannot spool all your line out then rip the rod out of your hand. You will want to have a big rod and reel like a boat rod. You will also need some sort of mode to get your bait out in the water casting it will not work since you are going to have about a 10 foot steel cable leader. You will want a kayak or small boat to run your baits out. I think the best rod to use is a big boat rod so that you ca catch anything, when you are shark fishing you can catch other things besides sharks, other fish eat the same stuff that a shark will.
You will also need to know which type of shark it is you want to catch. You can catch mostly all types of sharks inshore, such as bull sharks, tiger sharks, black tip sharks, and lemon sharks. Basically if you live on the North American continent you will be able to catch a wide variety of sharks. A lot of people think that you cannot catch certain sharks all over the world but they are wrong you can catch just about every kind of shark in the Atlantic Ocean.
After you have your bait in the water all you do is wait for the run. Once you have that bait in the water and on the bottom you will just have to wait until something takes the bait. You will know when something takes your bait it will pick it up and run with it. You will want to let the shark or fish it all the bait so give it team then you will want to set the hook. After the hook is set you will want to just let the fish run and do its thing until it is tired then you can either reel them in or it will be a fight to last for hours. I have friends that have fought sharks for hours and haven't even caught them that are how big and gnarly they were. What are you waiting for, get out there and experience them for yourself.
Gregg Hall is an author living with his 18 year old son in Jensen Beach, Florida. Find more about shark fishing as well as saltwater fishing gear at http://www.nsearch.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gregg_Hall

Yellowstone Tours

The tourist season at Yellowstone National Park is divided into Winter and Summer. Since the weather can be extreme in both the seasons activities and tours are season-specific. Therefore a visit to the park and subsequent tours should be planned according to what your favorite kind of activity is like.
Among the tours offered at Yellowstone are traditional ones like coach tours for wildlife viewing and more unusual ones like horseback tours as well tours on llamas. The latter activity has also coined a new term called llamaneering. Since these animals have long been used as pack animals, they are sturdy and tough yet very manageable. These tours also include layover days which allow the hikers to enjoy fishing and climbing peaks. The horseback tours and the llama tours are spread over a number of days and each day ends with setting up camp at regular sites. Those who enjoy mountain biking can also undertake the mountain bike tour of the park which is organized during the summer season.
Another popular way to experience and see Yellowstone is through its myriad waterways. There are special Kayak tours as well as rented and guided boat tours available for those who wish to see the land from the water.
For those with a passion for photography, you can take a photography tour of a place that is so spectacular in its scenery that it is almost impossible to take a bad picture. Regular photography tours of Yellowstone are undertaken where an expert photographer acts as a guide and helps in mastering the technique of wildlife and nature photography.
During winter, snowshoeing and snowcoach tours are organized. These tours allow the visitor to see the face of Yellowstone in the winter and experience true harmony with nature. Since most of Yellowstone is backcountry, it lends itself to cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. In winter months the paved roads of the park are not cleared of snow, therefore snowcoaches are the only motorized access possible into the park.
These tours truly allow a visitor to Yellowstone to experience nature at its greatest.
For more information on Yellowstone tours:
http://www.yellowstoneparknet.com/guides_tours/guides_tours.phphttp://www.nps.gov/yell/pphtml/activities.html
Yellowstone National Park provides detailed information on Yellowstone National Park, Yellowstone Vacations, Yellowstone Hotels, Yellowstone Tours and more. Yellowstone National Park is affiliated with Glacier National Parks.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Thomas_Morva

Kayaking Helmet From Cascade And A Few Other Makes

Cascade White Water Kayaking helmets are the ideal helmets that provide the white water kayaker a complete solution for all their demands and have multi-impact liner, amazing drainage as well as a cinch fit that is without parallel. These kayaking helmets are built by Cascade using a luxurious, patented, concussion-resistant expanded polypropylene liner and its one of a kind helmet retention system does not allow it to roll and it also has a four point strap system that is not a part of the chin strap. The padding that this helmet has makes it possible for it to truly fit the user and the system of strapping gives added measure of support that is quite unique. The Cascade White Water kayaking helmet is constructed with closed cell technology that makes it able to not retain sweat and slots in the foam does not allow for binding in the temple area.
The Cascade White Water kayaking helmet also has EPP foam lining as well as a plastic polypethelene plastic shell and the EPP foam allows for multi-impact. This helmet though is not able to provide protection from all types of injuries such as head, brain, spin, facial as well as fatal injuries. This should be understood at the outset before purchasing such a kayaking helmet, especially as water sport activities are known to be dangerous and there are attendant risks attached that may result in hurting the head, brain, neck as well cause death.
Steady Helmets Are Quite A Necessity
When selecting a kayaking helmet, one should take care that the inside of the helmet is able to withstand the wear and tear associated with kayaking and it should also stay steady on the head. When the kayaker rolls or goes underwater or has some bumpy paddling to contend with sometimes the kayaking helmet may need to be adjusted and one should look for helmets that actually stay fixed on the head and do not move from their original position. In order to select a suitable kayaking helmet one might do worse than look at a number of big name companies manufacturing such helmets.
They are Predator Kayak Helmets, J3 Kayak Helmets, Greatful Heads, Shred Ready and Sweet Kayaking helmets. Predator kayak helmets are fantastically priced and have big coverage area along with a reduced price tag. J3 have some nifty freestyle kayak helmets that are designed specially for freestyle kayaking and are also decently priced. Greatful helmets are very popular with kayakers who use them for years on end and have various styles and different colors. One of the most popular kayaking helmets are those made by Shred Ready and are certainly very big and cost an average amount. Finally, Sweet Kayaking helmets are Norwegian helmets and are wonderful for daily kayaking but are more expensive as compared to other similar helmets.
Find out all you need to know about Kayaking Equipement at our brand new website: All About Kayaking.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Nathalie_Lafleur

Paddling Styles For Sea Kayaking

The sea kayaking paddles and their associated paddling styles fall under two classifications-European and Greenland. Let us discuss about these styles in detail.
Paddle Style
European style: European paddles are blades in the shape of spoons at each end of a cylindrical shaft. European paddle style was developed for sudden maneuvering and fast acceleration in whitewater kayaking and then extended into sea kayaking. These paddles are made of aluminum, wood, or plastic. However, the best paddles are made of costlier material such as carbon fiber for lightness. The two spoon-like blades are set at an angle relative to one another (feathered) for enhanced efficiency as in this manner one blade moves backwards while the opposite one which is moving forward through air presents edge rather than face.
Greenland style: Greenland paddle is a long, narrow, and flat wooden plank with a cylindrical grip at center. It is like two elongated cricket bats that are joined at their handle base. Greenland is the traditional paddle style of Inuit hunters due to their material constraints (driftwood). The blades of Greenland paddles are feathered as in European paddles. The Greenland paddle is narrow in comparison to European paddle and is 7 feet long. The paddling technique involves more paddle movement in the paddlers’ hand and demands a huge variety of techniques for a capsized kayak by using combinations of both paddle and body movements. Many of these movements depend upon additional buoyancy of wooden paddle. Some other Greenland paddling techniques are associated with the other elements of Greenland style conditions and equipments and with the Greenland kayak design. Paddlers in modern kayaks sometimes even use Greenland paddle style.
Paddlers’ Safety
Paddling technique is important but even more significant is safety of paddlers in challenging conditions. Nowadays kayakers consider Eskimo roll a well-practiced self-righting move to be safe in open water kayaking even though it is a difficult and impossible maneuver to make in heavy-laden boats. Paddlers consider capsize the safest to paddle with one, two or more paddlers, as success of assisted rescue is more likely. Experienced paddlers attempt open water crossings without anyone accompanying them and various major long distance kayak expeditions are also carried out alone (solo). Sea kayakers are self-sufficient and carry extensive safety equipments like repair kits, towing lines, and survival gear along with them. Modern sea kayaks are so designed that they can carry a number of equipments for safety reasons while on expedition of two or more weeks without anyone’s support. So if you are going sea kayaking choose your paddle style accordingly and don’t forget to carry safety equipments along with you.
Milos Pesic is a successful webmaster and owner of popular and comprehensive Kayaking information site. For more articles and resources on Kayaking related topics, visit his site at:
=>http://kayaking.need-to-know.net
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Milos_Pesic

Take Your Family Kayaking For A Fun Family Outing

According to the latest statistics, kayaking is one of the fastest growing outdoor sports activities in the United States today, with well over a million people already paddling and a great many more potential water loving outdoor enthusiasts looking to join the "kayaking club." Kayaking is especially attractive for people with families offering an easy way to get everyone together and also because it offers affordable equipment and instruction. Small children as young as four years old can easily and safely join in this fun family experience and learn a skill and fun hobby that can be enjoyed throughout an entire lifetime.
If you think you would like to give this a shot for your family the first thing you need to do is determine how many kayaks you will need. Even though there are four person kayaks offered by some manufacturers, in most cases you are better off splitting up into two groups and buy two, two-seaters instead. This way if you have a family of four you will have one parent and one child in each kayak. Be sure that the paddles are of the appropriate size for each person and also that you have the correct life jacket sizes for each person participating.
Now you will need to ascertain what each person's skill level is. For example if dad is highly skilled and mom is moderately skilled but none of the children have ever kayaked before the best idea may be to take a kayaking class for the entire family before you go out on any intense kayaking trips so that everyone knows how to do the basics.
If you are just now beginning to look into kayaking you may want to rent kayaks a few times first to see how everyone likes it before you go all out and spend a couple thousand dollars on kayaks and accessories. Depending upon where you live you can rent kayaks from $30 an hour to as much as a hundred an hour or more for guided tours. If your family falls in love with the sport you will be able to find kayaks under $500 for starters and you can pay as much as $9,000 for an extreme custom made one, although I can't imagine why you would need one that extreme.
The beauty of the family kayaking experience is that it helps to bring families together to focus on accomplishing common goals. This is a fun and healthy undertaking that is much better to do as a family than many other activities and even though it takes a little effort it is way better for you than just going out to the movies or something similarly sedentary.
Gregg Hall is an author living in Navarre Florida. Find more about this as well as Kayak Accessories at http://www.kayakaccessoriesplus.com.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gregg_Hall

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

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

Whitewater Kayaking: Know About It

Whitewater kayaking is a paddling sport in which a kayak (boat) is paddled on a moving water body. For some whitewater kayaking may be a fun carefree trip down the river while for some others, it is a challenging sport. Whitewater kayaking boats differ from those used in sea kayaking or whitewater racing.
Traditional kayaks were made of animal skins. Earlier whitewater kayaks were made of Kevlar or fiberglass but nowadays they are made of tough plastic, which is durable and flexible. Normally the size of a kayak ranges from 6-12 feet but sometimes it can be even longer.
Whitewater Kayaking Categories:
River Running- River running is a tour down the river. It is done for enjoyment as well as for experiencing the challenge of whitewater kayaking. It includes both short as well as long multi-day trips. Multi-day trips use gear-toting rafts for a comfortable experience. The competitive aspect of river running is whitewater racing.
Creeking- This involves typical and technical rapids. Creeking not only involves higher gradient but is also likely to include slides, running ledges, and waterfalls on small rivers. Creeking kayaks are high volume, rounded bow, and stern boats. These features provide extra safety margin against spinning and the kayak is controlled and resurfaces more quickly when coming off large drops. The competitive form of creeking is extreme racing.
Slalom- This is another form of whitewater kayaking. Kayakers try to make way in a designated section of river within a time limit and correctly negotiate gates at the same time. There are 20-25 gates, which should be navigated sequentially during the race. Red gates must be negotiated in upstream direction and green gates in downstream. The gate placement and precisely paddling through them fast without touching the pole makes the move harder and tougher. Pro-level Slalom competitions have specific width and length requirements of boats that are made of fiberglass, Kevlar, carbon fiber so that they are lightweight and have faster hull speed. Slalom is the only whitewater kayaking sport in Olympics.
Play boating- Play boating is also known as freestyle kayaking. This is more an artistic and gymnastic kind of whitewater kayaking. The other whitewater kayaking varieties involve going from point A to B but in play boating, the play boaters often remain in one place in river. The play boaters work with and against the forces of river and perform various maneuvers like surfing, spinning and several vertical moves by staying in one spot. Recently aerial moves became accessible in which paddlers perform tricks. Play boating kayaks usually have low volume bow and stern enabling the paddler to submerge the kayak ends easily. In US, play boating competitions are known as whitewater rodeo but in UK and Europe, it is known as freestyle kayaking.
Milos Pesic is a successful webmaster and owner of popular and comprehensive Kayaking information site. For more articles and resources on Kayaking related topics, visit his site at:
=>http://kayaking.need-to-know.net
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Milos_Pesic

Selecting a Guided Sea Kayak Tour in Baja California, Mexico

Many of the tour operators in the southern half of the Baja peninsula, in the state of Baja California Sur, Mexico base out of Loreto or La Paz; coastal communities on the Sea of Cortes side of the peninsula. Most of the tours visit uninhabited islands and coastlines near those two starting points. The reason no multi-day tours go out of Cabo San Lucas is because there are no nearby islands to paddle to and the sea is much more exposed there.
Loreto & La Paz comparison
Loreto is a sleepy Mexican fishing village about 8 hours by car from Cabo San Lucas. It was the original capital of the peninsula until 1828 when a hurricane leveled the town and the capital was permanently moved to La Paz. La Paz, a city of 250,000, is the main ferry terminus to mainland Mexico, and is located approximately half way between Loreto and Cabo.
Loreto has limited flights arriving daily from Los Angeles or San Diego on Aero Mexico, Alaska and Aero California. La Paz has more options of flights in and out on those carriers and others. Loreto is a 2-day drive south from San Diego in California, USA. Some guests elect to fly into Cabo San Lucas to take advantage of cheap flights, and take an air-conditioned bus to either Loreto or La Paz for a fraction of what it would cost in USA.
Both Loreto and La Paz have several large uninhabited islands nearby that are exquisite for paddling and exploring. Both Loreto and La Paz are within reach of Magdalena Bay, the gray whale lagoon on the Pacific side of the peninsula. All the islands in the Sea of Cortez and all three gray whale lagoons on the Pacific Coast have Mexican national park status, and all outfitters and private parties must have the proper permits. Be sure to go with an outfitter than has the proper operating permits, or if you are in a private party do obtain the proper permits from the national park office in both communities, as federal officers do regular site inspections in the park areas.
Private parties are not permitted at all in Magdalena Bay, although they are allowed with permits in the Sea of Cortez. Permitted outfitters are committed to preserving the laws and environment in which they operate and must pay all appropriate taxes to Mexico, must hire and train locals to be sea kayak guides and logistics managers, and have proper liability insurance and safety procedures/training.
Self-supported vs. motorboat supported tours
Most sea kayak tour operators fall into either of these two camps, so be sure you inquire about what kind of tour the company runs, and what they include in the tour price. Most tour outfitters have mostly double kayaks since the majority of guests are fairly new to kayaking, but some will have single kayaks along, too, for folks to rotate into. So this is another issue to explore. Weather in Baja California Sur
Daytime temperatures late December through February range from the 70’s to 80’s (degrees F), and night temperatures can dip to the 40’s, requiring a warm sweater and hat. March thought early May they range from the mid-80’s to mid-90’s during the day, and 55-60 at night. While rain is infrequent on the Baja peninsula, it does occur December – February. Bring synthetic and cotton clothes, in layers to provide for weather extremes (your outfitter will provide an equipment list).
Water temperatures range from 68 to72 degrees F (some find a wet suit a good idea December through March for snorkeling). SPF clothing, light-colored, long-sleeved shirt and long pants & hats are rapidly gaining in popularity and are great for outdoor travel in sunny climes. Periods of strong winds for up to 2-3 days at a time can occur in this part of the world from November through March, although they start tapering off in February and March. Hurricane season is August through November. Temperatures soar above 110 degrees F in June, July and August, thus most outfitters don’t operate tours then.
Whales in Baja California Sur
The rare blue whale/ largest loving creature in the world today, and the fin whale frequent the Sea of Cortez February through mid April, as well as the occasional humpback. The once endangered California gray whale, whose population now numbers about 28,000, migrates each fall and winter down the Pacific coast from Alaska to spend the month of February and first couple weeks of March in the three large lagoon/inner waterways of Baja California peninsula's Pacific coast. There they rest, give birth and mate before heading beck toward Alaska in late March.
Mexico strictly protects the California gray whale lagoons, thus one can only go into the lagoons with a licensed kayak tour operator or motorized tour operator. Common dolphins/ bottle nose dolphins and California sea lions are commonly seen throughout the waters of Baja. A common myth is that one can pet a whale from a kayak - this has never been known to happen. They move much faster than a kayak can paddle, and have never shown curiosity in kayaks.
However, it is becoming more and more common for gray whales in the lagoons of the Pacific coast to approach motorized boats and even occasionally be petted by humans. The boat operators licensed by the Mexican government are quite expert at knowing how to let the whales approach them, and on ways to avoid stressing the whales.
Why go with an outfitter
The seas and winds can be quite challenging at times, and destinations remote, thus seasoned guides are an invaluable asset unless you are very experienced in self supported tours in this kind of environment -and even then, there are weather patterns unique to the Sea of Cortez. A permitted outfitter will have the knowledge; experience, sound equipment, and the commitment to safety and service that can allow you to relax and enjoy your vacation in Baja California. Also, due to the remoteness of the southern part of the Baja peninsula, the weather, and liability issues, finding expedition kayaks to rent in Loreto or La Paz is extremely difficult (outfitters don't want to rent out their touring boats since they need them to run their tours).
Why Sea Kayaking
It is a magical, quiet sport quickly and easily learned; the craft are stable and seaworthy. Wildlife is less threatened by a person quietly drifting by in a kayak than any other approach. It is a great way to spend time with new friends in a wilderness setting. Kayaks can carry more gear than backpacks so many former hikers are turning to sea kayaking. Come see why sea kayaking is exploding in popularity, by going on a guided sea kayak tour in a beautiful setting.
Nancy lives in Coeur d'Alene Idaho and her company, Sea Kayak Adventures, offers guided kayak tours in Mexico's Baja Peninsula and British Columbia Canada's Vancouver Island. An avid paddler, she started sea kayaking in Baja in 1988 and since then has explored waters from Yukon to Ecuador.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Nancy_Mertz

San Diego Date Ideas - Kayak the La Jolla Sea Caves

Set in a marine ecological reserve with sea caves, a kelp forest, abundant wildlife, and the beautiful La Jolla coastline, La Jolla Shores is widely regarded as the best ocean kayaking spot in San Diego.
Aside from the general beauty of the area, the outstanding feature is the seven sea caves carved into the 75-million-year-old sandstone cliffs. The neat thing about these caves is that they are set into the water and, excepting Sunny Jim’s Cave, are only accessible from the ocean. While Sunny Jim’s may be reached by walking, The Clam’s Cave, Arch Cave, Sea Surprise, Shopping Cart, Little Sister, and White Lady can only be seen by kayak or boat. You can actually kayak into the caves with the right tide and swell, but it can be dangerous and is not recommended unless you are on a tour with an experienced guide.
Now personally, I don’t usually go for the guided tours because you end up in a big group of people who want to chat about God knows what and the pace gets set by some couch potato from Cleveland. But as far as kayaking in the reserve is concerned, a guide isn’t such a bad idea. He or she will allow you to safely explore the sea caves during proper conditions and will also provide a wealth of information about the local animals, ecological reserve, and kelp forest. Speaking of wildlife, some of the animals you may see include sea lions, harbor seals, dolphins, distant whales in the wintertime, and perhaps a brightly-colored garibaldi or two. Whether you’re in a tour or not, expect to spend a few hours on the water as you paddle from La Jolla Shores to the sea caves, La Jolla Cove, out to the kelp forest, and then back.
If you opt to go it alone, the rental shops will transport both you and the kayaks to La Jolla Shores beach and return at a prearranged time. They pretty much all have complimentary lockers available and wetsuits for rent in colder weather. Bring dry clothes, a towel, hat, sunblock, sunglasses, etc. Reserve your single or double kayaks at least 24 hours in advance during the off-season and earlier around the holidays and peak summer season.
When you’re finished in the water, there are plenty of good spots for a picnic at La Jolla Shores, La Jolla Cove, or Ellen Browning Park, and some excellent restaurants in the village within walking distance. If you have the time, you might also enjoy walking south to see the seals sunbathing at Children’s Pool.
David Hail is co-founder of local date ideas website NearHere.com.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=David_Hail

Buying Your First Kayak

A couple of decades ago there were two to three models of Kayaks available. Don't be surprised if today you go in the market to find 50 different ultra specialized Kayaks.
The obvious first question is what type of kayaking will you do? Basically there is river, lake, and sea kayaking. River kayaks are very short and tough boats meant for maneuverability and the abuse of whitewater rapids. Sea kayaks are sleek and light and are designed for cruising. Then there are general kayaks that can be used on sea lakes.
There are three basic types of kayaks as far as structure and materials are concerned.
Rigid kayaks are made of plastic, wood or carbon fiber. These are usually the most affordable and are they are the most popular too. Plastic boats are tough and reliable but once damaged can be very difficult to repair. Fiberglass boats are more expensive than plastic but damage is easily repaired, they are also quite light.
For kayak enthusiasts who appreciate aesthetics and beauty, you might want to look at some wooden boats; they are carefully crafted and very beautiful kayaks. There are kits available for folks who are prepared to build their own.
A folding kayak is usually made of wood or aluminum. Their prices are usually high, but they tend to last longer, and are also quite easy to store.
Inflatable boats provide good portability and storage space. They are generally the least expensive kayaks you can buy. Kayak enthusiasts for whom storage and transportation is a major issue will find a good option in these boats.
Another choice to ponder is whether to choose a single-passenger or double-passenger kayak. Both have their own advantages and disadvantages. For a fun family adventure, the double kayak is perfect. It is fast and stable but lacks the maneuverability of a single Kayak.
After deciding on the style of kayak you want to purchase, price becomes a big factor in determining exactly which model to buy. A basic entry-level plastic kayak can be found for as low as $250. Fiberglass boats can cost from anywhere around $900 to $2500. Other plastic models can run as high as $1700. If you want to go for the more exotic kayaks they would cost you a little more. Inflatable boats start at about $125 and go up to about $2000. Folding boats have a huge Price variation, in them and they can cost anywhere between $1500 to $5000.
Jake Blackman at http://www-kayaks.info gives you the inside scoop on kayaking. You'll learn what makes a good kayak and how to prepare for a kayaking trip, and much more.
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Kayak Fishing: Get To Where the Fish Are

"I keep my eyes clear and I hit 'em where they ain't." This was baseball’s Willie Keeler's famous explanation for his .432 average in 1897. This applies well for baseball, but not fishing. To be successful, you need to be able to get where the fish are, not be “where they ain’t” and a great way to accomplish this to use a kayak.
As a child, I sat on the bank of many a river and many a small lake with my grandpa trying to catch fish. While I cherished the time we spent together, we did not catch as many fish as I would have liked. In fact, I know that I would have enjoyed these trips more if we would have had more action. Now that I have my kayak, I am mobile. If I spot feeding fish I can get to them with just a few short strokes, make a cast, and BINGO “Fish On!” This makes for a much more exciting day.
My favorite lake to fish is Lake Angelus in Michigan. This is a private lake; I am fortunate that my sister has a house on the lake and allows me access. Anyway, my point is that I have discovered where the fish are and now I can get to them. The lake has a “flats” area that cannot be reached by heaving bait as a landlubber. Also complicating things is that the fish are easily spooked from the sounds of boat engines. Consequently, the kayak is the ultimate tool for achieving success. I have literally “snuck up” on 5-pound small mouth bass, seen the lunker lying on the bed, worked my “Texas” rig, through the shallows, and then had the fight of a lifetime. At times, the fish have towed the kayak quite some distance before being landed.
Serenity Now!
For those of you familiar with the comedian Jerry Seinfeld, you may remember the famous episode when one of the characters thought they could obtain peaceful bliss by screaming “SERENITY NOW!” Of course, this did not work, and the character ended up being institutionalized. However, I know how you can obtain bliss, simply take the kayak to a secluded place and enjoy nature. I am a good angler, but I am sure there are many other fishermen who have developed more skills at this sport than I have. Consequently, I do not have a fish on constantly (nor do I want to have a fish on constantly). When things slow down on my quests for fish, I can obtain Serenity by paddling around the lake and observing nature.
I also am a birder and like to identify the different species that gather around the wetlands. My kayaking trips have allowed me to observe birds and other wildlife that could not be seen in suburbia, where I live. Some examples are a bald eagle in Upper Michigan, an elk on the Two-Hearted River in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, some loons also in the U.P., and moose and Grizzly bear in Alaska.
Okay, let’s say you don’t like fishing, and birding isn’t your bag either. How about surfing? Or riding the rapids? Or sailing? The kayak can be used in all of these sports. No kidding, I have surfed in the Atlantic Ocean with a kayak. I paddled out to the breakers, timed the wave, and rode it to shore. This was very exciting! I have also taken my kayak through white water on a river, an adrenaline rush. Before you try this, you must make sure you are properly equipped and have the skill to make it through safely.
Sailing is something I have yet to try, but I’ve seen it and want to give it a go. The kayaks really move out on a windy day!
Lastly, I am 5’7” tall and weight 200 pounds (sometimes more). The reason I bring this up is to let you know that I need exercise. Sadly, I do not have the svelte physique I used to have back in the day. The kayak provides me with an aerobic workout opportunity. It helps me keep my weight down and to keep my muscles toned.
The above reasons are why I have the passion for kayaking. Dollar for dollar, the kayak is the best investment you can make if you share the same interests that I do.
Scott Hamilton, Kayak fisherman http://www.kayakquest.com
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Guided Grand River Canoe Kayak Trip - Discover With Uniqueness

Guided Grand River canoe and kayak trips have been attracting many families new to the experience of river paddling. Over 30,000 paddlers visit the Grand River in Southern Ontario yearly. Many paddlers brush through the valley totally unaware of what is there.
This river is rich in native history steeped in the wars of the Mohawks, Huron and other Iroquoian nations. It contains the largest selection of plants, wildlife and trees in Canada. There are fresh springs to taste and many historical points of interest. The fishing is excellent with over 80 species of recorded fish. And the return of rare species such as ospreys, eagles and beaver have given the valley bragging rights.
For the novice new to the Grand River… a guided trip is a unique way of opening the door. Guided trips not only insure safety between point A and B, but offer instructional teaching on river paddling techniques. But the highlight of every trip is the rich enhancement of experiencing the plants, wildlife and native history of the valley.
Most of the Grand River outfitting companies are located along the picturesque section of the Grand River between Kitchener and Brantford. There are presently six companies offering guiding services. They are open from April until November, seven days a week with variable hours of operation. All the companies have websites and can be easily located by googling “Grand River guided canoe trips”.
The cost of guiding services between outfitters is basically the same. Small exclusive groups vary from $60 to $100 per person excluding tax. Large groups cost around $25 to $40 per person excluding tax. These prices include all equipment, guide, upstream shuttle service and sometimes lunch.
The guided “trip” works as follows… the customer parks their vehicle at the trip exit point and then shuttled upstream to paddle back to their vehicle with the guide. Most trips are 3 to 5 hours of leisure paddling depending on which section of the watershed is chosen.
The prettiest wilderness section to paddle on the Grand River is a 3 hour trip between Glen Morris and Paris. For a unique 6-7 hour paddle which can be broken into a relaxing weekend trip, there is the Glen Morris to Brant Park… offering the best of the Grand River. If new to the Grand River ask the outfitter to recommend a suitable trip to match paddling skills.
Guiding services can vary and it is always wise to inquire. Some guides basically deliver customers from point A to B on the river with a set time schedule. Other guides are certified instructors which can teach proper strokes and steering techniques. The best guides not only instruct paddling techniques but teach and explore the river valley.
Many customers upon arrival expect their own exclusive guide only to discover that they have been batched with other groups. These “one-guide-batch” trips are often a unpleasant experience. The slowest paddler holds up the entire group and diverts most of the guide’s attention. When booking a guided trip inquire whether it is a batch or exclusive service being provided. Exclusive guided services costs more but the learning experience is worth it.
After a guided trip, many have gained the “river smarts” and confidence to explore on their own… and are encouraged to do so. The Grand River offers lots of opportunity. It is the largest watershed in Southern Ontario with over 300 kilometers of nearby wilderness paddling from the Bruce Highlands to the shores of Lake Erie.
But the best thing about the Grand River is that it is one of the few pristine rivers where a family can drive one hour from Toronto… experience a day’s wilderness paddle… and still be in their own bed at night.
Garth Pottruff's love for guiding makes him one of the most unique teaching experiences in the Grand River Valley in the Paris area. He has deliberately shortened his paddling time to increase the teaching time of the guided Grand River canoe kayak and raft trips. If seeking more then a paddle down the Grand River... a day with Garth is a learning experience that won't be forgotten.
For more information on guided Grand River canoe, kayak and rafting trips for families, friends and corporate groups... visit his website The Grand River Rafting Company
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Kayak Trailers - How Useful Are They?

Kayaking is a great way to relax and just about everybody can take up kayaking or canoeing whether you are young or old. Kayaking caters for all types of needs and requirements whether it is for sport or recreation.
You can buy sit on top kayaks for fun at the beach with the family, go kayak fishing, white water, or take the sport up as a professional racer. The cost of taking up kayaking can also be done on a budget as you can buy used kayaks for nominal amounts.
The one area where kayaking can become a real pain is transportation. Unless you opt for an inflatable kayak that can easily be thrown into the back of your car, you will need to buy a roof rack or van to transport your boat to the water. Your transportation problems do not end there as in most cases the waters edge will not be by the roadside which means you will need to somehow get your kayak to the water by other means.
Carrying a kayak over any distance and on your own can be impossible and what is more you will be exhausted by the time you get to your destination. Furthermore it is not just your kayak you will need to carry; you will have paddles, a life jacket, and food, together with any other kayak accessories you wish to take on your journey.
Kayak trailers although expensive can really help out in getting your kayak to the water. That said I have yet to come across any kayak trailers that are quick and easy to fit. Maybe I am being too optimistic in thinking there should be, by now, a simple universal 'click and go' design by now but unfortunately I have yet to find one.
I have two kayak trailers both of which cost in excess of $100 for not much more than a couple of go cart wheels and some aluminium tubing. However I do accept kayak trailers are a niche market so one must expect to pay a premium.
The closest design I have seen to a 'click and go' solution is for a sit on top kayak where the aluminium bars of the kayak trailer simply slot into the scupper holes at the bottom of the boat and there is no strapping required. This is fine if your journey is predominately a flat surface. The problems arise if you need to go up a curb, stairs, cross a ditch or any other terrain where you would need to lift the kayak, as the kayak trailer simply falls out. Whilst this situation is manageable it is awkward and far from perfect. Similarly using kayak trailers which require the use of bungees or roof rack straps can be equally frustrating especially if you are trying to balance your boat whilst simultaneously trying to tie the kayak trailer to it.
My answer to "is it worth investing in a kayak trailer?" would be yes, but at the same time I do think they are expensive and not without their faults.
Vicki Churchill writes for a site that specializes in Kayak Accessories providing you with excellent resources and products including reviews on the stunning Sevylor Ranger Inflatable Kayak. And an excellent guide to Kayak Trailers
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Inflatable Kayak Reviews! Kayaks Come In Many Inflatable Models And Styles - Which Is Right For You?

With inflatable kayak reviews, we can take some of the top kayaks and inflatable boat models and break them down into categories such as function, size, and style that will suite your boating needs the best, and provide you an informative review of each kayak!
The inflatable boats market is increasing dramatically due to the flexibility and price of many kayaks and boats available today, and for people that enjoy spending time in the outdoors, they can really take advantage of the features they offer.
Now whether you’re a sports junkie or a seasonal leisure enthusiast will be the determining factor on which inflatable kayak is going to be right for you. You may go camping only once a year, and your active lifestyle is casual and more laid-back. With that in mind, you would consider a boat that is based more on the pricing, and you won’t have as much concern about the material quality.
On the other hand, if you’re planning on kayaking class 4 whitewater or you plan on using your inflatable boat for some serious fishing activities, then you will be considering more heavy duty reinforced boats with greater flexible features, and kayak accessories and necessary options to meet your demanding outdoor requirements.
Our Inflatable Review Will Help You Determine Which Kayak Meets Your Recreation Needs
Many manufacturers and outfitters have done a great job in creating a wide variety of options, and understand that the boat features must be different for each boating individual. They have designed everything from casual recreation models, to the extremely durable paddling features that many hardcore sporting kayakers require.
I will do a breakdown of several inflatable models and provide you a detailed comparison on each one. This way you can see differences in the construction, and why they vary from the lower priced average durable model, to the performance level pvc models that are more rugged and stronger in the denier class of material.
If you’re not familiar with some of the technical terms above, don’t worry! I will explain these terms to you in my next article and let you know the importance. To continue this article, you can follow my link that you can find in my Author Bio section listed as “Kayak Reviews”. In the second part of this article I will go into more detail for you, and talk about several models available. I will discuss which one is best suited for your outdoor experience, and in the end you can make the final decision of which one is best for you.
About the author: William is the owner and the author of “Rugged Inflatable Kayaks” available at http://www.rugged-inflatable-kayaks.com A great source for inflatable kayaks! For individuals and families searching for quality inflatable boats for their next camping trip, or whitewater adventure, You can easily compare and find a kayak that's right for your needs by reading the second part of my article here at "Kayak Reviews". You can also view other great options of Inflatable Kayak Brands, such as Sevylor kayaks to complete your adventures in style and comfort.
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Do You Keep A Club In Your Kayak?

If you are a new paddler, there is no better way to make new paddling friends than joining a paddler's club! In addition to learning from others, you will have someone to go paddling with. There are numerous paddling clubs all over the United States that enjoy kayaking. If you have a home river that you are familiar with you may even find a club that paddles that river. Use the internet to put yourself in contact with others in your local area as this sometimes works well. Clubs usually have organized events for enthusiasts from all levels of expertise and paddling group preferences.
It doesn't matter if you're a fan of aluminum kayaks and this type of boat only, you will find someone who has this type of craft that you can share ideas and experiences with. One major advantage of joining a paddling club is you don't need to concern yourself will planning anything. You are also more apt to continue paddling when you are with friends.
Kayaks of all shapes and sizes and even inflatable kayaks have a strong following. Clubs will teach you the essential skills for boating and some clubs practice every week. Some clubs organize shiftwater rescue classes which are great, as this allows you to pick up skills that are sometimes costly or hard to acquire on your own. Group discounts are available when you become a member of a club and this is great when it comes time to buy paddling equipment to or other types of craft. It doesn't matter what age you are. If you have a strong desire and a passion for paddling, there is something for all ages and skill levels. It is worthwhile taking the time to find a club in your local area, and give it a try!
By Terry Price- Remember to visit- http://www.inflatable-boats-kayak-supplies.com/Boat-Covers.html - A sit on top kayak will give you stability, good looks and ease of use.- http://www.inflatable-boats-kayak-supplies.com/158-sit-on-top-kayak.html
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Learn to Kayak on the West Coast

Do you live on or near the West coast? Have you decided to try kayaking and feel you are in need of lessons? Or are you a veteran kayaker looking for a pulse racing adventure trip? Kayakers of all levels will want to check out Current Adventures Kayak School and Trips. Located in Lotus, California they kayak in Sacramento, San Francisco, Monterey and Sierra Nevada mountain areas. They lead kayak trips along the West coast and in other countries such as New Zeeland, Panama, and Costa Rica.
Do you prefer to kayak on rivers or at sea? Either way, Current Adventures Kayak School and Trips will meet your needs. The kayaking school covers river and sea kayaking plus kayaking certification programs. Within each type of kayaking they offer a bevy of different levels. For example, river kayaking lessons consist of three skill levels and a fast track. There are special clinics such as rapid descent, roll classes, safety, and kayak polo.
Do you want to earn kayaking certifications? Do you need to train for a specific kayaking event? They have ample training and certifications available which include: ACA Instructor training, safety/rescue, Eppies Great Race training, and Adventure Race training. The ACA Instructor training covers river and surf kayaking through instructor development workshops. Instructor certification takes two days and the instructor development workshop last three days. The Eppies Great Race training can be completed in either four or six sessions. The Adventure Racing training consists of a one day training session. After which, you will be certified for the paddling portion of the adventure race.
Kayaking is a great way to spend quality time with your children. They offer a family friendly environment specializing in kids kayaking lessons as well. Kayaking for kids is broken down by age group. They offer camps and other family/group activities. The entire family can take part in your kayaking adventure.
Kayaking trips through exotic locations are popular. They present a great list of locations to choose from. The trips can take place on rivers, lakes, and bays. You can pick from whitewater and calm water trips. Why not take a whitewater trip to Costa Rica? You will be able to enjoy the beautiful scenery and experience the vast rain forests. Vacation photographs from this trip will actually be a hit with your family and neighbors.
Whether you are a novice or skilled kayaker, Current Adventures Kayak School and Trips has a program that will benefit your kayaking skills. The clinics and trips are fun and add spice to your vacation. If you are considering kayaking on the West coast then be sure to check them out. Further information can be found at http://www.currentadventures.com/
Monica Marty is a kayaking fan and webmaster of http://kayakingisfun.com/ where you will find a Free directory and information on Kayaking
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A Hawaii Fishing Vacation

I really didn’t need a cup of coffee. Yet I find myself here, at Starbucks, across the University of Seattle, with coffee in hand wondering if there’s anything fun that can come out of today.
It seems ironic that we left the “high-eighties” in Hawaii thinking we were headed to the cooler, maybe even rainy, Pacific northwest! Instead we are greeted by temperatures that made what we left seem cool! With some time to kill while the students I accompanied here attend their workshops, it would seem a great opportunity to break away and enjoy the city. Seattle is a wonderful place and the quick drive into town from the airport last night reinforced my appreciation for the impressive architecture, the exciting waterfront, the greenery, and overall charm which I’ve admired on this and each of my two prior visits.
Today, I am in a different mood. It may be that the heat is intense enough to make any sightseeing pursuit more a feat of endurance than a pleasant pastime. Or perhaps I realize that anything that seems exciting…like the run out to Tillicum Village, or exploring the shores of Puget Sound or Lake Washington would only make we wish I had my fishing gear to really enjoy being here. But then, even if I did have my gear, I know neither where to go nor what to do to in these waters that are completely foreign to me!
So, I sit here in Starbucks, where the air-conditioned comfort seems more pleasant than anything else I can think of doing today. My thoughts drift back to my part of the world, Hawaii. I can’t help but wonder how many visitors to the islands are feeling this same, “it’s nice to be here but I’d really be just as happy fishing back at home!” I also wonder how many, like me, go through the tourist “must-dos” and bypass fishing altogether because Hawaii beaches, while great for tanning and swimming, seem just a bit too “foreign” to them!
For the fishing Mecca that Hawaii is, relatively few will do some serious fishing outside of the pricey options that grace the tourist publications that are literally everywhere you turn. Certainly, we’d all love to charter a sport fishing boat, but how many of us have the budget to do something like that more than once or twice? Most will agree that a day of fishing does not a vacation make. But a week or more spent doing our favorite activity in a new and promising environment could very well be the closest thing to heaven imaginable.
So how do you begin to prepare for a Hawaii fishing vacation? Read on, it might be simpler, more enjoyable, and less expensive than you think!
Get A Home Base
Looking at a condo or vacation rental home rather than a hotel room is a great start to setting yourself up for a serious island fishing. Aside from offering kitchen facilities and more space, condos or vacation rental homes come at a relatively lower cost than equivalent hotel rooms. And while the price of a rental might initially seem out of range, the actual number of people that can be accommodated in these units and the ability to prepare your own meals will result in an overall decrease in your daily expenses.
What’s more, condos and vacation rentals will allow you the full impact of your fishing vacation for you'll find, in Hawaii, the fishing experience goes far beyond the catch. If you’ve ever enjoyed the many and varied ways that fish is prepared in the islands, you’ll know that enjoying your catch at the table is as much a part of fishing as is the fight! The opportunity to experiment with different local recipes will enhance your vacation experience and the ability to wow your friends back home with some exotic (many quite simple, too!) dishes you've learned to prepare will probably be the most treasured souvenir of your entire vacation!
Try Some Local Fishing Techniques…
We could spend hours and not scratch the surface of fishing in Hawaii. But one or two days of purposeful (and genuinely interesting) investigation can get you ready for some serious fishing fun in Hawaii that is not only productive and exciting but quite inexpensive as well.
Pick up a book about Hawaii fishing and add to that a visit to the local fish markets and fishing supply stores to learn about the edible fish and which to expect in different types of waters.
Spearfishing
If you’ve developed some proficiency snorkeling or diving, visit any of a number of “mom & pop” fishing supply stores on the islands and ask them to show you a “Hawaiian sling,” a simple inexpensive spear with a rubber tube that’s probably the most popular piece of hardware for catching fish in Hawaii!
Many of us local enthusiasts started out with these simple spears and continue using them today!
Pole-fishing
If you prefer fishing from the shore, you’ll find Hawaii’s coastlines offer a range of different conditions for a variety of fishing techniques ranging from a simple hand-pole to the most sophisticated fly- and surf-casting! The small size of the islands make it possible to spend a day or two looking for possible fishing spots on one day, talking to fishing supply people and those you come across on the beaches… then going it on your own the next day! Before you realize it you’ve already enjoyed yourself touring the island… meeting island folks with whom you share a common love… and you haven’t blown a load of money trying to entertain yourself!
If you’re looking to cut the learning curve, there are a couple of shorefishing guides that can take you out for a day and provide you with a sufficient background in that time to enable you to go it on your own the rest of your vacation while feeling quite confident about what you’re doing.
Kayak Fishing
Fast becoming a sport unto itself, kayak fishing has become a venue for those with limited budgets and/or the desire to pursue an exhilarating form of fishing. Hawaii kayak fishermen are regularly boating such sport fish as amberjacks, tuna, dolphin-fish, wahoo, and more as well as smaller reef game fish that are equally enjoyable cooked up!
Of course it’ll take a bit more planning to set-up your equipment and plans for some serious kayak fishing but if it sounds appealing to you now, you might not want to do anything else during your entire stay. Everyone who’s done it will attest that landing a decent-sized fish on a kayak is an experience to which one can easily become addicted!
A Permanent Trophy
In the very possible event you land a fish worthy of permanent display, look into some of the local gyotaku artists. Here is a process where an imprint of your fish is made by applying a non-toxic paint to your fish then using the “painted” fish to imprint its image onto a piece of cloth. It’s an old Japanese method serving the same function as taxidermy which allows for the fish to be eaten. Yes, you can forever display your fish and eat it, too!
Just as it is fishing back at home, nothing can guarantee you’ll catch what you’re fishing for. But I’m confident that the time you spend planning for a Hawaii fishing vacation will be as enjoyable as any itinerary you've ever prepared and the subsequent trip might just be the paradise you were really looking for!
Yes... a Hawaii fishing vacation. Give it some thought because the possibilities are endless. I could go on forever but, perhaps, I can share more later. Right now, I think I’ll head down to the waterfront and find out what folks are catching on Puget Sound!
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The author, Richard Young, is the creator of Hawaiibeachcombers.com, a website about Hawaii beaches which includes Hawaii shore fishing, kayak fishing, snorkeling and diving, and freshwater fishing along with other ocean-related activities.
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