Muna wa Wanjiru asked:


Car roof top kayak racks are available in the market to carry the kayaks to various places as you wish.

Malone stax xv car top kayak racks:

It includes front and rear carrier to carry two kayaks. It also contains 12 foot strap and buckle pads to protect kayaks from scratching or other minor damages. In order to place the hull of the kayak this product has semi flexible padded carriers. You can also get the optional kayak lock to safeguard your kayak in the rack. It is made up of scratch resistant plastic and hence it can keep your kayak safe.

Proline boat look kayak rack:

It is made up of heavy duty steel with black polyester powder coat finish. It can carry all types of kayaks up to 32 inches. It contains 9 foot straps to protect your kayak from falling and scratches. It has custom mounting brackets.

Malone MPG 106 Auto loader kayak racks:

This product has unique ramp design that helps you in loading your kayak. It includes front an rear carrier and it can carry one kayak. It has extended frame dimension to carry large beam kayaks. The semi flexible padded carriers provide large space for the hull of your kayak.

Thule #830 Stacker kayak racks:

It can carry 4 kayaks. It has 14 foot strap and buckle bumpers to avoid damage and scratches. It is made up of durable aluminum that has rust resistance capability. You can fold them when not in use. You can also use the optional cable lock to keep your kayak safe. You can strap 2 kayaks in each side of this stacker rack.

Thule hull a port kayak rack:

This rack is designed to pad your kayak gently. There is no need of any installation work for this rack. This is very easy to load. You can lift your kayak, put it in place and cinch it down. The quick draw straps and buckles help to keep your kayak in place. Therefore you need not fear for any damage or scratches. Now you can carry your ocean or white water kayaks easily with Thule hull a port rack.

Yakima kayak racks:

Yakima offers wide range of kayak racks like sea kayak racks, white water kayak racks etc. They are custom designed to keep your kayak safe and to carry them to places you want easily. Yakima car roof kayak racks fit any kayak shape. T has firm grips to keep kayak fixed in its place. A single person is enough to load and unload the kayak. There is no installation procedure for this rack. You can carry your kayak smoothly and securely with these racks. The hully rollers will connect the rack cross bars

Yakima hull raiser aero kayak racks are ideal to fit any hull design of kayak like recreational kayak, sea kayak, touring kayak etc. These racks fit nicely to any type of carriers like Thule cross bars or Yakima cross bars. Yakima stacker car roof kayak rack can hold up to 4 kayaks.

Brenda Mathews asked:


Have You Ever Tried an Ocean Kayaking Tour?

What could better than slipping soundlessly through clear, sparkling Hawaiian waters, skimming over the open Pacific accompanied by dolphins and sea turtles? Imagine passing close to a humpback whale and her calf as they winter in warm Maui waters. Taking an ocean kayaking tour is the perfect way to experience this wonderful aspect of Hawaiian island life in a way that’s not only completely harmonious with the surroundings, but also gives you an intensely personal connection with the ocean and all its wonders.

Kayaking Basics

Sea kayaking trips range from a few hours to a many weeks. Developed for the active sport of paddling on lakes, bays and the open ocean, most ocean kayaks are made for one or two paddlers. Size and configuration of the kayak are determined by the type of trip you want to make; for example, specialized kayaks such as surf skis are narrower than the typical open-water ocean kayak. Some may have upturned bows, providing better performance into ocean waves and better wave-shedding properties. The length of the ocean kayak affects both its cargo capacity and the ease of staying in a straight line in the water–its “tracking” ability. Very long ocean kayaks are easier to paddle straight, but are harder to turn and maneuver, so they are used mainly for long, open-water trips. The width of the ocean kayak also affects the cargo capacity, the size of the cockpit and overall stability.

Recreational Sea Kayaks

Most recreational sea kayaks are molded in one piece with a “cockpit” to sit in, “foot wells” to brace the feet in a comfortable position with the knees slightly bent and a backrest to provide support and comfort. Hooks along the side and top secure accessories and gear for snorkeling. Some fishing kayaks have rod rests for open-ocean fishing. The one-piece construction eliminates any need of bailing or clearing out water from the hull in rough water or after an overturn. Modern molded sea kayaks are light and easy to transport, as well as easy to use.

Ocean kayak paddles for recreational use are usually made of aluminum, plastic or wood, with high-performance paddles formed of lightweight materials like carbon-fiber. Ocean kayak paddles are made of two spoon-shaped blades on the ends of a shaft, usually “feathered” or set at right angles to each other. As one blade pushes through the water, the other passes through the air at a right angle, reducing wind resistance.

The paddles are attached to the kayak with a tether, so you can’t accidentally lose it–no chance of being up the proverbial “creek without a paddle.” A few practice strokes in calm water will give even the rank beginner at sea kayaking a feel for how easy it is to move, turn and control the kayak. If you are a beginner, stick with short sea kayak trips for starters. Sea kayaking tour guides and rental businesses will be happy to show you just what to do. And remember, you can do this!

Ocean Kayaking Techniques

If the kayak overturns or if you have been enjoying open-water snorkeling in one of Maui’s secluded bays, you can get back into the kayak by following a few basic steps.

• If the kayak is upside down, reach across the bottom of the boat and grab the scupper holes or accessory hooks. Bring your knees up and onto the bottom of the boat. Lean back and the boat will roll over. Lighter kayaks can be flipped over easily.

• Position yourself near the cockpit area facing the kayak. Let your feet float to the surface behind you by floating on your stomach.

• Reach across the boat to the far edge and swim up and on the kayak so your bellybutton is across the centerline of the boat.

• Roll over on your backside, swing your feet into the foot wells, and you’re up and ready to go. If you miss the first time, just line up in the middle of the kayak again until you make it. Easy does it, and you’re ready to paddle again.

Of course, you shouldn’t forget the basic safety rules to prepare for that long-awaited kayaking trip onto Hawaiian waters. A little preparation can mean the difference between having a once-in-a-lifetime dream trip on Hawaii seas or a disappointing experience.

Follow These Simple Kayaking Tips:

• Always wear a life jacket. Coast Guard regulations require a lifejacket on all kayaks. Wearing the lifejacket will keep your head above water in case of an upset and add insulation to your body.

• If you are a beginner, seek qualified instruction to learn paddling and water safety techniques unique to ocean kayaking.

• Be aware of weather conditions and ocean water temperatures present in the area of Hawaii you plan to kayak. A wet suit or dry suit will keep you comfortable in cold waters, and a simple, long-sleeved shirt can provide protection from intense sun in warm conditions.

• If you are striking out on your own, tell someone your paddle plan, including: where you are going, what you will be doing, how long you expect to be gone and how many people are in your party. Then, do not vary from that plan.

• If you are taking an ocean kayaking tour in a new area on your own, check with the locals regarding currents, shoreline conditions and usual weather patterns. Have an escape route and an alternative place to get off the water if environmental conditions make it necessary. And remember to let someone know your alternative plan as well as well as the original one.

• Always have water and some food with you.

• Be aware of offshore winds that may make it difficult to return to shore.

Hawaii Ocean Kayak Tours

Fortunately for the casual ocean kayaking enthusiast and occasional visitor to Hawaii, ocean kayak tour operators can and will provide just the right kayak for whatever kind of kayaking tour you have in mind, along with life jackets, snorkel gear, reef shoes and fins. Kayaking tours provide instruction in basic ocean kayaking, lead groups to the best local spots for snorkeling, ocean fishing, wildlife observation and out-of-the-way Hawaiian beaches and coves. Local kayaking tour guides have a huge store of information to share about local Hawaiian landmarks, native traditions relative to the area, and all wildlife unique to Hawaii. Get out there on the water. Ocean kayaking tours are fun! Hanalei river kayaking on Kauai is also a blast.

Resources:

http://www.hawaiiactive.com/activities/maui-kayak.html

http://www.hawaiiactive.com/activities/bigisland-kayak.html

http://www.hawaiiactive.com/activities/oahu-kailua-kayak.html

http://www.hawaiiactive.com/activities/kauai-napali-kayak.html

Thomas Cutler asked:


American Kite Surfing Association is the leading organization for kite surfers in North America. Founded in 2006 by two extreme sport enthusiasts, membership is anticipated to exceed 30,000 before the end of the year. The purpose of the enterprise is to bring heightened awareness to this fast-growing, dynamic, and fun sport. A vast array of information, products, and techniques are available to the visitors of the AKSA website, www.kite-surfingusa.com. After more than a decade of popularity through Europe and Australia, active North American extreme sport athletes are recognizing the maximum adrenaline rush through kite surfing. According to Cathi Long, co-founder of AKSA, “AKSA will select 50 leading industry product manufacturers to highlight and profile throughout an extensive national media outreach campaign. Our members need to know the best of the best.”

Long detailed the categories that will be names best by the AKSA Executive Board for 2006:

JUNE- Kites and Sunglasses

JULY- Boards and Wetsuits

AUGUST- School and Destinations

SEPTEMBER- Bars and Harnesses

OCTOBER- Apparel and Best kite surfing website.

NOVEMBER- Nutrients and Supplements

DECEMBER- Kite Surfer of the Year

This dramatic interest in the athletically demanding sport has given AKSA founders encouragement about the value of their newly founded organization. Logan Long, co-founder of the association was not surprised by the results; “It’s just simply the biggest adrenaline rush available. The combination of air, water, land, wind power, physical strength and balance the force of nature are the qualities that attract Kite Surfers.”