Rides: Alvah Maloney’s Necky Looksha 17

Rides: Alvah Maloney’s Necky Looksha 17

Pemaquid Point - The Best of Two Bays

I am often asked why I do what I do and why I chose the mid-coast of Maine to set up shop. I

own a kayak business because I absolutely love sharing the art of kayaking with people. There is

no better way to recharge and relax than to re-connect with nature in a fun and interesting way.

As for why the mid-coast? I actually specifically chose the Pemaquid Peninsula because it offers

some amazing paddling opportunities and is just the right environment for folks wanting to

explore what the Maine coast has to offer. Situated half-way between the popular town of

Freeport and the coastal gem of Rockland, the Pemaquid Peninsula separates the outlet of the

Pemaquid and Johns Rivers to the west and the outlet of the Medomak River to the east to

provide the best of what the Maine coast is famous for - quiet pocket sand beaches; rocky,

craggy shorelines; uninhabited forested islands; and working waterfronts lined with quaint

cottages and moored lobster boats.

Muscongus Bay to the east at the outlet of the Medomak River is amazing in its simplistic

beauty, with little development consisting of the quaintest fishing villages and ancient summer

cottages, and several uninhabited, untouched islands of the Maine Island Trail. Because of its

expanse, the greater exposure on this side of the peninsula and the dozen or so islands available

for public use, I focus my full-day and island camping overnight trips here. Seals sunning on the

rocky ledges are a daily occurrence and it never gets old to see the wonder of these animals

through the eyes of someone new.

John’s Bay to the west offers less expansive reaches but a more sheltered paddling environment,

perfect for shorter trips like our half-day. This Bay has really cool history like Colonial

Pemaquid, a settlement that they believe pre-dates Jamestown and the former Fort William

Henry that stands guard over the entrance to the harbor. It's proximity to Boothbay Harbor offers

some great seaside inns that provide perfect respite for a long day of paddling. And for

adventurers that want a multi-day experience with a hot shower and soft bed, an Inn-to-Inn trip

over here can't be beat. Overall, John's Bay offers a decidedly different and yet equally amazing

paddling environment.

For landlubbers, this mid-coast location offers just the right mix of interesting shops, great

restaurants, and quaint Inns, without completely overwhelming the area. Being one of Maine’s

best kept secrets, crowds are minimal and the two bays quiet and virtually empty, save for the

occasional lobster boat. If you are looking for a trip to get some fresh air, enjoy a serene paddle,

and commune with nature, I highly recommend the Pemaquid Peninsula. If you come visit, keep

these things in mind: 1) be experienced or go with experience, the ocean is beautiful and fickle;

2) be conscientious of your surroundings, nature will reward your discretion; and 3) the ultimate

end to a great paddling day is a lobster roll and a pint of Pemaquid Ale.

Maine Kayak Website

Paddle Float Rescue

Kayaking is a nice leisurely exercise that is great for all ages and all experiences, but there are inherent risks that you are taking when you chose to put a small boat onto the great blue ocean. Even the most experience sea kayakers may flip from time to time so always try to hit the water with someone, and make sure that you have someone on shore who is expecting you back at a certain time and knows the proper steps to follow should you be an hour overdue.

However there are ways to perform self rescues should you find yourself upside down with no shore in sight. One of the most effect rescues for sea kayakers is known as the Paddle Float Rescue. This is a rescue that can be performed with one person, and in slightly choppy waters (but it does get trickier!). 

We found a video depicting the paddle float rescue. While this is a great rescue, it can be difficult if you  are not experienced and haven't practiced this particular rescue before so we encourage you to take a look so that if you ever find yourself in need of a rescue, you will at least have seen this one before.

Watch the video for a demo on how to do the rescue.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D8fGu7EdhPc

The only addition I would make to this video tutorial is to emphasize the need to keep your weight on the paddle float. If you don't and accidentally place too much weight on the side of the boat opposite of where you are entering, you get the infamous 'yellow rainbow' which the video tutorial took the time to show you.

Ocean water can be quite cold so you want to minimize how much time you spend in the water. If you cannot get into your boat, get your feet on the paddle float and get most of your body out of the water. This will give you more time out of the water and provides an opportunity to blow on a whistle, or signal nearby boats that you are trouble.

Remember, anytime you take a boat on the ocean there are risks. Dress for the water temperature, and always prepare for getting wet even if you don't plan on it. Make sure that you are either with someone, or there is someone on land that is waiting for you to get back. 

Hope you have found this information helpful and we wish you the best of luck on the water.

Stay safe and we hope to see you in the sea kayaking community.

-Maine Kayak

Maine Kayak: A day on the Ocean

I have been working for Maine Kayak for about a month now and despite how often I am helping people get down on the water and encouraging families to get outdoors, I don't get to see the water often. However, I took the initiative on a day off to come in and join an Instructional Clinic held by one of our guides Gary.

Over the next four hours I had one of the best days off that I have had so far.

Having worked at a summer camp, sea kayaking was not something I was specifically taught, but by using canoes I had an idea of what a draw stroke should look like or how to do a proper sweep. And sure I had an idea, but not a single clue at the potential those ideas could hold.

Before leaving Maine Kayak we made sure that we were equiped with wetsuits, spray skirts, bilge pumps and all the amenities needed for a day in the water. Especially Gulf of Maine water.

Gary started the instructional clinic with describing all of the terminology of the boat, such as chines and what rocker is. He certainly spoke with the confidence that is a trademark of a real State of Maine Guide and after some real basic instruction in kayaking form we hit the water ready to get wet. And wet we got.

After paddling over 65 degree water to get to a sheltered pocket beach, we abandoned our paddles and started, one by one, taking a plunge and flipping the boats over to to see how long we could stay in our boats upside down. 

"Time Dilation" was the two words that Gary said to us shortly before we found ourselves upside down in a boat underwater. Time dilation is the phenomenon that as your adrenaline kicks in, seconds turn to minutes and time spent under a boat last much longer than what is traditionally felt when safe and dry. Gary started by flipping his boat than drumming his fingers to a beat, upside down, in the water for about 5 seconds. I attempted the same but made it a remarkable 2 seconds as my nose filled with salt water and the panic of cold water struck me. Once above water I had time to relax and start to enjoy the water as my wetsuit started to work properly.

Time after time we flipped the boats to practice all of the rescues that I have been instructing people on how to do, but had never done myself. T-rescues, cowboy rescues, bow rescues and paddle float rescues to name a few. We learned that you can actually float a boat sideways with your elbows in the water while keeping the boat from flipping over. In one four hour period I successfully executed at least one of every rescue, managed to stay underwater and enjoy my own drum beat on my upside down boat for 5 seconds, and learned valuable rescue skills that would be crucial should I every find myself in a kayak on the deep blue sea.

Maine Kayak's basic instructional clinics provided me with skills that left me feeling confident on the water, much more mentally prepared for the unexpected and provided with quite a few laughs as I flipped my boat again and again. Talk about a day off from work.

Maine Kayak Website

Off-Season Programs

The 2012 season is coming to a close, boats and gear are winterized and we're looking forward to our winter programs.  Want to learn how to roll a kayak?  Let Maine Kayak's team provide you with the foundation needed.  Maine Kayak is pleased to take advantage of the off-season as a perfect opportunity for paddlers to brush up on their kayaking skills, learn new safety and rescue techniques, and enjoy an evening of paddling instruction in the safety and comfort of an indoor, heated swimming pool.  We will be publishing dates and location before the new year.  Check out this DVD before getting in the pool...The Kayak Roll

Maine Kayak Rolling Clinic Webpage

info@mainekayak.com

1-866-624-6352

Pemaquid River Fall Foliage

The Pemaquid River in Midcoast, Maine has ideal for sheltered paddling for kayakers or canoeist.  You can see Wood Ducks, Turtles and Herons feeding among the lily pads.  Come join Maine Kayak this fall for a half or full day guided trip and experience the Pemaquid beauty.  Check our our freshwater paddling page online for more information about the trips we offer...Lake Trips

Inn to Inn Maine Sea Kayaking Trips

Maine Kayak's 2 Day Inn to Inn Sea Kayaking Trip - Enjoy paddling the splendor of sheltered bays and rocky coastlines during the day while enjoying the comfort of hot showers, gourmet meals, and soft, cozy beds in the evenings.

The Two-Day Inn to Inn Trip will begin with an enjoyable full day of kayaking and island hopping, with a stop for a sea side picnic lunch, on our way to our Christmas Cove bed and breakfast destination. Dinner is enjoyed coveside while soaking in the sights of the bay. We will paddle through scenic Johns Bay and Pemaquid Harbor on our second day after a hearty breakfast, taking in the sights and sounds of this historic harbor.

Inn to Inn Maine Kayaking Trips