Kayak enthusiasts drawn to Martinez waters

Concord resident Serge Froloff hoisted his 58-pound yellow polyethylene plastic kayak over his shoulder and made his way to the water’s edge on Thursday afternoon.

Launching from the rocky shoreline that runs alongside the pathway to the Martinez fishing pier, Froloff said he was on his way to Benicia to pick up some candy at the See’s store on First Street. He then planned to paddle back to Martinez across the Carquinez Strait before the tide turned.

While an entrepreneur has yet to open a kayak-rental hut at the waterfront – an idea floated by numerous residents over the years – the waters surrounding Martinez are a major attraction for Bay Area kayakers.

“I like the danger,” enthused Froloff, 57, speaking of his frequent watery workouts, which take him from Martinez to all points along the Strait.

He said his first foray consisted of hugging the Martinez coastline, where the water is usually placid. As he gained confidence and skill, he ventured further and further out into the Strait. Having learned how to kayak at a school in Half Moon Bay, Froloff said the first thing he tells prospective kayakers is to take classes where they will learn necessary safety and navigating skills.

Source: Martinez News-Gazette

Aussoccer.com» Blog Archive » Kayaking With Children

by !4u550c3r

A lot of parents enjoy nothing more than spending quality time with their kids. However, sometimes families run out of activities that are interesting enough to capture the attention of both adults and children. Although there are many activities that parents can do with their kids, kayaking is popular because it encourages children to explore nature and gets them to exercise as well. Kayaking can also lead to other interests, such as wildlife photography, biology, meteorology, and other environmental interests. Kayaking is a great reason to stay outdoors all day, get wet and dirty (which kids love), and see a lot of a wildlife and scenery not normally accessible to kids.

One great thing about kayaking is the availability of rental equipment. Even the cheapest kayaks, which range from about $300 and up, may be more than a parent is willing to spend on something he or she is not sure their child will like. Luckily, there are many rental shops that are usually situated near excellent beginner kayaking spots that can rent a kayak on an hourly or daily basis. Thus, parents who want to try out the activity with their kids can simply rent a kayak for the day and not have to invest money in buying a kayak. Good kayak shops can also provide all the gear your child will need, including child sized paddles and personal flotation devices (PFDs).

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