Quote:
Originally Posted by dn0121  How did you get started? I just posted about wanting to learn a new hobby and thought this would be fun. Did you take a class or just learn from a friend? |
I started several years ago in Hawaii. renting the open top kayaks off the beach. With a few tips from the guy on the beach about how to slice and dice the water without over exerting, there was really nothing too it.
Since then I have taken a class that was conducted in a pool to learn all the basics from forward/ backward stroke to the sweep to the high and low brace. Also you learn how to get back in the boat w/2 people and self rescue. But this class was in Japan.
Here in Southern Maryland I can't tell you when the next class like this is or where that isn't overly expensive. An earlier poster pointed out Greenwell State Park:
Greenwell Foundation - River Riders Kayaking Program
But $60 dollars for one hour? Must be a really good instructor.
Patuxent Adventure Center sells and rents Kayaks. Apparently they are offering the basics on Tuesdays?
Welcome to the Patuxent Adventure Center - Solomon's Island, MD
alternate site:
Solomons Kayaks Bicycles Gear Leonardtown MD Maryland - Patuxent Adventure Center - Bike kayak shop featuring Specialized, Lifespeed, Q-Roo, Raleigh, Current Designs, Hurricane Heritage, Oakley, new equipment, rentals, demos maintenance services, cla
Here is a sketch of the water trails in Maryland:
Canoeing, Kayaking and Watertrails
I mean sketchy details. Hopefully this thread could turn up better information than "Go buy a map".
Anyway my best advice for the new Kayaker is to rent and find out what type kayaking suits you. The sea is a harsh mistress so DON'T just buy a boat and put it in the water. Look for Kayak Demo Days at the boat retailers. Thats when you can try out the different styles on the water.
There are different boat styles not just in name and length. There are beginner type boats with a flat bottom that is stable, but slow.
Then there are intermediate with more a rounded shape to allow the boat to tip and turn at a faster rate. But a beginner would feel the tipsiness quite readily.
And the advanced hull which is meant to be sleek and fast and best turns by tipping the boat to one side and it requires the most skill.
I think Beacon Surplus up in Waldorf was the last to hold a demo day. If anyone sees they have scheduled another please post.
Hope you find a little bit of information here helpful. There is so much more to Kayaking then to just "Buy Stuff" and I hope you are not discouraged by the lack of information pertaining to the Southern Maryland waterways.
Good Luck
Stephen