Surf Talk Guru

Ocean kayaks have a lot of fans, me included. I love how you can take them anywhere from the waves, the river, the bay, the creek, the sound. They’re easy to carry and travel around with. They’re overall a great toy to have. But I know they’re expensive ($350-$650). Plus, there’s so much gear you can buy to go with it: wet or drysuits, wall racks, seats, paddles, dry bags, it can end up costing a fortune (just like any hobby, I guess).

Some shops that rent and sell Ocean Kayaks, sit-on-tops, and yak boards have a rent-to-own option. You can rent a kayak for a day or 24-hour period, decide if you love it, then put the cost of the rental toward the price of a new or used kayak of your choice. It’s a good deal, like test-driving a car. With spring weather coming, the sun popping out once in awhile, it would be good to have another reason to get outside and enjoy it.

Thinking of buying a yak board? Here are some things to think about before buying:

1. You’re going to get wet!–So you’ll need to have a wetsuit or drysuit to stay comfortable, especially in the ocean.

2. It can be slow-going, especially if you are a big person.–Weight creates drag in these flat boats. Windy conditions will slow you down even more. It doesn’t track that well, so you just keep your strokes nice and easy.

3. They’re stable and easy to steer.–Perfect for novice paddlers.

4. They’re easy yo transport.–At about 8 feet and lightweight, they’re easy to load on and off the top of your car, the back of your truck, or even the inside of your car!

5. It’s a fishing platform!–Yak boards work well as fishing/crabbing boats in the ocean, river, or bay. They’re stable and have extra room for your gear and your catch.

What are yak boards? They’re just about the most fun thing you can do in the water besides surf. The yak board is a surf boat from Ocean Kayak, a flattened version of sit-on-top kayak for use in calm water or surf.

It’s stable and lightweight, perfect for beginning kayakers and children, but also responsive to cuts and turns, making it a fun ride for those with experience. Don’t forget that in a sit-on-top of any kind, you’re going to get wet. In Oregon, you’ll need to go prepared in a 3/2mm wetsuit to ensure a good time.

Ocean kayaks are one of the most fun and environmentally sound ways to explore our coastal waters and wildlife. But before heading out for the first time, it’s a good idea to go with someone who’s had experience. Make sure this person has been out plenty of times in the specific waters and the weather conditions you’ll be boating in. Whether you’re planning to paddle the bay, a river or creek, or the ocean itself, the tide changes and wind speed and direction will be important factors to pay attention to. An experienced guide can take you out for your first kayaking trip and show you the ropes for a relatively small cost, considering the valuable life-saving training you’ll be exposed to.

A guided trip is especially essential before renting kayaks to take visitors on a tour of our waters. You’d hate to needlessly endanger others, and wind up looking foolish just because you didn’t prepare yourself for the responsibility. Kayak rentals are a cheap, clean way to exercise and see the sights. Just make sure you know what you’re doing!

When the surf’s no good and you want to get out in the water, a fun option is to rent a sit-on-top ocean kayak. You can take the kayak in the ocean, of course, but only on a calm day. During the winter, or on stormy days, you can explore up the bays, sloughs, creeks, and rivers.

It’s a great activity for people of all ages and athletic abilities. Kayaking gets you more up close and personal with wildlife in their natural habitat than most people ever get. Renting ocean kayaks and exploring is a cheap activity for entertaining out-of-town guests or for a date! It’s definitely something your friends will never forget!

With more than 350 miles of scenic coastline, Oregon stands as one of the country’s premier destinations for sea kayaking. Not to be confused with its river-going brethren, the sea kayak is made seaworthy thanks to a covered deck. Sea kayaking trips can be lengthy, which is why the vessels offer plenty of cargo space for meals, spare clothing and other equipment.

It’s not uncommon for kayakers to rent a boat for days or even weeks at a time to go on prolonged expeditions, camping in parks along the shore at night. Agate Beach, a popular surfing destination near Newport on the Pacific shoreline, is also well known as a source for Oregon kayak rentals. If you’re looking to set out on a new adventure, sea kayaking could be just the ticket.

A sea kayak or ocean kayak has been designed for the use of padding on open waters of lakes, bays, and the ocean. These are vessels that can be used for journeys from a few hours to a few weeks and are able to accommodate one to three paddlers.

Weekend trips with overnight camping are popular activities with recreational kayakers. Many people combine kayaking with watching a variety of wildlife including whales, Blue Heron, and Bald Eagles.