By Dian Jordan
Broken Bow, Oklahoma – Kayaking is one of the most wonderful outdoor experiences you can have. It gives you the freedom to float on water, enjoy nature at its best and have a great physical workout. There are some things you must do and must have before you slip into a kayak. Let me say up front….I love kayaking and any woman can do it, by themselves or in a group.
Here are some tips that will help you get started. Go to your local lake and rent a kayak to make sure you like it. Once you do, you’ll be hooked. The next step is to buy, rent or borrow a vehicle you can haul your kayak in. There are several to choose from. A pickup is ideal; you just slide it in the back, leave the tailgate down, and wrap a couple of bungee cords on it. The reason I like a pickup better than Kayak-on-top, is it takes much more upper body strength to hoist the kayak on top of a vehicle. Even little ol’ me can put it in my pickup by myself. Here’s a pix a friend took, just to show you. I’m 46 years old, and weigh 110 lbs, so I can go kayaking by myself. While, of course, its fun to go with my husband and friends, I like that the kayak is loadable by just one person.
It is possible to be a fashion princess while boating. A bikini is always a good choice. However, I have a more practical nature. Every bit of kayak gear is left over gear from other sports. I like to wear the RaceReady long distance marathon shorts because they have lots of mesh pockets all the way around. Cell phone, chap stick, snacks, sunscreen, car keys and camera. All can be tucked into the pockets.
To avoid blisters or calluses, I wear short finger gel-padded gloves from bicycling. You can buy cheaper ones, but the ones from Pearl Izumi have the best fit, the best gel pad, and the best Velcro for on/off ease. In the colder months, switch to long finger gloves and here is the real secret. Buy extra-large dishwashing gloves (yes, those yellow ones from the cleaning aisle) and put them on over your gloves: makes you waterproof, so no cold fingers.
Rubber rain boots are nice when the weather is cooler because I like to float my boat out a few inches into the water, so I can have a good push-off from the shore. One foot always gets wet. Once inside the boat, you can slip them off easily, and paddle around bare foot. In the summer, wear sandals, such as TEVA, that strap on tight and have sturdy soles (not flip flops) because via kayak, you will discover hidden locations for good exploring. When sightseeing, most people never see the shoreline that is accessible from their car. Wearing sturdy sandals with straps for better footing is safer, more comfortable and leaves no room for excuses to not get out and become more closely acquainted with Mother Nature beyond the waterline.
Things to pack in your kayak:
- Bug spray – good to have if you go exploring, and sometimes flies, mosquitoes or gnats will be out in the water.
- Suntan lotion.
- Hat with visor.
- Sunglasses.
- Waterproof, disposable camera or CoolPix camera (about $100). I love my CoolPix camera. For the $$, it takes great pictures, and if (when) it gets water in it, or I drop it in the lake, it wasn’t too much of an investment loss. I would not take an $800 camera on the boat but I guess it depends on your risk tolerance. For the low-risk folks, the $10 disposable, waterproof cameras also take good pix.
- Whistle strapped to your life vest for emergency.
- Headlamp (from the camping supply area). Do not be afraid of the dark.
- Rope, in case you lose your paddle, you might find a nice person in a boat to tow you in. I have also rope-towed kids that get tired when I take them in the kayak, to help pull them along.
- Waterproof sack or box (good for cell phone, camera, electronic key locks)
- Life jacket (PFD) and floatation cushion. (OK, law requires 1 PFD per person, AND 1 floatation cushion). It does come in handy. You can use the PDF and cushion for lounging in the water while swimming to cool off, or sitting on the bank.
Most people go out in the middle of the hot day. Go 40 minutes before sunrise. Yes, it’s dark, but the water is nice, and you’ll have the place to yourself. More wildlife is out at this time too. It’s nice to watch the sky turn from black to gray to pink to sunrise. As you paddle out into the waters, find yourself a nice place to hang out facing east and watch the sun come up. Conversely, find a place close to shore (since you’ll want to get home soon after) to watch the sunset. You’ll get great pictures at this time of day.
One of the most important tips whether kayaking alone or in groups:
When you land your kayak ashore, be sure to pull it ALL THE WAY out of the water. The tide could rise, or boat waves could pull it back into the water if you are not keeping a close eye on it. Be sure to put your PADDLE all the way out of the water also, so it does not float away.
Experience the Class IV rapids, and the calm of the lake. Kayaking is fun for all ages, when you choose the type of water right for you. I’ve taken 9-year-old kids and 66-year-old ladies.
I kayak in McCurtain County, OK – the Beavers Bend State Park area. It is 
one of the best places in the South Central U.S. to kayak. Here, a family can golf, power boat, parasail, wake board, horseback ride, fish Oklahoma’s best trout stream and, of course, kayak.
In McCurtain County, there’s something for the entire family. You can find all types of lodging for your vacation or weekend getaway – from a rustic cottage to modern motels to elegantly appointed log cabins nestled in the towering pines, as well as unique B&Bs and luxury resorts.
There is a lot to learn for the whole family in the out-of-doors and Broken Bow is a fabulous area. McCurtain County is an easy 2 to 4-hour drive from Dallas, Fort Worth, Oklahoma City, Tulsa, OK, Tyler, TX, Little Rock, AR and Shreveport, LA. To make reservations, visit our website at www.mccurtaincountygetaways.com or call 800-528-7337.
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This sounds so fun! I appreciate all of the great tips. I’ll bookmark this article to refer to later when I plan my own kayaking adventure!!