HikeArizona.COM

Looking for an experienced kayaker to take me under their wing. I would LOVE to go kayaking. I went sea kayaking off the island of Santa Cruz 2 summers ago - what a blast. (sea kayaking photo in personal gallery)

I have no equipment. Willing to rent or borrow. Goal for 2007 is to get myself geared up for kayaking and advice from someone who knows their stuff would be very cool.

(recently dislocated my elbow attempting to ride a wave board - so would not be able to kayak until February, but would love to get something on the calendar)

Dawn

In response to hikingsunshine's reply:

The City of Tempe offers kayaking classes >> http://pkreconline.tempe.gov/eConnect/A ... =N&aid=955
(you know anyone in Tempe... ? )

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Also, my buddy, Tyler, is giving a talk at REI, Tempe on the 24th.

"Paddling Arizona"

1/24/2007 6:30 PM


Tyler Williams is a regular contributor to Paddler, Canoe & Kayak, and Backpacker magazines, among others. He is also author of Canyoneering Arizona, Grand Canyon River Hikes, and Whitewater Classics. His newest title, Paddling Arizona, is out this month!

Paddling in Arizona? Surprisingly, there is more water to paddle here than outsiders might think. Learn what, where, and how as author Tyler Williams highlights the best of his new guidebook Paddling Arizona: A Guide to Lakes, Rivers, and Creeks. Tyler's slide show will cover the basics of flatwater paddling; including boat selection, basic technique, and Arizona's top paddling destinations from Apache Lake to Lake Powell. Arizona's dramatic and unknown whitewater streams will also be covered in the presentation. If you've ever wondered about paddling a pond, lake, reservoir, or river in Arizona, this show is a must see!


Location: REI Tempe
Contact: REI Customer Service (480) 967-5494
Cost: Free

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Permagrin Canoeing & Kayak School
107 E Broadway Rd
Tempe, AZ 85282
480-755-1924
Ask for my old golfing buddy, Pete

I tried last summer to get kayaking lessons up here in the White Mtns. Nancy Kanu of Canyons and Coastlines was going to teach me at one point, but then she had an injury. Her mom lives up here. Maybe this next summer I can get with someone for the lessons. I have an older, used whitewater kayak, have no idea how to do the Eskimo Roll, etc. Plus I still need a skirt, PFD and floatation bags.

i can help you chose the best gear for the $ if you are willing to go shopping!
for instance, I bought a first quality Dagger Specter model 14' touring kayak on a closeout deal... retail is $1030 and I spent $650.
AquaBound carbon/glass paddle at only 30.5 oz for a mere $140 (MOST carbon fiber paddles will run upwards of $300+) usually the lighter a paddle the more $$$ you pay.
A good type III pfd is around $50-75
spray skirt is optional for flat water, up to you really.
get a nice jacket for water, some Mechanix* brand gloves are great and cheap
bring a wide brimmed hat, and keep in mind that water reflects the sun so you'll get burnt in all sorts of odd places.

Kurt, did you know a TTL permit for Tempe residents is $5
non residents, $50!!
so, do you take PayPal??

mikeinFHAZ wrote:...........
Kurt, did you know a TTL permit for Tempe residents is $5
non residents, $50!!
so, do you take PayPal??

Yep... That was the reason for the "you know anyone in Tempe" in my post, Mike.
Plus, I know hikingsunshine reallly well, so I was funnin' with her at the same time.

I've been getting NRS catalog in the mail for some time now. No gear like what they carry is available up here, needless to say! Money is the problem. Hope to round out my gear this year, get the lessons.

Any recommendations for PFD for small woman for this whitewater hardshell kayak? What is the cheapest I can go and still be safe and comfortable?

this one is great for beginners.. price is decent too
these guys are A+ dealers with quick FREE shipping

In response to mikeinFHAZ's reply:

Craigslist, as well, can sometimes be productive......
http://phoenix.craigslist.org/search/sss?query=kayak

I like the sounds of the REI class and excited to see the photos. I am sure the speaker/REI Rep can point me in the right direction as far as taking classes and such. I am guessing that renting is probably the way to go for the first few times, then probably good used equipment after that.

I plan on being at the REI class - if you plan on going, let me know!

Dawn

it's marked on my calendar
sounds like a good bit of info, and you might be interested in the Pungo kayak that's on Craigslist. I believe its been on there for over 2 months.

hikingsunshine wrote:I like the sounds of the REI class and excited to see the photos. ....I am sure the speaker/REI Rep can point me in the right direction as far as taking classes and such..Dawn

Glad to be of help.

Tyler lives in Flag, but he may know of classes in the Valley other than the ones given at the Kiwanis Wave Pool through the City of Tempe.

Also, here is a list of some rental places. Some outfiters only rent craft to be used where they are located, whereas others allow you to transport the craft/gear offsite. I have bolded the ones that I believe allow offsite transport.

For as little as $25 a day, you can get a taste of the sport and try different models. Here are some places around the Valley that rent kayaks:

Places to rent gear

• Arizona Canoe & Kayak Outfitters, Tempe. (480) 755-1924
• Arizona Hiking Shack, Phoenix. (602) 944-7723
• Arizona Inflatables & Paddlesports, Tempe. (480) 968-1140
• Canyon Lake Marina, Canyon Lake. (480) 986-0969
• El Mar Diving Center, Mesa. (480) 833-2971
• Riverproof Outfitters, Mesa. (480) 644-1246
• Rio Lago Cruise, Tempe Town Lake. (480) 517-4050
• Saguaro Lake Ranch, Mesa. (480) 984-2194
• Salt River Canoe, Kayak & Raft Rentals, Mesa. (480) 345-7258

fondest regards,

Wow Kurt - you are very informative. Thank you for the time and effort that you put into that list. I will start acting on this info after conferring with the REI speaker, Tyler.
Thanks,
Dawn

I hope you don't mind an outsider horning in here, but I wanted to make a plug for kayaking the lower Colorado River, below Hoover Dam. My older brother (from Seattle, like me) and his pals have been doing this for about 15 years, and I finally joined them for a week long Kayak trip this past summer. I haven't had so much fun in years. We put in below the hatchery and paddled about 5o miles, total, downstream and then back up to the dam, camping in a different location each night. We caught and ate a lot of stripers, took some hot baths in hot springs, and generally had a blast. I'm attaching a photo of some desert bighorn sheep we saw.

Cliff
Seattle, WA

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hikingsunshine wrote:Wow Kurt - you are very informative. Thank you for the time and effort that you put into that list.
Thanks,
Dawn

T'was my pleasure - anything for YOU, my dear.

thanks for the photo, Cliff. Thats why I got me a boat! looks like a killer time.

heres a PFD for a great price act fast

Salish--you're not an outsider and you're welcome to horn in! Nice photo, too!

Thanks for the info re PFD. There was one on ebay I was watching, a Perception Adult Small, sale is over, shoulda bought it, like new, 24.99. I'm still awaiting my EIC refund from IRS--that's when I buy gear.

salish wrote:

Now that looks like a good time.

So is the sign-up for the REI event, or is it for some actual kayaking? I read the thread a couple times but I don't see anything that specifically mentions a group trip.

It was orginally for setting up something in Feb and to see if anyone was interested. Then information came in for the class. So it is now for the class. After the class, I would like to repost and see what we can set up for Feb. I do not know much about kayaking other than the obvious - so would like guidance in getting a trip going.