Kayaking up close and personal

Exploring the waters of Midcoast Maine

The blades alternately slice through the water and reemerge, before pushing forward and cutting into the surface once again. This methodic movement continues, as the paddle, the water, the craft and the paddler act as one fluid machine.

By Kelly Michaud, Editor

The forward strokes give life to the craft, letting it navigate through the water, leaving only a small trail of current in its wake. It is not only a skillful sport, but for those with experience, this is art — this is kayaking.

Kayaks were originally designed from wood and seal skin by the Aleut and Inuit tribes of Greenland for transport and for hunting. Centuries later, their popularity has exploded and kayaks have evolved into beautiful pieces of wooden craftsmanship and into the more common composite and plastic recreational vessels of today.

Quite often the idea of kayaking brings visions of sportsmen strapped in the vessels, navigating rapids, performing Eskimo rolls and cutting through treacherous stretches of river. But that is whitewater kayaking. Whitewater kayaks are used for swift water such as rivers and are short and designed to turn quickly, so the kayaker can maneuver.

On the opposite end of the spectrum are Open-Top kayaks, which do not have a cockpit to sit inside. These leisurely vessels are more commonly used for surfing ocean waves.

And in the middle is perhaps the most popular type of kayaking — sea kayaking. These types of kayaks are also known as touring kayaks or open water kayaks. They are longer than whitewater kayaks and are designed for paddling in large bodies of open water, like the ocean or a bay. These are effective in paddling through waves and move straight forward efficiently but do not turn as easily as whitewater kayaks.

In Midcoast Maine, opportunities to learn to sea kayak abound, as well as do spots to explore by kayak. It has become a sport that people like Scott Anchors of Old Town, Maine, has fallen in love with.

Anchors is vice president of The Maine Association of Sea Kayak Guides and Instructors and has worked as a Registered Maine Kayak Guide in his free time for seven years; he has kayaked for 13.

“What I find most enjoyable is the ability to go places that are just so exciting and adventuresome,” Anchors said. “You see things you can’t see in a sailboat — you can explore islands, see wildlife and go somewhere new while adding in some physical exertion, mixed with the salt air — life doesn’t get any better than that.”

I figured it was about time to find out for myself and give this sport a try.* * * * *

In order to learn to kayak correctly and not get frustrated, lost or harm myself, I went on a tour and also took a Level 1 kayaking class, both through Maine Sport Outfitters in Rockport. The first day of kayaking I jumped right in with the Harbor to Harbor Kayak tour. Our tour, like all offered through the company, was led by a Registered Maine Kayak Guide. He led six of us 4.1 nautical miles from Camden harbor to Rockport harbor.

The thought of going that distance when I had never had any formal kayak training seemed overwhelming, but I was told the others on the trip were beginners and the tour would be geared toward our abilities.

Before leaving shore, our guide, Glenn Montgomery of Belfast, explained paddling basics to the group, told us we needed to stay together and explained the purpose of certain gear. He also said that he’d handle any emergencies but added that capsizing on these trips is quite uncommon. He was right, at least for this type of tour.

Once Montgomery had helped us all into our kayaks, he took us past the boat traffic in Camden harbor, explaining how to get across the channel, marked by red and green markers, and made sure we steered out of the way of any boats.

The Harbor to Harbor tour usually leaves from Rockport, then stops at Curtis Island for lunch and finishes up the trip in Camden. Because of the direction of the wind, we left from Camden and had lunch in Rockport harbor.

As we paddled down the coast, the sun’s intensity increased, and I found myself splashing my arms with the sea water, trying to cool down. Soon my arms had traces of salt all over them.

The tour lasted about three hours and every minute of it was beautiful. Looking at the coastline was a treat, especially when you’re on a vessel that doesn’t have a motor and is as peaceful as nature is. Some of the homes visible from the water took my breath away — they were absolutely magnificent. As we continued, we passed lobstermen and women hard at work, hauling traps. A variety of birds visited us as they flew overhead and then landed nearby to rest in the cool water. When we reached Rockport I was surprised at how quickly the time had passed and was beginning to fall in love with kayaking.

But it wasn’t until the following week when I spent a entire day capsizing, learning self-rescue, group rescue and different strokes, that I learned what sea kayaking is all about. And I realized I still have so much to learn.

“Kayaking is a good life-long sport,” said Stephen Leavin, our Registered Maine Kayak Guide for the day. “You can always learn more and this is just the tip of the iceberg. You’ll get a good sense of what things are about.”

Our day started with a lesson of the all the different parts of the kayak and the gear on board and what everything does. Then we headed over to Maine Sport’s pond and each picked up a paddle. After learning the different parts of the paddle and mimicking different strokes through the air, we were fitted for our kayaks. Leavin told us that the biggest fear people usually have is capsizing so we were going to get that out of the way first.

I was nervous. But we went through the steps of how to release our spray skirt (the piece of equipment that is meant to keep water out of the kayak) and how to push yourself out of the kayak when you’re upside down. When I finally did it for the first time, it wasn’t that bad; actually it was quite easy.

Each maneuver we learned we built up to. And we did not learn another technique until all six of us in the group had mastered the previous one.

Once we had all performed a paddle-float self rescue it was time to learn how to help rescue someone in your group.

Leavin looked at me and said, “Kelly, capsize.”

I looked at him and smiled. Yeah right, like I’m going to be the only one flipping over while you all relax and have a good laugh.

Well I didn’t have too much choice in the matter (which honestly was fine with me) and I worked with our guide to demonstrate the T-Rescue.

I was amazed at how well our group worked together and had fun. As the day became hotter, we had water fights, spraying each other with our bilge pumps, which are “supposed” to be used to remove water from inside the kayak.

And by mid-afternoon, when we left the pond to try out our skills on the ocean, I had affectionately been dubbed “The Black Widow” by my classmates and our instructor. Even if I was 20 feet away doing my own thing and someone capsized, I was the culprit. I had caused it to happen. Sure, that’s probable. But it was all in good fun and made the learning process that much more enjoyable.

Kayaking quickly became something I could see myself learning more about to spend time exploring what the Midcoast waters have to offer.

Before you run out and invest money in outfitting yourself with kayaking gear, make sure this sport is right for you. If you’ve never kayaked before, it’s better not to rent one and try to learn on your own. Take a guided harbor tour or if time allows, take a half or full-day course. You’ll learn the skills correctly the first time and will have a more enjoyable and safer experience.

And make sure if you are going to buy a kayak, buy one that best suits your needs.

Old Town Canoe in Old Town, Maine offers these descriptions of kayaks to potential buyers so they will be able to make a better decision about purchasing a kayak:

Sit - On - Tops kayaks are designed with fun in mind. They are easy to paddle, comfortable, and very stable. You can get in from shore or climb on top in the water. These kayaks are perfect for playing in the surf at the beach, or enjoying the sun at the lake.

General Recreation kayaks are user friendly kayaks for those who just want to get out on the water. They are stable and easy to maneuver and are ideal for quiet water paddling on lakes, ponds and class I rivers.

Recreational Touring vessels are versatile and efficient. These kayaks offer good stability, improved tracking and efficiency over general recreational kayaks. The large open cockpits permit easy entry and exit, as well as allow you to stretch your legs and stow your gear. They are a great choice for sportsmen as well as an enjoyable way to get the family on the water.

Day Touring kayaks are designed to efficiently cover greater distances and carry large amounts of gear. More technical than recreational kayaks, their decreased initial stability and maneuverability allows for increased secondary stability and speed. This sleek class of kayak fits the needs of kayak campers, those taking longer day trips, and paddling large bodies of water and carry large amounts of gear.

Once you have bought or rented a kayak, you don’t have to travel too far to use it. There is no better place than Maine.

“I think sometimes those of us in Maine underestimate the adventures right around the corner,” Anchors said. “There are plenty of opportunities for adventures in Maine. I don’t think some of us local folks realize how cool it is. You don’t need to leave Maine in the summer — that’s the last thing I want to do.”

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Kayaking up close and personal Exploring the waters of Midcoast Maine The blades alternately slice through the water and reemerge, before pushing forward and cutting into the surface once again. This methodic movement continues, as the paddle, the water, the craft and the paddler act as one fluid machine. By Kelly Michaud, Editor The forward strokes give life to the craft, letting it navigate through the water, leaving only a small trail of current in its wake. It is not only a skillful sport, but for those with experience, this is art — this is kayaking. Kayaks were originally designed from wood and seal skin by the Aleut and Inuit tribes of Greenland for transport and for hunting. Centuries later, their popularity has exploded and kayaks have evolved into beautiful pieces of wooden craftsmanship and into the more common composite and plastic recreational vessels of today. Quite often the idea of kayaking brings visions of sportsmen strapped in the vessels, navigating rapids, performing Eskimo rolls and cutting through treacherous stretches of river. But that is whitewater kayaking. Whitewater kayaks are used for swift water such as rivers and are short and designed to turn quickly, so the kayaker can maneuver. On the opposite end of the spectrum are Open-Top kayaks, which do not have a cockpit to sit inside. These leisurely vessels are more commonly used for surfing ocean waves. And in the middle is perhaps the most popular type of kayaking — sea kayaking. These types of kayaks are also known as touring kayaks or open water kayaks. They are longer than whitewater kayaks and are designed for paddling in large bodies of open water, like the ocean or a bay. These are effective in paddling through waves and move straight forward efficiently but do not turn as easily as whitewater kayaks. In Midcoast Maine, opportunities to learn to sea kayak abound, as well as do spots to explore by kayak. It has become a sport that people like Scott Anchors of Old Town, Maine, has fallen in love with. Anchors is vice president of The Maine Association of Sea Kayak Guides and Instructors and has worked as a Registered Maine Kayak Guide in his free time for seven years; he has kayaked for 13. “What I find most enjoyable is the ability to go places that are just so exciting and adventuresome,” Anchors said. “You see things you can’t see in a sailboat — you can explore islands, see wildlife and go somewhere new while adding in some physical exertion, mixed with the salt air — life doesn’t get any better than that.” I figured it was about time to find out for myself and give this sport a try.* * * * * In order to learn to kayak correctly and not get frustrated, lost or harm myself, I went on a tour and also took a Level 1 kayaking class, both through Maine Sport Outfitters in Rockport. The first day of kayaking I jumped right in with the Harbor to Harbor Kayak tour. Our tour, like all offered through the company, was led by a Registered Maine Kayak Guide. He led six of us 4.1 nautical miles from Camden harbor to Rockport harbor. The thought of going that distance when I had never had any formal kayak training seemed overwhelming, but I was told the others on the trip were beginners and the tour would be geared toward our abilities. Before leaving shore, our guide, Glenn Montgomery of Belfast, explained paddling basics to the group, told us we needed to stay together and explained the purpose of certain gear. He also said that he’d handle any emergencies but added that capsizing on these trips is quite uncommon. He was right, at least for this type of tour. Once Montgomery had helped us all into our kayaks, he took us past the boat traffic in Camden harbor, explaining how to get across the channel, marked by red and green markers, and made sure we steered out of the way of any boats. The Harbor to Harbor tour usually leaves from Rockport, then stops at Curtis Island for lunch and finishes up the trip in Camden. Because of the direction of the wind, we left from Camden and had lunch in Rockport harbor. As we paddled down the coast, the sun’s intensity increased, and I found myself splashing my arms with the sea water, trying to cool down. Soon my arms had traces of salt all over them. The tour lasted about three hours and every minute of it was beautiful. Looking at the coastline was a treat, especially when you’re on a vessel that doesn’t have a motor and is as peaceful as nature is. Some of the homes visible from the water took my breath away — they were absolutely magnificent. As we continued, we passed lobstermen and women hard at work, hauling traps. A variety of birds visited us as they flew overhead and then landed nearby to rest in the cool water. When we reached Rockport I was surprised at how quickly the time had passed and was beginning to fall in love with kayaking. But it wasn’t until the following week when I spent a entire day capsizing, learning self-rescue, group rescue and different strokes, that I learned what sea kayaking is all about. And I realized I still have so much to learn. “Kayaking is a good life-long sport,” said Stephen Leavin, our Registered Maine Kayak Guide for the day. “You can always learn more and this is just the tip of the iceberg. You’ll get a good sense of what things are about.” Our day started with a lesson of the all the different parts of the kayak and the gear on board and what everything does. Then we headed over to Maine Sport’s pond and each picked up a paddle. After learning the different parts of the paddle and mimicking different strokes through the air, we were fitted for our kayaks. Leavin told us that the biggest fear people usually have is capsizing so we were going to get that out of the way first. I was nervous. But we went through the steps of how to release our spray skirt (the piece of equipment that is meant to keep water out of the kayak) and how to push yourself out of the kayak when you’re upside down. When I finally did it for the first time, it wasn’t that bad; actually it was quite easy. Each maneuver we learned we built up to. And we did not learn another technique until all six of us in the group had mastered the previous one. Once we had all performed a paddle-float self rescue it was time to learn how to help rescue someone in your group. Leavin looked at me and said, “Kelly, capsize.” I looked at him and smiled. Yeah right, like I’m going to be the only one flipping over while you all relax and have a good laugh. Well I didn’t have too much choice in the matter (which honestly was fine with me) and I worked with our guide to demonstrate the T-Rescue. I was amazed at how well our group worked together and had fun. As the day became hotter, we had water fights, spraying each other with our bilge pumps, which are “supposed” to be used to remove water from inside the kayak. And by mid-afternoon, when we left the pond to try out our skills on the ocean, I had affectionately been dubbed “The Black Widow” by my classmates and our instructor. Even if I was 20 feet away doing my own thing and someone capsized, I was the culprit. I had caused it to happen. Sure, that’s probable. But it was all in good fun and made the learning process that much more enjoyable. Kayaking quickly became something I could see myself learning more about to spend time exploring what the Midcoast waters have to offer. Before you run out and invest money in outfitting yourself with kayaking gear, make sure this sport is right for you. If you’ve never kayaked before, it’s better not to rent one and try to learn on your own. Take a guided harbor tour or if time allows, take a half or full-day course. You’ll learn the skills correctly the first time and will have a more enjoyable and safer experience. And make sure if you are going to buy a kayak, buy one that best suits your needs. Old Town Canoe in Old Town, Maine offers these descriptions of kayaks to potential buyers so they will be able to make a better decision about purchasing a kayak: Sit - On - Tops kayaks are designed with fun in mind. They are easy to paddle, comfortable, and very stable. You can get in from shore or climb on top in the water. These kayaks are perfect for playing in the surf at the beach, or enjoying the sun at the lake. General Recreation kayaks are user friendly kayaks for those who just want to get out on the water. They are stable and easy to maneuver and are ideal for quiet water paddling on lakes, ponds and class I rivers. Recreational Touring vessels are versatile and efficient. These kayaks offer good stability, improved tracking and efficiency over general recreational kayaks. The large open cockpits permit easy entry and exit, as well as allow you to stretch your legs and stow your gear. They are a great choice for sportsmen as well as an enjoyable way to get the family on the water. Day Touring kayaks are designed to efficiently cover greater distances and carry large amounts of gear. More technical than recreational kayaks, their decreased initial stability and maneuverability allows for increased secondary stability and speed. This sleek class of kayak fits the needs of kayak campers, those taking longer day trips, and paddling large bodies of water and carry large amounts of gear. Once you have bought or rented a kayak, you don’t have to travel too far to use it. There is no better place than Maine. “I think sometimes those of us in Maine underestimate the adventures right around the corner,” Anchors said. “There are plenty of opportunities for adventures in Maine. I don’t think some of us local folks realize how cool it is. You don’t need to leave Maine in the summer — that’s the last thing I want to do.” KAYAKING THE MIDCOAST: Up close and persnonal •Gear list • Float plan •Kayak rentals TALK OF THE TOWN: Lincoln County • Waldo County • Knox County • OUT AND ABOUT• MOVIE REVIEWS
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