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Frequently
Asked Questions
Table
of contents:
What kind of shape do I have to be
in?
What kind of clothes should I wear?
How did you get your name
Carolina Mike?
What happens if it rains or the weather doesn't cooperate?
How long are the trips?
How old do you have to be?
What is Kayak 4 Fitness?
Do I have to have prior lessons to kayak on the
trips?
How
much do your trips cost?
Do you
offer Kayaking Classes?
How
many different strokes do you need to know to start out kayaking?
I
canoe is that the same as Kayaking?
What kind
of shape do I have to be in?
Most
kayaking trips are geared for the beginner paddler. You don't have
to be in great physical shape to have fun on our
trips. Average shape and above is recommended though. Our
trips are labeled beginner,
intermediate or advanced. We offer kayak classes
to improve your
paddling and confidence on the water if you feel your not up to shape.
Kayaking is not about strength, but it is very much about technique.
Some one with below average fitness, but with good technique can enjoy
this sport immensely and actually improve their shape as this is a low
aerobic activity. We offer
Kayaking 4 Fitness to get you in shape our maintain your current
shape..
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What Kind of clothes should I wear?
Swimsuit, shorts or water
shorts, breathable shirts, cotton shirt is actually the worst thing to
wear, because when it gets wet it stays wet, but it will do in a
pinch. Sandals or water shoes, appropriate sun protection for
your head a 360 degree hat is best, because is covers all around your
head.
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How did you get your name Carolina Mike?
Before I worked for Bill Jacksons I
would paddle on all of their kayaking trips with my first kayak which was
a Perception, Carolina. Darry Jackson, who led those trips started
getting to know me cause I was always around and their were usually
several Mikes on the trips, so he started calling me Carolina Mike to make
it easier to identify me. A few years later I was hired by Bill Jacksons and
they introduced me to the overall staff as Carolina Mike, well it
stuck and everyone on the trips I guided eventually called me Carolina Mike
I guess because it was easier for them to
remember.
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What happens if it rains or the weather doesn't cooperate?
If it ends up raining on a trip we
will access the danger level at the put-in and if we can visibly see lighting we will
most likely call the trip right there and reschedule the trip. It is
the guides prerogative to cancel a trip based on weather, water conditions for the safety of the group.
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How long are the trips?
Most trips are geared for beginner
paddlers and are 5-10 miles depending on location and waterway. A
few specialty trips are less than 3 miles. (Sangria
Sunset Paddles) we will label the trip level before you come out. We also offer kayaking
classes for beginners - advanced.
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How old do you have to be?
Age is limitless I have paddled with
folks in their eighties and have personally taught an 88 year old Sun City
resident how to kayak in my Basic Sea Kayaking Class.
On the other
end kids 12 years or older are recommended. The trips normally
encompass ages 20-65 years, but are not limited to those ages. If we
narrow the ages down further young minded 30-50 yrs professionals usually
come out and paddle.
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What is Kayak 4 Fitness?
Kayak 4 Fitness is a
low impact exercise program we do on the waters of Tampa Bay geared to get
your heart rate in your target zone. Our kayakers use this as a
suppliment to their other work out regime or as their primary way of
working out.
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Do I have to have prior lessons to kayak on the trips?
You do not need to have prior lessons
and most trips are geared to the beginner paddler, however it will help
you tremendously to take a basic sea kayaking
class as you will learn much and have fun doing it. A lesson
will help you to conserve energy and gain confidence on the water.
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How
much do your trips cost?
Most trips cost $45/person to rent a kayak for a half day trip with a
guide Multi day trips
will vary in cost because of the camping costs and food costs. We
often hire a cook on these camping trips to Ginnie Springs
and the
Florida Keys to make the trip feel laidback where you don't have
to worry about cooking after paddling. Some trips are FREE! if you have
your own kayak and there is no food or drink involved on our part, but
usually there is a small cost for the guide.
Specialty trips usually have food and spirits and sometimes an event
T-Shirt (Sangria Sunset Paddles or
Coporate and Team Building trips)
involved so those will
have an added price to them whether your renting or if you bring your own kayak.
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Do
you offer Kayaking Classes?
We offer Basic
Sea Kayaking, Intermediate Seakayaking, Rescues or Recovery Techniques, Eskimo Roll
Classes. Most classes are group oriented with the exception of
a Private Class and Semi Private Class. See Kayak
Instruction for info and prices on classes.
How
many different strokes do you need to know to start out kayaking?
Kayaking
requires only one basic stroke to get started, however to paddle safely
there are three strokes. The most fundamental paddle stroke is the Power
Stroke or Forward Stroke which is used
to propel the kayak forward. This stroke is used best when twisting the
torso or torso rotation. The
Forward Sweep is used
to maneuver the
kayak right or left while still mantaining a forward momentum.
The Low Brace is used
to keep the kayak upright in rough conditions, ie broaching waves or loss
of balance while paddling. Some other useful strokes are the Draw
Stroke, Scull and Draw, Stern Rudder and High Brace or
even the Eskimo
Roll. It
is recommended that you learn rescue techniques
in addition to the paddle strokes to fully enjoy the wonderful sport of
kayaking. We offer ACA kayaking Instruction
at your convenience.
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I canoe is that the same
as Kayaking?
Kayaking and Canoeing
are two different paddle sports. Canoeing you use a one bladed
paddle and forward stroke on either side. Canoeing uses the
Stern Rudder to maneuver. The Stern Rudder is the only common stroke
between the sports. Kayaking uses many more strokes and the paddler
sits on or under the water thus having a lower center of gravity.
Kayaking uses torso rotation to produce a powerful stroke and many other
refining strokes to propel and steer and brace your kayak on the
water. We offer ACA kayaking Instruction
at your convenience.
|
St. Petersburg, FL 33704, mobile 727-235-1959
email: birdygbf@tampabay.rr.com