In truth the river waters that I have traveled have been easy-going with enough action for the beginner that I am to learn how to navigate. The waters have been shallow enough with rocks often enough to occasionally get hung up and I’ve had to learn bow to get loose to remain afloat.

Along with the action of the waters each trip offers awesome scenery. In my region it’s not uncommon to see squirrels, great blue herons, kingfishers, mallard ducks, Canadian geese and various song birds. Occasionally we have seen beavers, otters, snakes and deer. I think that the tracks left in the mud shown in the photo may well be otter spoor. what do you think?

In addition to the enjoyment of being on the water, kayaking and canoeing provide another mode of transportation that can be used in an emergency. It can be used for egress or simple transportation from place-to-place… perhaps to otherwise inaccessible places for safety. I’m preparing for a camping trip via kayak this Spring/Summer with eager anticipation. I’ve acquired a dry bag but I may need more. I’ll be sure to share that experience with you!

I was able to learn a few things with a little guidance from my friend: a single upstream pointing “V” indicates a rock to avoid; when encountering a double upstream pointing “V” you can pass between them safely; on the downstream side of a rock there is often an “eddy” that you can steer into which is generally calm and can sometimes draw your kayak upstream slightly – this is a good place to “park” and rest a bit. I had a variety of experiences, sometimes reading the current correctly and shooting through and a few times reading it wrong and hanging up on the rocks… a very educational experience.

When we beached the kayaks it was relatively easy to disembark and then re-board, however, I took a dump at the final exit point at some stairs along the bank of the river. I was glad to have a waterproof case for my phone. On the bright side I was able to collect two new lures just prior to my exit from fishing lines that had snagged in some trees so it helped to off-set my embarrassment.

There are more difficult passages to conquer in the future but this was a great entry into my first river experience and I’m sure more training will provide more confidence and safety to meet the new challenges ahead.

This is an eight foot entry level kayak in a market that offers differing purposes, qualities, and price ranges. On my inaugural voyage I noticed some significant differences: I sat straight-legged, it had a smaller draft line with less stability, gear space was limited, it used a dual paddle whose technique differed than a single paddle, it carried a single person, and it was light enough to carry in one hand. It weighs only 27 lbs. and I can easily load it by myself for transport which enables me to store it safely at home.

Initially I tried to apply my canoe paddling techniques to the kayak but wobbled all over. Subsequently a friend has helped me to learn the ways of kayak paddling and had great suggestions for various accessories to make a more safe and pleasant experience.

I realize that the pond is a peaceful environment and someday I may want to graduate to a placid stream or white water river but that will require additional safety gear and training. That endeavor may also lead to a higher grade of kayak but for now I am getting acquainted with the fundamentals and I’m looking forward to making new memories with this versatile and affordable water craft.

Begin by grasping a short stick, pen or pencil like a conductor would hold a bation. Hold it out at arm’s length and slide your thumb up or down the stick to match the same width of a stream or height of a tree in the distance behind it. You may need to back up in order to match the relative size of these items. Then, keeping the tip of you thumb at the side of the stream or base of the tree, rotate it 180 degrees or 90 degrees respectively to the adjoining ground beside it. Where the tip of the stick matches the horizon line on the ground, spot a landmark like a rock or flower as a marker. Then you can walk up to the marker and measure the distance between that and the pivot point on the stream bank or tree base by pacing it out or by using a tape measure or known length of cord.

When estimating a distance or height, be sure to position yourself at a perpendicular angle (or 90 degrees) to it for the best possible accuracy.

Begin by gathering 4 sticks (or markers like stones) that you will place in the ground. Then, look directly across to the other bank of the stream for some type of marker like a plant, rock or stump, then position yourself directly across from it. Place stick #1 in the ground between your feet. Then turn 90 degrees to your side (we’ll choose left) and take 5 even paces and place the 2nd stick in the ground. Continue for another 5 even paces and place the 3rd stick in the ground. Now turn 90 degrees away from the stream and begin to walk. As you walk (you may prefer to walk backwards while facing the stream) your goal is to watch as the middle stick #2 drifts to the left relative to the marker across the stream. In addition, you may also want to hold the 4th stick in front of your dominant eye and watch as all three markers line up (the marker across the stream, stick #2 and stick #4. At this point place stick #4 in the ground at your feet. As long as you have walked in strict 90 degree angles, the distance between the marker across the stream and stick #1 will equal the distance between stick #3 and stick#4. This distance can now be paced out or measured for your rope or log’s minimum length.

For fun, you can practice this in an urban environment such as an empty parking lot using paper cups as your markers instead of sticks. You’ll be amazed at the results.