From the Nose of Our Kayak Chapter 12: It's Not a Crime to Test Paddle a Yak
From the Nose of Our Kayak
Don & Janet Beasley
Chapter 12: "It's Not a Crime to Test Paddle a Yak"
One day in May 2011 Don and I decided to do something off the cuff. We had been hearing about fiberglass kayaks and wanted to see (and feel) the difference for ourselves. So it was off to the gulf coast of Florida we went.
We decided to make it a day trip and enjoy our time seeing sights we don't normally see both to and from our destination. We love taking the back roads and getting "lost" in the moment of some of the most scenic roads on the planet.
We arrived and were elated to find 2 fiberglass kayaks we could test paddle. We can't describe the excitement we had doing a lot of "firsts" on this trip. Our first first was entering a kayak from a dock. We had always entered at the edge of the water, so learning the entry from a dock was really quite cool!
The best way to describe a couple of kayak entry methods, including a dock entry, is to visit https://youtu.be/FTuPsxePcwE to watch a great video by PaddleTV titled: "How to Get Into and Out of a Kayak Smoothly and Safely"
Don and I both entered the kayaks with ease. These techniques are some great "aces in your back pocket" for sure.
Our next first was feeling the difference under our bums of just how much smoother a ride a fiberglass kayak delivers. With big smiles on our faces we picked up the pace and headed out of the small channel and into the Crystal River.
It was love at first sight! The noses of our kayaks "kissed" and we knew it was going to be a good day.
It wasn't long before we both noticed how differently our kayaks were paddling without a rudder. It took some getting used to, but we mastered it and continued enjoying the test paddle.
Another first for us was having the privilege of discovering spider lilies. It was a thrill to paddle right up to them along the shoreline and snap a few photos.
Dipping our hands in the cool clear water as we glided along, seeing a manatee, and discovering new territory for the first time made it a delightful hour well spent while we were...shall we say...testing the water?
We returned to the dock, and utilized the handy dock-exit technique only to find ourselves popping right out and up on the dock in no time.
When we left we both knew a #WildernessSystems fiberglass tandem kayak would be added to our manual "yacht" collection in the future...we just didn't know how distant in the future it would actually be.
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Kayak Tip of the Week: Be eager to learn something new when it comes to kayak techniques. You never know when one of those techniques may come in handy...or possibly even a life saver!
Don & Janet Beasley
Chapter 12: "It's Not a Crime to Test Paddle a Yak"
One day in May 2011 Don and I decided to do something off the cuff. We had been hearing about fiberglass kayaks and wanted to see (and feel) the difference for ourselves. So it was off to the gulf coast of Florida we went.
We decided to make it a day trip and enjoy our time seeing sights we don't normally see both to and from our destination. We love taking the back roads and getting "lost" in the moment of some of the most scenic roads on the planet.
We arrived and were elated to find 2 fiberglass kayaks we could test paddle. We can't describe the excitement we had doing a lot of "firsts" on this trip. Our first first was entering a kayak from a dock. We had always entered at the edge of the water, so learning the entry from a dock was really quite cool!
The best way to describe a couple of kayak entry methods, including a dock entry, is to visit https://youtu.be/FTuPsxePcwE to watch a great video by PaddleTV titled: "How to Get Into and Out of a Kayak Smoothly and Safely"
Our next first was feeling the difference under our bums of just how much smoother a ride a fiberglass kayak delivers. With big smiles on our faces we picked up the pace and headed out of the small channel and into the Crystal River.
It wasn't long before we both noticed how differently our kayaks were paddling without a rudder. It took some getting used to, but we mastered it and continued enjoying the test paddle.
Another first for us was having the privilege of discovering spider lilies. It was a thrill to paddle right up to them along the shoreline and snap a few photos.
Dipping our hands in the cool clear water as we glided along, seeing a manatee, and discovering new territory for the first time made it a delightful hour well spent while we were...shall we say...testing the water?
We returned to the dock, and utilized the handy dock-exit technique only to find ourselves popping right out and up on the dock in no time.
When we left we both knew a #WildernessSystems fiberglass tandem kayak would be added to our manual "yacht" collection in the future...we just didn't know how distant in the future it would actually be.----------------------------------
Kayak Tip of the Week: Be eager to learn something new when it comes to kayak techniques. You never know when one of those techniques may come in handy...or possibly even a life saver!
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| Janet Kayaking on Crystal River |
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| Don Holding Onto Janet's Kayak for a Quick Pic |
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| Janet enjoying the refreshing feel of the water thru her fingers |
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| From the Nose of Janet's Kayak: Spider Lilies |
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| Spider Lilies |
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Manatee in Crystal River
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Hi, I'm Janet Beasley. My husband Don and I love to kayak. Don and I most enjoy kayaking the crystal clear, spring-fed rivers of Florida (weather permitting - it's Florida, we take lightning seriously), as well as other areas on our days off. Exploring nature and the outdoors has become an extreme passion for us.
When we're not on the water I am busy writing fiction, painting, creating BeaslePunk Steampunk Art, and serving as a KidMin Music Leader and Entertainer; I am the creator (and face) behind the children's ministry character, Lady Violet Adventures. Don on the other hand works in the entertainment industry as an audio visual specialist and planner at one of our local theme parks here in Orlando, Florida. When we're not on the water he's busy creating BeaslePunk Steampunk Art, serving as an audio visual minister at FUMC Tavares, Florida (our home church), and playing ping pong.
We have always longed to co-author a book together about our kayaking adventures. We're happy to say that Don and I are eager to begin sharing our years of kayaking experiences with you, so that you too may discover a world filled with surprises, beauty, history, and peace right along with us From the Nose of Our Kayak.
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