canoeing/kayaking

[purple_magada]

Is anyone into canoeing or kayaking? If so, how did you get started and what would you recommend for a beginner? There is a huge lake about 10 minutes from our house and I told my DH that I would love to get either a canoe or a kayak. I've NEVER done it, is it a good U/B workout?

 

[Agzo]

I would recommend renting each one first to see what you like. A lot of places rent them very cheap, like 10-20 dollars a day, sometimes less. It can be a good workout if you are paddling upstream or if you do it for a couple of hours. I think it is like anything else out there you get what you put in to it. And you may want to check into some of the open top kayaks...they are a little more comfortable.

They do make both canoes and kayaks to fit more than one person so it is a lot of fun to go and hang out with someone. Paddle deeper and stronger...more resistance..you go farther. Paddle shallow and quick a little more endurance and heart rate. It is fun but I would go to a park for a couple of weekends and try different options first. Hope this helps and I didn't babble to much

~Angel

 

[buffettgirl]

Hi Dana,

My DH and I are relatively novice canoers. He has done alot more than me. We go down the Susquehanna from Williamsport to Muncy a couple times a year. I've wanted to learn to kayak for several years now, especially since my dream vacation is to kayak in the Sea of Cortez someday.

Anyway, a friend just showed me an article about a trip down the river to learn kayaking sponsored by the North Central Pennsylvania Conservancy. There weren't any details, but you can call 323-6222 or e-mail [email protected] for more details. I may have to give them a call. Maybe I'll get to meet you....

 

[purple_magada]

Thanks Angel! I didn't even think about renting them - duh!

 

[cathykazbar]

Hi Dana,

I grew up using canoes which can be a lot of fun. I grew up around a lot of lakes so the canoe was great for that.

DH and I live near the ocean now and recently got a couple of Hobie open top (I think that's what they are called!) kayaks w/peddles ... a lot of fun! The peddles give it a lot of power which is nice when it is windy. The place where we purchased them let us try them out for a bit or you could also rent them for a few hours too. They are wider than some kayaks and pretty stable (no tipping for me!)....I like canoes but with these kayaks you are really close to the water which is neat!

Good luck!

Cath