You may have noticed a new page on our site, Whitewater Parks. These parks are literally popping up all over the country…but they’re not just for tourists. However, the parks are family-friendly.

Most parks offer viewing areas - very much like bleachers so anyone can have a great seat to watch all the whitewater action. The parks are almost totally controlled environments, providing a much safer experience for kayakers, especially beginners and those new to whitewater paddling.

Park designers have thought of everything to recreate a genuine whitewater experiences, including eddies, boulders, wing dams, waves, holes, backflows, and more. Waterflow can be also be controlled in many parks, offering easy to more challenging experiences.

Many parks will offer whitewater paddling instruction, and professional and amateur competitions. And, most parks will include hiking trails, camping facilities, and more activities to attract visitors who may not be kayakers…yet!

Kayaking is the perfect family sport and whitewater parks will provide ideal locations for groups of people with varying kayaking experience. Take a look at this article, posted here courtesy of The Somerset County (PA) Daily American:

Tour the area’s newest whitewater park
By DAN DiPAOLO
Daily American 30 North Chief

CONEMAUGH TOWNSHIP — River channel construction on the area’s newest whitewater park finished on Thursday and local kayakers are already happily paddling the course.

Roger Latuch, a long-time Benscreek Canoe and Kayak Club member, was one of the first in the water at Greenhouse Park and was soon joined by club President Steve Podratsky.
(more…)

The four-person team that left New Zealand on Nov. 29 have had an easier time of than the two-person team we’ve been tracking so anxiously. Not just having four people paddling, but seems east to west may be a more friendly route. Though they did have a near miss with a freighter, in general, the four-person team (Steven Gates, Andrew Johnson, Kerry Tozer and surf boat champion Sally Macready) is doing well and in high spirits.

The Aussies (James Castrission, 25, and Justin Jones, 24) haven’t given up however. True they were expected on New Year’s day, and that’s been pushed back to Jan 7, but they are still on their way to a prestigious record. Here’s more from The New Zealand Herald:

Exhaustion as 8m swells swamp kayakers
5:00AM Friday December 28, 2007

Two men attempting to become the first Australians to paddle across the Tasman are battling physical and emotional exhaustion, as well as the likelihood that a competing craft will steal their glory.

Eight-metre swells continue to swamp their custom-built kayak as Sydneysiders James Castrission, 25, and Justin Jones, 24, paddle towards Auckland in rough conditions.

The pair set out on their 2200km journey on November 13 from Forster, on the NSW mid-north coast.

They reached their halfway point in early December but went around in circles for two weeks in attempts to dodge persistent head winds and a whirlpool of ocean currents.

They are now 540km from Auckland, but their support team estimates the men have paddled an extra 1000km as a result of their unplanned detours. (more…)

For all of us watching the progress of those brave (crazy?) Aussie Kayakers, this just in, courtesy of The Press, New Zealand:

Dec. 19, 2007

UPDATED: Two Australians kayaking the Tasman Sea are safe this morning after a terrifying night fearing their boat could be torn apart.

James Castrission and Justin Jones are halfway between Australia and New Zealand in a two-person kayak.

Last night they got into survival suits when a key line wrapped around the rudder and threatened to rip it off.

At one point Jones said in a podcast last night that the situation was scary and gut-wrenching.

But with dawn the two have reported back to their Australian support base that the line had unwrapped itself.

Saying they were safe: “All ok, night was rough and stuffy, but all ok.” (more…)

I bought my first kayak over 17 years ago. I was living in rural town in the Northeast. My choice of kayaks and paddles was limited to the stock that was in the garage of the closest dealer to my home (35 miles).

Today, I still have the same model kayak but my paddle has changed. There are many options when choosing a paddle and many places available for purchasing the perfect paddle for you.

The first thing you will need to consider is what type of paddling you will be doing. If you are whitewater kayaking you will need a shorter paddle when compared to one designed for flatwater kayaking. Whitewater paddles tend to be one piece construction; while touring or flatwater paddles often come in a two piece option, which makes for easier storage and transportation. The cheaper three or four piece paddles are best suited as an emergency back-up paddle, since they are easily stowed away in your boat. Recreational kayaks are wide and will require a longer paddle. Taller people will also need a longer paddle than shorter people.

After you have decided on the length, you will need to decide on the materials used in the construction of your paddle. This will determine the weight and durability.  Paddles are made of plastic, aluminum, graphite, kevlar, carbon, wood and fiberglass. Although weight might not seem important, after a long full day of paddling a lighter paddle can make quite a surprising difference.

Next choice will be blade shape. Symmetrical blades use more energy but will  pull you through the water quickly. An asymmetrical paddle requires less energy and will help you paddle more accurately.

 If you have an opportunity, try out different paddles to see what is comfortable for you.

Whatever paddle you choose will mostly be a matter of personal preference. If it feels comfortable for you then you made a good choice.

Looking for a great deal on kayak paddles? Check out our Paddles page, for great deals on paddles, paddle floats, leashes and more.

That’s right, eat all you want paddlers. Then get out on the lake or the river in your canoe or kayak and paddle, paddle, paddle!

Here in the south, we’ve got a great supermarket called Publix. Now they’re not the cheapest, but in my humble opinion they offer the best products and service that I’ve seen - and I’ve lived in many states around the country. Any-hoo, Publix puts out an electronic newsletter, “Publix Greenwise Market Magazine”, all about healthy eating and living.

In a recent edition, the Greenwise Mag offered an article: “5 Fun Ways to Burn 500″ (calories that is!). Items 1 - 4 were: Biking, Swimming, Skating, & Dancing. Coming in at number 5 was…Paddling! Here’s their take on kayaking:

5. Kayaking
Kayaking builds head-to-toe strength, including the critical “core muscles” of the midsection. That’s one reason more people are picking up oars. The number of people who kayaked jumped 23 percent from 2004 to 2005, according to a survey by the Outdoor Industry Association. One of those people is Craig Guillot of New Orleans. “It’s a spiritual experience for me,” he says. “Come Sunday at dawn, if the weather allows, I’m on Lake Pontchartrain.”

Kayaking offers a concentrated workout for the obliques, the side abdominal muscles used to bend over and twist your torso. Expect to burn 150 to 250 calories per half-hour, Huff says. “It depends on what you put into it, whether you’re doing Class 4 rapids or gently moving across a lake.”

If kayaking intrigues you, Guillot recommends checking out a local kayaking club. Keep in mind that there are two types of kayaks - a sit-inside and a sit-atop. Guillot kayaks with a sit-atop because he likes to be able to jump off and take a swim. In colder climates, and on powerful rivers, sit-inside kayaks are more common.

Time to burn 500 calories: 60 TO 90 MINUTES

Now, we’re not plugging Publix for any other reason than we prefer them to other stores. We have no affiliation with Publix, except for shopping there. But we definitely appreciate the fact that they offer an alternative live of “healthier” products.

Paddle on!