Golden Gate Sea Kayak Symposium

The Golden Gate Sea Kayak Symposium, which is running from the 18th to 20th February 2011, is a skills event that aims to deliver a fun and exciting weekend of sea kayaking in one of the most spectacular and dynamic locations in the world — the Marin Headlands and San Francisco Bay. This event is dedicated to the sheer joy of paddling well and paddling safe. Participants will find a little ACA and BCU in the program, but the goal is to address paddling for the pure fun of it. Some of the best coaches in the world will be in attendance.

Spring tides and powerful Pacific swells will ensure challenging conditions for even the most seasoned paddlers. The area has beautiful surf, rock gardens, tide races, flatwater, challenging navigation and more. Not to mention that all around you are Mt. Tam, the Marin Headlands, the Golden Gate Bridge, the San Francisco Skyline, Berkeley, Alcatraz, Angel Island, the Bay Bridge and more…

Go to the news page for the latest updates for this year’s symposium

Golden Gate Sea Kayaking Symposium from Kim Grandfield on Vimeo.

Kayaking in the Florida Keys

There are many kayaking tours that are available for exploring the Florida Keys and whether you are a beginner or experienced, there is a tour for every skill level. There are a number of different venues to accommodate every taste so if paddling on the sea in a tropical paradise is the adventure you’ve been looking for, sea kayaking in the Florida Keys may just be what you’ve been searching for while vacationing in the state. Most of the tours are strategically located to enable a kayaking adventure in the Everglades and the Florida Keys so you are sure to find one that facilitates your adventurous needs.

There are also numerous kayaking tours that are eco-friendly, geared towards families, and nature kayaking tours. You’ll be able to enjoy cruising shorelines that are protected and out of the wind that you would normally have to deal with when cruising the open beach areas. You can enjoy the crystal clear waters while observing some of the Florida wildlife in the process. Most of the tours proceed at a leisurely pace so that you can easily enjoy the scenery and take all the photos that you want. Most of the tours are also limited to the number in the party so that the experience is more enjoyable.

The waters of the Florida Keys have remained virtually unchanged for decades thanks to the efforts of local and national organisations such as national parks, national wildlife refuges, and other state parks. There are a number of mangrove islands set in clear waters that enable you to observe the indigenous marine life and wildlife in their natural habitat. The backcountry waters and oceanside flats add to the experience whenever you are observing the wildlife in this unique environment. Just be aware that there are a number of endangered species that live here.

The wildlife in the Florida Keys is nothing short of diverse. It is exotic, mysterious, and tropical. It is a stopping point for birds journeying further south to their final destination in South America as well as the home to a variety of sea creatures that you will never find in the colder waters of the Atlantic Ocean. There is a deer refuge as well as West Indies marine life such as the West Indian manatee and the West Indies spiny lobster. Birds such as the osprey and roseate spoonbill are common here as well. One way or the other, there is more marine life and wildlife here than what you have ever imagined.

Getting There

If you’ve recently been considering travelling to Florida on holiday or for an extended vacation, you should consider visiting the city of Orlando and touring the Florida Keys. There are a number of cheap flights to Orlando currently available as well as package deals that include your flight and lodging once you arrive there. Aside from Walt Disney World and other notable theme parks in Orlando, many people venture down to the Florida Keys to enjoy a memorable kayaking adventure, very popular water sport that many locals and tourists participate in.

Kokatat Supports Justine Curgenven

Kayaking around the tip of the world, Tierra del Fuego, has never been successfully completed. Kokatat team member and skilled paddler, Justine Curgeven and her partner Barry Shaw, hope to be the first successful pair to accomplish this rugged 1,000-mile kayak expedition. Kokatat is thrilled to support Curgenven on this expedition, which has previously been attempted by a Kokatat supported team, but was aborted due to uncooperative weather.

The expedition couple will bring in the new 2011 calendar year by departing for the expedition on Jan. 1. They have allocated 70 days to complete the trip. La Isla Grande, the big island of Tierra del Fuego lies less than 100 miles north of Cape Horn; the eastern part of the island belongs to Argentina, while the western part is claimed by Chile. It is a notorious region for high winds and bad weather.

“I know this will be a very challenging trip with a lot of strong winds but I’m really looking forward to being immersed in nature for a couple of months in this wild and stunning place,” said Curgenven. Updates of the expedition will be posted via Justine's blog.

Curgenven will be outfitted in Kokatat gear from head to toe to meet the demands of the unvarying weather and paddling conditions, including: the GORE-TEX® Front Entry Drysuit with drop seat, Scout Shoes, MsFIT Tour PFD, Surfskin Balaclava,Outercore Long Sleeve, Destination Hand Cover, Destination Vent Cap, Womens' Paddling Trunk, GORE-TEX Paclite Storm Cag,Temptest Pant and the Women's Destination Paddling Pants.

About Kokatat Watersports Wear 

For the past 39 years, Kokatat has built a reputation as a friendly company of paddling enthusiasts, dedicated to creating innovative paddlewear and accessories. Kokatat is a highly trusted brand known for its independence, high level of quality in addition to an extremely well respected, service-driven business model. Kokatat is an incredibly strong brand and is known for authenticity and launching game changing paddling products. 

As always, Kokatat continues to support experienced paddlers attempting first descents and expeditions. The company proudly provides the athletes with the best paddling gear in the whitewater industry.

Please visit www.kokatat.com and follow Kokatat on Twitter “@kokatat” or via the blog

Kayaking in Thailand

Modern sea kayaking can trace its ancestry to the lands of Alaska, Canada and Greenland. However, unlike the original need for such crafts to be used for hunting and connecting communities, sea kayaking in the present  day is very much a recreational activity that can take place on any type of waters.  Be that lakes, rivers, estuaries as well as the open ocean, at home or abroad.

Interest in kayaking has spread globally, and is a popular activity for many people who want to have a safe adventure whilst on holiday. And even though not everywhere will have the traditional sea kayak available for use, accessing boats like sit-on-tops can be an equally fun way to discover the sea and all that it has to offer. One such destination where you can enjoy a peaceful vacation far away from the crowded city streets, and explore its waterways by kayak, is Thailand.

Kayaking in Thailand

There are literally hundreds of pristine areas along the Thailand coast, as well as inland, which offer up numerous opportunities for adventure and exploration in a tranquil environment beset amongst some of the most spectacular landscapes. No other place in the world allows you to kayak to a deserted beach and camp out under the stars, whilst enjoying the food you prepare over an open campfire. For many, it just doesn’t get any better than this.

Many paddlers prefer coastal sea kayaking holidays versus inland ones. Travelers can spend days kayaking around numerous islands in the Andaman Sea, exploring deep into the reaches of the fantastic Mangrove forests, observing all the wildlife the region is home to, and seeing some of the most massive limestone outcroppings in the world. Phang Nga Bay is one of the more popular tourist destinations, especially for those visitors who have come to enjoy a sea kayaking adventure. So you can expect this area to be rather crowded during the peak tourist season.

Kayaking in Remote Area

Although Phang Nga Bay is a popular tourist destination just outside of Phuket, there are still a number of opportunities to avoid the hoards of international travelers and locals so that you can go kayaking in remote areas and enjoy a peaceful environment. One of the most tranquil settings in Phang Nga Bay is the island of Koh Yao Noi. If you want to avoid the crowds and enjoy some excellent camping and kayaking, then this is the island to visit. There are numerous day trips available out to the island with high quality rental equipment available so you can explore the island shoreline unsupervised.

Kayaking Adventures

If you’re looking for a kayaking adventure, then you will probably want to explore the inland reaches of Thailand. The crowded beaches of Phuket will suddenly fade into the distance when you explore some of the hidden islands and lagoons along and off the coastline. This is adventure kayaking at its finest. You can find a number of waterways and swamps while visiting Bangkok as well, but the environment is not as pristine as what the shores along the Andaman coast are. Pollution is still a huge issue in Bangkok, although the situation has improved somewhat in recent years. That is the primary reason for considering the many opportunities that Phuket, the surrounding areas, and the Andaman coast offer.

Getting There

Reaching Thailand by air today is easier than ever before, thanks to a number of international flights to Bangkok available in numerous countries throughout the world. Thailand is one of Southeast Asia’s most popular tourist destinations, mainly due to its excellent cuisine, fascinating culture, great beaches and a tropical climate. However, for many international travellers it is the thrill of sea kayaking and kayaking tours in Thailand that attract these visitors.

Kokatat Supports Oz Circumnavigation

In 1983 Paul Caffyn made paddling history as the first sea kayaker to circumnavigate the 16,000 km circumference of the Australia continent. Since then, only one other expedition, by Freya Hoffmeister in 2010, has repeated this accomplishment. Kokatat, the 39 year-old independent paddlewear company, is proud to sponsor sea kayaker, Stuart Trueman and his 16-month goal to successfully circumnavigate Australia.

The Australian coast presents many formidable obstacles for sea kayakers to overcome including: jagged steep cliffs, surf, lack of potable water, high winds, invariable tides, and underwater wildlife predators such as crocodiles and sharks. Additionally the colossal paddling distances require extreme endurance and excellent paddling skills.

Trueman departed from Broome, located on the Northwest coast of Australia, in April 2010 and is scheduled to return to Broome in July 2011. Trueman has extensive experience with years of sea kayaking, mountaineering and outdoor adventure to draw on including having kayaked across Bass Strait by three different routes and he was one of a three man team to have paddled 800km of the Antartic Peninsula. He has also worked as a guide and instructor for the NSW Sea Kayak Club.

“It’s taken three years of preparation to be able to get to Broome to start my trip”, says Trueman. “There are many problems beyond the actual paddling side that have to be addressed which if ignored can be just as much of an obstacle as a 200km set of cliffs.”

Kokatat has outfitted Truman with the appropriate gear for multiple conditions including: GORE-TEX® Paclite Anorak, MsFIT Tour PFD, Rear Pocket for PFD, Surfskin Pants, Destination Paddling Shirt, Destination Surf Trunk and Destination Vent Cap.

To follow updates from Trueman’s expedition and learn about other Kokatat sponsored expeditions, please visit Kokatat's blog.

About Kokatat Watersports Wear 

For the past 39 years, Kokatat has built a reputation as a friendly company of paddling enthusiasts, dedicated to creating innovative paddlewear and accessories. Kokatat is a highly trusted brand known for its independence, high level of quality in addition to an extremely well respected, service-driven business model. Kokatat is an incredibly strong brand and is known for authenticity and launching game changing paddling products. 

As always, Kokatat continues to support experienced paddlers attempting first descents and expeditions. The company proudly provides the athletes with the best paddling gear in the whitewater industry.

Please visit www.kokatat.com and follow Kokatat on Twitter “@kokatat” or via the blog

Kokatat Supports Rio Huallaga Expedition

Kokatat announces their support to outfit an white water expedition attempting the first descent of the last major un-run tributary of the Amazon River, the Pongo De Aguirre Gorge on the Rio Haullaga, in Peru.

 

The expedition team is comprised of seven experienced Class V+ whitewater paddlers from the USA. Kokatat is supporting the team with top-quality gear such as the Rogue Dry Top and Ronin Pro PFD. Expedition leader, Matt Wilson, has completed many first descents all over the world, including Peru. Wilson returns to Peru with Ben Luck, Ryan Casey, Evan Ross, Matt Klema, Nate Klema, and Fred Coriell to attempt the first successful descent of the Rio Haullaga.

Described as the last major tributary of the South American Amazon River, the Pongo De Aguirre Gorge has been previously attempted by two teams of paddlers. Variables such as weather, rising water, low supplies, inept scouting, and huge whitewater forced both teams to abort their mission. Wilson’s crew has implemented an expedition strategy, learning from the experiences of the prior attempts, by making the descent in the height of the dry season and preparing for over two weeks on the water with plenty of supplies and equipment. 

“If successful, we will have paddled nearly 100 miles and dropped 4000 feet from the Andes to the Peruvian Jungle,” said expedition kayaker, Nate Klema. 

About Kokatat Watersports Wear 

For the past 39 years, Kokatat has built a reputation as a friendly company of paddling enthusiasts, dedicated to creating innovative paddlewear and accessories. Kokatat is a highly trusted brand known for its independence, high level of quality in addition to an extremely well respected, service-driven business model. Kokatat is an incredibly strong brand and is known for authenticity and launching game changing paddling products. 

As always, Kokatat continues to support experienced paddlers attempting first descents and expeditions. The company proudly provides the athletes with the best paddling gear in the whitewater industry.

Please visit www.kokatat.com and follow Kokatat on Twitter “@kokatat” or via the blog

Sea Kayaking Adventures, Home & Abroad

Sea kayaking is a very popular outdoor activity and has an ever growing fan base; it has become one of the more popular water-based outdoor pursuits in recent times. The sea kayak is a versatile and challenging craft that can be great fun. Although the sport’s popularity is seeing an upsurge, the sea kayak also happens to be one of the oldest known forms of transportation. If you have a love of the great outdoors, sea kayaking should be on your list of pastimes. Sea kayaking does takes place all over the world. In fact, as long as there is a body of water in an area, the chances are there is also paddling going on somewhere.

If you’re planning a sea kayaking holiday on a tight budget, you may consider choosing a destination locally. The UK has plenty of ideal spots for a day of kayaking, or even a short holiday. For some extra adventure perhaps you should consider camping as well. Regardless of the destination, you need to plan ahead to make the most of your trip. 

Planning well in advance can help you take advantage of discounts that will help you get the most for your money. This may include discounted airline tickets, extended dates, and prime destinations during both peak and off-peak seasons. In addition to planning your travel arrangements you should also thoroughly research the intended destination to get the most out of your trip. Careful itinerary planning will allow you to get in plenty of kayaking while still allowing time for other local attractions. 

Sea kayaking in the United Kingdom can be very rewarding. The shoreline around the country is very varied with towering cliffs, lovely beaches and interesting river estuaries. The rugged headlands, long sandy bays, offshore islands, and sea caves allow for exploration and plenty of sightings of wildlife. 

For a holiday with a little more daring, why not travel abroad? Alaska in the northern United States offers some of the very best in kayaking adventures. It is a spectacular state with endless landscape beauty. It is in fact considered one of the best destinations for kayaking in the world. There are numerous places worth visiting in Alaska, particularly Glacier Bay and Prince William Sound. The diverse wildlife habitats in Alaska will provide numerous sightings of birds and animals that you may have never seen before. 

There are many ways in which to embark on an overseas kayaking adventure. You can book a package holiday or even put together your very own custom adventure. In fact, companies such as ours, Greenland or  Bust, can even help you find your flights and kayaking adventure locations. Using such an experienced company will definitely allow you to worry less about making travel plans and to focus on having a good time. 

A sea kayaking holiday can be one of the most memorable ones you and your family might take. With so many adventures available to you in both the United Kingdom and abroad, the only thing you need to really consider is your budget.

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Gino's Greenland

Considered by many as the birthplace of the Inuit qajaq, Greenland's coastal waters offer a sea kayaker some of the finest paddling, probably anywhere in the world. Whether gliding over mirror-like fjords at sunset or battling through moving pack ice in stormy tidal passages, time spent traversing the coastline will not be easily forgotten. The wildlife, miles of unpopulated wilderness shoreline, the calving glaciers and icebergs as well as stunning light conditions make for a rich and varied experience.

Although the whole of Greenland's coastline is of interest to paddlers, it is the wild and remote East Coast that inspires most of all. A combination of incredible mountains and seascapes together with the ancient Inuit culture that lives on in the region's few tiny settlements will capture hearts and minds. One other draw to this region of Greenland in particular is the connection with Henry George "Gino" Watkins. 

Gino Watkins was only twenty-five when he died on 20th August 1932. Yet by that time, he had earned a reputation for himself such as few men twice his age enjoy. The leader of several major expeditions to Arctic terrain, he had won the respect of both elders and contemporaries through the strength of his mysterious personality. A passionate enthusiast for adventure, he was yet level-headed and shrewd; pleasure–loving, perhaps cynical in some ways, he was outstanding among explorers for his careful assembling of the details of the intractable wilds into which he journeyed.

Always interested in outdoor pursuits, Watkins had become an avid mountain climber during his schooldays in Sussex. Many summer holidays were spent garnering enough climbs to qualify for membership of the Alpine Club until, in 1925, he suffered a serious fall while hunting chamois in the Austrian Tyrol.

After just three weeks of convalescence, he headed to Trinity College, Cambridge to begin a degree in Geography. However, because of the severity of his fall, doctors advised that Gino study little during the first two terms, and it was while searching for something to keep his mind occupied that Gino attended a lecture entitled 'Man in The Polar Regions'. Inspired by this, Watkins hunted down the lecturer and badgered him until he agreed to introduce him to J. M Wordie, a seasoned polar explorer who had taken part in Shackleton's 1914-17 expedition. The pair immediately hit it off.

Wordie was due to set off to the Arctic in the summer of 1926, and although his party was complete, he sensed promise in Watkins and offered him a place on an expedition to East Greenland the following year. When the trip was then postponed, Watkins decided to organise an expedition of his own to Edge Island, off the coast of Spitsbergen. This was followed by another to Labrador, and he then took part in the British Arctic Air Route Expedition of 1930-31 to Greenland.

Watkins returned to East Greenland in the summer of 1932 he set out, with three companions. The team took so much scientific equipment that they had little room for food supplies, intending to hunt seals and polar bears themselves. As the most experienced hunter, Watkins was often left to hunt solo. A firm believer in utilising local knowledge, he used a kayak that had been purpose built for the trip. 

It was while hunting seals, on 20 August 1932, just over a month after the expedition left England, that Watkins disappeared. His kayak was found adrift in the northern branch of Lake Fjord, and his trousers and kayak apron were discovered on a floe a kilometre away. A search for his body proved fruitless.

Watkins kayak has hung within the Royal Geograhical Society's for many years and the hunting equipment that was found inside it is now stored within the archives. Gino is credited as being one of the first Europeans to master the art of rolling for practical reasons, that being for survival whilst hunting, rather than showmanship like Hans Pawlatta.

For those interested in emulating the paddle strokes of Henry George "Gino" Watkins, the Gino Watkins Memorial Fund, under the joint trusteeship of the University of Cambridge and the Royal Geographical Society, gives grants towards expeditions that meets its objectives of guiding and inspiring enterprising young people towards scientific research and exploration in the polar regions.

If you are feeling adventurous, I recommend participating in an expedition organised by Martin Rickard of Sea Kayak Adventures, Shetland. Martin has extensive knowledge of the region in which Gino explored and of Gino Watkins himself.

Greenland 2010 - Memories