Your heart is racing almost as fast as the current feels. There was a moment there when you actually thought you might have to use that kayak rolling technique you’ve been practicing. While your head is still regaining its equilibrium and the excitement begins to lull – you realize you are thirsty, very thirsty. If …
It’s tempting to just throw in the towel when it’s raining and cancel your next kayaking trip. Who wouldn’t rather have the sun shining and a nice, dry, campsite? If you’re like me, though, you don’t really have this option unless you want to give up your passion for seven months out of the year. …
Step-by-Step Instructions for Pitching a Dry Campsite in the Rain Read More »
One of the most amazing things about paddling off the California coast is the chance to see some of the incredible wildlife. And the most awesome thing of all to see is a whale! I’ve only ever had the pleasure of seeing whales breaching at a distance. Even though binoculars, basically all I was able …
What happens if you are out of your kayak in the water, and you need to get back in on your own? Think ahead and learn how to perform the scramble self-rescue move. You should always kayak with a buddy if you don’t know how to perform a roll, but let’s say you get separated …
Learn How to Perform the Scramble Self-Rescue Move Read More »
One absolutely critical skill for any kayaker to learn is the roll. The roll is how you stay in your kayak and get back upright if you capsize. Rolling is tough to learn in the water for the same reason that bracing is difficult, and that is the natural fear that goes with capsizing. Because …
Okay …. not seriously. Originally when I saw this, I thought it was going to be a video about trying to kayak on flooded streets, but it’s actually the opposite. These are kayakers jokingly “paddling” through completely dry streets during the California drought. As you may know, the California drought is a very serious, ongoing …
For some reason, kayakers-in-training tend to focus a lot on the roll. I guess that makes sense. It is critical after all to know what to do in a worst-case scenario. If your kayak flips over with you in it, you need to be able to get upright as fast as possible, otherwise you’ll drown. …
Half a mile off Gaviota State beach near Santa Barbara, California, a kayak fisherman captured a real life scene from Jaws with his GoPro camera. The kayaker, Mark McCracken, was forced to fight off a “super aggressive” hammerhead shark with only his paddle as it repeatedly made attempts to ram the kayak. McCracken filmed the 15 minute …
Kayaker Fisherman Fights Off “Super Aggressive” Hammerhead Shark Read More »