Zest Two Dive Kayak

by Erik Olsen on

Over at Divester I posted a short bit about
Ocean Kayak’s Zest Two EXP, one of the very cool new dive
kayaks on the market. In looking around, I have found that many of these boats are quite expensive, but the Zest Two
comes in at a reasonable $800-$1200, depending on options like cargo holds, etc.

As an avid fan of both sports, I find these boats to be very cool…a truly wonderful way of reaching dive sites
should you not possess a full-fledged dive boat. Dive kayaking is a rapidly growing activity, and there are several
great sites dedicated to it. This is a sport
I’d like to follow more closely, so if anyone has any good dive kayak sites to recommend, please post a comment.

Paddling Ha Long Bay

by Erik Olsen on

One of the great things about sea kayaking is how the sport allows you to access places that you could probably
never reach by other means. Exploring sea caves and out of the way bays are the things dreams are made of for most sea
kayakers. Here is an article in Canoe and Kayak
Magazine about a small group who take inflatable kayaks into Ha Long Bay in Vietnam.

Lugging along almost 500 pounds of gear, including freeze-dried food, climbing equipment, tents, and inflatable
kayaks, the group explores huge limestone towers and tiny uninhabited islands in one of the more exotic regions of the
world. The paddlers set up camp in a gorgeous sea cave and build a fire like their forebears, savoring every moment,
even when storms rush in and give them a momentary meteorological bitch slap.

Kayakers of all stripes will enjoy this piece.

Yukon Quest Paddle Event

by Erik Olsen on

Hey folks, another paddle event that I wanted to mention.

The Yukon River Quest happens later this month on June 29 – July 3. It
is called the longest endurance marathon canoe and kayak race in the world, and it certainly takes place in a
region where such a thing is possible. The race begins in legendary downtown Whitehorse (saddle up at the bar and have
a shot of whisky gold-miner style) and then paddle to Dawson, a trip that will take three to five
days. That, my friends, is a fair amount of paddling. If you’re interested in Quests of year’s past, check out the
gallery. It gives a nice flavor of what to expect.

 

Canoe Classic on the Spokane

by Erik Olsen on

Gadling readers in the great states of Washington and Idaho of the paddling persuasion might be intersted
in this event on the Spokane River. The Canoe Classic, happenng this
weekend, offers courses and clinics for paddlers both serious an amateur. Several courses are available
including a 6-mile “Citizens” course targeted towards the beginner and intermediate, as well as a 13-mile
“Marathon” course for the more experienced paddlers.

Adventure Medical Kits

by Erik Olsen on

A good place to go on the web if safety is top priority on your next trip and even if it isn’t, is
Adventure Medical Kits.  It’s not that they just toss some band-aids,
Motrin, antiseptic towelettes, and butterfly closure strips together and ship you a kit, they specialize in making them
light weight.   Who wants to worry about packing extra trauma pads when you can barely fit your Crest
ultra whitening toothpaste with baking soda in your toiletry bag? Not me.  Their selection
is one of the best I’ve found with light weight kits ranging from one day to twenty eight day
trips and for large groups as well.    

One I thought was really well put together if your worry both about scrapping your knee and need to fix
some gear on your way is the Cuts and Bolts Essential Kit.  It
includes some standard plastic hardware, sewing kit, tent repair, blister materials, wound management supplies, as well
medications.  And there’s actually a slew of other stuff I didn’t even mention packed inside.  The kit runs
for $31.95.