Learn to Kayak on the West Coast

By Monica Marty

Editor's Note - here's a great article by Monica Marty on learning to kayak on the West Coast. Taking kayaking lessons can be a great and safe way to learn the sport, or to brush up on your skills (especially after a long winter layoff). A guided kayaking trip often allows veteran paddlers the ability to relax and enjoy their boating, instead of worrying about navigating or getting lost in strange waters. Kayaking lessons can also be a way to get certified if you're interested in competing in national or international events.

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

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

Need a New Touring Kayak?

Is that trusty old touring kayak getting a little long in the tooth? Are you finding it harder and harder to keep up with your paddling companions? Are you finding that your current boat just doesn't have the storage capacity for those long, multi-day excursions? Or are you in the market for your first sea or touring kayak?

If so, you might consider purchasing your next boat from one of the online merchants. Retail paddling shops are great if you can find one, but most only carry one or two brands, and expect to pay the full retail price. Online merchants, on the other hand, often carry several brands and dozens of touring and recreational kayaks, and usually at very competitive prices. They have secure ordering systems, good warranty and return policies, and will ship virtually anywhere in the world. And you won't have to spend a weekend driving all over town in search of that perfect new boat.

If you've got a moment, check out one of our recommended merchants. You'll be pleasantly surprised at what you find.

Touring kayaks from Backcountry.com
Shop Backcountry.com for a great selection of name brand touring kayaks, including Perception and Dagger.

Tips & Tricks

Reflective tape

Reflective tape can come in handy in an emergency
situation.

Reflective tape is very visible at night, and is often the first thing that rescue teams see while searching for a lost paddler. Just make sure the tape is the weatherproof type sold in boating supply stores and bicycle shops.

You'll want to run a line of tape down the hull
(above the waterline) of your kayak. If you have a plastic-hulled boat that tape won't stick to, try sewing the tape inside a 1" tubular webbing that can
be attached over the boat's deck lines. You'll also
want to tape the blades of your paddles, your PFD, and your helmet (if you wear one).