Novice Kayakers Get Expedition Ready

What do you do when you want to go to some wild, desolate place in your kayak but don't have the skills to do so? That was our problem soon after we got our first kayaks. So began our quest to gain the knowledge, skills, and equipment to become comfortable and confident on the water.

In the spring of 2002, Pat and I decided we should take a kayak tour in the San Juan Islands to see what kayaking was all about. Being the skeptical, frugal one, I thought it was sort of expensive to jump into a boat and take a five-mile, three-hour journey that didn't really go anywhere. My frugality was further wounded when I found out that we couldn't wear our jeans and cotton sweatshirts! Oh well, we could probably use the polypro clothes for something. Turns out, it was a fun day and the scenery was superb! After two more guided tours, the die was cast. We had to have boats of our own. Frugality was thrown out the window. The journey had begun.

Our first contact with the paddling community was Island Outfitters in Anacortes, Washington, where we tried out new boats. Remember that local merchants can provide a wealth of information. Since their business survival depends on their customers having a positive kayak experience, they are usually more than willing to help you learn and stay safe. Ask lots of questions. These merchants can usually supply information on local paddling destinations and conditions. They can supply your equipment needs and also put you in touch with local paddling clubs. Many offer classes where you can gain basic paddling skills to get you started right. This is where we took our first class and then bought our boats the next day.

Our next contact was the local paddling club. As beginners we needed to go out on the water, but didn't feel that we knew enough to venture out on our own. While we were at the local bookstore buying books on kayaking, a friend noticed the titles and said that she was a kayaker and invited us to the next local paddling club meeting. We went and joined. This was a good move. Not only did we meet some very nice new friends, but we also were able to go on club-sponsored paddling trips with more experienced paddlers. In addition to trips, the club sponsors paddling clinics and has regularly scheduled speakers at meetings.

We joined two other kayaking clubs in the area so we could expand our contacts and access. We have found that club members are always willing to help beginners and keep safety in mind. Our advice is to get involved with a club because it can be a very rewarding experience.

So, we were on our way. For the next two years we paddled a lot (even in the winter, you can do that with drysuits) and absorbed all the knowledge we could. We took classes, received advice from friends, got involved with the clubs, and did some overnight camping trips.

In 2004 we were invited to do a 10-day camping trip to the Broken Group Islands in British Columbia with some good friends and very experienced paddlers. We jumped at the chance. This trip was wonderful and it whetted our appetite for more adventurous undertakings.

The same group began planning a trip to Haida Gwaii (also known as the Queen Charlotte Islands) in June 2005. For many years we have had an interest in Northwest art and the culture of the First Nations people. Here was a chance to see the country that spawned some of that art and the now-abandoned villages, complete with the original totem poles, of the Haida Nation. It was a big undertaking. There were ferry schedules to consider, permits to be secured, shuttles to be arranged, food to be dehydrated, and equipment to be packed. We were to be self-sufficient, and safety was a big consideration. Gwaii Haanas (the heritage park we were to explore) is largely uninhabited and radio contact is spotty. We took a course in wilderness medicine to help prepare ourselves.