Talk to the Expert

What do you do when you have a decision to make? Do you google the question? Maybe you are more old fashioned look up your advice from a magazine like consumer review. But I have found that the best way to get good advice on almost any outdoor activity is just to talk to someone who has done it. So I went to REI and talked to Mike, one of REI's outfitting experts.

• Tim: So there are three general types of kayaks right?

Mike: Yeah there are the sit-on-top which most find to be the most comfortable and the best if you want a tan, the sit-in which is more suited for doing things like photography or fishing while you are kayaking, and then there is the inflatable type. The inflatable type has its pros and cons but the biggest pro is that it is  much more portable although the portability comes with downside of ripping and leaking out. 

• Tim: You mentioned activities that you can do while kayaking. What are some of those?

Mike: Well as you know kayaking can be a very scenic and peaceful activity. Those aspects make it ideal for photography, fishing, camping, and any other activity that you just want to get out and relax. With camping you can just pack a bag with a tent and some other gear and then when you get to an island you can camp there for the night. That is one cool thing about Wisconsin is there are not fees or any passes required for island camping. 

• Tim: What would you say is the most important gear out of everything that a kayaker has?

Mike: Other than the boat it would most definitely be your PFD or life vest. Some people think that they are too cool for them or that they are too restricting to wear. Not wearing their life vest is why there are the few deaths from drowning that there are in kayaking. Common sense is one of your best allies in water sports.

• Tim: What is the one piece of gear that nobody thinks of but would really benefit from when kayaking?

Mike: I would have to say gloves. You are paddling so much that if you are planning a trip longer than an hour your hands will get very sore. Those gloves may give you a kinda funky tan line but they will save you from blisters.

• Tim: So if you could give one piece of advice when purchasing a kayak what would you give?

Mike: Don't go and try to get the cheapest gear possible. People try to save some money and buy the small little kayaks or buy the heavy paddles and end up regretting it in the end. Spend a little more money and buy at least a 12-14 foot kayak. They are much more stable and easier to cruise around in. Also spend a little more on your paddle and get one that is carbon fiber. They are more expensive but the weight that you save is more than worth it.

• Tim: Thanks for your help Mike!

Mike: My pleasure.

Places to Go, People to See

Kayaking is one of the world's best outdoor activities, hands down. You can enjoy it with friends, see the amazing beauty of God's creation, and get great exercise in the process. But the formost issue that staves off enthusiastic beginners is the lack of knowledge of what to purchase and the cost of the gear. I have made a list of the places that are common and easy to obtain equipment from and also knowledge of the sport.

1. Dick's Sporting Goods

Dick's is a fairly common place around the US to find any type of outdoor gear. You can find anything from basketball shoes to guns to running apparel which is great if you are needing to find any type of sports apparel or equipment. But if you are looking for kayaks at a good price and with good advice it would not be the best place to start. 

2. Cabela's 

Also a very thorough outdoor themed store with more emphasis on hunting and natural recreation such as hunting than main stream sports related activities. They have a nice selection of kayaks but the advice and expertise are not very helpful. But if you are wanting a great outdoor experience and a store that caters to the outdoor enthusiast you would enjoy Cabela's. 

3. L.L. Bean

L.L. Bean is a store that is very hard to rival. Based on the idea that only best is good enough and the fact every product is backed up with a full lifetime warranty exemplifies their commitment to the customer. The selection of kayaks and gear is top notch and the advise that is given is backed with years of experience. The two downsides to L.L. Bean is that their locations are in the New England with the only exception of Chicago and the quality of their products is reflected in their pricing.

4. R.E.I. 

R.E.I. stands for Recreational Equipment Incorporated and it has been one of the foremost outfitters of high quality gear and some of the best advice from experts in the field. R.E.I. focuses mainly on hiking, running, biking, and water sports and since their niche is smaller than most of the other outdoor stores they are able to provide the best possible experience to the customer. They provide free classes on how to begin kayaking as well as help find the best kayak for you. Their sales representatives are the best in the business and are always ready to help. R.E.I. also has many retail locations across the US and there is one most likely near you. The one downside is that like L.L. Bean, the quality is reflected in the price.

Whether you are interested in kayaking or just browsing this blog out of curiosity I can assure you that if you try kayaking you will not be disappointed. When I think about the great outdoors and the fun times I have out there I am always brought back to the motto for The North Face and it drives me out again and again:

Never Stop Exploring