Kayak Adventures

This summer, the fella and I made a purchase together; we bought two kayaks. 
We always talked about buying them one day in the future, but in early June we found some on sale at Canadian Tire, and the timing was right.

Since then we have been finding time about once a week for a paddle. Yarmouth County is ideal for novice paddlers, because there are several lakes in the area that are great for a quick excursion. We have managed to explore four lakes and a section of the Chebogue River. It's the first hobby that we share in common this far in our relationship, and I've loved exploring the unseen side of this beautiful county.

Along with the kayaks, we purchased mounting kits for our cars, life jackets, paddles, whistles and waterproof phone cases. Thanks to these cases, we both have a lot of fun documenting our adventures and snapping pictures of sunsets and scenery.

 On this particular evening, we packed some homemade burritos and beer and had a picnic by the side of the lake. Paddling has brought out the nature-lover in both of us.

 Budweiser on Allen's Lake

 Sunshine on Lake Milo

 Everything seems to look prettier from the water. Paddling Lake Milo was especially cool because we got to see the water-side of houses we see every day from the road.

 I'm especially obnoxious when we're in our kayaks- I spend most of the time cooing over how pretty everything is and how much fun I'm having. I'm not expecting that to wear off any time soon, so I hope Jere is ready to put up with my enthusiasm indefinitely.

Our kayaks are Pelican Summit 10-foot sit-in kayaks.
We weighed the benefits of sit-ins vs. sit-on models, as well as different lengths, before we settled on these. Many people argue that it's worth the money to buy a high-end kayak, but if we were to wait until we could afford $800 models we wouldn't be enjoying our new hobby now.

In my opinion, it's better to jump in and enjoy what you can afford than to wait until "one day".

If anyone is considering buying a kayak, but isn't sure whether it's for them, I hope you take the plunge, too! There is a style for any paddler in any body of water. Do some research on types of vessels before you make your purchase, and don't be afraid to try it out.

Here are some things to consider before you do so: 

Will you be using your kayaks, in fresh water, salt water, or both? Will you be paddling in calm lakes, or will you brave rough waters? 

Different styles of kayak are ideal for different uses. We knew that we won't be using ours for rough water- we might go into the ocean here and there, but if and when we do, we will stick to the harbor and protected coves on calm days. Some kayaks have rudders that help to keep the vessel stable. 
There are also kayaks that come with skirts which will allow you to roll in your kayak when you've flipped over (Note: this takes practice!) We did not buy kayaks with skirts. Consider how you will use your kayak before you buy. 

Will you be travelling often with your kayaks, or do you live close enough to water that you'll keep the kayak at home? 

One regret I have is that we didn't invest in a permanent rooftop rack for our kayaks. Our current system works, but it isn't ideal. The kits we bought come with foam supports to sit between the kayak and your car and straps to secure it to the vehicle. The drawback is that we can only fit one kayak on each car, so we have to take both cars whenever we go out. It is also a little more work each time we want to load them up. For about $75 more, we could have bought one rack that stays on the car and holds both kayaks, and we could just mount them and go. 

Do you have a paddle buddy?

Not only is paddling more fun when have a friend, but it's safer. Any water sport or excursion into the wilderness is. If you don't have a partner who is going out with you, do you have friends or family who have kayaks? We live in a small town, but in the short time since we started paddling, I've discovered through a work client that there is a group of paddlers who love to go out on day trips together. There's even an e-mail list that gives updates and upcoming paddle dates. Check around your community to see if there is something similar available!

Can you lift a kayak? 

This might sound obvious, but to be honest it didn't occur to me before we bought the kayaks. If I didn't have Jeremy (or someone else) with me each time I loaded the kayaks, I'd have a hard time getting them on top of the cars. They weigh between 40 and 50 lbs, and while that amount of weight is usually no problem for me, the length and awkward shape make it very difficult to load it without scratching my car. 

What accessories will you need to start?

When it comes to paddling accessories, the possibilities are virtually endless. You can find camera accessories, fishing equipment, storage gear, clothing, and safety gear all made for boating and kayaks. However, whatever you decide to buy, you will need a paddle and a way to transport your kayak. You'll also need a Personal Flotation Device and a whistle (in our province this is enforced by law). 


If you have access to a store that specializes in outdoor gear like MEC, you should go in and seek the advice of their staff. However, if that isn't the case and you're buying from a store that sells kayaks but doesn't specialize in them (like we did), you should be aware that the staff might not have the knowledge to help you sufficiently. There are several resources online for you to peruse before you get started!