Kayaking

[sven]

Hey all,

Just picked up my first kayak and am keen to get out paddling. Mainly for fitness and something that doesn't use legs predominantly (knee reco 2 weeks ago)

Just wondering if anyone else here is into it? I'm northside, planning on getting in the ocean pretty often with the occasional river dabble.

Keen to tag along with anyone who is doing it or anyone who wants a paddle buddy no koola

[Thirsty]

Holy thread revival here I come...

Was gonna post a thread asking if there are any kayakers on here, did a search and low and behold.
Just got me a nice sit on top jobbie, its pretty big (4.88m weighs 34kg).
Pretty much free over the next 2 weeks. Ive only been out on the river so far, but i reckon i could handle a calm evening out at coogee or hillaries. Got sick of carrying it off the car to the water, so got me a little set of wheels to strap under it.

[sven]

it's alive!!

Hey it's <6 months, so not a bad revival.

I'm usually throwing it in at Hillarys, just north of the boat harbour.

Mostly weekends, before lunch.

[Nath]

Hmm.. if you are down near the swan let me know, I don't have a way to transport mine besides its little trailer down to the river.

[Luke]

ill be kayak shopping in a week or two, want to give adventure racing a crack...

any recommendations?

[Jimbo]

Recommendation - go and talk to the guys at canoeing down under in bassendean. Great range and know their shit. Can try before you buy on sat mornings too.
Then come out paddling with me - aiming to have a crack at the Avon descent this year.

Sent from my HTC Desire using Tapatalk

[Thirsty]

My boat is a wilderness systems Tarpon 160 which is sorta a touring style sit on with a couple of hatches and a back deck for storage. Its long waterline is ideal gliding along the river on a leisurly paddle. Seem to take a light bit of chop no trouble, has a nice flared bow to bounce across the water, dives (well really only bounces/splashes under) in the bigger stuff, but those river boats heading upto the wineries dont worry it.

Love how the abs get a work out staying upright sometimes.

The strap underneath wheels was the best thing ive bought to get boat from car to water - like go down to coogee, its a few hundred meters from the carpark to the beach at the jetty... but its a great location.

Shit if its more than 10m to the water from the car id use my wheels cos shes a big boat.
16ft (4.88m) weighs 34KG, Lucky im 6ft 5' cos i dont think i could lift it by myself onto my car if i was shorter. Plus cos i chose i sports profile rack cos its a GT liberty wagon. If you get the bars that extend to the edge of the roof past the mounts, then you can flick one end up then slide it on from the side.



It looks deceptive cos the roof is way shorter than the bumper, but even so i now load it more forward so it only overhangs rear bumper by 600mm (about 1100mm in the shot), and have a flag that clips to the rudder (which isnt installed in this shot, neither is the seat - on the way home from buying it went and saw sister in yokine and took shot)

[Thirsty]

+1 for Canoeing down under, he is a friendly and helpful guy, a definate must see and big collection of boats.

Fremantle Boat show this weekend would be a must see too, i know a couple of stores are setting up stalls

But I bought mine from Main Peak in ossie park, but the Cottesloe Main Peak Paddle sports store has the entire range (theyre on rail way parade in cottesloe, only 50m from the train station... theres a mainpeak outdoors shop down on the next corner, but mainpeak paddlesports is seperate.

Google Kayak shop perth and there are so many I couldnt believe it, all over Perth.
Some take more searching than others, I know of dedicated kayak shops in Bibra lake, Myaree, Innaloo, Ozzy Park, Cottesloe, Balcatta, Malaga, Bassendeen, just to give you something to aim for while searching net, see if ya can find em all.

I only went to 3 and bought mine at the second place I went cos i figured it was exactly what i wanted and deal wasnt too bad.

RJays outdoors have a basic range, but some people only want basic.
Ranger Outdoors used to do a reasonable range but half the ranger stores have become independent/ private stores.
The new shop in Bibra Lake has taken over as the Hobie retailer (have pedal powered kayaks... make the best fishing kayak in the world)

[wrenny]

Every chance I'll be in the market for a new wave ski in a couple of months.
Would anyone think they'll be enough displays of this type of craft to warrant a trip up from Busselton?
Haven't been to a boat show before to know the diversity of displays.

Cheers, Mick

[Thirsty]

Who's on Show - Fremantle Boat Show

Bloody tossers got a pic of me in the banner.... i should charge LOL

Looks pretty small to be honest

Only one I recognise is Reef Bros the new bibra lake store which ive heard is the only place in Perth now to buy Hobie Kayaks (look up youtube 'hobie pro fisher')

I think youd be better waiting for Mandurah Boat show October 14 - 16, 3rd largest boatshow in Australia.

Doesnt even look like BCF has a stall, was in there today and they had a few kayaks, and also at Rays outdoors, i was actually impressed they had some nice boats in there.

[uomouse]

Am thinking of doing this kayaking thing with a rental.

Never been on one but very comfortable in the water.

Are there any rules etc on being on the water? What happens when kayak meets with boat traffic? Is there a website that can help me a beginner to start with the dos and don'ts?

I found this website with some info but every location has a "Watch out for" section.

Paddling in Perth:Swan River, lower reaches

Is there any area close to a rental spot which is good for beginners and give this a go?

[Jimbo]

Uomouse - not sure about hire places. But I'd suggest trying the Intro Course at Ascot Kayak Club (http://www.ascot.canoe.org.au/?Page=10213) - about $70 for 4 Saturday mornings including kayak hire. I can't imagine hiring would be any cheaper and you might even learn a thing or two.

FYI, I generally paddle around Guildord/Bassendean areas - nothing too hairy goes on down that way.

[WUH?]

ok so I am in training for my first descent this year with a mate of mine (I may have talked him into doing this too)

entries open on sunday for the 2011 event and then only a couple months training left - anyone else going to register, and how's the training going?

link to Avon Website with important dates...

[Jimbo]

Hu - congrats good decision.

I've been training semi seriously since about feb. Fitness is getting there, but still need to work on skills especially white water. Have been doing the training sessions organized by canoeing down under on sat mornings and mon nights - highly recommend them.

Don't think I will be registering this soon though, holding out for some rain.

The official launch is at Garrett road bridge on Sunday, including a 18k race (the paddle challenge). Come on down, there is a couple of shorter races if you're not feeling up to the full 18kms.

[Marty MOOSE]

I've git a few Been slack of late to busy on my pushie. I've got a Mirage 580 as a sea boat, K1 sprint boat, Dr boat and a Riot Astro 54 playboat

[T-Rex]

Paddle from Cott to freo semi irregularly with a mate. If the sea is too big, we do peppi to Freo. But I row 3 times a week in the mornings so I'm not that keen most of the time.

[Mr Bean]

Ive got the Scrambler by Ocean Kayaks. It's a single seat but the same size as a double with rod holders and enough room for dive gear and an esky...or the dog and an esky.

[WUH?]

so who has signed up then for the 2011 descent?
Water levels starting to rise now,

Any newbies here not yet got their competncy certificate ?
or if you have already got it - can you recommend who to do this with? (I have been told to contact Guy from Epic Adventure Training)

[WUH?]

ok so I'm a bity sore after the Avon Descent this weekend, Managed to finish the race in just under 15 Hours!

Been rummaging around online and found this image posted online, wondering does this guy look familiar to anyone (jimbo) ???

P1000353.jpg

there's a link here to a few other images too in case you knew anyone else racing this weekend
PerthDailyPhoto: Up the creek without a paddle.....!!

let me know if you hear of any other photo galleries for this years event...

[Thirsty]

Wow still a mighty effort, it took me 4 hrs to paddle just from garrett rd bridge upto the bridge at middle swan rd behind guildford boys grammar, and return, 18kms roughly a few months back.

Need to get a paddle buddy, bit hard, im hesatant to join a club cos I work away and even then only paddle occasionally.