Welcome to our All Paddling Issue!

One of the guides recently pointed out that our newsletter is biased towards hiking and international travel. Could it be because I'm the one who writes the newsletter and those are my passions? Hmmm...

So I invited her and another paddling fanatic guide to write about why they love paddling and what myths keep women from giving it a try. We also picked out some pictures and quotes from women who have been on our paddling trips. In the future we will regularly include paddling tips and resources in the newsletter, and next year we will offer at least two shorter introductory trips for women who want to give it a try without committing to a week.

Even if you're not a paddler, I hope you'll read at least one of the articles. Really, they made me want to go out and buy a kayak...

Why I love Kayaking

by Pam Coffey
One of my passions in life, my most favorite outdoor activity, one of the things I dream about and escape to - is kayaking. I love when I first get in my boat, pick up my paddle and dip the blade into the water because I know a little adventure is about to happen.

One of the reasons I love paddling is that it involves water - I love water. A kayak lets you explore the water in so many ways. First, you're basically sitting IN the water or at least at water level. Second - it is easy to see the bottom in clear rivers or oceans. You can also explore all kinds of nooks and crannies along the water's edge – it only takes a few inches of water for a kayak!! You can totally "get away" where no one else can go – be it that tiny sandy beach or a hidden pool of water. Perhaps even more important is the feel of the water that you get as a kayaker. You and your boat become "connected" to the water in a wonderful and magical way: you feel each wave, swell or rapid within your body. The sound of the paddle as it dips into the water adds a deep rhythm and before you know it you feel an incredible sense of freedom; you're part of the mystery.


Another reason I love kayaking is the sometimes unprecedented encounters with wildlife. Critters simply are not as scared of a human in a kayak as they are in almost any other situation. IÕve had the opportunity to watch a great blue heron catch a fish and swallow it; I was so close I could see its throat move as he swallowed the fish. I've had manatees literally come up to the boat as if they wanted to be petted, snout out of the water!!


You can enjoy the benefits of kayaking as either a total novice or a seasoned expert. Kayaking is a very simple sport to learn and you can take it however far you want to go. With only a few minutes instruction on a couple of basic strokes and concepts you can enjoy kayaking and all its wonders. And for those of us that want to learn every nuance of paddling, we can spend a lifetime doing that and never get bored. Kayaking is also a physical activity but not overly strenuous or demanding of your body. I have kayaked whitewater rivers with women in their late 60s and I've paddled with other boaters of every conceivable body size and style. I've known paddlers with arthritic knees who could barely walk and those with bad backs who weren't able to sit in a canoe.


Kayaking allows me to experience water Ð physically, visually, and spiritually. It lets me explore the wonders of nature, to physically use my body, to be in the outdoors with my friends, and to make the connection between me and nature in a way that is totally unique.

How I became a paddling fanatic

by Kate Thornhill
Every Memorial Day a group of friends and friends of friends gather at the Crystal River in Glen Arbor, MI to canoe or kayak this lazy, shallow, scenic stretch of water. When I first participated in this welcoming of the summer season event, most everyone was in a canoe. Around 14 years ago, kayaks started to become more common and I was offered one to try. I liked it. Over the course of the next year I saved my money and come spring I bought two kayaks: a very small river kayak for my daughter who was 10 at the time and an almost 12 foot Old Town Loon for myself. The Loon has a big cockpit so I could put my toddler son in front of me and still paddle. We had a new summer family activity! Well, it turned out the part about putting my toddler son in the front wasn't too successful. Actually neither was the part about paddling with my 11 year old. The part about me liking it? Well that grew to me loving it.

So it wasn't the great family activity I had initially hoped for. It became "my" time. It was a chance for me to be out on the water, with no engines running, water gently lapping around me. I had exercised my entire life and never found something where I felt so relaxed while actually working out.

The next summer I went on my first kayak camping trip and had the best time. I was hooked! I was on the water and the boat carried all the gear! That was the beginning of many, many overnight kayaking adventures. I've been out for as long as two weeks at a time. It doesn't take much time in the boat to hone some skills (like the first time you are out) and a little good instruction goes a long way. Over the years, I've learned more and more; but one thing I really like about kayaking is that I can go with any friend who has pretty much any level of experience and have a really nice time. It's a great activity when people of various experience levels can all go out together.

As for that family activity: my kids are now both good paddlers and we have done overnight trips together. I think they felt they were missing out on all the fun.

Some common paddling misconceptions

Many women who are considering a kayaking trip have concerns about kayaking trips and kayaking in general. So let's separate fact from fiction and hopefully encourage you to at least try this wonderful method of experiencing the outdoors.

1. Kayaking is Hard to Learn

Absolutely untrue. Sure it takes a while to run Class 5 rapids (if you even want to try), but with only a few basic concepts under your belt, you'll be able to paddle effectively and enjoy your kayaking experience right from the get go. A good instructor will teach you how to enter and exit the kayak properly, how to perform a forward stroke to move the kayak, and a sweep stroke for turning. Armed with these skills and a few words about safety and you're ready to enjoy your kayaking adventure.

2. Kayaking Takes a Lot of Upper Body Strength

Would you believe a lot of strength is actually a drawback to learning to kayak efficiently? Just as in rock climbing, people (e.g. men) with a lot of upper body strength tend to rely on their arms to paddle, which is the most inefficient thing you can do in a kayak, quickly making you tired and sore. The proper way to paddle a kayak is to use the largest and strongest portion of the human body: your core or trunk. Instead of relying on arms, the correct method is to put your paddle in the water and rotate your body core, so that you almost pull yourself towards the paddle. A good instructor can have you doing this correctly the first time out.

3. I'll be Sore and Exhausted After a Kayaking Trip

One of the wonderful things about kayaking is that you can go long distances without overly taxing your body or making yourself sore. True, if you try to "muscle it" and not engage your core and trunk muscles, your arms will get tired. Again, after just a little time learning an efficient stroke you can literally paddle for hours.

4. I Have a Bad Back, Knee, Shoulder etc. So I Can't Kayak

Kayaking is amazingly easy on the body and in fact, is what many outdoorswomen resort to after a serious injury ends their ability to hike, bike, ski etc. The next time you're in a store that sells kayaks , ask to sit in one and note the shape that your body takes: legs in front, knees bent and slightly splayed, feet on the foot pegs or bulkheads. Then practice sitting that way in your home: you'll know if your injury prevents that position. If you can sit in the position required and can rotate your torso from side to side, it is very likely that you can not only paddle but paddle efficiently and effectively.

Ed note. As someone with quite limited upper body strength and a bum shoulder, I can testify to the truth of all these! This is adapted from a much longer piece that Pam wrote. Use the link below to download the entire article.
Common Misconceptions

Upcoming Paddling Trips

Sept 9 - 17: Sea Kayaking Nova Scotia

NEW Paddling with the Manatees. December. Details coming soon!

Jan 15 - 23: Panama, the New Costa Rica

Feb 26 - March 2: Paddling the Okefenokee

March 2 - 6: Sea Kayaking Cumberland Island

March 5 - 12: Sea Kayaking the Carribean

A few other odds and ends

To continue my ongoing thread about traveling light, I wanted to report that I was able to pack everything I needed for a 2 week trip to Alaska in my new carry-on bag and once again got my disassembled trekking poles through security. I figure I have now saved $125 in baggage fees.


We are in the midst of posting our International trips for next year. When each is posted we send out an email to everyone who has requested notification (take a look at our Trip Calendar), post it on our Facebook page, and send out a tweet. The first 5 people to sign up for any trip receive a 5% discount.


Last chance to be a Cowgirl! This is the last year we will be offering Living the Cowgirl Life. If you have been looking at the trip and thinking "Next year". Well this is it, no more next years. Come join us this year!


Happy Independence Day! Now there's a holiday we can all celebrate! -- Marian, for all the guides (paddling and otherwise) at Adventures in Good Company