Alaska

Places : US : Alaska

Kayaking actually originated in Alaska! See Traditional

[edit] Sea Kayaking

[edit] Katchemak Bay

One can launch a kayak from many locations along the Homer Spit, beutiful scenery and strong tide pulls, so be carefull. I learned this in my first experience in crossing Katchemak Bay starting from Homer Spit in 1978 in a Klepper Aerius II. We started at 5:30 am to avoid the wind that builds nearly every clear summer day. The weather was clear and very calm, but a thick fog bank quickly moved in. My girlfriend let out a scream somewhere at the mid point of the crossing as a Dall porpose surfaced right by our kayak. Navigating with a compass and chart in visibility of 50 to 100 feetI thought we would eventually see the island that I maintained a heading for on the south side of the bay. Fortunately the fog cleared, revealing the the island over a mile to port. My childhood Lake Michigan boating experiences left me completly unprepared to account fo the substantial tidal current this bay can produce in a crossing. Essentially, we were being swept out into Cook Inlet on the ebb tide. It was a valuable lesson for me and one that prompted reading of Kayaking Navigation, taking the CG small boating course, and becoming aware of local tidal currents and hazards before wetting a paddle.

[edit] Southeast Alaska

As anyone who has paddled in the "protected" waters of the inside passage can confirm, this is kayaking country. Numerous day and longer trips are accessable from Juneau, Sitka and many other SE communities through postcard perfect scenery. The Alaska State Ferry system accesses numerous small and mid sized ports in the region. The outer coast outside of Sitka is a wonderland of little islands, with kelp forests and sea otters. Here, you can feel the power of big swells while still being able to quickly escape behind the contours of constantly changing coastline features when whether conditions shift. Sea conditions can change quickly, and a thrilling roller coaster ride on big Gulf of Alaska swells can turn become dangerous with surprising speed. Unless your with guided or skilled paddlers, kayaking Southeast Alaskas the outer coast is a good place to have strong bracing skills, and confidence in wet exits and reentries....