Kayaking Gabriola Island

Recently I did a trip to Tofino, BC and on the way I stopped over at Gabriola Island for some rest and relaxation.

Gabriola Island is one of the Gulf Islands along the West Coast of British Columbia.

Gabriola is a small island with a population of only 5000. There is basically one main road that will take you around the whole island in about twenty minutes.

It is ideal for relaxing, walking the beaches and essentially doing nothing, which was exactly the plan. It is a beautiful and tranquil place with an easy going atmosphere that is full of artists of all kinds.

The trip consisted of several stops including Gabriola, Tofino and then Vancouver for a couple of weeks. My vehicle was completely full and at the last minute I decided to leave my inflatable kayak behind as there was truly no room to bring it. Going to Gabriola and not kayaking would be nuts so I rented kayaks this time instead.

Kayaking Gabriola

The weather was beautiful and sunny although fairly windy and the water was quite choppy outside of the inlets.

I checked out the two main kayak rental companies on the Island and settled on Jim’s Kayak Shack which was located at the Silva Bay Resort and Marina on the south end of Gabriola Island.

Jim was friendly and a true easy going resident of Gabriola Island. He has well over fifteen years of experience paddling around the waters of BC and had a lot of knowledge. We picked out our Necky kayaks (mine a long pink one!) and suited up. The wind was a little too strong for my comfort level so I decided to stay within the inlets which were very calm.

The shoreline of Gabriola Island is beautiful… nature at its best. Untouched beaches, beautiful forests and amazing views. I kayaked slowly around the inlets careful to stay out of the way of the motor boats… of which there were quite a few.

The water in this area happened to be very clear and alive with sea life. As the day progressed I decided to venture out a little further but quickly realized that with the strong wind my paddle strokes were taking me nowhere and causing me to feel tired.

Choosing to stick to the shoreline and the sheltered inlets made for a relaxing and beautiful experience. After a few hours I had seen a fair amount and had a good workout while not feeling over tired. Time to head back to shore and eat!  Gabriola Island happens to have a fantastic wood fired oven pizza place that is worth the stop for lunch or dinner.

All in all a great day. I would like to go back again when the water is a little more calm so that I can venture out a little further and see more of what the waters around Gabriola have to offer.

For more information on great kayaking destinations to explore see our Kayak Travel section.

6 Beautiful Lakes in the World for Kayaking

I recently read on article on the Yahoo Travel site that talked about the twelve most beautiful lakes in the world. Although all twelve were stunning, they were not all accessible by kayak.

Below are 6 of the most beautiful lakes from their list that are accessible by kayak and which according to ‘Yahoo! Travel’ showcase nature at its most spectacular.

Lake Malawi – Malawi

Lake Malawi lies at the southern end of Africa’s Great Rift Valley and is the ninth largest lake in the world and the third largest in Africa. It is 560km long, 80km wide and 700m deep. Half of the south-eastern section of the lake belongs to Mozambique, while the north-eastern shore belongs to Tanzania.

A popular area for kayaking Lake Malawi is the Lake Malawi National Park (a World Heritage Site) in the south and Likoma Island in the northern central part of the lake.

You can expect to see many brightly coloured little tropical fish called cichlids which are vital to the bio-diversity of the planet. In fact Lake Malawi is home to 1,000 species of fish which is estimated to be more than any other place on earth.

Taal Lake – Philippines

Taal Lake was formed when a large volcanic crater collapsed and is situated 37.28 miles south of Manila.

It is not only the deepest lake in the Philippines (at 563 feet deep) but it is also home to one of the world’s smallest yet most active volcanoes – the Taal Volcano which sits within the waters on the island of Luzon.

Taal Lake continues to be a popular destination for tour groups and kayakers, even though it has been declared a permanent danger zone because of the constant eruption warnings.

If you are ever in the Philippines and you decide to visit Taal Lake you may want to simply take in the view from adjacent Tagaytay City. If however you decide to brave the dangers and take a paddle, you will be rewarded with some of the most beautiful scenery in the world. Personally I’ll sit this one out.

Loch Lomond – Scotland

I have always had a desire to go to Scotland and when I do this lake will be one of the first stops on my list.

According to Yahoo Travel Loch Lomond feels like it is straight out of a Victoria romance novel with the backdrop of rolling hills and medieval castles.

The Lake is 24 miles north of Glasgow and 66 miles west of Edinburgh. The lake itself is 24-miles long and is dotted with many little islands – some sparsely inhabited.

You can take a ferry to one of the largest islands, Inchmurrin (population 11) where you can get a look at the remains of a 7th-century monastery and the 14th century Lennox Castle which was often used as a hunting lodge for kings.

For kayaking there are many different access points around the lake and miles of territory that can be explored. Access to open water paddling is supposed to be particularly good within the Queen Elizabeth Forest Park.

Lake Garda – Italy

Lake Garda is the largest lake in Italy and a very popular vacation spot. It is about halfway between Milan and Venice.

On the southern shore you will find hot springs, resort towns, villas and terra-cotta roofed hotels as well as 28 miles of beautiful beaches. On the northern shore there are the jagged peaks of the Dolomites Mountains which are popular with hiking and cycling enthusiasts.

For kayaking you can stay along one of the south shore’s small towns and enter the water from any of the pebbly beaches.

The best view of the lake is said to be from the top of Mount Baldo which can be accessed from a cable car ride in the town of Malcesine.

Lake Annecy – France

Lake Annecy is located in the heart of the French Alps. Surrounding this lake is eight miles of nature reserves, waterfront villages, and soaring mountain peaks.

It is a very popular destination for kayaking and water-skiers. The mountains surrounding the lake are busy with hikers and bikers during the summer months.

It is said that the best time to visit Lake Annecy is around the first Saturday of August as they have a nearly two hour long fireworks display that illuminates the water.

The closest major city is Geneva in Switzerland, 30 miles north of the lake. However most people who plan to do some outdoor activities will stay in one of the towns right on the lake.

Lake Matheson – New Zealand

Lake Matheson is known as Mirror Lake because of its reflections of Mount Cook and Mount Tasman.

There are a few different kayak rentals available around Lake Matheson and it is said the best time to visit is just after dawn, when the water is extremely calm and the mirror images of the mountains are absolutely perfect.

You can also cross a suspension bridge near the Clearwater River and follow a 1-mile loop past kahikatea and rimu trees, which are said to look like something from a Dr. Seuss book with their super tall trunks and very bushy tops.

The nearest village is Fox Glacier township which serves as a base camp for trekkers.

Unless you happen to live close to one of these lakes you will need to either rent a kayak from one of the many kayak rental businesses close to them or you can bring a travel inflatable kayak along with you for easy access and exploration.

Convenience of Traveling With an Inflatable Kayak

An inflatable kayak is convenient because you are able to store it in small spaces and easily transport it by car, RV, airplane, bus, or even by bicycle (depending on the model). The inflatable kayak is absolutley ideal for  traveling.

Although it is possible to do road trips with a hard-shell kayak tied to the roof of your vehicle, I have found traveling with an inflatable to be far more convenient. Once I began using an inflatable kayak there was no turning back. The simplicity and ease of transportation and use is simply awesome.

You can take an inflatable boat, kayak, or canoe anywhere and with it you can explore beautiful lakes, windy rivers or even play on ocean swells.

It doesn’t matter if you are camping, RV’ing or staying in a hotel; your inflatable kayak will be your best travel accessory and open up many great exciting travel opportunities.

Learn More about the Surrounding Area

I find that paddling on different waterways allows you to learn more about the area you are visiting. Often you will get to see many scenic sights that would not have been possible to explore by land.

Wildlife is very common and depending on where you are, you may come across ancient structures and possibly even old hieroglyphics which can be exciting to explore. Having your kayak along with you on your travels will allow you to get a totally different feel for an area and greatly enrich your experience.

It can be useful to do a little research on the waterway you plan to paddle before you begin so you know a little about the surrounding area and the history.

Use Your Inflatable Kayak to Reach Remote Locations

Another option besides simply transporting your kayak to your destination of choice is to actually paddle your kayak to a remote location.

You may choose to do a day trip and simply paddle to a remote beach or forest for a picnic. Or if you are more adventurous and don’t mind loading your inflatable kayak up with gear and camping along the way you can do a multi-day trip and paddle to some pretty spectacular spots completely surrounded by stunning nature and total peace and quiet.

The point is your options are open and it just comes down to which area you want to explore first.

Inflatable Kayaks and Airplane Travel

Not all inflatables are suitable for airplane travel but there is a wide variety of models that are. The trick with airplane travel is to make sure your kayak is light enough that it can be easily checked without paying extra fees and so that it is not a nuisance to travel with.

Once you arrive at your destination, your inflatable kayak can easily be transported by taxi or rental car and stored inside your hotel room or cabin.

I have often rented kayaks while away on my travels but have found that with rentals you are limited to which waterways you are able to explore. Having an inflatable kayak along with you allows you to be in control of what you want to see and experience. It opens up many new travel adventure opportunities and will likely be the highlight of your trip.

Exploring a new location by land is fun but exploring the surrounding area by water – be it by lake, river or ocean – gives you a completely different feel and allows you to see totally different scenery.

Do Your Research

If you decide to travel with your inflatable kayak do a little research before you go. Find out which waterways are safe to paddle for the time of year you are traveling and any details you need to know beforehand.

Whether you choose to bring your inflatable kayak along on a road trip, on airplane travel or choose to paddle your kayak to a remote location, there is no doubt that it will open up a whole new world of adventure that the whole family can enjoy.

If you love to travel and love the outdoors then you might find the inflatable kayak or inflatable canoe to be the most convenient and fun travel accessory you could have with you.

For more tips on traveling with an inflatable kayak see our post Best Inflatable Kayaks for Traveling.

Best Inflatable Kayaks to Carry By Foot

Carrying your inflatable kayak by foot allows for the ultimate in convenience. A lightweight inflatable kayak that is easily carried in a backpack is ideal for those who:

• want to hike to their destination
• want to kayak to a destination then walk to their camp site
• want to take the bus or ride their bicycle to the water
• want an easy traveling kayak to bring with them to any destination

For the most part if you want to be able to carry your kayak on your back you will need to look at the solo inflatable kayaks. In my opinion anything over twenty pounds is getting a little heavy to carry by foot and most of the tandem inflatable kayaks are least 25 lbs. or more.

Solo Inflatable Kayaks That Can Easily Be Carried By Foot

Advanced Elements Firefly
This one is the lightest of them all weighing in at 16 lbs. It is best suited for those who are new to kayaking and want to paddle mostly on flat water. It is not a great performer, but it is fun to paddle and more than ideal for traveling.

Innova Twist
The Twist like all Innova kayaks is excellent quality. It is small and easy to paddle and will best suit those who plan to paddle mostly on calm water such as lakes or slow rivers. It weighs 16 lbs.

NRS Bandit I
The Bandit is perfect if you need a light kayak that is able to handle whitewater. This inflatable will perform well in up to class IV rapids and only weighs 17 lbs.

NRS Rascal
The Rascal was designed for new whitewater kayakers or for children who want a safe and portable kayak for river running. It weighs the same as the Bandit – 17 lbs. – and is quite tiny. It is truly best suited for kids or for shorter people.

Airis Play
The Airis inflatable kayaks are extremely popular and for good reason. They will give you the best quality and performance in a light weight kayak that can easily be carried on your back. The Play weighs 18 lbs. and is best suited for flat water, rivers and ocean surf.

Airis Sport
We have included the Sport in this list because it is an awesome kayak even though it weighs just over the 20 lbs. mark… it weighs 21 lbs. Still easily carried on your back and paddles very well. It is best suited for flat water, slow rivers and ocean surf.

Problems to Be Aware Of

There are a couple of things to be aware of if you really want an inflatable kayak that can be carried by foot.

• When a kayak is so lightweight it runs the risk of being blown by the wind. If you will be paddling in windy weather you will likely find that your lightweight kayak is a little harder to keep on track. The models that have the least problem with this is the Airis kayaks as they are very solidly built.

• Light weight inflatables are typically smaller than other inflatable kayaks. Even though they can paddle well and be very comfortable their smaller size usually means there isn’t much room for gear. So if you are planning a multi-day trip you may be hard pressed to find space for all your gear and accessories. They also usually aren’t capable of holding as much cargo weight as a larger kayak. Therefore really take note of the specs before you decide to buy.

Think You Can Carry More Than 20 lbs.?

If perhaps you are far stronger than I then there are other options to consider as well. Please see our lightest inflatable kayaks article for a list of larger tandem models that weigh between 25 and 32 lbs.

For more specific information on the individual inflatable kayaks please see our inflatable kayak reviews.

The Go Girl – For Women Only

So here is a funny little product for women that really made me laugh… The Go Girl Urination Device.

I realize this isn’t a topic that everyone wants to discuss but I think that all of the outdoorsy women out there will understand. Peeing in the outdoors simply isn’t as convenient for women as it is for men.

If you spend a lot of time kayaking, hiking, camping or traveling then the ‘Go Girl’ is worth checking out.

What is The Go Girl?

The Go Girl is a simple sanitary device that allows women the convenience to pee standing up. The Go Girl is:

• Easy to use
• Reusable and washable with soap and water
• Made from medical grade silicone that conforms to your body
• Comes with a reusable storage tube with a baggie and tissue
• Clean and mess-free with its patented splash guard that eliminates messing and spilling
• Comes in pink or khaki

Who Would Use The Go Girl?

The Go Girl is perfect for many different types of women including women who:

• are extremely active
• are germ-conscious
• travel
• like to camp
• spend a lot of time outdoors doing activities such as hiking or kayaking
• don’t have access to a sit-down toilet
• don’t want to use unfit or unsanitary facilities – gross

In other words The Go Girl is perfect for many different types of activities and in general is extremely useful when sitting down to pee is simply not an option. The Go Girl will eliminate uncomfortable squatting and the possibility of messing up your clothes or dribbling down your leg (ugh).

How to Use The Go Girl

It is pretty simple… just put the Go Girl against your body forming a seal then aim and pee. What a concept heh!

Believe it or not women in Europe have been using female urination devices for years. There are several other products out there but from my quick research it seems to me that the Go Girl is the best.

This product can fit easily in your backpack, your purse or even in your pocket. I really think it is a great product for all outdoorsy women, those who are into sports, those who like to travel and for all of us who are tired of trying to squat in unsanitary conditions or cover up a dirty public toilet. It can be used by women or girls of all ages.

Where to Buy The Go Girl

The best price I have found is on Amazon.com. They sell for just under $10 or you can get a pack of three for just under $25. I have just bought one myself but have yet to receive it so here are some reviews from women who have already used theirs…

Amazon Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Go “anywhere” girl!!!, December 6, 2010
By D. Norville
this product really lets you go anywhere. so easy to use, clean and store and no need to worry about legs touching public bathroom toilets.

5.0 out of 5 stars I LOVE THIS!! I CAN PEE LIKE A GUY!!!, December 4, 2010
By Anabanana
I never thought this was going to be a good idea and bought some disposable ones recently as a joke gift then thought it MIGHT Be a good idea after reading all the reviews and NOW… I LOVE IT! YES it takes practice but not much. AND…. it works great! I can pee standing and NOT take my clothes off!!! NO dropping trow in the woods!! NO MOSQUITO BITES ON MY REAR END!!! LOVE IT!!

5.0 out of 5 stars Really does work!!, December 19, 2010
By sugirly
I thought this product was great and it really does work! I only had to practice once in the shower and pretty much got the hang of it. Although I wish the tube part was a little longer so I don’t have to stand quite so close to the toilet bowl rim. If I wearing pants and using it in a really filthy public restroom, my pants will probably have to touch the rim since I have to stand pretty close for the pee to go in the bowl. But all it all, I love it, can’t wait til I can use it in a real situation. Although I was thinking of purchasing it as favors for our annual Girl’s Christmas Dinner and my friend thought it was disgusting! Guess you have to be kinda quirky to like it. Not sure how much it will catch on! Guess people get pretty grossed out by the rinse and reuse part!!

Pee Like a Man!

From what I have read after practicing a time or two using the Go Girl will become second nature. So for all of you kayaking women who would like the convenience of peeing like a man take a look at The Go Girl at Amazon.com.

4-Piece Kayak Paddle

Most kayak paddles will either be all one piece or very commonly will come apart in two pieces. These are fine if you are using a hard-shell kayak or if you are only transporting your paddle in your vehicle.

However one of the great advantages of using an inflatable kayak is that you can usually take it traveling with you or possibly even carry it in a pack on your back. If you are planning on doing some traveling you will want to have a 4-piece kayak paddle.

There are many different types of kayak paddles and they have quite a large price range. I am not a paddle expert in any way.  I know that kayak paddles can be carbon or fiberglass, can have different shapes and sizes that provide different comfort levels, control and can help reduce fatigue. However that is basically where my knowledge ends.

That being said I do know that when I am traveling with my inflatable kayak I only want to bring a 4-piece paddle with me as it is so convenient to pack up and head out.

It is not always easy to find a really good quality 4-piece paddle but there are several decent ones available that will be more than suitable for any expedition.

Below are a few good recreational 4-piece paddles that I have found to work well for traveling and convenience that come at a decent price:

• Sea Eagle AB40 or AB30 4 Part Paddle – This one is the best price and sells for roughly $95. It has a fiberglass reinforced blade and weighs just over two and a half pounds (excellent for traveling). Its asymmetrical spoon blade design supposedly requires less gripping force and less effort per stroke. It comes in two different sizes… the AB40 (8’) or the AB30 (7’ 10 “).

• Aqua-Bound Sting Ray 4-Piece Paddle – This paddle comes in three different sizes. It is fairly basic but in my opinion works fine and is a good price at roughly a hundred bucks. It has an aluminum shaft and the blade is a blend of fiberglass reinforced thermoplastics. It is lightweight and durable.

• Aqua-Bound Sting Ray Carbon Shaft 4-Piece Paddle – If you don’t mind spending an extra 40 dollars this is a much better paddle. It has a carbon shaft and fiberglass-reinforced nylon blades and supposedly delivers a high strength-to-weight ratio. Also the shaft has a slight flex which really does help with paddling comfort. This one also comes in three different sizes.

If you have any expertise or knowledge on the different types of kayak paddles, please leave a comment below as I would love to hear from you. I am in the process of trying to learn more about kayak paddles and with such a massive range in prices for them I would assume the quality and performance they give are hugely different as well. Please feel free to educate me!

Want to travel with a kayak? Check out our list of Best Inflatable Kayaks for Traveling.

RVing with My Inflatable Kayak

Anyone out there into vacationing in an RV? I can understand why some people love it as traveling in an RV offers many conveniences without having to look for a hotel room at every stop.

My attempt at vacationing with an RV

I became enticed with the idea a couple of years ago. My boyfriend and I decided that we wanted to try a little traveling in an RV to see how we liked it. We didn’t have an RV of course but looked into renting one and decided on a date and time to book it. I loved the thought of being able to sleep in the RV somewhere beside water where I could simply pull out my inflatable kayak and hop in.

We planned a short trip from Kelowna, B.C. to the Gulf Islands with a couple of stops along the way.  It was planned for a month ahead of time, booking the RV spots, checking out the roads, deciding on what we wanted to do most.

On the day we were set to leave we were both very enthusiastic. We drove to the RV rental place, parked the car and began our guided tour of how to drive and take care of the RV.

The unit was a fairly good size… not those really long ones you sometimes see but definitely big enough for the two of us. We loaded up our gear, my inflatable kayak and our food and bags. We were set, and highly excited.

Is an RV supposed to drive like this?

We started off on our trip feeling very positive but 10 minutes in realized that one of the cupboards in the RV was continually banging. I tried to go back and fix it but it seemed to be flawed. No worries, we’ll figure out a way to stop it at the first stop. Away we go.

Thirty minutes later we were climbing the Coquihalla Highway. For those of you not familiar with this road it is a steep climb through the beautiful mountains of British Columbia. Of course you expect an RV to be a little slower on the hills than a car but this lug of an RV that we had was barely making it at a slow crawl. As every car on the road raced to get by us we continued our ascent without saying a word.

After nearly 45 minutes of barely moving, listening to a very noisy clanging cupboard and a trying not to say anything about the very bumpy ride we looked at each other with looks of complete knowing… “I hate this thing” was my first comment.. to which my boyfriend responded by saying “there is absolutely no way I am driving this for the next few days”… and with that we promptly turned around, drove back to the RV lot, cancelled our reservation, picked up our car, threw all of all stuff into it and sped back onto the highway to continue on our journey while I searched on my phone for bed and breakfast reservations.

We had a wonderful trip all the same, but when we returned we had to endure the laughs and jokes from our family and friends. In our defense I really think we got a lemon of an RV and I still think it can be a great way to travel with your inflatable kayak. That being said I likely won’t be in one again any time soon.

Wondering which inflatable kayak would be perfect to take along in your RV? Check out our list of best inflatable kayaks.

Top Sea Kayaking Destinations

Many folks have a top ten list or an even shorter top 5 list of excellent places to go sea kayaking. I have to say that there is no way I can narrow my own list down to only 10 key places. I love to travel, I love this world and I love to explore new places. How can I possibly list only ten great destinations for sea kayaking.

Below is a list of phenomenal sea kayaking destinations. If you have the chance at some point in your lifetime to visit even a few… then you can count yourself lucky and priveleged that you got to see and experience such beauty and awe inspiring nature. I hope at some point in my life to be able to say that I have kayaked all of these gorgeous places. Read more