[Blaze]

Originally Posted by Sparkle

Well the great thing is that there is a huge amount of variety in "calm waters" - big lakes, little lakes, meandering rivers, small-rapid rivers, ponds, estuaries, bays etc.

I'm interested in sea kayaking but I've not had too much experience at it. I usually rent a sea kayak when I'm in Ptown and paddle cross the bay to Long Point which is the tippy top of the curve that is Cape Cod and sometimes just around Long Point - I am in ocean waters but mainly in the protected cove of the bay, and otherwise very close to the shore. I feel comfortable with that but I get nervous about going out very far, there have been a couple of news stories about kayakers off the cape spotting great whites, and the seals and manatees swimming by my boat make me nervous.

I LOVE white water kayaking, but it takes the cost of kayaking to a new level. Specialized equipment, classes at each rapid level, travel etc.

Most of my kayaking these days is done on some form of calm water. Its just more accessible and practical.

I know a few people that have kayaked around Manhattan *that* is the type of kayaking that scares me. Too much traffic on the water, it makes me nervous.

Wow, the envy... I have never done the hard core rapids... I want to, but I do so love lakes and most of all ocean kayaking,or bay fishing. I love shooting the waves and and turtle'in. I like getting past the front waves and dashing 2 or 3 miles out to troll while casting out in the open ocean. Nothing more fun than a big fish hitting your line and dragging you around, but you have to let your anchor drift go or your in trouble. But the rush of being pulled by a big fish is awesome! And if no fish are biting no worries, the seagulls usually like to make a quick pit stop, and the sting rays usually cruise beneath your yak.
Texas oceans are not like my home, Hawaii you could see what was around you all the time. Texas is mud water and sometimes when the bull sharks start getting a tad to nosy, I start to get my gaft stick ready. But usually they will swim a couple times around, see that I don't have a fish line hanging and leave. I long to kayak in other states. When we were in Little Rock, 50 miles towards Hot Springs, there were a lot of rental area's with crystal clear streams that I was foaming at the mouth to hit, but didn't have time. Maybe this year, one never knows....