WHERE ARE YOU?

Jonesport, Baby! Chances are that means very little to you, so here is a Google Map link. It’s a small fishing town deep in the heart of Downeast Maine. We’re on the coast halfway between Canada and Acadia National Park on Mount Desert Island (pronounced “dessert”…like the yummy after-dinner treat, not “desert” for some reason probably connected to the French who were in the area AND usually referred to as MDI by the locals). This area is a sea kayaking wonderland with countless islands, endless undiscovered coves, abundant and amazing wildlife, and enough beauty to last a few lifetimes.

WHAt MAKE A KAYAK A SEA KAYAK?

Not all kayaks are designed for the same thing. Some kayaks are made for calm lakes and streams, some are designed for raging whitewater, and some give you a solid and steady platform to fish from (with cup holders!). Sea kayaks are typically longer boats designed to get you out into the open ocean (and back) safely, with maneuverability characteristics designed to meet the elements that the sea throws at you.

A quick Google search will provide you with more information than you’d care to read, but some of the highlights of a sea kayak include things like sealed compartments that keep the boat buoyant in the event you take on water, deck lines along the perimeter of the kayak which allow you (and others) to hold onto the boat should you need, and a rear-draining cockpit that allows water to be emptied after a capsize. Check out more info on self-rescues or emptying a sea kayak if you want details on how this works. 



Other important characteristics like hull shape and tools like skegs and rudders also differentiate these kayaks. But these are the basics to provide a simple overview of this type of boat.

IS COLD WATER THAT DANGEROUS?

Yes! It is. Please take it seriously. Chances of surviving an out-of-boat experience in cool or cold water increase significantly when the correct precautions, equipment, and training are present. The effects of hyporthermia can turn a tricky situation into a life-or-death situation quickly. Check out the National Center for Cold Water Safety for more information.

PFD… PDF… DO I NEED TO WEAR a LIFE VEST?

Yes! Please wear one! A personal flotation device (PFD) is the first and most important piece of safety equipment I carry, and I carry a lot of safety equipment. I wouldn’t consider getting onto the water without one. Find one (ideally a class III, look that up if you want to know what that means) that fits you well, put it on, and be safe on the water. Thank you!

WHAT IS ROCK GARDENING?

Rock Gardening uses the dynamic water that is created from the energy of the ocean swell around rocks and ledges as a playground. It’s not something to take lightly or jump into without knowing what’s happening. Buy a helmet, find a coach or a skilled paddler, and go explore the playground that the ocean creates around these features.