History Of Kayaking

It’s hard to deny that kayaking is a fun way to spend a sunny afternoon out on the water, but have you ever wondered how kayaking came to be? In this post, we give a brief overview of the history and evolution of the kayak.

Photo from npmbshop on Zazzle.

Though no one knows the exact date of birth of the kayak, historians are generally in agreement that kayaks were invented around the year 1000 by the Inuit and Aleut tribes of arctic North America. The first kayaks were made from animal skin (typically seal) stretched over driftwood or whalebone frames. The skin was generally rubbed in some kind of animal fat, especially at the seams, to make it waterproof and seal bladders filled with air and attached to the boats aided in buoyancy. We at Folbot follow this same technique of wrapping skin (or, in our case, fabric infused with the polymer Elvaloy for advanced durability and toughness) around a frame. Our material is puncture and abrasion resistant and can withstand years of hard use, while still allowing you to feel at one with the water, as you can actually feel the movement of the water through the skin.

Kayaks were originally created to serve as hunting vessels, and in the Inuit language, the word “kayak” means “hunter’s boat.” While there have been many modifications made to construction materials, and other various comforts, the basic sea kayak shape and design principals have remained relatively unchanged from original Inuit designs.  Here’s a side-by-side comparison of the Inuit model vs our modern Folbot design.

Inuit Kayak Photo courtesy of Travis S. via Flickr

In the early to mid-1800’s, the kayak was introduced into Europe, and German and French men soon began kayaking down rivers for recreation and adapting and modifying kayaks to be faster and more durable for long treks. Canoe and Kayak clubs began popping up around Europe, and in 1866, the Royal Canoe Club held its first regatta.

In 1933, in London England, Jack Kissner founded the folding kayak company Folbot (hey, that’s us!) and differentiated himself as manufacturing sturdy and stable folding kayaks. In fact, the first circumnavigation of the UK in a folding kayak was done in a Folbot.

In many parts of the world, canoes and kayaks are still used as a necessity, rather than a form of recreation, aiding in hunting, fishing, farming, transportation, and religious rituals. Today’s kayaks come in different shapes, sizes, materials, and colors and there are thousands of different accessories that are available, depending on your needs.

Every time you launch your kayak out into the water, you’re continuing a tradition over 5000 years old. Times may change and who knows how kayaks will change in the future, but one thing is certain: kayaking is a great way to be one with the water, get a great workout, and discover the wonders of the natural world around you. It’s our humble opinion that the skin-on-frame style of kayak is the best kind of boat for paddling, and we at Folbot are happy to continue improving upon this centuries-old tradition.

Picking The Perfect Paddle

Once you’ve got your Folbot all ready for a great day of paddling, you want to make sure you have the right paddle to go along with it.  Picking a paddle is too often an afterthought for many people but having the right paddle is an integral part of enjoying your time on the water.  When recreational kayaking, you can make as many as 40 strokes per minute; if you have a heavy or uncomfortable paddle, the extra weight and discomfort can become magnified pretty quickly!  Imagine planning the perfect day or trip on the water, only to be exhausted 20 minutes into your adventure because it feels like you are paddling your boat with a big piece of lumber.

Like kayaks, paddles come in many different shapes and sizes depending on what you’ll be using them for. In our opinion, Werner makes the best paddles and in this post, we’ll make it simple for you to find the perfect paddle so you can get out and enjoy your time on the water. Once you’ve gotten your paddle, read our “Recreational Kayaking For Beginners” post to help you get started.

Step One: Choose A Shaft Length

• A general rule of thumb to determine the right length is to lift the paddle up in the air and rest the center on your head. Position your hands on the shaft so that your elbows are bent at about a 90-degree angle. Your hands should be about 4 inches from the blades.
• Another general guideline is based on the type of kayak you have. Touring kayak paddles are generally about 240cm in length or 220cm for surfing kayaks
• Height and boat width are also important variables to consider. Taller people or people with wider boats generally need longer kayak paddles (240cm or more) to avoid strain while paddling. Shorter people or people with narrower boats can choose shorter paddles of about 200-220cm. Average size people can choose paddles in the middle range, 220-240cm.
• Also think about the type of paddling or trip you’re going to be taking. If you’re planning an extended, more relaxed trip, a longer paddle requires less effort, which helps you preserve your energy for a longer trek.

Source: Werner Paddles

Step Two: Choosing The Right Material

• Paddles can be made from many different materials. The most common paddle materials are wood, fiberglass, carbon, plastic, aluminum, and Kevlar. The material you choose will determine the weight, durability, and price of your paddle.
• Wood paddles tend to be a bit heavier, depending on the style. They can also be less durable than other materials and require more upkeep to retain appearance. Wood does retain heat better than other materials and can help keep hands warm in colder temperatures. Wood paddles are best for recreational kayaking.
• Fiberglass paddles are lightweight, durable, and virtually maintenance-free. Fiberglass paddles are usually in the middle range of pricing and are a popular choice for sea, recreational, and whitewater kayaking.
• Carbon Fiber, or graphite paddles are typically the lightest-weight paddles available. They tend to be more expensive and less durable than fiberglass paddles. They come in handy especially if you’re paddling long hours or multi-day trips.
• Aluminum/Plastic paddles tend to be the best choice for beginners as they are extremely durable and inexpensive. They do tend to be heavier than other paddles, and can be quite chilly in colder temperatures.
• Kevlar paddles are good for beginner and intermediate paddlers looking for a strong, durable paddle. Kevlar paddles are designed for river paddling and are not made for high performance.
• As a beginner, the best thing to do is to choose a paddle based on price rather than performance until you’re comfortable on the water.

Photo Courtesy of Let Ideas Compete on Flickr

Step Three: Choosing A Blade Shape
(We think that blade shape is one of the most important factors in choosing a paddle, so make sure you read this section carefully)

• Blades are either feathered or nonfeathered. Nonfeathered blades are positioned to be parallel to each other while feathered blades are rotated at an angle to each other. Feathering reduces wind resistance so that while one blade strokes through the water, the other slices through the air. Blades are feathered so that one hand (typically the right) maintains control of the paddle. Control is a matter of personal preference and is not actually dependent on whether you are left- or right-handed.
• Blades are also either symmetrical or asymmetrical. Symmetrical blades can pull you through the water quickly, but require more energy per stroke. Asymmetrical blades are narrower and can help you paddle more accurately and efficiently, which uses less energy. If you’re a recreational paddler, or plan on paddling for extended periods of time, you will typically want to opt for asymmetrical blades.  However, if you have a very upright paddling stroke, a symmetrical blade may be more suitable.
• Blades are either flat, cupped/spooned, or dihedral. Flat blades are good for beginners just learning to kayak, but there isn’t as much “grip” in the water. Cupped blades are curved, similar to a spoon, and are more stable in the water, allowing you to paddle more accurately. Dihedral blades have a built-in angle, much like the wings on an airplane, which helps water flow smoothly and evenly over both halves of the blade. Most blades are a combination of dihedral and cupped shapes.
• Larger blades are better for surfing and paddling that requires quick, powerful bursts of acceleration. Smaller blades are better for conserving energy over a long period of time.

Source: Werner Paddles

There are no real hard and fast rules for picking a kayak paddle, since there are so many variables to consider. The best thing to do is to try one out.  You can find our full selection of paddles on our website by clicking here.

2012 London Olympics: Canoe Sprint

The Summer Olympics as a whole is a very interesting concept. It brings the world together for 16 days every four years, people from different cultures, speaking different languages all tuned in to the same thing. Though they’re cheering for different countries and events, it’s still a shared experience that everyone in the world can relate to. I remember being in 7^th grade, getting up early and lining the streets outside my middle school with my classmates, watching as the Olympic torch ran through my hometown, continuing its journey around the world. Even if you’re not a sports-lover, you can’t help but get excited by the Olympics. We here at Folbot are extremely excited, especially for two events: the Canoe Slalom and the Canoe Sprint.

Image courtesy of MichaelKuhn_pics via Flickr

At Folbot, we make awesome flatwater kayaks, which are great for lots of different types of outings. One thing they would not be great for, however, is competing in the Olympics (especially the whitewater slalom event). But just because we’re not going to see our boats competing, doesn’t mean we’re not still super pumped to watch the competition itself. Some people train their entire lives to be in the Olympics. That requires a level of dedication and commitment the likes of which I’ve never really known, but which I can admire and respect wholeheartedly. There are so many emotions, so much beauty, athleticism, passion, dedication, and sacrifice; it’s hard not to be compelled and moved when watching these athletes’ dreams come true (or not).

Image from http://www.nbcolympics.com/

The Canoe Sprint begins August 6^th with the men’s kayak single heats, and ends August 11^th with the men’s kayak doubles finals. The canoe sprint has been on the official Olympic program since 1936, making its debut at the Berlin summer Olympics. This year is a bit special, however, since it is the first time that women will have two individual events in sprint canoeing at the Olympics. This year, there are 158 men and 88 women competing, with each country allowed one boat per each race.  The races range from 200-1000m long, and vary from single races to teams of four. Team USA is represented by Tim Hornsby, who is competing in the 200m men’s kayak single, and Carrie Johnson, who is competing in both the 200m and 500m women’s kayak single.

Image from http://www.london2012.com/

The canoe sprint differs from the slalom race in that it is conducted on still water, rather than whitewater. There are 8 lanes that will be in use at the Eton Dorney Rowing Center, and 12 different events. It’s a straight head-to-head race, such as any other, with the fastest finishers being declared the winners, assuming they did nothing to get disqualified. Athletes can be disqualified for the following: causing two false starts, competing with an illegal boat, capsizing before the bow crosses the finish line, or leaving the four-meter central area of their nine-meter lane. In canoe events, athletes kneel in the boat and use single-bladed paddles; in the kayak event, athletes sit in the boat and use double-bladed paddles. The boats in the Sprint differ from the boats used in the Slalom, as they are long and streamlined to allow smoother movement through the still water.

Each event will consist of heats, semifinals, B finals (except in Kayak Four and events with fewer than 11 entires), and A finals. A finals are the medal races and B finals determine place from 9^th-16^th. The top boats compete in the center lanes. The number of heats and semifinals depends on the number of boats competing.

Image from http://www.london2012.com/

In Beijing in 2008, Germany led the Canoe Sprint with 7 total medals, followed by Hungary with 4, and Belarus with 3. The US didn’t place at all. But this year could be our year!

So who’s tuning in for the races? What country are you rooting for? No matter the country, the Sprint is bound to be an exciting race!

“A finer Folbot trip couldn’t be had”

That’s how Steve Cosner, Folbot Ambassador, described his trip to Thousand Island Lake in an email to us.  After reading about his trip, we’d be hard pressed to disagree.

Thousand Island Lake is a large alpine lake within the boundaries of the Ansel Adams Wilderness of the Sierra National Forest and Inyo National Forest and is located in eastern Madera County, California.  The lake was formed by a retreating glacier and gets its name from all of the rocky islands that dot its surface.

In 2007, Steve took a camping trip to Thousand Island Lake and was greeted with a beautiful view of the water as you can see in the picture below.

A View to Inspire…a Folbot Kayaking Trip!

I’m sure it took one look for him to decide what he had to do, plan a return trip to the area so that he could bring his Folbot Greenland II and do some kayaking in the lake. It took him close to four years to return, but Steve finally made his dream a reality last August.  He planned and completed a wonderful kayaking trip to Thousand Island Lake.

Steve’s story is below but you can also check it out by clicking here.

“I built a kayak from a Folbot kit when I was a teenager and had lots of fun using it. Then ten years ago, I bought a foldable version from the same company, the two-seater Greenland II … it sure expands the options on trips.” – We can all agree about that Steve!

“So early this spring, a friend was asking about a backpacking trip to Thousand Island Lake, so I called the Reds Meadow Pack Station. They assured me they could pack my boat in a bag to Thousand Island Lake, so I signed on. I wanted to take my wife and daughter in, too, but they couldn’t hike the ten miles, so we reserved three horses as well.

So August rolled in, and off we went. We spent two nights in Mammoth to acclimate, then showed up at the Agnew Meadows pack station with what seemed like a huge amount of gear. The packers had four mules ready to go, but one got the day off. All the gear — three kayaks, two bear-proof pack boxes, and camping gear for seven fit onto three mules!

Here’s 20-year-old Rick, with the longer boat bags.” – These long frames carry the frames for the large cockpit boats like the Greenland II

No roof racks on a mule!

“It took several hours to get the mules loaded and the horses lined up. We got a late start, but the trail was beautiful — more flowers than I’d seen on any other trail. We took the “High Trail” into Thousand Island Lake.

Fred and the mules

Water break — Charlee did well riding all the way. It took four hours.

Once we arrived at the lake, there was much work setting up our camp and building the kayaks. Here’s my reward…

Charlee and I enjoyed a quiet paddle each evening, exploring islands and the view.

On the second day, the three of us paddled out, along with Jenny in a single-seat kayak, going to the west end of the lake.

Enough Room for the Whole Family!

Great looking pair!

Here’s Marek and David. David joined the trip when I posted plans on the Folbot Forum. That’s Banner Peak in the background. Three of us climbed it on the third day.

The more the merrier!

Here’s a view of Thousand Island Lake from the summit of Banner Peak.

Well worth the hike

On the morning of the fourth day, I went out for a paddle to take pictures.

What a view!

View from the tent

Everyone wants to get out on that water!

Group picture

A good looking bunch! And the Folbots are nice too!

The altitude and sun exposure was the roughest part of the trip. It took two nights at Mammoth, and two more at the lake before I felt completely normal. Marek had to bail on the Banner peak climb half way up due to AMS — he had less than 60 hours at altitude, and it wasn’t enough. We didn’t cover every inch of my daughter’s exposed skin, so she got some burn, and we should have taken sunglasses for her. Her eyes were ok, but bloodshot after we returned. My wife had swollen hands and feet after returning home! Oh, and riding a horse… for this backpacker, it isn’t much fun. On the way out, I opted to lead my horse for a quarter of the distance. Turns out I could walk at the same speed as the horses; but eating their dust wasn’t much fun. Better than screaming feet and knees, though.

This trip was truly a memorable experience, well worth the planning and expense. The good times, the fun with friends, paddling on one of the prettiest places in the Sierra… What a trip!

All my pictures are here: Thousand Island Lake Kayaking trip 2011“

Thanks for sharing Steve!  We know your story will inspire other paddlers to take that trip they’ve always been dreaming about!

Stay tuned for more stories, pictures and anecdotes from other Folbot Ambassadors.

Happy Paddling!

Recreational Kayaking For Beginners

Here at Folbot, we think kayaking is a great way to spend time outdoors, get a low-impact workout, and explore the natural world around you. For a beginner, learning to kayak might seem like a daunting task, but it’s actually much easier to master than you might think. Your first step is to decide what kind of kayak is right for you. Kayaks are built differently for different tasks—fishing, recreation, touring, expedition, etc—so make sure the kind of kayak you buy is appropriate for the type of outings you want to take. If you’re not sure, visit our website, or call us, and we can help point you in the right direction. We offer two great recreational kayaks, the Citibot and the Gremlin, but you can certainly use any of our other boats for a fine time out on the water.

Kayaking is great for the whole family and even the little ones get excited about their Folbot!

What To Bring

1. Make sure you always wear a Personal Flotation Device (aka PFD or life vest) anytime you’re out on the water. Safety should always be your number one priority.
2. You want to make sure you stay hydrated, so bring plenty of water. We recommend a BPA-free refillable bottle that seals securely. Opt for one with a carabineer so you can attach it directly to your kayak. If you’re planning on being out on the water for a while, try filling a wide-mouth water bottle (like a Nalgene) with trail mix, crackers, or other snacks so you don’t have to cut your trip short due to hunger.
3. If you have equipment you need to bring with you that you don’t want getting wet, such as a camera, car keys, medication, etc., we recommend using a dry bag to keep your belongings nice and dry during your trek. Make sure it’s attached to the boat in some way so that it doesn’t float off if you flip over.
4. If you’re going to be out in the sun for a while, make sure you apply sunscreen at regular intervals to avoid getting burned. We also suggest wearing a hat to avoid burning the top of your head.
5. To avoid squinting all day from the glare of the sun off of the water, bring a good pair of sunglasses with you. Use a croakie to prevent losing your glasses in case you get flipped over.
6. Check the weather before you go and dress accordingly. We recommend dressing in layers so as to be prepared for any weather condition. Make sure that you’re wearing lightweight clothing you can swim in, in case you end up in the water. Also, keep a dry change of clothes in your car. You’re probably going to get a little wet while out on the water (whether you mean to or not), and you’ll be thankful for not having to drive home in wet pants.
7. Have a spare paddle with you just in case anything happens to your main paddle. You wouldn’t want to be in the middle of a kayaking trek without a paddle. There’s a reason the phrase “up a creek without a paddle” has such a negative connotation.

Find A Trail

When looking for a good site to go paddling, start locally. Look for a flatwater lake, river, or inlet. It’s better to pick a spot that you’re a little bit familiar with so you’re more comfortable in the water.

If you want to try branching out a bit, trails.com has listings of flatwater paddling trails around the US. Just make sure to do some research on any site you choose before you go so you know what to expect.

Paddling Safety

Although it’s not necessary, it may be helpful to you to take a basic kayaking skills course if you’ve never been in a kayak before. This way you can learn how to stay safe on the water and you’ll know what to expect when you finally cast off on your own. The American Canoe Association has listings of various kayaking skills classes offered around the country. There are probably kayaking schools or retailers that offer lessons in your area, do a search and see what works best for you.

Getting In And Out

To get in and out of a kayak, remember to keep your weight low and centered. If you’re launching from a dock, hold onto the dock as you enter the kayak feet first, and slowly lower yourself fully into the kayak. To get out, you just do everything in reverse order. For launching from water’s edge, place your paddle in front or behind the cockpit opening, across the deck. Lean to one side so that the blade of your paddle is resting on the ground, steadying the kayak as you enter. Quickly enter the cockpit, crouch, and sit and use your paddle to gently shove you off. And to get out, you simply do everything in reverse order.

Basic Skills Techniques

Grip the paddle firmly with your thumbs under the bar, facing the water, at about arms length. Use your core to power each stroke in order to prevent strain on your arms and back. For a basic forward stroke, start by placing one edge of the paddle in the water and dragging it toward you until your hand reaches your hip, then repeat the process on the other side.

There are several ways to turn, but the most basic is to use your paddle as a rudder and drag it close to the kayak. The boat turns in the direction of the blade. This technique causes you to slow down a bit, so to keep your momentum, use a sweep stroke. A sweep stroke requires you “sweep” the paddle wide on one side of the kayak until it reaches the back of the boat (the stern) Alternate a forward stroke on one side of the boat with a sweep stroke on the other. Continue this pattern for a wide arc turn.

And that’s all you really need to get started. There’s plenty of time this summer to put a kayak to good use, so get out and get paddling and remember HAVE FUN!

Three Beginners Enjoying a Folbot Rigged up for Sail!

Summer Kayaking Events Round-Up: Western United States

With summer upon us, there is no better time to get out on the water with your kayak. We’ve scoured the Internet to find the best kayak events happening this summer across North America.  We found a wide range of events, everything from serious races to family friendly festivals. Here’s a breakdown of what’s going on in this summer in the Western Region of the United States. To see what events are going on elsewhere, click on the region you’re interested in: Canada, Northeast, Southeast, Midwest.

Photo by Paul Downey from Flickr

Jun 2	Elliott Bay, Seattle, WA	Last SUP’r Standing
Jun 8-9	Crouch, ID	North Fork Championship
Jun 8-10	Lyons, CO	Lyons Outdoor Games
Jun 9	Santa Monica, CA	Santa Monica Pier Race & Ocean Festival
Jun 9 Jun 9	Port Gamble, WA Sandpoint, ID	Paddle The Dragon Sand Creek Paddlers Challenge
Jun 13	Bend, OR	Pickin’ and Paddlin’ Music Series & Demo Days
Jun 13-17	Salida, CO	FIBArk Whitewater Festival
Jun 15-17	Reno, NV	Reno River Festival
Jun 16	Incline Village, NV	Thunderbird Run
Jun 16-17	Rancho Cordova, CA	California Canoe & Kayak Paddlefest
Jun 22-25	Gunnison, CO	Gunnison River Festival
Jun 30	Bend, OR	Oyster The Race
Jul 7	Lake Tahoe, CA	Paddle For Humanity- Lake Tahoe
Jul 7-8	Big Bear Lake, CA	Challenge The Bear
Jul 20-22	Winchester Bay, OR	Ocean Festival
Jul 21	Sacramento, CA	Eppie’s Great Race
Aug 4-5	Port Gamble, WA	Paddle Kitsap

If you know of any other Kayak events happening in the West this summer, drop us a line in the comments, and we’ll update our listings!

Summer Kayaking Events Round-Up: Midwestern United States

With summer upon us, there is no better time to get out on the water with your kayak. We’ve scoured the Internet to find the best kayak events happening this summer across North America.  We found a wide range of events, everything from serious races to family friendly festivals. Here’s a breakdown of what’s going on in this summer in Midwestern USA. To see what events are going on elsewhere, click on the region you’re interested in: Canada, Northeastern US, Southeastern US, Western US.

Photo by Barry Skeates from Flickr

Date	Where	What
Jun 1-30	Coon Rapids, MN	Mississippi River Hyperbaric Classic
Jun 3	St Charles/Batvia, IL	Mid-American Canoe & Kayak Race
Jun 3	Holly, MI	Shiawassee River Paddle Event
Jun 8-10	South Bass Island, OH	South Bass Island Kayak Rendezvous
Jun 9-10	Aurora, IL	Illinois Paddlesports Festival
Jun 15-17	Charles City, IA	Charles City Challenge
Jun 15-17	Door County, WI	Washington Island Canoe & Kayak Event
Jun 15-17	Wausau, WI	Wausau RiverFest
Jun 21-23	Cincinnati, OH	11th Annual Ohio Riverway Paddlefest
Jun 23	Charles City, IA	Iowa Games Whitewater Slalom
Jun 24	South Bend, IN	Michiana’s Paddlefest
Jul 7-8	Muscoda, WI	Annual Wisconsin River Canoe & Kayak Race
Jul 13-15	Rowley’s Bay, WI	Door County Sea Kayak Symposium
Jul 14	Yorkville, IL	Illinois Whitewater Festival
Jul 18-22	Grand Marais, MI	Great Lakes Sea Kayak Symposium
Jul 27-29	Washburn, WI	Board Across The Bay Race & Festival
Jul 28-29	Saint Paul, MN	Mississippi River Challenge
Jul 31-Aug 3	Kansas City, MO	7th Annual Missouri American Water MR340
Aug 3-5	Two Harbors, MN	Two Harbors Kayak Festival
Aug 11	Chicago, IL	Chicago Shoreline Marathon
Aug 17-19	Grand Marais, MI	Ladies Of The Lake Sea Kayak Symposium
Aug 18	Mendon, MI	2012 Mendon Riverfest Kayak Race
Aug 25	Columbus, OH	Kayak For A Cure- Columbus
Aug 25-26	St. Charles, MO	Race For The Rivers

If you know of any other Kayak events happening in the Midwest this summer, drop us a line in the comments, and we’ll update our listings!

Summer Kayaking Events Round-Up: Southeastern United States

With summer upon us, there is no better time to get out on the water with your kayak. We’ve scoured the Internet to find the best kayak events happening this summer across North America.  We found a wide range of events, everything from serious races to family friendly festivals. Here’s a breakdown of what’s going on in this summer in the Southeastern Region of the US. To see what events are going on elsewhere, click on the region you’re interested in: Canada, Northeast USA, Midwestern USA, Western USA.

Photo by Active Steve from Flickr

Date	Where	What
Jun 1-3	Hatteras Island, NC	OBX Paddle Palooza, for SUPs
Jun 2	Little Rock, AR	Arkansas Canoe & Kayak Race
Jun 2	Deerfield Beach, FL	Paddle For Humanity- Deerfield Beach
Jun 2	Meridian, MS	State Games Of Mississippi
Jun 2-3	Powdersville, SC	Saluda River Rally
Jun 9	Melbourne Beach, FL	Surfguys SUP race
Jun 9	Pensacola, FL	Kayak For A Cure- Pensacola
Jun 9	Roswell, GA	Back To The Chattahoochee Race Festival
Jun 9	Pine Knoll Shores, NC	Kayak For The Warriors
Jun 9	Farmville, VA	Appomattox River Co Super Demo & Sale
Jun 16	Memphis, TN	31st Outdoors Inc Canoe & Kayak Race
Jun 16	Ft. Lauderdale, FL	Kayak Against Cancer
Jun 16-22	Reidsville, GA	Paddle Georgia 2012
Jun 22-23	Crescent Beach, FL	Crescent Beach Challenge
Jul 4	Lexington, TN	Festival Of The Lakes “Lap On The Lake” 5K
Aug 4	Dawsonville, GA	Dawson County Jaycees Canoe & Kayak Race
Aug 11	Atlanta, GA	Paddle For The Cure Race and Fun Float
Aug 25	Savannah, GA	Savannah Paddlefest

If you know of any other Kayak events happening in the Southeast this summer, drop us a line in the comments, and we’ll update our listings!

Summer Kayaking Events Round-Up: Northeastern United States

With summer upon us, there is no better time to get out on the water with your kayak. We’ve scoured the Internet to find the best kayak events happening this summer across North America.  We found a wide range of events, everything from serious races to family friendly festivals. Here’s a breakdown of what’s going on in this summer in the Northeastern region of the United States. To see what events are going on elsewhere, click on the region you’re interested in: Canada, Southeastern US, Midwestern US, Western US.

Photo by Marc Falardeau from Flickr.

Date	Where	What
Jun 2	Woodbury, NJ	5th Annual Kayak Regatta
Jun 2	Glens Falls, NY	Feeder Canal Alliance Canoe & Kayak Race
Jun 2-3	Lakewood, NJ	South Jersey Canoe & Kayak Classic
Jun 6	Huntington, MA	Not That Dam Race
Jun 9	Lennox, MA	Wild Goose Chase
Jun 9	Westport, MA	Westport River Watershed Alliance River Run
Jun 9	Wilson, NY	The Wilson Dog Paddle
Jun 10	Griswold, CT	24th Annual Spring Fling At Glasgo Pond
Jun 13	Holyoke, MA	Holyoke Rows Boathouse Challenge
Jun 16	Concord, NH	Sugarball Canoe and Kayak Race
Jun 16	Jersey Shore, PA	Tiadaghton Elm Canoe & Kayak Classic
Jun 22-24	Charlemont, MA	Zoar Outdoor DemoFest 2012
Jun 23	Amesbury, MA	Lake Gardner Classic
Jun 23	Hopkinton, MA	20th Annual Against The Tide Event
Jun 23	Jersey Shore, PA	Keystone Challenge Canoe & Kayak Race
Jun 24	Groton, MA	6th Annual Nashua River Canoe & Kayak Race
Jul 1	Deerfield, MA	Deerfield Riverfest Wildwater Race
Jul 4	Contoocook, NH	4th of July Contoocook River Race
Jul 6	Newport, VT	American Flatwater Kayak Championship
Jul 6-8	Ithaca, NY	Lake Placid International
Jul 7	Rochester, NY	Armond Bassett Canoe & Kayak Race
Jul 12-14	Seaford, DE	Nanticoke Riverfest
Jul 14	Gloucester, MA	Blackburn Challenge
Jul 15	Durham, ME	Chief Worumbo Androscoggin River Race
Jul 28	Pemberton, NJ	Mirror Lake Championships
Jul 28	Grand Island, NY	Paddles Up Niagara
Aug 4	Fitzwilliam, NH	Laurel Lake Association Canoe & Kayak Race
Aug 4	Burlington, NJ	Festival Of Lights Race
Aug 4	Brooklyn, NY	Paddle For Autism Awareness
Aug 4	Fairport, NY	Empire State Regatta
Aug 5	Grand Lake Stream, ME	West Grand Lake Race
Aug 12	Auburn, NY	Captain Myles Keogh Paddle, Wheel & Run
Aug 18	Milford, CT	Milford Oyster Festival Canoe & Kayak Race
Aug 18	Windsor, CT	Connecticut River Canoe & Kayak Classic
Aug 25	Lewes, DE	Broadkill River Canoe and Kayak Race
Aug 25	Washington, DC	Paddle For Humanity- DC

.

If you know of any other Kayak events happening in the Northeast this summer, drop us a line in the comments, and we’ll update our listing!

Summer Kayaking Events Round-Up: Canada

With summer upon us, there is no better time to get out on the water with your kayak. We’ve scoured the Internet to find the best kayaking events happening this summer across North America. We found a wide range of events, everything from serious races to family friendly festivals. Here’s a breakdown of what’s going on in this summer in Canada. Interested in events in other regions? Check out these other posts: Northeastern US, Southeastern US, Midwestern US, Western US.

Photo by Benson Kua from Flickr

If you know of any other Canadian Kayak Happenings this summer, drop us a line in the comments and we’ll update this listing!

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Date	Where	What
Jun 9-10 Jun 9-10	Foresters Falls, ON Toronto, ON	OWL Rafting Voyageur Heritage Weekend MEC Paddlefest- Toronto
Jun 17 Jun 19	Halifax, NS Yukon, YK	MEC Paddlefest- Halifax Kayak For A Cure- Yukon
Jun 19-24	Vernon, BC	Kalamalka Classic
Jun 21-24	Rossport, ON	Rossport Sea Kayak Symposium
Jun 23 Jun 23 Jun 23 Jun 24 Jun 24	Calgary, AB Barrie, ON Montreal, QC Edmonton, AB Burlington, ON	MEC Paddlefest- Calgary MEC Paddlefest- Barrie 5th Annual Soulanges Canal Kayak Race MEC Paddlefest- Edmonton MEC Paddlefest- Burlington
Jun 30 Jun 30- Jul 1	Victoria, BC Ottawa, ON	MEC Paddlefest- Victoria Canada Day Regatta
Jul 7 Jul 7 Jul 7 Jul 16	Vancouver, BC Quebec City, QC Montreal, QC Whitehorse, YK	MEC Paddlefest- Vancouver MEC Paddlefest- Quebec MEC Paddlefest- Montreal Yukon 1000
Jul 28-29	Toronto, ON	Toronto International Outrigger Challenge
Aug 10	Canoe Meadows, AL	Kananaskis Whitewater Festival
Aug 18-20	Whitehorse, YK	Yukon 360
Aug 28	Vancouver, BC	Kayak For A Cure- Vancouver