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Several Questions on kayak

Author: Sarah C. (---.hsd1.ca.comcast.net)
Date: 06-29-13 02:06

We are travelling to culebra on Sep. 1st and we are planning to do two-person kayak around. I have several questions.

- Do we need to reserve for a kayak in advance? Are they running out of kayak very often?

- What is the average speed of a two-person kayak? We are just first time doing kayak.

Thanks

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Re: Several Questions on kayak

Author: Arroz (---.73.60.69.cpe.seasidehighspeed.com)
Date: 06-30-13 22:14

I don't think that Culebra is the place to start kayaking if you haven't done it before unless you plan to go with one of the groups that takes kayakers over to Luis Pena. Early this year we had to pull in two novice kayakers who had come too close to the reef and overturned. No one was seriously hurt one of the two people had scratches and burns from the coral.

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Re: Several Questions on kayak

Author: Tim S (---.cqi.psu.edu)
Date: 07-01-13 11:27

Talk with Ken at the Culebra Bike Shop....http://www.culebrabikeshop.com/. He can fix you up with a tandem kayak. Be sure to mention that you are first timers and are looking for a place to kayak safely and learn the skills and feel of the kayaks. There are places you can kayak and safely enjoy, even spending hours and hours on the water doing so. Exploring Ensenada Honda and parts of the leeward side of the island (Playa Tamarindo) come to mind, staying close to shore but navigating shoals, coral and reefs. Watch the tides, wind and weather. The tides and vary by up to 1 foot, that makes a difference in kayaks when it comes to dragging bottom on reef. It would probably be best to avoid any shallow looking stuff. Make sure you have some sturdy sandals or water shoes with good toe protection. Polarized sunglasses will help with water glare and seeing hazards under the surface. Take lots of water and some snacks for energy. We take dry bags to protect our stuff. Avoid the temptation to go far out, at least for your first several experiences. The seas get choppy out there.

Have fun and remind Ken you are novices and listen to his advice. It will make the difference between fun and not fun.

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Re: Several Questions on kayak

Author: Tim S (---.cqi.psu.edu)
Date: 07-01-13 11:51

Kayak speed? If you are trying to plan a trip and determine how far you can go in "x" amount of time, plan for 1 mph. You can go faster, 2-3 on smooth water. But things don't go as planned. Also, speed in one direction is often not the same as speed in the opposite direction, wind, surf, fatigue, etc. Since you pointed out that you are first timers, you've probably romanticized how wonderful kayaking will be. And it can be. But when romanticizing, the brain has a way of not including the confounding things that are always present and can take the shine off your experience. Take your snorkeling gear in mesh bags and secure to the kayak. Plan for stops and swimming along the way. Try not to do more than 5 miles. Maybe do even less. Go easy.

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Re: Several Questions on kayak

Author: Geronimo (---.customer.broadstripe.net)
Date: 07-07-13 11:08

we kayak there a lot and it's always different depending on wind, current, swells, other large boats, etc. The last time it was windy out of the NE so we put in at Tamarindo which had no wind but the swells were rather large. as we approached some of the beaches we would normally hit I noticed that the swells breaking there were too large and the reef was right at the surface. So you may not be able to make it to all of the nice sandy looking beaches but that is better than getting raked across the reef. Don't even worry about speed, you go slow. You'll want to go slow anyway and enjoy your surroundings. Don't forget to look for some well worn beach glass to bring home as your beach reminder.

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