Kayaking in Asia

The afternoon started with light winds at around 8 knots. We glided across the lake in our Islander Bahama 30 with full main and genoa out. Headsail cars were adjusted 3/4 of the way out to maximize drive. The Mainsheet Traveler was at centerline with mainsail trimmed appropriately. It was a nice afternoon for a leisurely sail.

Then around 4pm, clouds started to build and the wind piped up. We were now zipping across on a beam reach at over 7 knots with an apparent wind speed of close to 17 knots. The boat was really heeled over now with the rail kissing the swell and we were starting to get too much weather helm. A quick adjustment on the Mainsheet Traveler easing it to 1/4 of the way on the track to leeward and the boat suddenly stood back up at a more reasonable heel. The main was trimmed and at next tack we adjusted the headsail cars back to a little pass the 50% mark. We now had full control of the helm even in the occasional gust.

I see some sailors not take advantage of the use of the traveler to get better control of the boat. Some think it’s only used for racing and never touch it when just cruising. But using it to spill the wind beats reefing which is what some do to get heel and control back. Don’t get me wrong, you should reef when conditions warrant it or even prior to conditions deteriorating but by the same token, sometime only slight adjustments can make a huge difference. Occasionally, by adjusting the traveler and sailing dirty (not trimming the sails all the way where there is some luff) you can get through spurts of high wind without doing major reefing or furling in the headsail. If the wind stays consistently high with no indication of it backing off, then reefing and/or headsail adjustment may be necessary.

My point is, by utilizing a powerful adjustment on your boat, the traveler, you can in many cases gain more control and sail flatter without reducing sail. If you are one that hasn’t used the traveler much, try it. Experiment. It’s not just for racing!

A real adventure awaits you when you raft the American River in California. American River rafting is one of the best things that you can do to invigorate your life. There are many rafting outfitters available that will help put together a rafting trip for you, your family and/or your friends. This is a trip that will require some endurance and strength, but the most important thing to you need to have is an adventurous spirit!

There are three forks of the American River and they all start in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. These forks find their way to the valleys below by flowing through magnificent canyons. The rapids along the way are rated Class II, Class III and Class IV. Almost anyone can manage one or all of these classes.

The three forks of the river are called: The Middle, North and South. Whitewater is at its best in the South Fork section. Class II and Class III rafters will find the South Fork just what the doctor ordered. The Middle Fork has more difficult Class IV rapids and gives rafters quite a thrill. The North Fork can be rafted only during certain times of the year when there is a snowmelt. Otherwise, there are no rapids to run.

The best way to run the rapids is to hire a professional river outfitter. The outfitters along the American River are licensed with local, state and federal governments. Two very reputable companies are All-Outdoors California Whitewater Rafting and American River Rafting Trips. You can contact either on of these companies to find out just what trips they offer and if they are provide the trip you are looking for. If not, then go online and find other companies so that you can compare prices and services.

American River rafting is there for you to try. Just remember that anyone can do it if the desire is there. It will add additional excitement to your vacation plans and give you a chance to do something out of the ordinary. Look into your inner self – You may just discover that you’re more adventurous than you think!

Are you tired of reading books and articles about when to begin sail reefing based on specific wind speeds? If you are anything like me, this seems out of place on most small cruising or racing sailboats.

Smaller sailboats will need to reef much earlier than larger sailboats. One philosophy that makes sense goes something like this “heavy weather is a relative term…” In other words, what might be a good sailing breeze for a forty foot racing sailboat could overpower a twenty-five foot cruising sailboat.

Look to wind, water, and helm to tell you when to start reefing your sails. Follow these five indicators:

1. Look to windward

Do you see whitecaps blowing off the crests of wavelets or waves? Constant caps tell you that the wind has filled in and will continue for some time. Reefing will power up your sailboat sails to punch through the waves.

2. Feel the sailing wind

How often do those gusts strike the sails and cause the boat to heel just a bit too much. An occasional gust might not be of much concern. Several gusts every minute tell you that it’s time to reduce sail to keep the boat on her feet.

3. Work the helm

A balanced helm means being able to steer without strain with one hand. Lots of weather helm and “white-knuckled” sailboat wheels or tillers indicate a boat out of harmony. Perfect sail trim coupled with sail reduction in heavy breezes leads to a boat that can almost steer all by herself!

4. Check the rail

Each time your small cruising or racing sailboat digs the leeward rail into the water, you lose valuable speed. This creates extra friction and drag–just what you don’t need. In a cruising boat, this means longer passages. In a racing boat, that gives the advantage to your competitors. Keep the leeward rail clear of the water for blazing speed and drive.

5. Trim again and check the helm

Move the sheet leads forward on furling sails each time you take a wrap. This keeps the leech under control. Working jibs or storm jibs have higher clews and will need the sheet lead blocks pushed forward. Adjust the mainsheet traveler to give the best speed and drive. Check the feel of the helm. If you can steer by your fingertips, you’ve done things right!

********************

Follow these five easy tips to know when to put sail reefing into play. Keep your small cruising or racing sailboat balanced with reduced sail for better performance, power, speed, and drive.

Canoe and kayak rentals on the Grand River offer a huge choice of services. Today paddling on the Grand River watershed attracts over 30,000 people a year. This river system is southern Ontario’s largest watershed with 300 kilometers of paddling. A person can do a 2-3 hour day trip or a one week trip… it all depends on the time window. The river is open from April to November and offers some of the best canoeing experiences one hour west of Toronto.

The greatest feature attraction of the Grand River is the ability to drive one hour from Toronto and have a day’s wilderness experience… and still be in your own bed at night. Or if looking for an overnight weekend adventures… it is easy to fill in two days of paddling on this river.

Renting a boat to explore the Grand River is an excellent option because the day rental prices are inexpensive. All the companies on the Grand River use plastic ABS boats which are versatile, safe and almost indestructible. People can rent by the trip, which means you pay a set price to paddle a specific route on your own. Or rent a canoe/kayak by the hour or rent by the day if doing a multi-day trip.

The “trip” rentals works as follows… the customer parks their vehicle at the trip exit point and then shuttled upstream to paddle back to their vehicle. In 2007 a three hour canoe trip costs about $60 per canoe for two people with all equipment supplied, plus the upstream shuttle ride. Extra people in the canoe cost an additional $5-$10 each depending whether child or adult. Individual kayaks can be rented for around $45-$49 per person with all equipment and shuttle ride included. An important terminology used by outfitting companies for a boat day rental is called a “self-guided trip”. A self-guided trip is where you paddle the route without a guide… and is the cheapest way to go.

There are six outfitting companies offering paddling excursions in the valley and all have websites. Three of the outfitting companies specialize in self-guided canoe and kayak trips. The other three companies specialize in guided kayak, canoe or rafting trips. The three companies offering self-guided canoe/kayak trips are:

“Heritage River Canoe and Kayak” operates from Cambridge to below Brantford on the Grand River. They rent a large selection of kayaks & canoes. They have river kayaks, sea kayaks and tandem kayaks. They have 14-16ft canoes that are extra sturdy for supporting people over the 250 pound weight class. Heritage River also offers self-guided paddles on the serene Oxbow section of the Grand River. This canoe rental company offers promptness and excellent customer service. (heritageriver.com)

“Canoeing the Grand”, which operates from West Montrose/Kitchener/Paris sections of the Grand. They rent kayaks & canoes… and offer 15ft canoes that are extra sturdy for supporting people over the 250 pound weight class. They offer a good customer service and are the only ones doing canoe rentals on the northern section of the Grand River. (canoeingthegrand.com)

Another company offering rentals is “Grand Experiences” located in Paris. This company is located on the Grand River below the Paris dam. They operate from Cambridge to Brantford and offer a rental variety of canoes and kayaks. (grand-experiences.com)

There are four key things to consider when doing a self-guided trip… the weather, the paddling distance, the boat’s weight capacity and the paddling skill level.

The weather is first and forefront to consider. All the outfitting companies accept cancellation due to inclement weather. If unsure about the weather always check with the outfitter before arriving. The weather at home may not be the weather on the river. When calling the outfitter for a weather update, tell them your skill level… be honest so that they can give the best evaluation of risk for a safe paddle on the river.

Don’t get caught up with paddling maximum distance for maximum dollar. This mindset is a big mistake. Long hours on the river combined with the use of different muscles… lack of steering skills… a bright sun or an unexpected head wind create exhaustion. Many “dollar for distance” customers find themselves crawling out of their boat eager to feel the steering wheel for their homeward journey. If inexperienced or new to the river… always choose the shorter trip to enjoy the day.

Remember to ask about the boat rental weight capacity and length. If you are above 250lbs it is good to let the self-guided outfitters know your size. Most rental canoes are at the 8oo pound capacity with good seat support. Canoe lengths range from 14-16ft and length is not critical for day trips. On overnight trips the longer canoe holds more gear.

Concerning paddling skill level… the Grand River is perfect for beginners with a taste of everything… quiet pool sections, gentle swifts and navigable fast moving water. The river averages 2-3 feet in depth between West Montrose and Brantford. The Grand can be like two different rivers with fast to slow moving water above Brantford and very slow moving water below Brantford.

Self-guided day trips can vary from 3 to 7 hours. The prettiest wilderness section to paddle on the Grand River is a 3 hour trip between Glen Morris and Paris. All three companies offer this route. For a unique 6-7 hour paddle… the trip from Glen Morris to Brant Park offers the best of the Grand. Below Brantford there is a calm water section called the Oxbow… this is a relaxing 3-4 hour paddle of serenity. If new to the Grand River… why not ask the outfitter what type of water is comfortable for your paddling skills and let them recommend a trip.

The Grand River is known for its near wilderness experience and is always a pleasure to paddle… but it is the information and customer service that makes or breaks a trip.

Southern Oregon is home to the World Class Rogue River and it is known for extraordinary scenic beauty, excellent climate, and exceptional whitewater rafting. Take your family camping along the Rogue River and the memories will last a lifetime. It is really an easy task to arrange. Simply contact an Outfitter that specializes in rafting and camping and they will take care of the details from rafting gear to camping supplies. The summer months of June, July and August are outstanding for weather, water flow and warmth. Outfitters generally offer specific dates for Family Camping Trips. Select a two, three or four day trip. Once you have chosen the dates, pack your bags and your dream vacation is about to begin. It is that simple.

Family Camps often begin with a detailed orientation and safety talk. This is important especially when traveling with young children or teens. All of our kids are perfect, but sometimes having the rules and boundaries outlined by a professional makes for better communication! Orientation is a great time for kids and adults to ask questions about the trip and what to expect. You will also be fitted for a life jacket or PFD (personal flotation device) during the orientation. Safety talks often include how and when it is safe to swim in the river, what to do if you fall into the water during a rapid, protection from the sun, hydration and fighting fair. Water fights are usually part of the fun experience on the Rogue.

After the Orientation and safety talk, campers will head to the boat ramp for the first day on the water. Oared rafts, paddle rafts and inflatable kayak may be offered for the Family Camp. If you are traveling with very young children, the oared raft is a must. The guides are awesome with kids and play games with them throughout the day. The parents get to sit back, relax and enjoy the scenery. If your family has a couple of teenagers, the paddle raft may be a great opportunity for some team work. Each person paddles under the direction of a guide who is sitting in the rear of the boat. The inflatable kayak is a great choice that offers an amazing ride through the rapids. Many Outfitters will allow your family to trade back and forth between the rafts and kayaks.

Rafting on the Rogue River consists of deep, timeless canyons, exhilarating whitewater rapids and sweeping, downhill slides with nothing more than a riffle of shallow water. There are many beaches full of sand just right for little hands to create the best sand castle ever or beaches full of the perfect pebbles that lend themselves to inter-generational rock skipping contests. Then there are the shorelines with the mouth of a creek meeting the Rogue and that might just be the spot wear your family strikes it rich with a little pay dirt from gold panning!

Food provided by Outfitters along the Rogue River is notorious for both quality and quantity. Breakfast may consist of farm fresh eggs, homegrown bacon and organic vegetables served with peach cobbler or maybe a delightful stack of fluffy, fresh from the griddle blueberry pancakes to start your day. Juice, coffee, tea and campfire cocoa are also in steady supply. Lunches are packed to serve family style along the river. Usually a selection of fresh fruits, vegetables, a variety of salads, sandwiches with meats or cheese and the ever famous freshly baked cookies. Dinner time is a relaxing event. Guides are usually seen cooking up a special dish of salmon fillets, dutch oven chops, grilled burgers with all the fixings or even freshly made lasagna. Cold beverages are served throughout the day. If you have special dietary needs or preferences be sure to discuss them with your Outfitter. Late evening when stories are getting grand, s’mores are simmering over the fire and the constellations are twinkling over head, you just might want to make a wish on a falling star or two with your family.

The Rogue River Guides are some of the best story tellers around. The whole family will be spellbound by tales of miners and settlers, Hollywood film makers and legends of a time that has passed. You will learn amazing facts about the natural world of geology, flora and fauna and history of the Rogue-Siskiyou Mountain Range. Guides take care of all camp set up, cooking, and packing. You should expect your guide to be well trained and knowledgeable about river safety, navigation and great hosts of the Rogue. If you are looking for an Oregon Dream Vacation to engage all members of your family, reconnect and revitalize you from the hurried work and school schedules, Family Camping on the Rogue River will make memories that last a lifetime!