KAYAKING
Before you go
Paddling through crystal clear waters of a coral filled bay or cruising up river looking at all the life in the mangroves, these are just a few of the wonders of kayaking in the tropics. The hardcore kayakers ship their rigs with them on their trips, however I opt for the rental or meeting up with a local who has access to kayaks. Check the Travel Checklist page and the items below to ensure you have everything.
As you read through this website, you will see that I really believe in networking with friends, family and people on the internet to have a local contact wherever I travel. I get to meet the locals, share their insights, and more times than not, they are happy to loan me their equipment. My friend’s dad lives in Kauai and I mentioned to my friend that I was taking the family there and he suggested that I contact his dad. It was perfect. We went to his house just to say, “Hi” and it turned out that he lived on the Wailua river and offered us two kayaks to check it out. He told us of a beautiful hike and a waterfall that was off the beaten track. It was beautiful. We would have never taken that trip up the Wailua river, if it wasn’t for my friend and his dad.
The airlines are getting crazy with all the fees and charges associated with baggage, especially large bags. Three words… Curbside baggage check. Plus, waiting in the ticket line with a huge kayak (even collaspable) isn’t very fun either.
Arriving at your destination
Ensure that you have proper transportation at your destination if you are bringing your kayak with you. You should have all the straps and gear to tie it down successfully and don’t leave anything to chance.
Getting wet
I’m sure you know by now that drinking water and a good water-proof sunscreen are a must. Don’t forget the dry-bag to keep all of your valuables dry, because you’re gonna get water in the kayak within the first few minutes.
Plan your trip
Always plan your kayak trip in detail and leave a copy of those details with someone where you are staying. Have a cut-off time of when you should be back, and if not back, when to start a search. It’s always better to be prepared and not need the help.
Fellow travelers
Training
I strongly recommend a rigorous training program at least a month before you go. This will get your motor skills at their prime and your cardio pumping. Depending on your destination location, you will use one-hundred percent of your skills, endurance, focus, nourishment, and so much more.
Nutrition
I’m not going to tell you what to eat on vacation, and I’m sure you know it’s simple. The better you eat (and drink), the better you’ll perform. I will say that you need to hydrate yourself a lot more in the tropics that elsewhere. I learned this the hard way by getting a kidney stone on the Big Island of Hawaii and that wasn’t fun at all. It all could have been avoided if I drank more water than I did. Ensure you are drinking purified, bottled, boiled or treated water only. Also, ensure that if you do have ice in any drinks, the ice comes from one of these safe sources. For more information on foods and drinks, visit the Foods tab within Tropixman.com
See Travel Checklist for more information
Kayaking Gear:
Water resistant (Stainless Steel) Tool kit with all sorts of “extras” for those little emergencies
Wet/Dry Bag
Beach Towels - 1-2
Video Camera and Supplies / Digital Video Camera etc.
Dress:
Wide brimmed hat
Reef Booties
Rash Guards - short and long sleeve
Sunglasses (polarized preferred)
Sunglass Leash
Boardshorts– at least 3 pair
Regular Shorts – 1-2 pair
Before you go
Paddling through crystal clear waters of a coral filled bay or cruising up river looking at all the life in the mangroves, these are just a few of the wonders of kayaking in the tropics. The hardcore kayakers ship their rigs with them on their trips, however I opt for the rental or meeting up with a local who has access to kayaks. Check the Travel Checklist page and the items below to ensure you have everything.
As you read through this website, you will see that I really believe in networking with friends, family and people on the internet to have a local contact wherever I travel. I get to meet the locals, share their insights, and more times than not, they are happy to loan me their equipment. My friend’s dad lives in Kauai and I mentioned to my friend that I was taking the family there and he suggested that I contact his dad. It was perfect. We went to his house just to say, “Hi” and it turned out that he lived on the Wailua river and offered us two kayaks to check it out. He told us of a beautiful hike and a waterfall that was off the beaten track. It was beautiful. We would have never taken that trip up the Wailua river, if it wasn’t for my friend and his dad.
The airlines are getting crazy with all the fees and charges associated with baggage, especially large bags. Three words… Curbside baggage check. Plus, waiting in the ticket line with a huge kayak (even collaspable) isn’t very fun either.
Arriving at your destination
Ensure that you have proper transportation at your destination if you are bringing your kayak with you. You should have all the straps and gear to tie it down successfully and don’t leave anything to chance.
Getting wet
I’m sure you know by now that drinking water and a good water-proof sunscreen are a must. Don’t forget the dry-bag to keep all of your valuables dry, because you’re gonna get water in the kayak within the first few minutes.
Plan your trip
Always plan your kayak trip in detail and leave a copy of those details with someone where you are staying. Have a cut-off time of when you should be back, and if not back, when to start a search. It’s always better to be prepared and not need the help.
Fellow travelers
Training
I strongly recommend a rigorous training program at least a month before you go. This will get your motor skills at their prime and your cardio pumping. Depending on your destination location, you will use one-hundred percent of your skills, endurance, focus, nourishment, and so much more.
Nutrition
I’m not going to tell you what to eat on vacation, and I’m sure you know it’s simple. The better you eat (and drink), the better you’ll perform. I will say that you need to hydrate yourself a lot more in the tropics that elsewhere. I learned this the hard way by getting a kidney stone on the Big Island of Hawaii and that wasn’t fun at all. It all could have been avoided if I drank more water than I did. Ensure you are drinking purified, bottled, boiled or treated water only. Also, ensure that if you do have ice in any drinks, the ice comes from one of these safe sources. For more information on foods and drinks, visit the Foods tab within Tropixman.com
See Travel Checklist for more information
Kayaking Gear:
Water resistant (Stainless Steel) Tool kit with all sorts of “extras” for those little emergencies
Wet/Dry Bag
Beach Towels - 1-2
Video Camera and Supplies / Digital Video Camera etc.
Dress:
Wide brimmed hat
Reef Booties
Rash Guards - short and long sleeve
Sunglasses (polarized preferred)
Sunglass Leash
Boardshorts– at least 3 pair
Regular Shorts – 1-2 pair
