Saki

Kayaking Page

Last updated April 28, 2008

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Adventures | Futura/Huki S1-A | Futura C4 | Cobra Expedition | Ocean Kayak Cabo | Ocean Kayak Scupper Pro | Storage Rack | How to Make a Tow Rope | Other Equipment | Checklists | Car Shuttle | Links | Books | Notes | Launch Sites

 
Adventures
 
Here are some pictures from some of my favorite paddling trips.  Kayaking is sort of like joining the Army (not that I would know).  It's not just a hobby, it's an adventure.

Click on one of the below links to see trip reports of previous adventures.
     Kayaking Adventures 2008
     Kayaking Adventures 2007
     Kayaking Adventures 2006
     Kayaking Adventures 2005 and Before

 
Futura/Huki S1-A
 
In my opinion, the S1-A is the fastest surf ski on the water. But it isn't for everyone. It unstable and only made for experienced paddlers weighing 160 pounds or less. But these are the things that help make it fast. No waste.

I've been interested in the S1-A for a few years now. I first tried it back on August 2, 2006. I knew then that this was the boat for me. On December 12, 2007, I ordered it from Futura. It was custom made to my specifications by Huki. It finally arrived almost 4 months later on April 7, 2008.

On April 11, 2008, I took it out on its maiden voyage. I paddled 13 miles on Stoney Creek in Anne Arundel County. I chose this location because it is fairly sheltered. While I didn't fall, I found beam waves a bit challenging. I easily maintained 5-6 mph.

It will take some time to get used to the S1-A but I expect it won't be long before I'm taking it out in the Chesapeake Bay.

 
Cobra Expedition
 
The Cobra Expedition is a sit-on-top kayak with dimensions more like that of a regular sea kayak.  One of the problems with sit-on-tops is that most are very slow and a few are very fast (surf skis).  There aren't many that are in the middle ground.  Many sea kayakers dread the idea of a sit-on-top paddling with them because such boats will frequently slow them down and for the most part, they are right.  But if you like stable sit-on-tops and still want to keep up with the big dogs, then you might want to check out the Cobra Expedition.

I purchased mine used at Shank’s Mare on September 29, 2002.  It is a good boat but it does have some drawbacks.

• The rudder isn't as smooth and responsive as my C4.  Waxing the cords that control the rudder seem to reduce friction but it could be a lot smoother.  Still, it is satisfactory.
• The round center hatch that rests just in front of or under your crotch when you sit in the boat is worthless.  It just lets water leak in.  I've since used silicone sealant to make this hatch non-functional.  I recommend you order an Expedition without this hatch.
• The rudder pedals are adjustable for leg length but the boat clearly favors a shorter person.  My 6'2" friend can't possibly sit comfortably in the boat even with the rudder pedals set for the longest leg length.
• The hatches on top use a locking mechanism comprised of several flip and twist handles.  Unfortunately, these hatches are not as watertight as the Ocean Kayak hatches I've encountered. I found that using 3/8 inch wide and 3/16 inch thick rubber foam weatherseal self stick tape can greatly reduce the amount of water that leaks in. A 10 foot long strip is more than enough to do both hatches.
• I'm not sure why, but the Expedition is not as comfortable as my other boats.  I've tried various adjustments with the seat and the rudder pedals but this boat is much more likely to make my hips sore than my other boats.  I seem to be prone to this problem so don't weight this too heavily if you are considering purchasing an Expedition.  People with big butts never seem to have this complaint. I have since made a foam seat insert out of an exercise mat. This makes the boat considerably more comfortable.

 
Ocean Kayak Cabo tandem
 
One great thing about a tandem kayak is that is you paddle with someone slower or faster than yourself, you can always stay together.  I purchased the Cabo on April 15, 1999 from SpringRiver Corporation.  It's a great boat to bring a date on.  It is stable and rugged and if your date accidentally crashes the boat into some rocks, you won't be quite so inclined to throw her overboard.  One great thing about the boat is that you are spaced far enough from each other so that you don't need to maintain perfect tempo to prevent hitting paddles together though some resemblance of unison is required.  The Cabo is somewhat stereotypical of sit-on-tops.  It is heavy, slow, extremely difficult to flip, and darn near indestructible.

 
Ocean Kayak Scupper Pro TW
 
My first kayak was the Scupper Pro TW.  The "TW" stands for "tank well" since the boat is make to hold a scuba tank.  If you don't scuba, a beer keg will also fit nicely.  I purchased it on March 24, 1999 from SpringRiver Corporation.  The Scupper Pro was a great first boat for me.  It is fun, stable, rugged, and inexpensive.  It is still on the slow side but compared with most sit-on-tops, it isn't bad.  If you buy one, I suggest spending the extra money and getting one with a rudder.  You can add one later but I've heard it's a real bitch to install.

 
Storage Rack
 
It isn't enough to just have the boats. You have to be able to transport them and store them. I use a Yakima roof rack to move my boats on land and I keep them in a home made storage rack when I'm not using them.

 
How to Make a Tow Rope
-by Brian Blankinship of Bay Kayaking, June 2006

You can make a tow rig for about $10 bucks or so. The price will mostly depend on the hardware.

If you are making a tow rig, think of it as four parts:

 
Other Equipment

My Gear Recommendations

Aquapac sells waterproof bags for a wide variety of things you want to keep dry. Don't rely on the claims of your waterproof global positioning system (GPS) manufacturer. I've already lost one to water damage. Keep it dry and keep it working!.

Abus 1.5" Resettable Combination Padlock has heavy chrome plating for weather resistance and permits the user to set his/her own combination so you never need to worry about losing a key. This is a great lock for securing your kayak if you store it outside.

Use BoatLife Life Seal to prevent small cracks in fiberglass from getting bigger. I don't recommend it to fix structural damage.

I have a Garmin GPSMAP 76S global positioning system (GPS) unit. I used to own a Magellan but I had problems with both that and the folks in customer service.

I use Great Stuff Insulating Foam Sealant to fill gaps I can't reach when my boat has a leak. It is very messy and I highly recommend you wear gloves when using it. It is hard to get off what you don't want but when it is dry, it can easily be cut with a knife.

KwikTwist is an industrial size twist tie able to hold up to 100 lbs. of weight. The interior components consist of a heavy gauge steel alloy wire covered with two (2) millimeters of plastic shielding. The exterior foam is soft and easy for customers to wrap or tie around various objects. KwikTwist will float in water and will withstand UV sunlight. Too many uses to describe.

3M TM Marine (duo-lock) reclosable attachment system 06539 is stronger than conventional hook-and-loop fasteners. Great for attaching things to kayaks. Purchase at Boater's World. They usually sell the 3 inch strips but some stores have it in a roll where you can pay by the foot. If you use lots like me, you might want to just buy the roll, 3M™ Dual Lock™ Reclosable Fastener System MP3560. I use it to secure hip and seat padding to my boats. The stuff secures well to smooth hard surfaces but for foam, use Weldwood Contact Cement. Don't use the contact cement on your boat (unless you have big balls); use it to secure the reclosable attachment system to the foam. Also, don't use a plastic stirring stick, it may get dissolved in the cement.

Speaking of foam, don't use just any foam. Use minicell foam. It is flexible, fairly firm, won't soak up water like a sponge, and best of all, it is sandable so you can get it just the shape you want. I purchase sheets of various thicknesses and colors at Minicel Foam.

If you're like me, you have plenty of wet gloves and booties after paddling in cold water. To avoid the wet neoprene/body odor smell, I suggest drying things ASAP. I made my own boot drying rack based on plans I found at free boot rack plans.

I paddle with either a Futura carbon fiber wing paddle (purchased September 2004) length 210-220cm; an Epic Large Sprint Wing (eXcalibur III) Paddle, carbon fiber with length-lock length 210-220cm (purchased July 2005); or an Epic Mid Wing (eXcalibur Mid) Paddle, carbon fiber with length-lock length 212-222cm (purchased November 2004). The Futura paddle is similar to the Epic Mid Wing but with a round instead of oval shaft, a bit heavier, and without the markings for length and feature adjustment. The large sprint wing has about 13% greater surface area than the Epic Mid Wing. Though it isn't generally recommended for racing over 1000m, the eXcalibur III can be handled quite well by strong paddlers over longer distances. I set my paddles to 215-217cm, a 72-75 degree right hand twist, and grip width set to 26.5 inches when measured from the inboard side of one index finger to the other. He prefers the eXcalibur III for calm water conditions up to 10 miles. The Mid Wing and the Futura paddle seem to offer more control for rougher water. Over longer distances, these smaller blade paddles are less taxing on the body.

For awhile, I wrapped the grip area of the paddle shafts with bicycle tape. Eventually, however, this idea was abandoned after hand fatigue was noticed during interval training. My hands are about 7 inches from the tip of the middle finger to the base of the palm...too small for grip padding. Now, two layers of double sided tape (only about 1 millimeter thick) are added to the sides of the paddle grip area to make the oval shape more distinct on the Epic paddles. For the Futura paddle, bicycle grip tape is added to the sides of the grip area to make the round shaft oval shaped; basically doing the same thing as with the Epic paddles but adding more thickness to the sides. I then wrapped this in boat tape, the same stuff used for decorative markings on power boats.

While I was able to make the shafts of the paddle more contoured to what felt like a more natural grip, I found the boat tape to be quite slick and hard to grip easily, especially if my hands got oily (such as getting sunscreen on my hands). I wanted gloves that gave excellent grip, would hold up when soaked, and were thin. I ended up purchasing Under Armour Heatgear Z1 football receiver gloves.

If you have large hands and feel you can benefit from shaft padding, consider using Bontrager bar tape, black synthetic cork with gel back and b-dot design. If you can't find this brand, use some other form of synthetic bicycle grip tape. The synthetic stuff should withstand the wet world of kayaking better than the natural stuff (supposedly). You should be able to find this at Race Pace Bicycles. If you don't see it, ask and they might be able to order it for you.

There are various waterproof map cases available on the market such as the Omniseal Waterproof Map/Chart Holder. However, if you have much larger maps that need waterproof protection, try using Con-Tact Brand Clear Self Adhesive Laminate. An 18 inch wide 24 foot roll can be purchased at Rite-Aid, Home Depot and other do-it-yourself stores for about $15. This can be a bitch to work with and I've found the best way to use it is to lay it down on a rigid flat surface, sticky side up, then lay the object you want it stuck to on it.

Pack~Mate Packing System enables one to store items efficiently while keeping them dry. I recommend you take fluffy items such as sleeping bags and clothes and put them in a Pack~Mate. Close it part way then put your weight on it to squeeze out as much air as possible. Then close the bag all the way. Pack~Mate is like a heavy duty giant Ziplock bag but big enough for a sleeping bag. It greatly reduces bulk. If kayaking, put the Pack~Mate stored it a dry bag. The bag is waterproof but if you really want to keep things dry while kayaking, you'd better keep them double wrapped.

The Platypus Kayak Hydrator carries 60 fluid ounces and mounts on kayak decks or inside the cockpit. I carry mine on the back of his personal floation device (PFD) because his surf ski is not well suited for mounting a water carrier.

I use Plexi-Bond glue for kayak repairs. I've found this glue to be easy to use, good on plastics, reliable, and water tight. A good boat store should carry it.

The Roleez kayak/canoe cart RZ1-KCC has a heavy duty aluminum frame, kick stand, and large detachable wheels with pneumatic tires to help you move your kayak or canoe easily over all terrain.

If you need to drill holes in your boat to attach a drain plug, deck loops, foot wells, etc., you should consider using wellnuts. They can be purchased from Kayak Fishing Stuff.

 
Checklists

It's easy to forget things when you're packing. That's why I like to keep a checklist for various occassions. These are just ideas to keep you from forgetting things you might need. Don't think I'm suggesting you need to bring everything I list.

Day Paddle: Anywhere from a trip around the Inner Harbor to a 30+ mile Rich marathon paddle. Be sure to let someone know where you are going, when you will return, a description of the car that takes you to your embarkation point, any special medical conditions of you and people in your group (e.g. epileptic, asthmatic, or diabetic), and any other important information. This is called a float plan.

Water: This is just a rule of thumb for me only. It will of course vary for individuals. Better to carry more than needed if uncertain.

• One quart for 5 miles or less with moderate temperatures, paddling at a comfortable pace.
• One additional quart for each additional 5 miles under the same conditions (e.g. 2 quarts for 5.1-10 miles, 3 quarts for 10.1-15 miles).
• One additional quart in very hot weather or if paddling with a considerable amount of effort (fast pace, against a strong wind, upstream, etc.).
• An efficient means of carrying the water. A Camelback or Platypus hydration system works fine and permits you to drink while on the move. Hooking the drink valve to a retractable badge holder keeps the valve accessible and avoids fumbling to reattach the clip. Standard canteens or water bottles are fine too if you can find a place on your boat you can access them easily.

• 500 calories for every 2 hours with moderate temperatures, paddling at a comfortable pace.
• Be sure to include complex carbohydrates, protein, and fat. A large percentage of the calories consumed should be in the form of complex carbohydrates. A few simple carbohydrates are fine but the bulk of the carbs should come from the complex.
• 200 additional calories if paddling with a considerable amount of effort (fast pace, against a strong wind, upstream, etc.).
• Leave bulky food with few calories at home. Instead, pack calorie dense, low maintenance foods if space is of concern. Nuts, jerky, and trail mix are perfect for this. Tortillas are better than bagels. Meals Ready to Eat (MREs) are calorie dense, well balanced, and last for years if unopened. After shipping, MREs cost $6.58 each if ordered by the case (as of 2004).

• Paddle float.
• Bilge pump.
• Spray skirt.
• Floatation devices for your boat.
• Sponge for soaking up water the bilge pump doesn't get.
• Ping pong paddle (as an emergency roll device) in case you are stuck upside down without a paddle.
• Nose clip.

• Wet suit in spring or late fall. I wear a farmer john wetsuit and I also have a HydroSkin G2 neoprene long sleeve pullover. If wearing a neoprene top with sleeves, consider wearing something such as Under Armour underneathe to reduce friction in your upper arms.
• Dry suit in the winter.
• Insulated footwear. I prefer neoprene diving footwear with sandals two sizes too big on top of them. The neoprene footwear keeps my feet warm but offers little protection from rocks when I go ashore. That's where the sandals come in.
• Heargear. In really cold conditions, you might want a drysuit hood or a neoprene hood but be careful you don't overheat.
• Gloves or mittens. The dry suit or neoprene gloves work fine. There are also special handwarmers called poggies that cover both the hand and the paddle.

• Shower shoes: If there is a public shower available, don't expect it to be clean.
• Socks: One pair for each day.
• Trousers: Wear one and bring another and plan to rotate them every day. If bringing shorts, make sure to have at least one pair of long trousers. If gone for more than 4 days, bring extra trousers or plan to do laundry.
• Underwear: One for each day.
• Shirts: One for each day. If wearing sleeveless, make sure to have at least one shirt with short sleeves. If wearing short sleeves, make sure to bring at least one shirt with long sleeves. If wearing long sleeves, make sure to bring an insulated shirt.
• Belt: If you're not wearing one when you leave, will you need one later?
• Swim suit and goggles: If you plan on swimming.

• Utensils.
• Cookware.
• Stove.
• Fuel.
• Wind shield to prevent minimize heat loss from your stove.
• Something to clean your cookware and utensils.
• Things to clean your stove if necessary.

• Travel light, freeze in the night.
• If you can hack it, you can pack it.

 
Car Shuttle

A one way trip is the best way to see the most scenery and cover the most water. When planning a multi-day "through trip," it is definitely the way to go. If paddling a river that might be narrow in spots, be sure to bring a saw to cut through obstacles. For me, the hardest part about organizing a one way trip is the car shuttle. Here's how I organize such things:

Let
     T = The amount of time it takes to drive from the take out area to the launch area. Assume this time is roughly equal to the amount of time it takes to drive from the launch area to the take out area. Note that this doesn't consider loading and unloading of boats.

Three trips
This is the best situation. It requires vehicles that will carry a large number of kayaks, a large number of vehicles, and relatively few people. It is summarized as follows:

 
Links

Adventures, trips, boat rentals, lessons, outfitters, and guided tours
Adventure Sports Center: Man-made white water kayaking and rafting in western Maryland

Atlantic Kayak

Bay Kayaking, LLC
Kayak lessons, trips, and demos
ACA and BCU Certified
Highly recommended by me
phone: 443-994-7990
Click to send e-mail

Bed and Breakfast Inn Tours, Eastern Shore of Maryland and Virginia

Chesapeake Kayak Company

Chester River Kayak Adventures

Canoe Kayak and Paddle Company (CKAPCO)

Connecticut kayak lessons and tours

Kayak Training and Tours on the Chesapeake Bay

Maryland Boat Rentals

Quiet Waters Boat Rental

Shank's Mare
     2092 Long Level Road
     Wrightsville, Pennsylvania 17368-9038
     phone: 717-252-1616

Camping links not listed above
Fundamentals of Kayak Camping

Kayak Camping by Andy Collins

San Diego Kayak Club

TopKayaker

Tall Pines Harbor Campground
I camped here back in 2004. A very nice campground with waterfront group campsites along the Pocomoke Sound, southeast of Janes Island. Not the best place to be during heavy rains, however.

Equipment, clothes, boats, paddles, and stores
AHH Heavy Fabric Webbing
Order nylon webbing.

Alden Rowing Shells

Annapolis Canoe and Kayak

Aquabound Paddles

Boat/U.S. Marine Center
     6651-20 Governor Ritchie Highway (route 2), Governor Plaza
     Glen Burnie, Maryland 21061

Boater’s World
     6711 Governor Ritchie Highway (route 2)
     Glen Burnie, Maryland 21061
     phone: 410-787-2334

Boater’s World
     Solomon’s Island Road, Annapolis Harborplace
     Annapolis, Maryland 21401
     phone: 410-266-7766

Boater’s World
     Price Club Plaza
     9991 Pulaski Highway (near Mohr’s Lane; take 95 north to exit 67A)
     Middle River, Maryland 21220
     phone: 410-391-1994

Canoegear.com

Chesapeake Rowing

Cobra Kayaks/Glenwa Inc.
     P.O. Box 3134
     Gardena, CA 90247 USA
     phone: 310-327-9216
     fax: 310-327-8952
Click to send e-mail

Current Designs

Custom Kayaks
Makers of surf skis.

Diver Discount Catalog
Even if you're not a scuba diver, you'll find good equipment that will hold up well in a wet environment.

Epic Kayaks

eScubaShot

FastKayak.com
A serious website for the speed demon in all of us.  Information about surf skis, wing paddles, and perfecting your paddling technique.

Fishing Accessories

Flyak
A hydrofoil kayak.

Futura Surf Skis
     578 Mira Vista
     Oakland, California 94610
     phone: 510-465-0170
     Futura representative: Vince Darwood
Click to send e-mail

Hi-Tech Boats

Huki
Outrigger canoes, kayaks, and surf skis.

Innova
European inflatable touring kayaks.

Jersey Paddler
     1756 Route 88 West
     Brick, New Jersey  08724
     phone: 732-458-5777, 1-800-22-KAYAK
Owner: John Durrua
Directions: From Philadelphia, take route 70 east through Lakehurst straight to the store.
Store is on the left at the intersection of route 70 and route 88.
Notes: 3.5 hour drive from Arbutus, Maryland given little traffic.
Click to send e-mail

Joe Diver America

Kayak Fishing Stuff
Not just for fisherpeople. This place sells lots of useful kayak equipment, accessories, and hardware

LiquidFit.com
Custom made wetsuits

Maas Boats

Mirage Sea Kayaks

Moana Nui
Outrigger Canoes

Mountain Surf, Incorporated

NRS

Ocean Kayak

Ocean Paddle Sports (surf skis)

Onno Paddles

Product reviews

Royak kayaks

Rutabaga kayaks

Scuba Diving Equipment

Sea Eagle Inflatable Kayaks

SealLine Water Sport

SpringRiver Corporation
     311 Third Street
     Annapolis, Maryland  21403
     phone: 410-263-2303, 1-800-882-5694
Salesmen: George Albrecht, Jr., David Young (manager), and Jamie Horrigan of the band Bittersweet

Stearns Recreational
Seller of boating supplies. What I like best is their Paddlesports Inflatable Chest Pak 6340 personal floatation device (PFD). I don't own one yet but it will likely be my next PFD.

Survival Products
     1116 North Salisbury Blvd.
     Salisbury, MD 21801
     phone: 410-543-1244, 1-800-269-4294
Click to send e-mail

Thunderbolt
A really fast cockpit (sit-in) kayak

Venture Sport Surf Skis

Voyageur Gear Accessories

Werner Paddles

Wetsuits for Big Guys (and Gals)

Wilderness Systems

Also see Hiking Links then scroll down to the "Equipment/stores" section

General kayak information
Paddling.net

Sea Kayak Chesapeake Bay

Government organizations
Department of Natural Resources - Maryland
Phone: 410-260-8019 or 1-800-628-9944
Call to report a marine mammal sighting, stranding, or death.

Fish and Wildlife Service

Maryland Greenways and Water Trails Program
     580 Taylor Avenue, E-2
     Annapolis, Maryland 21401
     phone: 410-260-8778
Call the phone number above or send e-mail to the below to be added to mailing list.
Click to send e-mail

The Maryland Natural Resource (magazine)
     580 Taylor Avenue, D4
     Annapolis, Maryland 21401
     phone: 1-877-620-8DNR extention 8009
Click to send e-mail

Home Pages
Chip's Patuxent River Paddles

Kayak Wisconsin Blog

Lady Justice

Pam Boteler

The Purple Mirage (Susanita)

Woody's Kayak Trip Report

Launch information probably not listed in launch sites
Beach-Net Delaware and Maryland Boat Ramps

Captain John Smith Water Trail

Chesapeake Boat Launch Guide
A comprehensive computer mapping of the publicly available boat launches for the Chesapeake Region.  To order, phone Chris at 703-802-0455 or send him an e-mail.
Click to send e-mail

Hudson River Water Trail
A 158 mile water trail from Manhattan to Albany.

Kayaking and Canoeing in Maryland

Maryland Greenways
Includes water trail information

Maryland Boat Ramp Atlas

Maryland Water Trails 1

Maryland Water Trails 2

Northern Forest Canoe Trail
740 miles from Old Forge, New York to Fort Kent, Maine making it the longest organized water trail in the world!

Places to Paddle

Sea Kayak Chesapeake Bay

Susquehanna River Trail

Thoreau Wabanaki Trail
An over 200 mile circuit water trail through central Maine

Local kayak/canoe clubs/organizations in the Maryland, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Virginia, and Washington D.C. area
Atlantic Sea Kayakers

Canton Kayak Club

Chesapeake Paddlers Association (CPA)
     P.O. Box 341
     Greenbelt, Maryland 20768
A kayak club based primarily in Maryland and Virginia.
Annual membership: $10

Canoe Cruisers Association
The canoe and kayak club of Greater Washington D.C.

Delmarva Paddlers

Greater Baltimore Canoe Club

Jersey Shore Sea Kayak Association

Monocacy Canoe Club

Storm Paddle

Miscellaneous
Fort Carroll

Four-Hour Kayak Boat Instruction Kit

Kayaking in Delaware, Maryland, and a Little of Virginia

Leave No Trace: Seven Principles
This is one of the more comprehensive websites I've found that describe these principles in great detail.

Leave No Trace: Center for Outdoor Ethics

Choosing the Right Hydration System

Jim Miller
I've heard this guy is good at fiberglass repair work. Lives in Maryland.
phone: 410-268-5337

Just Canoe It!
WomenCan is an international group of women and men dedicated to creating race opportunities for women in the sport of canoe.

Lisa's Boat Building Tips

Sea Lice

Sea Nettles Prediction

Sherpa Guides: The Chesapeake Bay

Watershed Restoration Action Strategies

Wes Boyd's Kayak Place
Fixing Fiberglass Kayaks

Non-government organizations
Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay

American Canoe Association (ACA)

Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF)
     Membership information: 1-888-SAVEBAY
     Philip Merrill Environmental Center
     6 Herndon Avenue
     Annapolis, MD 21403
     phone: 410-268-8816, 410-269-0481 (from Baltimore), 301-261-2350 (from D.C. metro)
Click to send e-mail

Friends of Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge

Tri-State Bird Rescue and Research Organization
Phone: 302-737-9543
Call to report birds in need of rescue.

Virginia Marine Science Museum
Call 757-437-6159 to report sightings of dead, injured, netbound, or stranded whales, dolphins, or sea turtles.

Outrigger canoe information
Outrigger Canoe Paddling

Park information probably not listed in launch sites
Assateague Island Camping

Blackwater Falls State Park, West Virginia
Supposedly has good kayaking

Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge - Boating

False Cape State Park
Primitive camping in one of the last undisturbed coastal environments on the East Coast

Mason Neck National Wildlife Refuge
Good for seeing bald eagles

Mason Neck State Park
Kayak and canoe rental available

Pohick Bay Regional Park
This website also lists a multitude of links to nearby campsites, parks, and white water paddling sites

Maryland State Parks and Forests Amenities
This offers a spreadsheet showing which parks have certain amenities such as a boat launch.

State Forest and Park Trail Guide Order Form
Also order water trail maps

Race links
Washington Canoe Club

Wye Island Regatta

Kent Island Outrigger Canoe Club

Viking Promotions: Races

U.S. Surfski Championships

Rafting and tubing
Butt Tubes

Harpers Ferry Rafting

Historical River Tours

Kayak Shack

Licensed Rafting Companies - West Virginia

River Riders

River and Trail Outfitters

Sit-on-top kayak information
Sit-on-Top Kayaking

Surf ski information
New Zealand Surf Ski

Surf Ski Info

Surf Ski Links

Twogood Surf Ski Camp

Surfing information
Assateague Island surfing

Cape Henlopen State Park, Delaware
Sometimes has good surf at the northernmost point

Folly Beach, South Carolina
The world kayak surfing championships were held there

Sunset Beach, North Carolina

Surfrider Foundation, Washington D.C. Chapter

Tybee Island, Georgia surf report
A recommended place to practice your kayak surfing skills

Tybee Island Online
To plan you next trip to Tybee Island

WetSand.com
Surf wave information

Training
Coast Guard Auxiliary, Flotilla 12
Click on the "Classes" button for boater training in the Baltimore area.

Wilderness First Aid Classes

Public Boating Courses by the U.S. Coast Guard

Weather, tide, and navigation
Coastal Water Temperature Guide

Free Tide Tables

Maryland Tide Calculator

Middle Atlantic River Forecast Center
River water temperatures

Mobile Geographics - Tides

National Data Buoy Center, Station TPLM2 (Thomas Point)
Chesapeake Bay water temperatures

National Data Buoy Center, Station 44009 (Delaware Bay)
Open ocean water temperatures for 26 nautical miles southeast of Cape May, New Jersey

National Oceanic and Atomospheric Administration (NOAA)

Real Time Data for Maryland (U.S. Geological Survey)

Salt Water Tides

Sunrise and Sunset Times

TerraServer Satellite Photos, Aerial Photography, and Images

Tide Table for Maryland by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

Tides.INFO
Tide predictions from around the globe

Statute and Nautical Miles Calculator

Unit Conversion

Windchill Chart
From the National Weather Service.

 
Books
 
Maryland and Delaware Canoe Trails by Edward Gertler. Published by Seneca Press, 2002.

Sea Kayaking the Baltimore/Washington, D.C. Area by Michaela Gaaserud. Published by Rainmaker Publishing, 2007.

 
Kayaking Notes

Navigation

One nautical mile is equal to one minute of latitude.
1 nautical mile = 1.1507794 statute mile
1 statute mile = 0.8689762 nautical mile

Visibility to the horizon on a clear day is about 12 miles.
One knot is equal to a velocity of one nautical mile per hour.
For more information on navigation, see hiking/Skills and Knowledge.

Lightning

An average of 73 people are killed by lightning every year. Kayakers are particularly at risk when an electrical storm is near. To determine how far away lightning is occurring, count the seconds from the time the bolt is sighted to when the thunder is heard. Divide the seconds by 5 to approximate the number of miles away the lightning is occurring. The National Severe Storms Laboratory suggests that when the flash-to-bang count is 30 seconds (about 6 miles away) or less, all people in the area should look for a safe location. Wait at least 30 minutes after the last flash of lightning or sound of thunder before resuming activities. Note that this rule of thumb was not devised for boaters who might want take extra safety precautions.
Source: "Flash Dance" by Dwayne N. Jackson which appeared in the September 2004 issue of "Muscle and Fitness."

The most likely times to be struck by lightning are from late spring to early fall with the highest risk being in the summer from 1500 to 2000.

If a storm catches you in the open, protect your ears, remain low, and make minimal contact with the ground.

If you hear thunder 30 seconds or less after you see lightning: