HikeArizona.COM

Looking for an experienced kayaker to take me under their wing. I would LOVE to go kayaking. I went sea kayaking off the island of Santa Cruz 2 summers ago - what a blast. (sea kayaking photo in personal gallery)

I have no equipment. Willing to rent or borrow. Goal for 2007 is to get myself geared up for kayaking and advice from someone who knows their stuff would be very cool.

(recently dislocated my elbow attempting to ride a wave board - so would not be able to kayak until February, but would love to get something on the calendar)

Dawn

In the spring suggest a visit to Blue Ridge Lake NE of Pine and Willow Springs Lake East of Payson.

hey werent you saying that Blue Ridge name changed? what are we calling it now?

btw.. whatever its called im there, its a favorite haunt of mine and i got to canoe it once. that one trip may be the leading cause of my kayak purchase actually.

I'd suggest running a river rather than paddling flatwater, but I bet I could be talked into either.

Just a reminder that the big show is tomorrow, WEDNESDAY- at 6 something. 6:30 I think. See ya'll there

I asked the forest service folks about SRP changing the name of Blue Ridge and they told me they were not changing the signs.

well the class turned out to be nothing but pictures of the dude's trips over the years.
No info on beginning kayaking as REI advertised. Cool pics tho!

so today I got the chance to head out past Butcher Jones on the 4x4 trails to a nice cove beach that was in real good shape (only a few discarded bud light cans) and tried my boat for the first time. I gotta say paddling is real fun. It comes natural to go with the movement of the water, and feels like you are part of a living organism. To top it off, I watched a mature Bald eagle do some aerial acrobatics for a while. Glad I got the boat... Im totally stoked

I haven't tried mine yet. I'm sort of afraid of it. I'm afraid I wouldn't know how to extricate myself from it if I tipped over. It's a pretty tight little cockpit. I need to get a better pfd and a skirt for it anyway. I would have been bummed if, let's say, I had driven all the way to Phx. thinking REI was providing beginning kayaking, and then it's some dude showing slides. People who teach it usually do it in a swimming pool, anyway, so next time if someone is telling you it's beginning kayaking make sure there is actual water available! I have a kayaking DVD, shows the Eskimo Roll, etc., but I doubt if I could learn from it. Waste of money. I need an instructor.

The pics from his trips were super cool. He also did have some good info on water flows depending on the season. As Mike said though, I too was expecting some basic info. What to look for in a boat, oar and stuff like that. The highlight of the evening was trying to explain to one of the sales clerks that I don't care if his 4lb pack carried 50lbs well. My pack, bag, and pad weigh just what his pack does. Silly ultra-heaviers.

did you ever find anyone willing to teach you the basics of kayaking? if not, let me know. I used to be a professional paddler all over the US and i've got some time off the first 2 weeks of February before i go kayak the Grand Canyon. Do you have a boat already?

Judd
riverotter95@msn.com
tempe

In response to hikingsunshine's reply:

Hey hikingsunshine,
For afterwards.....

Your four kids, though, will have to stick with this>

In response to hikeaz's reply:

How 'bout some RAFTING?......https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DGsfLOlqoOI

In response to hikeaz's reply:

Interesting......-> http://www.waveyard.com/images/Waveyard_Article.jpg

Paddle Demo Day
4/7/2007 10:00 AM

A fun & FREE day of paddling at Kiwanis Lake in Tempe! Major canoe and kayak manufactures will be there to answer all of your questions and demonstrate the latest styles of boats. You will also have a chance to meet with local paddling clubs and organizations! Location: Kiwanis Lake, Tempe
Contact: REI Customer Service (480) 967-5494
Cost: Free
Registration Required? No.