KayakDude.com

DenverPost.com – LOCAL NEWS
Development of new white-water parks in Colorado could be derailed by legislation that’s slated for a Senate vote next week, kayakers, town officials and water attorneys say.
“The bill, as drafted, is going to make recreational in-channel diversions a second-rate water right that is essentially worthless,” said Ron Wolfe, mayor of the ski resort town of Avon, which applied for a park water right in December.

Currently, 15 Colorado communities have white-water parks. The new legislation is not expected to affect them.

The parks in Vail, Steamboat Springs and Golden generated a total of $11 million in revenues last year, according to economic-impact studies.

Eagle County and Durango also are contemplating park projects. The Durango park would be the city’s second.

“I think it’s fair to say we are being much more cautious and conservative about pursuing a water right because of this legislation,” said Eagle County Commissioner Arn Menconi.

HometownAnnapolis.com, Lifestyle – ‘Red Kayak’ earns Annapolis author prestigious award

A book by Priscilla Cummings; “Red Kayak” was named to the American Library Association’s 2006 list of Best Books for Young Adults.

Kayaker bumped by shark
Crew and passengers aboard a Maui Dive Shop boat say they saw a large shark bump up against a kayak about a mile off Makena’s Big Beach Wednesday afternoon.
The kayaker said that the shark had been following him for about 15 minutes, sometimes nudging his kayak.
He just kept paddling towards shore when the shark bumped the kayak.

local6.com – News – Kayaker Wrestles Large Sailfish
A man floating off the coast of Jacksonville, Fla., was caught on tape making the catch of a lifetime.

The man was videotaped wrestling with a large sailfish in an inflatable kayak a few weeks ago.

Amateur video showed the man reeling the sailfish to the boat. At one point, he stopped using his fishing line and grabbed the fish with his hands.

The video was shot by a man in a motor boat.

Inflatable kayaks are one category in the Kayaking market that is amazingly popular. Despite the fact that they offer (arguably) some of the least enjoyable paddling experiences out there.

This is the result of a rather normal evolution of the inflatable boats market. I remember an inflatable boat my father bought 30+ years ago. It was the usual roundy shape, rather hard to control and not very “seaworthy”. However, I recall countless hours of fun on it. The fact that it was pretty much unsinkable gave my folks the confidence they needed to let me go out to row.

Today’s exploding market of inflatable kayaks, reflects the natural evolution for the little inflatable fun boats we used to play with. They are far better to paddle and control and the element of safety is still there. As a kayak, perhaps they are too flexible to allow efficient paddling but as a whitewater craft or as an introduction to kayaking for new paddlers they are unequalled.

One category worth mention is the growing segment of
inflatable dive kayaks. These boats offer a versatile way to transport diver and equipment to a near shore dive location. The kayak doubles its purpose as transportation and floating flag holder for divers.

Inflatable kayaks also find followers in the discipline of Kayak fishing. The inflatables offer an excellent platform for the fishermen.

Other features like, transportability, ease of storage and high buoyancy make these boats something to seriously consider.

KayakDude.com is proud to announce the creation of a complete kayaking directory dedicated exclusively to kayak and related activities.
Comprised only of websites on the kayaking sport, personal pages and more.
Unlike results in larger search engines which are often full of spammy results. KayakDude.com is a directory of “real websites”.

Companies and individuals can enter their own sites personally thus helping the directory grow. Your help is greatly appreciated in the maintenance of this resource for the community.

Come back soon to check on our progress.

The New Bern Sun Journal
An estimated 6,000 people on Saturday attended the first of two Neuse River Days, a weekend festival held at Union Point Park to celebrate the river, curb pollution and promote responsible water recreation.

Raft and kayak races headlined the festivities, while a rock climbing wall and moonwalk provided children’s entertainment. An array of vendors offered traditional festival foods, and environmental groups were on hand to distribute literature about river preservation efforts.

More anglers turn to paddle power
More and more people are discovering the convenience and versatility of kayak fishing.

Stealth transportation that allows you to catch more fish and live a more rewarding experience.

Rutland Herald
Kayak slalom
The 10th Fiddlehead Canoe/Kayak Slalom, the fifth race of New England Slalom Series, is hosting the American Canoe Association New England Division Slalom Championships on Sunday on the Winooski River in East Montpelier.

BendBulletin.com
Kids get to experience “You Can Paddle Day”

An opportunity for all ages to try out any of the dozens of boats lining the river’s edge, the event meant that the river, often relatively deserted this time of year, was trafficked by paddle boats of every size.

Sponsored by Alder Creek Kayak & Canoe, the day also meant learning about safe boating and different techniques.

The thrill of riding Reno’s rapids
The thrill of riding Reno’s rapids
Reno River Festival, May 12-15: A celebration of paddle sports
Rushing rapids cascade down the Sierra Nevadas and the Rockies every year as surely as robins sing and blossoms bloom. A banner year of snowfalls in the towering peaks surrounding Lake Tahoe will ensure that some of the best whitewater conditions in decades are coursing through the center of Reno, Nev., for the annual Reno River Festival.

Sun Herald – 05/04/05
The 3-year-old SunBird Kayak Festival has been expanded to become the SunBird Kayak & Wildlife Festival, set for May 21-22 at Stump Pass State Park in Englewood.

CrossLine : The Reach Safety System

” alt=”Crossline” />

The company CrossLine Solutions from San Rafael California offers this neat anchor, hook sort of kind of thingy to help in stressful situations.

Looks like something that might be able to save one life or two. Visit their site for videos and more explanations.

Qajaq USA Greenland Kayaking Movie Clips

Today I happened to find a site which describes in detail and with video clips, different kinds of “eskimo rolls” It is amazing to see these guys from Greenland perform not one but as many as 20 kayak rolling manuvers.

There is one in particular performed in a contest in which a Mr Kristian David Josefsen rolls the kayak without paddles and with a brick on his hand!

I just wish I could do it reliably with the paddle.

Seaward’s Products