Jungle Rivers can be the most scenic avenues in the Jungle
Rivers and coastlines have served for millennia as highways for adventurers and commerce. Waterways have always enthralled and fascinated the majority of us because of its wealth of scenery; it’s sense of wonder and the endless facets of recreation to be found. One of the best ways to travel rivers, waterways and coastal areas is by paddling a canoe or kayak. There are a multitude of places to explore and things to do on the water and with the proper planning and preparation, it can all be done safely with all bases covered.
Jungle Rivers can be the most scenic avenues in the Jungle
Paddling a canoe or a kayak through rivers and other bodies of water is not only good for you physically, it helps you to further become one with your environment. The sense of accomplishment at being able to get from Point A to Point B under your own steam can be exhilarating in a mellow sort of way. Without the incessant and continuous noise of an outboard motor, you’re able to hear more, see more and experience more of the natural sights and sounds of not only waterways, but on the open water as well. Kayak/Canoe fishing and camping are becoming more popular for outdoor enthusiasts because of the interaction with nature that this enduring mode of transportation provides. In most cases, a canoe or kayak can hold 2 to 4 people plus equipment for an extended stay in the outdoors. Most all of your river and coastal treks will be within sight of land and for multi-day adventures, you most likely will be pulling into shore or a beach, unless you want to make the news by paddling across an ocean.
Kayak Fishing is Gaining in Popularity
PROPER PRIOR PLANNING AND PREPARATION PREVENTS PISS POOR PERFORMANCE
The 8 P’s never held truer than it does with regard to river and coastal trekking. There is so much to prepare for when you desire to hit the rivers or coastal areas in a kayak or a canoe. The number one thing is being comfortable in the water. That doesn’t mean just knowing how to swim. The stronger a swimmer you are, the more options are open to you when paddling the waterways and coastal areas. Being a strong swimmer aids directly in your comfort level in the water. Before getting into this outdoor recreation sport, go to a recreation center and really beef up your swimming technique. At the very least, get a Red Cross Level Three swimming qualification before thinking about basic paddling. A higher level is just as good up to Level Six, which will include intro into advanced courses such as Water Safety Instructor and Lifeguard training. If you get in a canoe or kayak, you will capsize and you must be confident and comfortable in the water to be able to survive.
You will know that you are ready to start paddling and when you are, get into a good, basic beginner-paddling course. Look in the yellow Yellow Pages for paddling instruction. You will find an outfitter or guide service that will teach you the ropes. You will learn about the different types of paddling craft and to what extent each craft can function in various types of water. Become as proficient as you think you need to become to accomplish your river or coastal trekking aspirations. If you think it would be wise for you to be able to handle a Class 3 river in a touring kayak, then drive on with that goal. It’s primarily about what you think you need to handle in order to enjoy your kayak/canoe adventure. Remember, most of these boats are light and can be portaged around obstacles. When you feel you are proficient enough to start planning your longer-range adventure, then start your planning research.
If you wish to include sea kayaking to your repertoire of paddling skills, you will need to become proficient in the intricacies of handling that type of craft in various sea conditions. When learning all of these water skills from swimming through basic and advanced kayak/canoe techniques take it one step at a time and properly sequence the skill sets. Don’t jump too far ahead in an advanced technique until you have mastered the more fundamental techniques first.
Start Out Slow in Calm Water
Don’t jump in too quick. Set up realistic goals with your eye set on your ideal outcome. As you come closer to achieving your ultimate goals, you will become more confident with each stage of training you become more proficient in. As you progress with increased confidence look forward to the upcoming challenges. Keep a journal that highlights your ups, downs, but, most importantly, the lessons learned. Interact with like-minded individuals and learn from them as they will learn from you.
Gradually Work Your Way Up as You Advance
As you become more confident and proficient, stay on track with your training program. If your ultimate goal is to spend more time on the water for multi-day treks, make sure your skills are good on an unloaded craft before you begin loading the craft down with additional gear for camping.
In regards to your ultimate goal of multi-day river and/or coastal trekking, you may re-examine different ways to achieve or modify what it is you want to do. Maybe you feel it would be beneficial to try a tandem kayak for up to a week. Try before you buy!!! If your camping partner is kayaking too, both of you will need to determine ALL possibilities when it comes to a tandem kayak. You will both have to give it a try to see if it will be better than each of you in your own kayak. Include the amount of gear that you will ultimately pack in a tandem kayak or between your own individual kayaks. There are many different types and styles of kayaks and canoes from which to choose for specifically what you plan to do. Think about flexibility as well. If you’re looking forward to both river and coastal trips, look at paddling craft that can achieve positive results in both environments. Many touring kayaks can accomplish both feats in various conditions. There are tandem kayaks available that can be paddled by one person. Be sure that the craft that you ultimately choose will be able to fill as many of the capabilities that you need it to in order to enjoy more without having to buy more than one type of boat.
The Ideal Kayak is one that works for YOU
When all is said and done, you have chosen a kayak that will work for you in all the scenarios that you have envisioned for yourself and the activities that you want to do. With all that said, you still may end up buying a second kayak that will address one or two new desires you may have set for yourself. The kayak that I have used pictured above is the Wilderness Systems Pamlico 135T. I have paddled it in rivers, on lakes, on the intercoastal waterway and in the ocean. Of course I have to plan properly and take into consideration many factors prior to going out, but all in all, this particular craft works for ME. It is a tandem rig but can be configured for me to paddle on my own. Depending on the configuration will determine how long I can go out before I need to re-supply. In colder weather or in particularly rough waters I have spray skirts for both single and tandem configurations.
Once you have purchased your canoe or kayak, you have stepped into the dedicated group of paddlers who want to get out there, sometimes for days on end. You have become proficient at water safety and canoe/kayak techniques and you are probably paddling regularly on familiar watercourses. Before you begin to plan your multi-day adventure on the lakes, rivers, waterways or coastal areas, there is one last thing you need to familiarize yourself with…maritime navigation. Just like land navigation, there are factors unique to navigating waterways and coastal areas that you need to become accustomed to. A good introduction to this can be found in books available to you from your local kayak/canoe outfitter. From there you may wish to take a course in maritime navigation.
The Possibilities are Endless when it comes to Paddling Adventures
There are so many, many miles of rivers and coastline throughout this great nation that the list of possibilities can boggle the mind. When it comes to your aspirations though, take it one adventure at a time. If you’re planning a long, extended trip however, it would be a good idea to break that up into phases or mini-adventures for logistics and sanity reasons. Once you have the objectives for your outing firmly in your mind, then you can plan and determine how you will achieve those objectives. Depending on where you’re going will determine whether you will use a maritime chart, a topographical map, or both. A good chart/map study is as essential for a river/coastal trek as for any other land-based adventure. You will need to highlight the areas you plan to paddle through, the areas you are looking to lay up at and logistic re-supply points. Break down your entire trek into an easy to follow timeline so that you and anyone else that goes with you can envision how the trip will go. It will also help with the sanity checks between members of the group. When you have completed the chart/map study and finished the tentative timeline for the trip, then it’s time to sit down, search the Internet, question local knowledge, take notes, and make phone calls. Once you have the foundation for your trip established with the most current information available, then it’s time to “what-if” it to identify any holes in your plan, possible contingency situations and reasons to alter any part of the plan. Weather will sometimes force you to make alternate routes to avoid dangerous situations. Cross-reference all new information and concerns with your timeline to ensure that you have adequate time to adjust.
Once your plan is finalized it will help you determine the specific equipment that you will need to pack. You will need to practice packing it in your canoe/kayak to ensure that all of it will fit without sacrificing the water worthiness of your craft. Rehearse paddling with all the gear secured as you would when you begin your trek.
You’ve got a great route plan with alternate routes in case of bad weather and a good contingency plan in case of emergencies. You’ve practiced paddling your craft in all possible configurations to include being fully loaded for the start of your trip. You’ve talked to the locals and officials who know the areas you will be paddling through, and you’ve left copies of your itinerary, timeline and a copy of your routes with family/friends and officials as necessary. You are now ready to load up and get on with your adventure. PLAN YOUR TREK AND TREK YOUR PLAN. One of the biggest mistakes that people make when executing a well-laid plan is when they radically change that plan. You are heading into the unknown. Anyone and everyone that you have left your itinerary with will be into the unknown. If anything happens to you and your group in the unknown, it will be unknown to all but you and your group. STICK WITH THE PLAN YOU’VE PUT TOGETHER.
Whether you’re going out for a few hours or a few weeks, anticipate what will happen during the course of your trek and make the adjustments that you had planned for whenever a contingency situation occurs. If you’re skirting the coastline and the weather is moving in, paddle closer to shore even if it means that you will be paddling a longer distance. You’ve already planned it in your timeline and should’ve given yourself enough time to go that route as necessary. Don’t take chances in order to shorten a leg of your trek. It’s wiser to move into safety than it is getting struck by lightening on a shortcut. If all goes well, you will have completed your trek early because everything went exactly according to plan. All the time that you have available for your trek should be used to include all contingency situations, so, if you finish your trek just in time to get home and get ready for work the following day, you know that you’ve planned well.
Are you ready to pack that kayak or canoe and paddle your way toward a lifetime of great memories exploring coastlines/rivers?