# I have a kayak and I'm not afraid to use it! **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [May 25, 2005, 1:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-kayak-and-im-not-afraid-to-use-it/305422 "2005-05-25T13:10:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![xbuckeye](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/9e8a1a/32.png) [@xbuckeye](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xbuckeye)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2005, 1:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-kayak-and-im-not-afraid-to-use-it/305422/1 "2005-05-25T13:10:19Z")
So, yeah the title really says it all…I have a kayak and recently learned how to get out of it while underwater and then, more importantly how to get back into it. I’m excited! 😃 anyone wanna go kayaking? ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2005, 1:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-kayak-and-im-not-afraid-to-use-it/305422/2 "2005-05-25T13:16:25Z")
I’ve been looking at my sit-on-top for a while now, but I haven’t been paddling this season yet. Either I’m too busy; or when I go to my driveway to look at the bay, the tide is way out. Or I just forget. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![askeptic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/eb9ed0/32.png) [@askeptic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/askeptic)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2005, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-kayak-and-im-not-afraid-to-use-it/305422/3 "2005-05-25T13:50:01Z")
> [@xbuckeye](#): > > So, yeah the title really says it all…I have a kayak and recently learned how to get out of it while underwater and then, more importantly how to get back into it. I’m excited! 😃 > > anyone wanna go kayaking? Yea, what state? I am going to run the American River this weekend Class III+/IV. Although with the high water level there might be some Class U (At least for me). I have pretty much been putsing around with IK’s this will only be my third time on the river in a hard shell. I really need to work on my Eskimo roll. ---
**Author:** ![Finagle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/b19c9b/32.png) [@Finagle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Finagle)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2005, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-kayak-and-im-not-afraid-to-use-it/305422/4 "2005-05-25T15:23:41Z")
You know, I’d like to go kayaking, but right now the 30 mph winds, gusting to 40, horizontal rain, 40 degree temperatures and 20 foot seas are somewhat dampening my enthusiasm. But if we ever get some warm weather, give me a buzz. ---
**Author:** ![River\_Hippie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/river_hippie/32/26_2.png) [@River\_Hippie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/River_Hippie)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2005, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-kayak-and-im-not-afraid-to-use-it/305422/5 "2005-05-26T02:37:18Z")
Long time kayaker here. I do mostly whitewater but I have a sit-on top for flatwater. I’ve been to Arkansas, the Lower Yough and the Cheat Canyon so far this spring in addition to many runs on an artificial whitewater course near me. I just got a new Wavesport EZ in February and I love it. ---
**Author:** ![Tripler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripler/32/21807_2.png) [@Tripler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tripler)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2005, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-kayak-and-im-not-afraid-to-use-it/305422/6 "2005-05-26T03:37:53Z")
Feh. I have the _battlecruiser_ of lakeside floats: my 16’ canoe. I can load this puppy with 500 lbs. of people and gear, and cross lakes the size of Rhode Island. I’ve gone across Lake Sakakawea, Fort Peck Lake, and stormed the beaches for beer raids on many other shores (like Kocanusa). You take your kayak and paddle away. You’ll only be splashed (and bombarded) tired! But then again, you _can_ right yourself in a kayak. :smack: Tripler In all honesty, I really do want a kayak for day trips. My canoe is too big. ---
**Author:** ![glee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5a626/32.png) [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2005, 10:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-kayak-and-im-not-afraid-to-use-it/305422/7 "2005-05-26T10:14:09Z")
I had a kayak lesson in a swimming pool. I enjoyed the safety exercise of self-righting. I liked the smooth progress through the water. However I was rather surprised to find myself on a 12 foot (4 metre) diving board, being told that kayaks can cope with a large drop in a river (eg over a lock) and then being pushed off. 😕 :eek: 🙂 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![askeptic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/eb9ed0/32.png) [@askeptic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/askeptic)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2005, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-kayak-and-im-not-afraid-to-use-it/305422/8 "2005-05-26T14:11:17Z")
> [@River Hippie](#): > > Long time kayaker here. I do mostly whitewater but I have a sit-on top for flatwater. I’ve been to Arkansas, the Lower Yough and the Cheat Canyon so far this spring in addition to many runs on an artificial whitewater course near me. > > I just got a new Wavesport EZ in February and I love it. \*\*River Hippie \*\* if you are ever in California, look me up (e-mail in profile). I live 10 minutes from one of the best rivers in the country. ---
**Author:** ![capybara](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/capybara/32/202_2.png) [@capybara](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/capybara)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2005, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-kayak-and-im-not-afraid-to-use-it/305422/9 "2005-05-26T14:36:03Z")
I’m glad someone has a kayak thread: My in-laws have a river kayak which I (n00b) have taken out onto the lake here twice. The first time I kept going in circles counterclockwise; I decided it must be because my right is stronger. Yesterday I went out again and ended up in circles clockwise. That blows THAT theory. So now I’ve decided that I really enjoy kayaking but am humiliated by my lack of ability to go in a straight line. What am I doing wrong? Other people can use this thing and go straight. . . Is this just a matter of practice? ---
**Author:** ![Finagle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/b19c9b/32.png) [@Finagle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Finagle)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2005, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-kayak-and-im-not-afraid-to-use-it/305422/10 "2005-05-26T17:20:28Z")
> [@capybara](#): > > I’m glad someone has a kayak thread: > My in-laws have a river kayak which I (n00b) have taken out onto the lake here twice. The first time I kept going in circles counterclockwise; I decided it must be because my right is stronger. Yesterday I went out again and ended up in circles clockwise. That blows THAT theory. So now I’ve decided that I really enjoy kayaking but am humiliated by my lack of ability to go in a straight line. What am I doing wrong? Other people can use this thing and go straight. . . Is this just a matter of practice? A river (whitewater) kayak is not designed to track in a straight line. That would be very disadvantageous when you’re trying to make a quick turn to avoid a Big Freaking Rock. So yeah, with a lot of practice, you can go straight in one of those, but it’s typically a lot of work. Get a sea kayak and you’ll be amazed at how well it can track. ---
**Author:** ![ouryL](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ouryl/32/6067_2.png) [@ouryL](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ouryL)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2005, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-kayak-and-im-not-afraid-to-use-it/305422/11 "2005-05-26T21:38:19Z")
> [@xbuckeye](#): > > So, yeah the title really says it all…I have a kayak and recently learned how to get out of it while underwater and then, more importantly how to get back into it. I’m excited! 😃 > > anyone wanna go kayaking? NOTICE TO ALL KAYAKERS: First lesson: How to get into kayak while in water. :eek: Second lesson: How to turn kayak rightside up when you’re upside-down. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![JohnBckWLD](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/d6d6ee/32.png) [@JohnBckWLD](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnBckWLD)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2005, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-kayak-and-im-not-afraid-to-use-it/305422/12 "2005-05-26T22:15:28Z")
A little advice: If you find yourself in NYC, be careful in the Hudson - The [Water Taxis](http://www.worldshipny.com/nycferries4.htm) are more ruthless than the [land variety](http://www.viziogames.com/reviews/images/Crazy%20Taxi%20_2.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![River\_Hippie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/river_hippie/32/26_2.png) [@River\_Hippie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/River_Hippie)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2005, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-kayak-and-im-not-afraid-to-use-it/305422/13 "2005-05-27T00:51:24Z")
> [@askeptic](#): > > \*\*River Hippie \*\* if you are ever in California, look me up (e-mail in profile). I live 10 minutes from one of the best rivers in the country. Thanks for the invite, **askeptic**. I’ll keep that in mind but short of winning the lottery or getting a better job with lots more vacation time, I can maximize my paddling time (and money) better exploring the rivers closer to home. I am in the whitewater paradise known as Indiana (ha-ha) mostly paddle in WI, AR, PA, WV and TN. Which river are you close too? The American you mentioned earlier ? ---
**Author:** ![askeptic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/eb9ed0/32.png) [@askeptic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/askeptic)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2005, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-kayak-and-im-not-afraid-to-use-it/305422/14 "2005-05-27T14:25:59Z")
> [@River Hippie](#): > > Which river are you close too? The American you mentioned earlier ? Yep. The American is great you get four rivers for the price of one. The North Fork the South Fork and the Middle Fork are some seriously fantastic whitewater Class II to Class U. The lower American, below Folsom Dam is cool for a gentle float with the kiddies. I’m also spitting distance from the Yuba River and less than an hour from the Truckee River. God it is a veritable whitewater paradise. Unfortunately my paddle buddy got hurt two years ago and I have yet to meet somebody who is as enthusiastic. I have a hard time finding others to paddle with and we know that white water is not something you should tackle alone. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![taxi78cab](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e47c2d/32.png) [@taxi78cab](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/taxi78cab)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2005, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-kayak-and-im-not-afraid-to-use-it/305422/15 "2005-05-27T14:32:51Z")
> [@xbuckeye](#): > > So, yeah the title really says it all…I have a kayak and recently learned how to get out of it while underwater and then, more importantly how to get back into it. I’m excited! 😃 > > anyone wanna go kayaking? I’m signed up for an “adult intro to kayaking” camp this summer. I’m VERY excited. Is it as much fun as it looks? ---
**Author:** ![askeptic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/eb9ed0/32.png) [@askeptic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/askeptic)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2005, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-kayak-and-im-not-afraid-to-use-it/305422/16 "2005-05-27T14:34:10Z")
> [@taxi78cab](#): > > I’m signed up for an “adult intro to kayaking” camp this summer. I’m VERY excited. Is it as much fun as it looks? More. ---
**Author:** ![Trunk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/87869e/32.png) [@Trunk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trunk)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2005, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-kayak-and-im-not-afraid-to-use-it/305422/17 "2005-05-27T14:55:15Z")
> [@xbuckeye](#): > > So, yeah the title really says it all…I have a kayak and recently learned how to get out of it while underwater and then, more importantly how to get back into it. I’m excited! No, I’d say the “get out of it while underwater” part is more important than the “how to get back into it” part.