Paddling fast & dry

Paddling fast & dry

by Glenn Hoffman

Publication Date: March 1996

Paddling from Ancortes, Washington to Orcas Island might convince someone that sea kayaking could be their favorite sport. My paddling partner and I had signed up for an overnight tour on open water from a small inlet at Doe Bay. Our goal, an island which lay ten tiny miles away, would involve crossing a channel several miles wide in 54 degree weather. To spice up the trip, our guide picked a route which would involve crossing tide flows and cross currents which would produce offshore conditions that would surely test our skills as well as our nerves.

Midway across the channel, we became keenly aware of the importance of not swamping our boat as our guide described basic rescue techniques. "You have about five minutes to get yourself back into your boat out here." Hypothermia occurs quickly in water as cool as we were in. However, as seals began to pop up all around our boat, we managed to relax, grab our cameras and enjoy the incredible scenery. After reaching the island, we proceeded to set up a beach-front camp under the watchful eyes of two bald eagles.

Awakened the next day by the sound of sea gulls and the waves slapping the beach, our guide was already preparing another big meal; this time pancakes, fresh fruit and cold orange juice. Sea kayaks will hold a lot more food than one could ever carry in a backpack. Our return trip to base camp involved ferrying across more tide currents, which we now handled like seasoned kayakers.

The companies that build sea kayaks concluded a few years ago that it might be possible for inland water lovers to have as much fun as people on the coast had been enjoying for years. Hence the advent of touring kayaks. These boats are incredibly versatile human powered crafts. If canoe camping is among your interests, try a touring kayak instead. You'll get from point A to point B faster, dryer and with less wind resistance than in a canoe. And two blades in the water, as opposed to one, will be appreciated when you find yourself paddling into the wind.

Kentucky has more lakes and rivers which are perfect for kayak touring than it has horse farms or distilleries. Most of these bodies of water can be easily accessed by roads leading to marinas or dams. Camping areas along shorelines are usually unrestricted, but you should always check first.

If day paddling is more appealing, local areas within an hour's drive are fairly abundant. Harrods Creek and, yes, the Ohio River have beautiful stretches to paddle during mornings and evenings. Deam Lake and several lakes within Hoosier National Forest, both in Southern Indiana, are also close by and don't allow power boats that might spoil the serenity.

Touring kayaks are technical crafts in many ways, yet are extremely user friendly. Time and time again I have seen first-time paddlers turn into "experts" in an afternoon. It's sea kayaking in Kentucky, and I think it's here to stay.