Atlantic Kayak Tours

I found this website today with tons of great info on kayaking skills, boat types, and safety procedures. One of the best things I learned from them is that I do not want to put new high back seats into my kayaks. This quote is from their buying a kayak guide.

"Some kayaks are sold with a real seat, that has a real back, like a chair. It makes a boat look seductive in the showroom, but unless you can make a deal with God that you'll never, ever capsize, it's not a feature you want. A seat that sticks up higher than the cockpit rim makes it significantly harder to get back in your boat after a capsize - whether you're doing a self-rescue or getting help from someone else. If the boat of your dreams has a chair back to its seat, have the dealer replace it with a low back-band."

So instead I am considering a Velcro strap to attach the Styrofoam seat to the boat.

In other news, I have just repaired the kayak tips so they have a nice round nose on both ends. It is just another step closer to painting them. My sister and brother in law rented them for this weekend and will be taking them up to Tibble Creek Res. in American Fork canyon. It is great to finally be sending them out! Have fun guys!

Brother at Deer Creek Res.

My brother and some friends went to Deer Creek reservoir a little while ago and had a blast. They said there is an island that they kayaked out to and were able to explore. They also were able to get these great pictures. Maybe they will post something about the cool things they saw there at some point.

Need a Waterproof Phone

Went on one of the coolest kayaking trips yet on the south side of the lake yesterday. There were rolling waves probably 3+ feet high, it felt like the ocean. Unfortunately I drowned my phone in the process, but I'm back on line now with a new phone (and zero contacts.)  

East Bay

•1 mile river through reeds to the lake

•Features

–Most beautiful sunsets

–Marshland

•Open water area available without being in the lake with waves and big boats

–Bird Refuge
•Pelicans
•Loons
•Cranes
•Kingfishers
•Yellow headed Blackbirds
•Red winged Blackbirds
•Ducks
•Song birds
•Other wildlife

–Close to Provo (~20min from campus)

•Directions

–I-15 Exit 261

–Go west

–Turn RIGHT immediately onto the gravel road

–Drive until you see a boat ramp into the water.

–There are two boat ramps, the first is the one I like the best.

Provo River/ Utah Lake State Park

•Down river to the lake (~1/2 mile)

•Up river as far as you want

•Features

–Close to Provo (~15min from campus)

–Options for scenery (river or lake)

–Shade

–Ducks, geese, song birds and the occasional muskrat

•Directions:

–Go west on Center Street (Provo).

–Right after you cross over the river pull off onto the gravel. This is just before the Utah Lake State Park toll gate.

–Put in at the river below.

–Go down stream and under the bridge to get to the lake.

–Go up stream to enjoy the river.

Palmyra

•Open water marsh-maze along the south bank of Utah Lake

•Features

–Direct lake access

–Bird refuge

–Marsh mazes

•Close to Spanish Fork (~30min from campus)

•Directions

–I-15 Exit 260

–Go 4 mi west on HW 77 (400 South in Springville)

–Sharp right turn onto dirt road, 2750 W.

–Follow road 1.4 miles north until you see the lake.

Welcome

This blog is for posting pictures and stories of kayaking adventures on Utah Lake, the Provo River, and anywhere else my home-made kayaks have been. If you have any good stories or pretty pictures from your adventures please send them to me and I would be glad to post them here.