| Aardvark's Adventures in Kayak Land December 2007 /January 2008 2nd Edition |
| Group Paddles |
| December 5th Wednesday Sunset on Kings Bay and Paddler's Social INFO December 9th Sunday Lake Rousseau Beginner December 16th Sunday Paddling Trail North End Advanced Intermediate (Open Water) December 23rd Sunday Bennett's Creek Intermediate Beginner January 6th Sunday Cancelled January 20th Sunday Gum Slough Intermediate (Lonnnnnnng Trip!) January 24th Thursday Sunset on King's Bay and Paddler's Social (Full Moon Rise 8:26 pm) INFO January 28th Monday Submarine Springs Advanced Intermediate |
| Group paddles are Aardvark's time to socialize and paddle with both old and new friends. Skill levels vary so the trips are typically not very strenuous unless so noted (Advanced). Join us at no charge if you have your own boat. Need a rental? We'll bring one for you at base rental rates. ($35 single/$45 tandem). We now require that you pre-pay for rentals. Sign up early. You can always cancel out and that way you are in the loop from the beginning. If you decide you don't want to go at the last minute, just let us know so we don't wait on you. Don't expect an immediate response when you sign up. The e-mails go into a bin and a message is generated, usually the Friday before the trip. |
Interactive Trip Selector is now located here: Group Paddle Trips 1. Make sure to fill
in the contact info box with an e-mail address so that we can contact you with trip details.
2. Check the boxes next to the trips that interest you.
3. When everything is filled in hit the Send Button.
I have to ask that you please sign up through the webform using a valid e-mail
address and please check the waiver. In order to keep these trips free, I have to
keep it as simple as possible.
in the contact info box with an e-mail address so that we can contact you with trip details.
2. Check the boxes next to the trips that interest you.
3. When everything is filled in hit the Send Button.
I have to ask that you please sign up through the webform using a valid e-mail
address and please check the waiver. In order to keep these trips free, I have to
keep it as simple as possible.
Paddling Tips
You may need a new free version of Adobe Acrobat Reader to view this File. Get it here.
How to Pick the Right Kayak
Finding the right balance of performance is the key.
To maximize your paddling experience, you'll need to choose the best kayak for your needs. Many people find this
intimidating. First you must decide what "best" means, and then find a kayak that delivers it. This is a very personal
decision. Said simply, the ideal kayak for you is the one that performs well in the way(s) you need most.
A good kayak can have many virtues, or performance aspects, but not all in high measure. You often must sacrifice some
virtues in order to gain others.
The main aspects of performance are efficiency, tracking, maneuvering, capacity, and stability. To decide which kayak is
best for you, you must rank the importance of the performance aspects before you begin to look at different models. When
you begin looking, you will find more kayaks than you ever imagined, but they can be grouped into categories that, while not
always strict, will help you find the kayak best suited to you. You can usually tell what category a kayak is in by its size,
shape, and features. Finding the right category and style eliminates the kayaks that won't serve you as well, so you can
concentrate on a few that are close matches to your needs.
Recreational Touring
Recreational kayaks are perfect for small lakes and slow rivers where nimble handling wins over speed and load carrying
capacity. Recreational kayaks are designed for first time paddlers to experience the magic of kayaking and for more
seasoned outdoor enthusiasts who like to combine their on water pleasures with other pursuits such as bird watching,
fishing and photography. These kayaks are stable, maneuverable, user friendly and have easy entry cockpits that fit almost
anybody comfortably.
Transitional
These don't fit neatly in the recreational or touring category -- they have elements from both -- and have their own appeal.
They favor stability on calm waters and easy turning over speed. And while their cockpits are narrower, they are still quite
roomy for easy access. But like touring models, they have an upturned bow to help cut through and deflect waves should
rough conditions arise. They also may include thigh braces for more efficient paddling and control.
Touring
This is a large category, and the majority of paddlers will be well served by a design that falls within it. These kayaks are
designed to handle the wide variety of conditions they may encounter, and for efficient paddling. They are longer and
narrower than recreational and transitional designs for fast efficient travel and have more capacity for gear.
Specialty
Designed for highly specific uses, these designs are less versatile but are ideal for paddlers with specialized needs.
A good "fit" improves performance and comfort.
When choosing a kayak, a common reminder you'll hear is "you don't sit in a kayak, you wear it." Larger people will benefit
from a wider and deeper kayak with a roomier cockpit. Smaller paddlers should gravitate towards a more narrow, shallow
kayak.
Here is a check lit that we have put together to assist you in your quest for the perfect kayak.
You may need a new free version of Adobe Acrobat Reader to view this File. Get it here.
How to Pick the Right Kayak
Finding the right balance of performance is the key.
To maximize your paddling experience, you'll need to choose the best kayak for your needs. Many people find this
intimidating. First you must decide what "best" means, and then find a kayak that delivers it. This is a very personal
decision. Said simply, the ideal kayak for you is the one that performs well in the way(s) you need most.
A good kayak can have many virtues, or performance aspects, but not all in high measure. You often must sacrifice some
virtues in order to gain others.
The main aspects of performance are efficiency, tracking, maneuvering, capacity, and stability. To decide which kayak is
best for you, you must rank the importance of the performance aspects before you begin to look at different models. When
you begin looking, you will find more kayaks than you ever imagined, but they can be grouped into categories that, while not
always strict, will help you find the kayak best suited to you. You can usually tell what category a kayak is in by its size,
shape, and features. Finding the right category and style eliminates the kayaks that won't serve you as well, so you can
concentrate on a few that are close matches to your needs.
Recreational Touring
Recreational kayaks are perfect for small lakes and slow rivers where nimble handling wins over speed and load carrying
capacity. Recreational kayaks are designed for first time paddlers to experience the magic of kayaking and for more
seasoned outdoor enthusiasts who like to combine their on water pleasures with other pursuits such as bird watching,
fishing and photography. These kayaks are stable, maneuverable, user friendly and have easy entry cockpits that fit almost
anybody comfortably.
Transitional
These don't fit neatly in the recreational or touring category -- they have elements from both -- and have their own appeal.
They favor stability on calm waters and easy turning over speed. And while their cockpits are narrower, they are still quite
roomy for easy access. But like touring models, they have an upturned bow to help cut through and deflect waves should
rough conditions arise. They also may include thigh braces for more efficient paddling and control.
Touring
This is a large category, and the majority of paddlers will be well served by a design that falls within it. These kayaks are
designed to handle the wide variety of conditions they may encounter, and for efficient paddling. They are longer and
narrower than recreational and transitional designs for fast efficient travel and have more capacity for gear.
Specialty
Designed for highly specific uses, these designs are less versatile but are ideal for paddlers with specialized needs.
A good "fit" improves performance and comfort.
When choosing a kayak, a common reminder you'll hear is "you don't sit in a kayak, you wear it." Larger people will benefit
from a wider and deeper kayak with a roomier cockpit. Smaller paddlers should gravitate towards a more narrow, shallow
kayak.
Here is a check lit that we have put together to assist you in your quest for the perfect kayak.
| That's all for now folks. See You on the Water Aardvark's |
| Copyright ©2003 Aardvark's Florida Kayak Company All Rights Reserved |
| Upcoming Events Call Matt or Sue for details at 352-795-5650 |
The Environment
It's manatee season so it's more manatees. Several of the local fondle a manatee tour groups have put up a website
blasting Save the Manatee Club for not supporting their swim programs. They have erroneously (and apparently
intentionally) claimed that Save the Manatee Club's "stated goal" is to put an end to their swim programs. Here is SMC's
stated position: SMC Tips for Divers and Swimmers.
The issue is more about the level of physical interaction that occurs during the swim programs. Wild animals that
approach humans for any reason, whether it's a chunk of lettuce, water, or to be petted are not exhibiting behavior
typical of wild animals and it is not in their best interests in the long run. The responsible tour operator should know this
and acknowledge it as a core principle. Here's a website that talks about this issue: Manatee Protection.com
Please fill out the online poll. Since this Newsletter came out in late November we've heard from quite a few folks who
feel like we do so we've formed a group that we've named Citizen Advocates and Ecotour Operators for Wild Manatees.
We now have partners from as far away as Belize (the Friends of Swallow Cay)and as diverse as the Nail Lounge Salon
in Columbus Ohio. Midway Animal Hospital and the Jacksonville Zoo have signed on as well as a single dive operator
(Fun2Dive) Check out CEOs for Wild Manatees and take the pledge.
Good News for Manatees!
Wildlife Commission Defers Status Change and
Requests Review of State Classification System
On December 5th, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) deferred the manatee’s status change
from Endangered to Threatened. They also directed their staff to undertake a review of the flawed state classification
system for ALL imperiled species. Read the full Article here.
It's manatee season so it's more manatees. Several of the local fondle a manatee tour groups have put up a website
blasting Save the Manatee Club for not supporting their swim programs. They have erroneously (and apparently
intentionally) claimed that Save the Manatee Club's "stated goal" is to put an end to their swim programs. Here is SMC's
stated position: SMC Tips for Divers and Swimmers.
The issue is more about the level of physical interaction that occurs during the swim programs. Wild animals that
approach humans for any reason, whether it's a chunk of lettuce, water, or to be petted are not exhibiting behavior
typical of wild animals and it is not in their best interests in the long run. The responsible tour operator should know this
and acknowledge it as a core principle. Here's a website that talks about this issue: Manatee Protection.com
Please fill out the online poll. Since this Newsletter came out in late November we've heard from quite a few folks who
feel like we do so we've formed a group that we've named Citizen Advocates and Ecotour Operators for Wild Manatees.
We now have partners from as far away as Belize (the Friends of Swallow Cay)and as diverse as the Nail Lounge Salon
in Columbus Ohio. Midway Animal Hospital and the Jacksonville Zoo have signed on as well as a single dive operator
(Fun2Dive) Check out CEOs for Wild Manatees and take the pledge.
Good News for Manatees!
Wildlife Commission Defers Status Change and
Requests Review of State Classification System
On December 5th, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) deferred the manatee’s status change
from Endangered to Threatened. They also directed their staff to undertake a review of the flawed state classification
system for ALL imperiled species. Read the full Article here.
| Take an online boating safety course for free and get a certification for $10. Click here to Start |
RACKandROLL KD Trailer........$1,999.00 (MSRP)
Transport your gear in comfort and style with the RACKandROLL KD.
Never again will you hurt yourself or your car’s finish by lifting heavy
objects onto your roof. Connecting, moving, and storing the KD is a
breeze because of its lightweight, yet strong aluminum construction. Best
of all, it looks great behind any car, truck, or SUV. Go with
RACKandROLL and put your roof rack behind you.
The RACKandROLL Personal Gear Trailer features custom alloy wheels,
high performance shocks (for loads up to 250 lbs), and includes 65"
THULE®-Style square Loadbars. Our Loadbars and Towers are
compatible with Thule, Yakima, Malone and other roof rack products.
The standard tongue provided can carry a single canoe or kayak up to
16 ft in length or two 15 ft kayaks. Add a stacker and carry more.
Transport your gear in comfort and style with the RACKandROLL KD.
Never again will you hurt yourself or your car’s finish by lifting heavy
objects onto your roof. Connecting, moving, and storing the KD is a
breeze because of its lightweight, yet strong aluminum construction. Best
of all, it looks great behind any car, truck, or SUV. Go with
RACKandROLL and put your roof rack behind you.
The RACKandROLL Personal Gear Trailer features custom alloy wheels,
high performance shocks (for loads up to 250 lbs), and includes 65"
THULE®-Style square Loadbars. Our Loadbars and Towers are
compatible with Thule, Yakima, Malone and other roof rack products.
The standard tongue provided can carry a single canoe or kayak up to
16 ft in length or two 15 ft kayaks. Add a stacker and carry more.
The Florida Circumnavigational Trail Association (FCTA) is forming as a support organization for th Florida
Saltwater Circumnavigation Trail. To check out the trail click here. To volunteer click here.
Saltwater Circumnavigation Trail. To check out the trail click here. To volunteer click here.
| LASH LOCK Strap your boat to your car rack and lock it down in one easy step. Just loop the cable over the boat and under the crossbars. The end of the cable snaps into the lock, which then swings closed, tightening the cable securely around your boat.Unlocks with a three-digit combination that you choose. Includes lock, 13' cable, and instructions. |
SWIFT GRAPHITE
PADDLES
Available Now
Available Now
Available 01/2008
PADDLES
Available Now
Available Now
Available 01/2008
Shop News
Lots of news as we ring out the old and bring in the new year.
NEW PRODUCTS click on the links for more info
Current Designs
Kitsilano TCS Construction Just Right at 15' 3"
Vision Series 130, 140, and 150 Starting at 33 lbs
Kestrel 160 Hybrid Composite at 49 lbs
Hurricane Kayaks
Tampico 140S
Tampico 140L
The 2008 Swift Paddles should be arriving at any time. There is a whole new assortment of fabric available.
Lots of news as we ring out the old and bring in the new year.
- The Upcoming Paddle with a Purpose is Thursday January 24th We've decided to switch back to later in the month
to try to coincide with the full moon. Moonrise on 1/24/08 will be at 8:26 pm and it'll be 2 days after a full moon. Sign
Up Here
- Aardvark's will be organizing The 2008 Manatee Festival Poker Run on Kings Bay. The event will take place
Sunday January 13th. Information and Registration is here:
- Aardvark's is now offering kayak tours focused on Birding.
- The backwaters of Lake Rousseau and the grass flats of St. Martins Marsh Aquatic Preserve provide some of the
best birding opportunities on the Nature Coast. For more information go here:
NEW PRODUCTS click on the links for more info
Current Designs
Kitsilano TCS Construction Just Right at 15' 3"
Vision Series 130, 140, and 150 Starting at 33 lbs
Kestrel 160 Hybrid Composite at 49 lbs
Hurricane Kayaks
Tampico 140S
Tampico 140L
The 2008 Swift Paddles should be arriving at any time. There is a whole new assortment of fabric available.
| 2008 Manatee Festival Poker Run January 13th 2008 |
