Kayak Shelters: Camp Minima Review

Rich    Kayaking Gear, kayakingholidays     Camp Minima Tent, kayaking gear, kayaking holidays, Kayaking Trips, review

I’ve tried a few kayak shelters but recently got my hands on a Camp minima tent to review and use when I’m on the water, and I’m quite impressed!

Camp Minima: Technical but tight tunnel design

With aluminium poles that are about half the standard length, the tent packs down to an almost unbelievable size. And weighing in at just under 1.5Kg, it’s ideal for kayaking, but also for mountain walking and cycling.

It’s a double-hooped tunnel-type tent, with hoops at each end and pegged out around the outside with aluminium pegs. Its mesh flysheet inner ensures breathability and helps it dry easily.

So let’s check out the details

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Long Distance Kayaking: Packing Tips for Beginners

Rich    'How To' Guides, kayakingholidays     kayaking gear, kayaking holidays, Kayaking Trips, Long Distance Kayaking

There’s several types of long distance kayaking: Long distance races, expeditions, marathons and overnight trips – all need a level of preparedness beyond that of your afternoon paddle.

Overnight kayaking trip in Glacier Bay. Image: Flickr/ Alaskan Dude

In long distance kayaking there are so many variations to the way you might pack, so here I’ll cover the highlights for you, including the overnight trip.

For most people the overnight trip will be the longest they take, and gear is similar – you just won’t need as much!

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Essential gear for winter kayaking: Pack to Paddle

Rich    Kayaking Gear, kayakingholidays     Kayaking, Kayaking Adventures, kayaking gear, kayaking holidays, Kayaking Trips, Winter kayaking, Winter Kayaking Adventures

When kayaking or canoeing in the winter there are several factors that need to be taken into consideration when planning your paddling trips and some essential gear to pack.

Wear the right gear and pack spare warm gear for winter kayaking. Image: Flickr/ s.schmitz

Winter kayaking means colder water temperatures and shorter daylight hours; you need to plan carefully and think of back-up plans if things go wrong, and put these in place before setting out.

You need warm gear whilst paddling in the winter and extra clothes in drybags to get changed into when you return. These will help keep you warm when you stop, and are vital if you get soaked and need to change.

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Kayaking through the microclimates of Gran Canaria

Guest    Kayaking Holiday Ideas, kayakingholidays     Canary Islands, canoeing, Canoeing holidays, Gran Canaria, Kayak, Kayaking, kayaking holidays

Now that autumn has taken its cold hold in England, there are lots of cheap holidays to be had in the still warm climates of Europe. Holidays in Spain and particularly holidays to Gran Canaria are a superb option for those looking for a quick but exotic watersports getaway.

The jagged coast of Gran Canaria Flickr/Rafael Tovar

This sensational island is packed full of activities and stunning scenery, making it a brilliant choice for kayaking enthusiasts and families alike.

What makes Gran Canaria particularly extraordinary as a kayaking destination is that the island has a rich variety of microclimates.

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Sea Kayaking in Thailand: Paddling in Paradise

Tom Sykes    kayakingholidays     Ang Thong National Marine Park, Best Sea Kayaking Destination, Kayaking, kayaking holidays, Koh Nangyuan, Koh Samui, Koh Samui Villa Rentals, Koh Tao, Phuket, Phuket Villa Rentals, sea kayaking, Sea Kayaking in Thailand, thailand, Villa Rentals

Thailand is renowned the world over for its party scene, Buddhist monuments, mouthwatering cuisine and empyrean beaches.

Breathtaking beaches in Phuket. Image: Flickr/ plusgood

It’s less renowned – and this is an injustice – for its excellent sea kayaking opportunities, especially around the paradise islands of Koh Samui and Phuket.

Sea Kayaking in Thailand you can explore enigmatic lagoons and mysterious tunnels, marine parks and 75-million-year-old caves fashioned from coral reefs – truly a different world.

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Greenland Rolling and using a Greenland Paddle

Rich    'How To' Guides, kayakingholidays     canoeing, cedar kayak, custom kayak, Greenland, greenland kayak, greenland paddle, greenland paddling, greenland roll, greenland rolling, Kayak, Kayaking, kayaking holidays, wooden kayak

At the moment if you look up or search for anything online to do with kayaking you are bound to come across some reference to ‘Greenland rolling’, paddling or paddles.

Using a Greenland Paddle

This is in no way what so ever a bad thing. The paddling techniques involved in using a Greenland paddle are hundreds of years old, they work and were nearly lost due to the thinking that the spoon or elliptical paddle blade on a long stick was a better idea.

I personally love the Greenland method of paddling and have undertaken courses with certain instructors to try and increase my understanding and skill.

And here’s a video demonstration of  Greenland rolling and some clever ways you can right yourself – one involves using a walrus…

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Try Sea Kayaking in Dublin

Jeff    kayakingholidays     Best Sea Kayaking in Britain, cheap hotels in Dublin, Dublin, Kayaking, kayaking holidays, Kayaking in Dublin, Kayaking in Ireland, sea kayaking, Surf Kayaking

While much of Dublin can be enjoyed on dry land – the castle, the parks, the bars, and the stadium, travelers would be forfeiting a significant amount of the city’s charm by not taking to the water. Besides the River Liffey, which splits Dublin into two distinct regions, the Irish Sea is as much a part of the town as is Guinness, Grafton Street, and Croke Park.

The best sea kayaking in Great Britain. Image: Flickr/ s.schmitz

The Irish affinity for the sea translates into a growing culture of sea kayaking in Dublin. The many caves, rock arches, beaches, and abundance of seals and birds give the sport an incredible backdrop here.

Several kayaking businesses based out of Dublin offer tours of the coastline and the deeper sea. These excursions can be geared for beginners, families, and more advanced kayakers.

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