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Kayaking 101
No
Experience Necessary
Ordinary People
Realizing Extraordinary Dreams
A Typical
Day
Your First Experience
No Experience Necessary
Over the years we have
introduced hundreds of folks to their first kayaking experience. Paddling a sea
kayak is comfortable and easy to learn. You glide silently across the water
observing wildlife and the coastal environment close up. Anyone healthy and fit
with a positive attitude can enjoy kayaking. The amount of paddling is a good
balance of challenge and ease. Our premium quality, two-person kayaks are very
stable and seaworthy. If this is your first adventure tour, and you are
naturally a little apprehensive about going solo, we will support you each step
of the way. Please call if you have any concerns.
"As a single female, I
was a bit nervous traveling alone. All three guides made me feel comfortable,
safe and completely at ease".
-- Margaret Garner, Sea of Cortez
"I am a novice kayaker
at best, and the skill level and the ability of our guides to encourage us and
instill self confidence in tackling "new horizons" was excellent. You have a
terrific program and I look forward to our next adventure with you".
--
Suzanne Anderson, Sea of Cortez
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Ordinary People Realizing Extraordinary Dreams
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Our guests are active
people seeking educational, once-in-a-lifetime experiences; yet
health-promoting and relaxed vacations. They range in age from low-teens to
low-seventies. We get a mixture of singles, couples, families and friends. What
they all share in common is a spirit of adventure and a willingness to
experience the natural world on the most profound and intimate level. Many keep
returning again and again, knowing they'll receive only the best from SKA. They
have given their permission for you to contact them with questions about our
trips. Call us to request our reference list.
"I don't think you could
find another outfitter that works as hard to ensure their guests have the
kayaking experience that they've dreamed of. All 3 of my SKA tours were
sublime".
-- Linda Eberle, Baja and Johnstone Strait |
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A
Typical Day
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During the trip, time is
perfectly balanced. You never feel rushed, bored or restless. There's coffee
waiting when you get up at sunrise and time to enjoy some quiet moments by the
water. Then get dressed for the day and enjoy a yummy breakfast. Afterwards,
we'll take down the tents, pack up the kayaks, stretch and head off. We'll stop
by a favorite beach for lunch and snorkeling or a hike, then paddle to your
next campsite. Set up camp, have a laugh at Happy Hour, look through the
library to identify the names of fish you had seen, beachcomb with new
friends. You'll have dinner, watch the stars come out, learn about the
constellations, play a game and head to bed. You can be as active or as relaxed as you like. The days just flow.
"We truly enjoyed this
trip and consider it possibly the best vacation we have ever had. Your
attention to detail, care of your equipment and planning is evident in the
success of your trips. We are so glad you made our first kayaking adventure a
pleasant, memorable one. Keep up the good work".
-- Bob and Elizabeth Mills,
Johnstone Strait |
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Your First Experience
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For beginner kayakers
considering taking a tour, here are some tips when shopping for a sea kayak outfitter that can help make that first sea
kayaking tour a great experience.
Most first-time kayakers
will have a positive experience if the tour company and guides are sensitive
and competent to deal with their needs. Be sure to inquire of the outfitter:
the level of difficulty of the trip, duration, weather, typical participants (age,
gender, paddling experience), which trips are suitable for beginners, the
qualifications and experience of the guides, their philosophy about leading
trips, and their approach to first-time kayakers, the guide to participant
ratio; what kayaks and equipment are used, the weather conditions at different
times of year, etc. You can also ask for a list of what to bring, their trip
menu, references. Do ask what is included in trip price (ie meals, hotel
nights, sleeping bags & pads, etc). Our niche at SKA is introducing novice kayakers to the sport and the areas we paddle - we love that! |
"At the end of each
kayaking day, our group relaxed on the beached logs and sipped wine from cups
while the guides cooked our gourmet meals".
-- Elle Andra-Warner, Johnstone
Strait
Getting into shape for
the tour doesn't necessarily involve intensive training - you don't need to be
a super athlete to paddle (the majority of first-time kayakers on tours seem to
be in their 40s and up). Sea kayaking is not difficult to learn. But some basic
training within 2 months prior to your sea kayak tour will make it a more
comfortable experience and help prevent repetitive motion injuries: ie
resistance exercises to increase your upper body and abs strength, stretching
exercises to increase your range of motion and daily walking to build up your
endurance and general fitness.
The guides are always in
close proximity, well equipped and specially trained to handle emergency situations. They take
your concerns or apprehensions to heart - that way they can help make kayaking
a more positive experience for you, so please communicate closely with them.
Find your comfort zone - the journey will be much more enjoyable.
The goal of any sea
kayak tour- whether you are a first-time kayaker or an experienced paddler - is
to have a good time and a great adventure. So relax and enjoy exploring the
beauty of nature from a viewpoint only possible from a kayak.
"Since this was my first
trip of this kind, I really didn't know exactly what to expect. However, the
whole experience was just great…the people, the first-rate equipment, the
area & nature, the guides, the food was wonderful, plus the weather and
traveling connections. I especially appreciated the equipment list you sent. It
all fit into my backpack and I was ready to go."
-- Arlene Perry, Sea of
Cortez
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