Family, Dogs, Fires and Kayaking – Summer Begins

I love the summer. I feel very lucky to live in a place where I get to experience all of the seasons and I enjoy every one of them. I am especially fond of the summer months however as there is just no better feeling than a hot summer day.

So far my start to this beautiful season has been fairly eventful. My first few weeks of summer included family visits, a lost dog, forest fires and of course paddling in my inflatable kayak.

Week 1 - My Brother Visits from Singapore

I have an older brother, Aaron, who has been living and working in Singapore for the last eight years. Normally he comes to visit us in the winter so I was especially excited that he was making his way out here this summer as I was determined to rope him into kayaking with me.

He has never expressed any great interest in it but I was sure he would love it once he was out in the water. We headed out one morning to Okanagan Lake about fifteen minutes from my home.

As he didn’t have any water gear with him I had him decked out in my Mom’s lifejacket, my hat, my Mom’s scarf, etc. lol. We actually had a really fantastic time and luckily he was a natural at paddling. We did get caught in some high winds and some heavy waves but true to form my Sea Eagle 380X was totally stable and secure.

We rode the waves and paddled as hard as we could into the wind then let the wind basically push us back to where we started. Being the overly safety conscious person that I am, I wouldn’t let us venture too far from shore in those winds but we still had a great time.

Have you Been to Singapore?

While we were kayaking I was trying to convince Aaron that the next time I come to Singapore we need to go out kayaking. I have never kayaked in Singapore.

If any of you have ever been to Singapore or possibly live there then you know how ridiculously hot and humid that place is. To be honest I find the weather to be almost intolerable and really unpleasant for any outside activities… although I think if you live there you likely get used to it.

I am convinced however that it would be great to kayak over there and am going to make it a priority when I go next year. Aaron on the other hand was not so convinced that I would enjoy kayaking in the extreme humidity… I think my complaining is still all too fresh in his mind from my last visit!

So my question for anyone reading this post is… have you ever kayaked in Singapore? I am curious to know your experience.

After a great visit I realized one very important thing… I need a second inflatable kayak!!  With family visiting it is impossible to get everyone out on the water at the same time.

Week 2 – I Found a Lost Puppy

While out for a walk a couple of weeks ago I found the most beautiful puppy wandering the street with no collar, tag or tattoos. She was beyond adorable and I’m guessing a cross between a beagle and a lab (see picture).

After knocking on several doors and not getting any response I found a very nice lady who gave me a massive chain leash that I could use to take her home with me.

During the twenty minute walk home and the hour I had her at my house I completely fell in love with her. I took a few pictures, as you can tell, and I had all sorts of great visions of her becoming my trusty paddling partner.

After my last dog passed away a couple of years ago, I had decided I wouldn’t get another dog for at least a few years. However lately it has become all I think about and I have become a little too obsessed with checking the SPCA listings every day. I thought perhaps this puppy was meant to be mine.

Anyway of course I had to take her to the SPCA. I spent the night agonizing over whether or not her owners came to get her all the while shopping online for a doggy pfd and planning how I would train her to go kayaking.

The next morning I called first thing and of course her owners came and got her and she was back home. Apparently she’s a digger and had dug her way out of the backyard. After a few days of sadness I am back on track and planning for a new dog next year… at which point this site will likely be inundated with pictures of my dog hopefully out kayaking with me.

Week 3 – Forest Fire

One of my biggest complaints about the area I live in is that it gets so extremely dry that every summer we are plagued with awful forest fires. I have been lucky enough to never have been directly affected by these fires but it is a given that at certain points of the summer outside activities get put on hold because there is too much smoke in the air to breathe.

The fires have started early this year and already we had a major fire close to town that unfortunately did a bit of damage.

Consequently kayaking this past week has been out of the question which has made me very unhappy. Luckily the fire is now over and we have had some heavy winds that have blown the smoke away.

So we are excited to be heading back out on the water this week and have a few exciting water destinations planned for the coming weeks ahead.

All in all an eventful first few weeks of summer. Heading into the middle of July there is no more family visits (for the time being), lost dogs or fires… it is back to normal with just me and my inflatable kayak.

Side Note: The particular deer in the picture above was nowhere near the forest fire.  He was simply peacefully watching us pass by.

Be sure to check out our many reviews of all the different inflatable kayaks.

Lightest Inflatable Kayaks

Are you looking for the lightest inflatable kayaks? A lightweight inflatable kayak can be absolutely ideal for those looking to travel. It can also be perfect for a person who will be carrying and transporting the kayak by themselves.

Many inflatable kayak companies are using new types of materials that allow for rugged construction as well as the convenience of a very lightweight boat.

Listed below are the 6 lightest solo inflatable kayaks as well as the 6 lightest tandem inflatable kayaks.

Lightweight Solo Inflatable Kayaks

Please click on the model name to read the full review.

Advanced Elements Firefly – 16 lbs.
Best Uses: flat water, beginner kayakers

Innova Twist – 16 lbs.
Best Uses: flat water, calm rivers, day trips

NRS Bandit I – 17 lbs.
Best Uses: river, up to class IV rapids

NRS Rascal – 17 lbs.
Best Uses: whitewater, kids

Airis Play – 18 lbs.
Best Uses: flat water, rivers, ocean surf

Airis Sport – 21 lbs.
Best Uses: flat water, calm river, ocean surf

Lightweight Tandem Inflatable Kayaks

Please click on the model name to read the full review.

Sevylor Fiji – 25 lbs.
Best Uses: flat water, beginners

Sevylor Tahiti Classic – 25 lbs.
Best Uses: slow river, flat water, kids

Sea Eagle 330 – 26 lbs.
Best Uses: day trips, rivers, lakes, beginners

Innova Sunny – 29 lbs.
Best Uses: flat water, fishing, calm ocean, families

NRS Bandit II – 31 lbs.
Best Uses: rivers, up to class IV rapids

Sea Eagle 370 – 32 lbs.
Best Uses: rivers, flat water, kids

Lightweight Inflatable Kayak Warnings

Although many lightweight inflatable kayaks are built to be quite strong, one thing to be aware of is that typically the lighter the inflatable kayak the more chance there is that it will get blown by the wind.  This will not be a big problem unless you are out paddling on a windy day in open water. It may take a little more effort to paddle the kayak and to keep it on a straight course.

Tip: To help alleviate this problem you can always try adding more weight to the kayak… i.e. load it down with extra gear.

Lightweight Inflatable Kayak Advantages

A lightweight inflatable kayak can be ideal for:

1. camping
2. airplane travel
3. backpacking
4. solo transportation
5. kids

To compare the specs of all the different inflatable kayaks please see our inflatable kayak comparison chart.

New Inflatable Kayak Comparison Charts

You may have noticed in the category bar near the top of this website we have an inflatable kayak comparison chart as well as an inflatable canoe comparison chart.

We have decided to add to these to hopefully make them more useful and organized for everyone to take advantage of.

Changes to the Existing Comparison Charts

We have divided the inflatable kayak comparison chart into two separate pages… one for solo inflatable kayak comparisons and the other for tandem inflatable kayak comparisons.  From there we have also divided them by price range.

I don’t know about everyone else but I was having a hard time looking at the comparison chart page anymore without my eyes going blurry.  Hopefully this new format as well as the fact that we have added pictures of each kayak will make things easier on the eyes and more appealing to look at and research.

New Inflatable Kayak Comparison Charts

We have also added 9 new mini comparison charts for each of the individual inflatable kayak manufacturers. The point of these are to help people do some really quick comparisons of inflatable kayaks from the same brand.

The new comparison charts we have included are:

• Advanced Elements Comparison Chart

• Aire Comparison Chart

• Airis Comparison Chart

• Bic Comparison Chart

• Innova Comparison Chart

• NRS Comparison Chart

• Sea Eagle Comparison Chart

• Sevylor Comparison Chart

• Tributary Comparison Chart

Inflatable Kayak Comparison Chart Details

Each comparison chart will cover the basics including:

1. model name
2. best uses
3. length
4. width
5. weight
6. load capacity
7. price range

A few years ago when I began researching which inflatable kayak to purchase I used to have a million screens open on my computer at once as I was trying to compare the specs of different models.

My hope is that these smaller individual comparison charts will help to organize all of the important information in one place to make the process of comparing different inflatable kayaks easier. We may add more charts to our list down the road.

New Inflatable Kayak Reviews for 2010

We have done a number of new reviews for inflatable kayaks this year… some of them brand new models that have hit the market. Each of them has their own unique features as well as pros and cons.

Lucky for us, inflatable kayak companies are always working on improving the design, function and quality of their boats. It is always exciting to see what innovative ideas they come up with.

New Inflatable Kayak Reviews

Click on the Inflatable Kayak name to read our full detailed review.

Advanced Elements Advanced Frame Sport – The new AE Sport is a fun little solo inflatable kayak that paddles decently and has a great look… I love the colors on this kayak. It is best for flat water and comes with a removable tracking fin. The Sport will also appeal to those who travel as it weighs only 26 lbs. It is also very affordable.

Advanced Elements AirFusion – The new AE AirFusion is a perfect example of an inflatable kayak company coming up with a new and unique design. This kayak has aluminum alloy frame poles with inflatable pressurized air tubes. This means that you get a very rigid and powerful frame while still having the convenience of being able to deflate your kayak. The AirFusion will paddle best on flat water, in class I – II rivers or in bays and estuaries.

Advanced Elements Lagoon 1 – Advanced Elements used to have an inflatable kayak called the Dragonfly. They no longer make this kayak and instead have the Lagoon 1. The Lagoon is their second smallest inflatable kayak and is an excellent choice for anyone looking for an affordable, lightweight, easy to use kayak for flat water paddling. It sets up very quickly and will get you out on the water with ease.

Aire Tributary Sawtooth II – I had been waiting for a tandem version of the Sawtooth and this year it has arrived. The Tributary Sawtooth is one of the faster inflatable kayaks on the market and paddles great in flat water, easy rivers and bays. Although I really like this inflatable kayak and there are several pros to the Sawtooth II, there are also a few cons that I found slightly disappointing including the weight and load capacity of this kayak.

Innova K1 – The K1 is a super tough solo whitewater inflatable kayak that is designed to be paddled solely in rivers. It can handle up to class IV rapids. Although the Innova K1 has a lot of great features and offers good control, it does not have the popularity that many others in its class do. My guess is the hefty price tag and the fact that it only comes with a two year warranty may be a bit of a deterrent. This inflatable kayak also comes in a tandem version, the Innova K2… review on this one still to come.

NRS Rascal – You have to love a kayak named the Rascal… it just sounds fun. The new NRS Rascal is a very cool “mini” inflatable kayak. It is quite small and weighs very little (17 lbs.). It would best suit kids or anyone who wants to backpack to remote areas with their kayak. It paddles best in mild whitewater, has great maneuverability, is PVC-free and comes with a decent warranty.

NRS Riken Seminole – The Riken Seminole is a hardcore solo whitewater inflatable kayak that is built to withstand anything. It is designed for whitewater kayaking with up to class IV rapids, has super strong 1100 denier Hypalon material and comes with a phenomenal ten year warranty. This inflatable kayak is best for those with a little experience with whitewater paddling who are looking for a boat that can get the job done, perform all the tricks and likely last forever.

Sea Eagle FastTrack – The FastTrack is Sea Eagle’s contribution to new inflatable kayaks for this year and it’s a good one. Very similar to their Explorer kayaks, the FastTrack is built with the same tough exterior but has a slightly different design to allow it to have more speed as well as to weigh less. It is quite versatile and can paddle well on flat water, ocean waves or whitewater with up to class III rapids. Had I not already owned the Sea Eagle 380X, I would have seriously considered purchasing the FastTrack as it seems to offer most everything that my 380X does except it weighs less and supposedly can go a lot faster.

For a complete list of inflatable kayak models please see our inflatable kayak reviews.

Why Choose an Inflatable Kayak

I do believe that more and more people are choosing to purchase an inflatable kayak as I did as opposed to a rigid kayak.

However we are still a fairly small community and although most people are very curious to know more about inflatable kayaks I still get some funny looks from those avid hard-shell kayaking people.

That’s okay, as many of us know there are some really great reasons for choosing an inflatable kayak.

Some of the major reasons why a person might choose an inflatable kayak as opposed to a rigid kayak are:

1. They don’t want the hassle of having to tie the kayak up on top of their vehicle for transportation.
2. They may not have the space to store a rigid kayak
3. They travel and want the convenience of being able to bring their inflatable kayak with them.
4. They want to use it as an extra kayak for when family and friends are visiting.

All of these are excellent reasons to choose an inflatable kayak and they are all factors that I considered when I first began my search for an inflatable kayak years ago.

As someone who originally had always paddled in a rigid kayak I had my reservations about inflatable kayaks as I think most people do when they first begin their search.

As I did my research and got involved in the semi-small inflatable kayaking community I learned a few things:

• Inflatable kayaks are far sturdier than I ever imagined.
• There is a large range of sizes and styles of inflatable kayaks.
• They are extremely easy to set up and fun to use.
• They are perfect for anyone, such as myself, who lives in a condo and has no space to store a hard-shell kayak.
• They are wonderful to travel with.

Of course the quality of inflatable kayaks can vary greatly. Typically the more you are willing to spend, the better the kayak you are going to get, but that doesn’t mean that a cheaper model won’t serve you well.

I don’t think it is realistic to expect an inflatable kayak to paddle as fast as many of the streamlined rigid kayaks do but I can promise that they do offer great convenience, comfort and a lot of fun.

I believe they are 100% worth the purchase and a great investment for any family, individual or couple. They are usually very stable, solid and work well for dogs too!

My Own Personal Choice

I myself purchased the Sea Eagle 380X and have been more than pleased with this inflatable kayak. It is a tandem kayak and I most often use it with two people. In the future I plan on purchasing a very lightweight solo model which I will use strictly for airplane travel. The great thing about inflatable kayaks is that there is lots of choice and no matter what your criteria, you are sure to find one that suits your needs.

If you love to paddle, love to travel and are looking for a convenient way to get out on the water then an inflatable kayak is an excellent way to go.

Please see our inflatable kayak reviews for detailed information on each individual inflatable kayak model.

Kayaking Lake Chelan with the Ogopogo

I spent a few days with my mom last week in Chelan, Washington with my inflatable kayak. For those of you who are not familiar with the area, Chelan is a small town of close to 4000 people in the Cascade Mountains in Washington bordering on a gorgeous 50 mile lake called Lake Chelan.

Before this trip I had only spent one night in Chelan (last month) on my way to Seattle and Oregon. I thought it was stunning and decided to return to do some kayaking.

As it was the beginning of May I was expecting some nice weather but unfortunately as with most of my kayak trips so far this year, the weather was less than desirable.

We lucked out and had one sunny day. Although it was a little chilly we took full advantage of it and made our way down this beautiful lake. We paddled amongst the Canadian Geese and checked out all of the beautiful summer homes along the shores.

The scenery while paddling on Lake Chelan is really lovely and serene. The lake is surrounded by mountainous jagged peaks. The higher peaks still had a dusting of snow and the lower valleys rolled around the lake giving a feeling of being completely surrounded by a presence that is rooted in history.

View more or our Lake Chelan kayaking pictures.

Tales of Hauntings

Interestingly Lake Chelan is well known for its stories of spirits and “monsters” that hang about in the lake and haunt those who use it. As I am a sucker for anything supernatural I couldn’t help but be interested in the supposed hauntings that date back to the 1800’s.

The most notorious haunting of Lake Chelan is that of the Ogopogo! I was surprised as the Ogopogo is the same “monster” that is well known to haunt Lake Okanagan where I live.

I wondered if this was the same Ogopogo and if so how does this monster travel from lake to lake when they are so far away? Then again if the Ogopogo is a spirit then I suppose he can appear wherever he feels like it.

Story of the Ogopogo

As far as the Lake Chelan Ogopogo is concerned, the story goes like this…

The Ogopogo is a monster who used to devour all of the grazing animals on what was once flat prairie land. Then the Indians who lived there and depended on the animals for their substance appealed to the Splendid Spirit to help them. Splendid Spirit threw down a large stone to kill the monster. Unfortunately the stone, instead of killing the monster, made a huge crater with mountains surrounding it. The monster was buried in one of the canyons that were created by the stone and the canyon eventually filled up with water, forming Lake Chelan. However the monster did not die. It occasionally moves its long and powerful tail, causing huge waves on the lake. The monster has been referred to as a serpent or a dinosaur and was named the Ogopogo.

Sightings of the Ogopogo date back hundreds of years with people who swear they saw the Ogopogo or were attacked by it. The same goes for sightings of the Ogopogo on Lake Okanagan. There are those who will swear to having seen and felt the presence of the great dinosaur that appears within the lake at odd times.

Luckily we saw no monsters…

Lucky for us our paddling day was calm and very enjoyable. Although I kept my eye out for the enormous Ogopogo, it seems he had no interest in bothering with us that day.

I would imagine that in the summertime Lake Chelan is packed with all kinds of boaters but on May the 4th my mom and I were the only two present on that lake. What a treat… a whole beautiful lake all to ourselves.

Plan to visit Lake Chelan?

If any of you are ever in the Washington area I highly recommend making a pit stop in Chelan and checking out the scenery for yourself. Although this has nothing to do with kayaking I just have to mention that there are two eating places that are worth the trip itself:

• “Local Myth” is an awesome pizza joint that makes the healthiest and best tasting pizzas I have ever had in my life… seriously. Plus they are super cheap.
• ”Golden Florins” is a fabulous café attached to Bear Market which is a whole foods market. They make crepes stuffed with all kinds of great things that are completely allergy free… no dairy, no soy, no nuts, etc., … makes for a great lunch!

The day we left Chelan it began to snow… good grief! We felt lucky to get in our one day of sunny weather and enjoyed every minute out on the lake.

Looking for a kayak that is easy to transport and travel with?…  Check out our inflatable kayak reviews.

Spring Paddling in my Inflatable Kayak

Finally the weather has cleared and my inflatable kayak got some paddle time this past weekend! We had a very mild winter but any real sunshine and warmth had been eluding us this spring here in the Okanagan. The last month has been nothing but wet and unusually windy.

After taking a road trip down South and hoping to spend my days kayaking, I was instead bombarded with more rain and extreme winds… ugh. However this past weekend was beautiful and much more like the dry, warm weather we are used to here.

My inflatable kayak and gear had been sitting in the trunk of my car for almost a month, ready and waiting to go. Last weekend my mom and I packed up our sunny weather essentials and headed to the lake.

View more of our kayaking pictures on Flickr.

The Joys of Spring Paddling

The water was as calm as glass. In fact it was absolutely beautiful as the vibrant trees along the shoreline reflected in the water and created some beautiful scenery to look at.

It was perfect spring weather… not too hot, not too windy and totally refreshing.

I inflated my kayak and as always marveled at how quickly it sets up. We tossed our gear, lunch and bags into my Sea Eagle 380X and off we went. Within minutes we were both breathing deep and feeling far away from the busyness of our daily lives. The whole day was peaceful, calm and utterly relaxing.

At the end of our paddling there were a few things that I noticed:

1. My arms were tired. They always get tired at the beginning of kayak season and I realized that perhaps I should start lifting some weights to get them back in paddling shape.
2. My two new additions to my inflatable kayak were 100% worth every penny (see below).

My Two New Paddling Additions

I bought two new things this year for my inflatable kayak…

1. The first thing I purchased was a couple of pairs of YakGrips kayak paddle grips. These are little padded grips that go on the kayak paddle to help stop blisters and calluses on your hand while paddling. What a difference they make!!!
   
   My hands used to always get really sore after paddling for some time and consequently I usually wore paddling gloves. In the heat of the summer however I didn’t like to wear the gloves because my hands would get too hot.With the YakGrips my hands were completely comfortable and there was no indication whatsoever of any calluses or blisters. I was extremely happy with the comfort of the YakGrips and would highly recommend them to anyone who has ever suffered from sore hands while kayaking.
2. The second thing I purchased was a waterproof camera. I bought the Fujifilm FinePix Z33 waterproof camera. It wasn’t a very expensive one but I thought it would work great for kayaking.
   
   It was actually quite thrilling to be able to put my camera in the pocket of my PFD and use it at any point while kayaking with absolutely no concerns of it getting wet. I am really impressed with the quality of the pictures it takes and it is such a relief to not have to be concerned with ruining it (as I have with two previous cameras).I know that I am going to have a lot of fun with this waterproof camera and am really happy with the purchase.

All in All a Great Day

The day ended with tired arms, a little sunburn (oops… I didn’t think I needed sunscreen), some great pictures and a couple of happy girls.

I can’t wait to get out again and start exploring some new areas. Happy paddling everyone!

Still need a kayak? Read our inflatable kayak reviews to find the right one for you.

Real Life Paddling Safety Precautions

Recently I read an article on our local news website in my hometown. Two men were paddling in their inflatable canoe (from the picture it looked like a really good quality one) on the very large Okanagan Lake in my area. They were training for a race that was taking place the following day that included running, cycling and paddling.

Experience made no Difference

These men were very experienced with kayaking and had a fair amount of experience paddling on this particular lake. They chose to paddle out to the center of the lake to make their way from one point to another.

Unfortunately high winds came up quite quickly and they found themselves practically paddling on the spot for almost half an hour.

They were having real troubles making any headway and the winds were getting stronger.

Strong waves were beginning to form and one big one tipped them right over. The winds quickly carried their inflatable canoe away from them and they couldn’t reach it to hold on.

Luckily for these two men they were both wearing their lifejackets at the time. Even with the lifejackets on they found the winds were too strong to try and swim against the currents to try and make it back to shore.

One of the men knew that the proper thing to do if in trouble is to try and lie on your back and hold your paddle up in the air… hopefully for someone to see that you are in trouble.

Luckily for these two someone did notice from a nearby bridge and called for help. Even luckier was that another person noticed who had a speed boat docked and he rushed out to help them as well as retrieve their canoe.

In that short period of time they were already suffering from mild hypothermia as the water was freezing cold. Both of them were quoted as saying that if they had not been wearing their PFD’s they would have drowned for sure as they simply could not keep swimming with the strong winds. They both also stated that had they not been wearing their PFD’s they didn’t think they would have been able to put them on in the water (if they were able to hang on to them when they were tipped over).

Important Safety Tips

The point of this post is not to scare you but simply to show how very quickly calm situations can suddenly change. It is so important not to underestimate the power of the weather as well as the water. Here are a couple of very important cautions to be aware of:

1. When paddling in the water, if you are not absolutely sure of the weather conditions then stick close to shore. It is common knowledge that if winds pick up you do not want to be in the middle of a body of water as you will have no protection.One of the first things that kayak rental outfitters will tell you is to stick close to the shoreline. If you are caught out in the middle of a lake and the weather changes, you can often have real trouble.
2. Always wear your PFD. This is a perfect example of what can happen if you are not wearing it. Weather patterns can change unexpectedly and if you have to struggle against the wind, it is not always possible to put it on at that point.Sometimes in that kind of situation if you stop paddling the wind will push your kayak far backwards. Even taking the few seconds to stop and put on your lifejacket can cause you to lose major ground.
3. Also do not think that because you have your PFD on your lap or close to you that you will be able to grab it and put it on in the water should you tip. In an emergency situation, things don’t always go as you might think they will. No matter what your experience make sure all people and pets in your kayak are wearing their PFD’s.

Sometimes we all need a bit of a reminder as to how powerful the elements can be. So please folks remember to be safe, wear your PFD, and keep half-way close to the shoreline if at all possible. I have actually always found that paddling along the shoreline makes for much better sight-seeing anyway.

Find more important paddling safety tips and advice.

Tandem Inflatable Kayak Pros & Cons

Originally kayaks were only designed for one person. If you wanted to kayak with a friend you needed to have two separate inflatable kayaks. However over time tandem inflatable kayaks have become extremely popular. If you are trying to decide whether to purchase a tandem kayak or possibly one or two solo kayaks there are a few things to consider.

Advantages of using a Tandem Inflatable Kayak

• Promotes conversation – Often when kayaking with a friend (both in solo kayaks) it can be very difficult to carry on any real conversation or share any great sites you see. I have often ended up yelling just to get my friends attention and then need to paddle hard to get close to finish what I wanted to say. Even though you are out together, the experience is still very much like kayaking alone.

• Great if one person is not very experienced – If one person is new to inflatable kayaking and possibly feeling a bit insecure, a tandem kayak is a great way to go. It is an ideal way to teach your new paddling partner which strokes to use and help them to gain the experience and confidence they need.  Initially the new kayaker can sit up front and once they are more comfortable they can take a turn at the back and practice steering and control.

• Excellent for kayaking with children or dogs – Most people do not want to send their young child out in a kayak all by themselves. A tandem kayak allows all family members to participate in the fun and it is a great way to bring your dogs along as well.

• Ability to get more power – You can pick up some really good speeds in a tandem inflatable kayak which can be a lot of fun. Also if bad weather should pick up you have that much extra power and strength to get back to shore as quickly as possibly.

• Ability to share the work load – It can be really nice in a tandem kayak to sometimes just take turns paddling. This gives each of you a break and the ability to sit, relax and enjoy your surroundings… while someone else does the work.

Negatives to Using a Tandem Inflatable Kayak

• Not as much control – You will always have more control in a solo kayak. A solo kayak can essentially just mesh with your body and it basically becomes your lower half. Consequently if you are skilled enough your kayak becomes an extension of yourself and far easier to control than a tandem kayak. With two people you must really be in sync to get even close to the same amount of control.

• Lack of freedom – As fun as it can be to have two people in a kayak, it can also be just as fun to have your total freedom. You decide your every move and every experience. Solo kayaking can be exhilarating.

• Tandem kayaks are heavier – Usually a solo inflatable kayak will be much lighter. This can be advantageous if you plan to take it traveling or of course to carry it by yourself.

Whether you choose a solo inflatable kayak or a tandem inflatable kayak will depend on your own personal preference and your own needs.

If you plan on mostly kayaking with another person it can be nice to start out with a tandem kayak and then maybe later on move into two solo kayaks.

I would highly recommend renting one of each… a tandem as well as a solo and to see which you like best before you make your purchase.

One major disadvantage to owning a solo inflatable kayak is that unless you have a friend who also has a solo kayak you may be kayaking alone a lot. If you are not around a circle of kayaking people, it can be really nice to have a tandem kayak so that you know you can always bring someone with you if you want to.

The Perfect Option… A Tandem that can be Converted to a Solo

There are a few inflatable kayaks that are tandem kayaks but the seats can be moved and they can be converted into a solo kayak. This is what I personally chose for myself. This way you can always bring someone with you but you also have the option of going solo and still having the kayak balanced. Please read our article “Convertible Inflatable Kayaks – Best of Both Words” to see a list of which inflatable kayaks offer this choice.

Or view our comprehensive inflatable kayak reviews for a complete list of solo and tandem inflatable kayaks.

Inflatable Kayaking Do’s & Don’ts

You will learn fairly quickly after a few outings what to do and not to do on your kayaking trips. For any brand new paddlers out there it might help to know some key do’s and don’ts that will make your first few paddling adventures enjoyable and safe.

Inflatable Kayaking Do’s

• Tell someone where you are going and roughly what time you expect to be back.

• Load your kayak carefully so that the weight is distributed fairly evenly. More weight at the back is better then more weight at the front.

• Pack your pump and repair kit in a dry bag and bring it in the inflatable kayak with you.

• Make sure your inflatable kayak is inflated to full capacity. If there is not enough air in it, it will not be as rigid as it should be and therefore could be quite sluggish.

• Stay close to shore. If you are kayaking in the ocean or on a lake it is wise to paddle along the shore line. If winds pick up you could have a hard time making it back. Keeping the shoreline well in sight is a very wise thing to do.

• Bring clean drinking water with you… enough so you won’t run out.

• Bring layers of clothing. Even if the weather is warm it is a good idea to pack extra clothing away in your dry bag so that you are prepared for any type of weather should it change quickly or your plans get off course.

• Bring a hat – rain or shine, it will protect your head and your face.

• Bring your cell phone. It may be difficult to tell if you will be within cell phone range but bring it anyway just in case.

• Bring a whistle. If you are ever in trouble, a whistle is a great way to get others attention.

• Sunscreen!! The hot sun and reflection on the water can do some serious damage to your skin. If you plan on being out for hours, you may need to reapply your sunscreen often.

Inflatable Kayaking Don’ts

• Don’t run into sharp objects. Most inflatable kayaks are built extremely sturdy but there is no point hitting sharp objects if they can be avoided. Steer around sticks and debris in the water.

• Don’t drag your inflatable kayak over rocks and gravel unless you have to. Again most are built to handle this, but there is no sense scratching up the bottom of the kayak unless it is absolutely necessary. Try and carry the kayak to the water if possible.

• Don’t disturb the wildlife. One of the best parts of kayaking is viewing the wildlife. The last thing we want to do is disturb their environment. Look, take pictures, but let them be.

• Don’t bring alcohol in the kayak. Drinking alcohol while kayaking can cause all sorts of problems. For one it can cause some serious dehydration while out in the sun as well as make paddling a real chore. Keep your focus, take your time, stay hydrated and leave the alcohol for when you get home.

• Don’t get toppled by waves. Waves are easy to deal with… just take them head on. When you see larger waves coming your way, turn your kayak so that you face the wave and just ride it out. If you take it sideways, you risk being overturned.

• Don’t drink the water. Obviously you wouldn’t do that in the ocean but if you are kayaking in a lake or river you may be tempted. Unfortunately the water in most waterways is NOT drinkable. Bring your own clean water and leave the rest for the fish.

• Don’t stand up to try and swap places if you are kayaking tandem. Though it is possible to do this, it is not recommended. There is a very good chance that at least one of you will end up in the water. Wait until you can get to some shore to change places.

• If you decide to take a break and dock on some shore, don’t leave your kayak too close to the water unattended. Tides can change and you may come back to find your kayak floating a long ways away.

• Don’t get too close to motor boats. A noisy motor boat can be annoying on a peaceful kayaking trip but they are often sharing the waterway with us. Being in a kayak we are not as noticeable to them as they are to us. Stay well out of the way of other boats as it is not always so easy to move out of the way quickly.

• Don’t fall asleep in your kayak. One of the most amazing feelings on a warm and beautiful day can be do detach your kayak seat and lay out in the open water in your kayak… very peaceful!. However be careful not to fall asleep as you never know where you might end up or what could happen.

Hopefully these do’s and don’ts of inflatable kayaking will help to make your first few paddling experiences good ones. Once you get more comfortable with what you are doing, you will learn very quickly what works for you and what doesn’t. The key things to remember are to always go prepared for anything, play it safe and always stay focused.

Find the right kayak for you by reading our comprehensive inflatable kayak reviews.

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