Kayaking in Asia

I returned to set up rafting trips with a small company on a great 3-4 class river trip taking two days and camping out in a purpose built fishing hut for the night. I first kayaked this river in a perception 3-D and loved it, great forests great rapids with about 18 grade 3 and 4 rapids over the two days with each rapid followed by a long stretch of flat water where you can recover if things go wrong.

The trip starts about two and a half hours from the capital Vientiane which border Thailand, or 30 minutes from Vang Vieng, a backpackers retreat.

From the main road you cross through a restricted area into Xaysomboun which used to be a Secret CIA base in the Vietnam War. Driving two hours up the mountain we cross to the put-in-point. From here we say goodbye to roads and civilization, only coming across two or three fisherman over the next two days. You can kayak or raft down the river to our hut where we spend the night in sleeping bags under mosquito nets, which is all stored at location which means we only take food and gear on the trip.

On the second day you continue down through several grade 4 rapids which can all be scouted and portaged if you don’t think you’re up to it with relative ease. After the last grade 4 rapid we arrived at the Nam Ngum Lake formed by damming the river in the early 70s. At the lake we will have a fishing boat waiting to take us back to the nearest road this trip takes about two hours. Of course there is beer and food waiting on the boat.

This is the main commercial trip run by Paddle Adventures for kayakers or rafters. There is also the Mekong fault line on the border between Cambodia and Laos which has given rise to a long line of numerous runable and unrunable waterfalls and rapids for the daring – this is some of the best water in the world. These trips should be booked in advance as are not run on a daily basis. Contact paddle_adventures@hotmail.com or [http://www.paddle-adventures.com] for more courses and trips.

You might have wondered what exactly is Whitewater Rafting? Basically it is the use of a raft whilst navigating a river or lake, and is probably best explored on rough water for the thrill of the ride! Whitewater rafting is a challenging water sport, which requires experience and skill on the water, so please take due care, and maybe do plenty of research about the area before you venture into challenging waters.

The following are our top 10 Places to enjoy the sport in the USA…

1. Rafting on the Colorado River. In the Grand Canyon area, you can certainly capture the beauty of the river as you travel down it. Here you can raft a total of over 200km in six days. The divine beauty of the Grand Canyon is something to savour, with walls and waterfalls that are just waiting to be explored. Find out more about Colorado River Rafting.

2. Whitewater Rafting in West Virginia. This area of West Virginia at the Summersville Dam and Lake is a magical place for rafting. The summertime sees the river water flows touching great levels to make the falls even more pronounced. In fact, the fall and spring are just as exciting when rafting, as the dam ejects water from the bottom of the lake all year round.

3. The Great Rivers of Montana. Springtime is possibly the best time to raft the Flathead River. You can enjoy the sheer thrill of the rapids of “Bone Crusher” and “Jaws”! The top middle fork of the Flathead River is not for the faint hearted with some challenging drops and jumps!

4. Rafting in Idaho is best enjoyed along the Middle Fork of the Salmon River. You can enjoy the power of the 100 rapids in the beautifully scenic area. The River actually drops a total of 3,000 feet through the hugely impressive River of No Return!

5. Rafting on the Rogue River. The Rogue River in Oregon is one of the most impressive rivers in the USA, and is a huge favourite of whitewater rafting enthusiasts. Rogue River Rafting offers a wonderful adventure vacation, combining beautiful scenery, fresh breeze winds, fantastic wildlife viewing and rolling waters!

6. Rafting on the Chattooga River. The Chattooga River has its source in the Whitesides Mountain of North Carolina and runs to the southwest to create the border between South Carolina and Georgia. It is an impressive location for rafting, with sheer rapids and wild and wonderful scenery. Spring and early summer are the best times to raft the river, when the water table is much higher!

7. Durango Rafting Colorado. Rafting in spring is wonderful on the Animas River. You can savour the aesthetic beauty along the River of Lost Souls. You will learn all about Colorado’s mining past as you float along the rivers, with ruins from the mining industry prominent along the riverbanks.

8. California Whitewater Rafting. Whitewater Rafting in California can be enjoyed on the Kings, Merced, Tuolumne, and American Rivers, which are all located near Yosemite, the Kings Canyon National Park and Lake Tahoe.

9. Whitewater Rafting in Alaska is best enjoyed at the Alsek and Tatshenshini Rivers. The sheer size of the waters, the natural beauty of the area, and the remote nature of the area make for a thrilling rafting experience. You can also enjoy challenging rafting on the Yukon River.

10. Whitewater Rafting in Washington. One of the best places to enjoy rafting in Washington is on the Skykomish River where you will be guaranteed action and adventure! The Skykomish River will take you on an astonishing journey of breathtaking drops and series of rapids, and the famed “Boulder Drop” is not for the faint hearted!

Having a hobby is a great way to relax and enjoy your free time. It takes your mind off of the troubles of the day and gives you the opportunity to have something that you will be proud to show off. Did you know that putting together a model boat is considered to be one of the greatest hobbies around? One reason for this is because a model boat is a beautiful creation that is adored by many. In fact, some of these models can even be sold for a pretty good price.

There are all types of model boat kits available for your enjoyment. Some of the most popular ones are the wooden model kits. These can produce some beautiful boats that catch the attention of everyone that sees them. Many of these boats are used for display only. What this means is that they are built to simply set up on a shelf and show off.

You can get model boat kits that are designed for all types of skill levels. Some of these are very easy and most anyone can put them together. Others are very complicated and will require a lot of skill. These are the main ones that are used for show. Sometimes these may take a long period of time to put together and a lot of patients, but the end results are worth the time and effort that you put into them.

Some of the models that are available are yachts. These are considered a luxury boat and some of them require a great amount of skill. Steam powered model boats and radio controlled boats are also available. Basically any type of model that you are looking for can be found. There are some special tools that are needed to put together a model boat. These can be found in your local craft store or if you prefer you can order these from special online stores. In fact, there are several online stores that can also provide you with any type of model boat kit that you desire. Buying from online can provide you with a larger selection than you can find anywhere else.

The internet is also a great place to get tips and ideas on how to put these models together. Some of these sites can give you information on the different levels of difficulty. Many of the sites that sell model boats will also provide you with special tips for some of their products if you need extra help. Model boats are a great way to spend your free time. It is nothing more thrilling than to set back and look at the beautiful boat that you created. It is a great feeling that you can’t get from any place else.

Perhaps the most important aspect of sailing that a skipper or helmsman can learn is how to balance the boat. It’s not something that a beginner can do because it involves a pretty high level of understanding of the mechanics of sailing – with a large amount of instinct thrown in.

A properly balanced boat will handle conditions better than one which is fighting with itself. Before I tell you how to achieve a balanced boat, let me give you an example.

Many years ago I delivered a former Admiral’s Cup boat from Perth in Western Australia to Sydney, on the east coast. We’d had a fair adventure because we’d lost our mast deep in the Southern Ocean and had to go to the only available port, where we stayed a month to install and tune a new mast.

By the time we arrived in Sydney we knew the relationship of that mast and the boat intimately. So as we came down Sydney harbour the crew and I had a bit of fun. We got the boat so that it would sail a reasonably straight line without anybody on the helm and then made it clear to any boats around us by moving away from the wheel.

We saw some pretty startled faces as the boat sailed itself steadily down the harbour.

So how do you do this? Firstly you have to have the right conditions – as we did – of a wind steady both in strength and direction. The water surface should be almost flat. You can’t play this trick in any sort of a seaway. You must have a traveller system which is quick and easy to use.

Given those conditions you will need to have great rapport between the mainsheet hand on the traveller and whoever is at the wheel while the balancing takes place. When the hand sees that the steerer is having to apply more rudder to counteract the tendency of the boat to round up, he or she has to ease off the traveller just the right amount to correct for the extra helm. When they know each other’s skills and the boat’s reactions, they will reach an average where the wheel can be locked and the traveller fixed in position.

Then, without further interference, the boat will sail itself. When an extra puff of breeze tends to increase the weather helm and start to round the boat up, the ‘average’ rudder applied will bring it back on course provided the extra gust hasn’t been too strong.

Do not make the mistake of also adjusting the headsail. The only effect of that is to increase the number of variables affecting the course and make it more difficult for the boat to sail. Trimmers will be pleased to know that that’s why they’re needed when racing.

Finally, don’t think that balancing a boat applies only to racing. A cruising boat will sail far more efficiently if it is balanced and will be more comfortable, particularly when using an autopilot.

Balance is also important off the wind but I wouldn’t recommend trying to sail without steering in those cases. Also don’t forget that all the safety rules still apply.

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!

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!

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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!

In Nepal there are hundreds of rafting companies littering the streets of Thamel and Pokhara, but how know which company and more importantly which guide to go with? Once you are on the water, your guide is the most important part of the package so it’s not a decision you want to make lightly and often cheapest isn’t always the best, especially when it comes to your safety.

While being a raft guide can be a lot of fun there’s a lot more to it than dosing around on a beach, shouting the occasional command down the raft and keeping the clients entertained. To be a good and safe raft guide can take years of experience, and even then it can still be unpredictable as the rivers are different every time you run them. When choosing who to go rafting with make sure that you have a chat with the people taking you down the river. Find out what qualifications they have, where they have worked and how long the have been rafting. As their river experience is the most valuable asset you will have once on the river.

In Nepal, the qualifications to look for are WRT (whitewater rescue technician), SRT and of course First Aid and CPR (and make sure they carry a decent medical kit). Although qualifications are of course important, you can’t put a price on local river knowledge and the experience the guides have running these rivers. Many of the guides in Nepal have grown up alongside these rivers so have in depth knowledge of them.

Your guide will basically be your new best friend on the trip! They will be responsible for getting you to the river, getting the raft sorted out, giving you safety instructions, teaching you to raft (if beginners), getting you down the river in a fun and safe way, getting the camp and food sorted and generally keeping you entertained (and alive!) over the course of your trip. So it is very important that you chose a guide that you trust.

Also, make sure the company you book with have safety kayakers, no matter which river you run or how experienced you are it is always a good idea to have them there as a back up. Ask the company what their safety to raft ratio is. It is also a good idea to ask a few questions about the equipment you will be using, for instance how new is the raft? Are they self-bailing? What transport will we be using? Do I need to rent any additional equipment for the trip, e.g. sleeping bags? At least with all these covered you should be pretty safe.

Recently there has been a big push in Nepal to get local women into rafting and kayaking. Ask your agency whether they hire women as this is a great way to promote equal rights in Nepal and is giving women throughout the country a great push to get out there and it adventure sports ago.

Generally when you meet with these companies you will get a feel whether you can trust them or not. The best way to choose a company is to get a recommendation from someone who has just been rafting. But most importantly make sure you are comfortable with who you choose and hopefully you’ll end up having one of the best experiences of your life!

GRG’s is a rafting company based in Thamel, Nepal and makes it their policy only to use experienced raft guides, male or female and has safety kayakers on all of their trips. (in fact their motto is ‘safety first!’). For more information have a look at their website on http://www.grgadventurekayaking.com or to meet the guides before you book a trip please feel free to email on info@grgadventurekayaking.com or drop by the office for some chiya!

If you’re interested in sailing in the UK at all, you’ve probably heard of the RYA or Royal Yachting Association. Founded in 1875 as the Yacht Racing Association, the name was changed in 1953 to better reflect the number of watersports that they govern, from sailing and windsurfing to personal watercraft, powerboat and sports boat racing.

In addition to governing these water sports, the RYA offers educational courses. The sailing courses are many and varied.

They offer courses in windsurfing and personal watercraft, for example. Sailing courses include small boat sailing, sail cruising, powerboating and motorcruising. (Powerboats are powerful boats used for speed, for towing waterboarders and waterskiiers. Motorcruising is a term for boats that are built to cruise long distances, not meant for speed alone).

Courses for day skipper are offered. What is a day skipper, you ask? Contrary to the name, it is a person qualified to skipper a craft day or night. Such skippers are familiar with the tides, have docking and navigation skills, and are familiar with all safety guidelines and regulations.

The courses also include an Inland Waterways helmsman’s course, which enables people not only to cruise through the inland waterways of the UK, but also the lakes, rivers and canals of Europe as well…which is an excellent way of getting up close and personal with the areas one is visiting.

All types of watersports are fun, but piloting sailboats and powered craft are also extremely complex, requiring a lot of knowledge, and the place to gain that knowledge is the RYA, and the RYA courses which are designed to teach their students everything they need to know to be a safe and competent sailor.