The call of the kayak
Imagine you have the best seat in a 360-degree, 3-D, surround-sound theater. You’re watching a movie of otters playing tag at the river’s edge, a kingfisher plunging into a lake headfirst in hot pursuit of a fish dinner, and a loon staging a water ballet to lure you away from its mate and offspring—the little black chick is hitching a ride on its mother’s back.
Now, imagine you’re actually in the scene, experiencing it firsthand, up close and personal: The sights; the sounds; the smells. In a kayak, you can.
“What draws me to kayaking is that I get to see nature from a different perspective,” says Diane Oliveira, certified kayak instructor with Bahnhof Sports in Petoskey. “In my boat, I am one with the water. I can go places in my kayak where no motorboat can go: shallow waters; narrow passages. Kayaking is a great way to exercise and it gives me time for reflection—it’s a wonderful stress reducer. Plus, it’s a ton of fun!”
Oliveira has worked in the kayak industry for eight years. Each year, she sees an increase in the number of people purchasing their first kayak. “We’re also starting to see people coming back for an upgrade: first-timers who totally fell in love with the sport who now want a higher performance boat.” The number of people who have tried kayaking is relatively low, however. According to a 2007 report from the Outdoor Industry Foundation, only 2.5 percent of the U.S. population has kayaked.
“Kayaking is very accessible for almost everyone,” says Trey Rouss, store manager for Summit Sports in East Lansing. Rouss sells kayaks to all ages including 70-year-old women who can easily lift and carry a lighter-weight kayak (some kayaks are only 35 pounds) and have no problems paddling. “Proper paddling doesn’t put any stress on the back or shoulders,” says Rouss, “Your core muscles do all the work.” Rouss adds that, unlike canoes, kayaks are comfortable, stable, and easy to control.
If you can hold a paddle, you have what it takes. In the book, Kayaking Made Easy, author Dennis Stuhaug writes, “Fact is, I’m willing to bet you can learn to paddle [a kayak] in ten minutes.
This is an activity for today’s world: low impact on you and a light touch on the world through which you pass. Low cost, low technology, and a low learning curve for the person who wants to explore all the delightful vagaries along the break where the water meets the shore.”
Kayaking is always an adventure: There are so many different ways to kayak and different places to go. There’s river kayaking, sea kayaking, touring/cruising/expedition kayaking, and whitewater kayaking. Kayaking can be combined with fishing, bird watching, nature journaling, and/or nature photography. And it can be a solitary or social experience: You can kayak alone, in tandem (with another person or your dog), or with the entire family or a group.
Because there are so many variations in the form and function of kayaking, it’s a good idea to learn about the sport before you make a purchase. “For those who want to find out if they’re truly interested in the sport, I would recommend taking a class or workshop,” says Oliveira. “Learn from an experienced and certified kayak instructor. There are classes for everyone. Taking a class allows you to learn how to kayak the proper way: How to hold the paddle, enter and exit the kayak, maneuver it, and more. Knowing how to kayak the proper way will make your time on the water safe and more enjoyable. The instructor can also give you advice on what kind of kayak and equipment will fit your needs.”
Just like preparing to buy a car, it’s important to test-drive several kayaks. Attending a local kayaking demonstration or taking a beginner’s lesson is a great opportunity to do so. Summit Sports in East Lansing offers several kayaking demos at the MSU Sailing Center on Lake Lansing and other locations. In mid-May, Summit Sports hosted a kayak demo in Eaton Rapids where visitors took their pick from over 25 different kayaks and, with assistance and instruction from the staff, paddled up and down the Grand River.
Donna Hensey, 67, of Williamston was there to find a kayak that would be easy for her to transport and get in and out of. Kyle Maatman from Summit Sports helped Hensey select and test-drive four kayaks. It wasn’t long before she was sold on the Wilderness Pungo 120. Meanwhile, Shirley Whittum of Eaton Rapids and her grandchildren, Brittany Siple, age 13; John Siple, age 12; and Beth Siple, age 10 were testing the water. At a local hobby show, the kids had the chance to sit in land-locked kayaks. Now, they wanted to give them a go in the H20. Beth took the Hurricane Santee 116 for a spin. “It’s easy,” she said. “I think other people should go out and get a kayak. After one hour of paddling, it would make your arms strong.” Brittany test-drove a tandem kayak with one of the staff members, and said she’d like to kayak again. “Pretty awesome,” was how John described his experience. “I liked going out in the river by the forest, driving by myself.”
Get the Gear The basics: kayak, paddle, PFD (personal floatation device), pump, paddle float, microfiber clothing, hat and sunglasses. Plan to spend a minimum of $1000 for a kayak and basic equipment.
Local Kayaking Resources
- Summit Sports Kayaking Demos: www.summitkayakdemos.com
- Quiet World Sports Kayak Learning Center: www.quietworldsports.com
- Eaton Rapids Paddle Club (on Facebook)
- Friends of the Looking Glass River: www.lookingglassriverfriends.org
Karen Giles-Smith, MS, RD, is a registered dietitian and freelance writer based in Mason, Michigan. Visit her Web site and blog at : www.TheWellnessWriter.com
Kayaking is fast becoming a very popular recreational sport and it is no wonder. Kayaking is for everyone. From small to big, young to old and even our 4 legged friends are able to join in the fun.
Fishermen are always looking for something better and most of them has looked at kayaking and does their fishing on one.
There is so much to do in a kayak.
Great article.
Fishing from a kayak is a whole new experience from doing it from a boat. I am relearning how to handle the rod since I started fishing from mine. A large bass actually can tow you a bit!