I always liked functional objects with elegant shapes or design.
The lines of sea kayaks dictated by the imperatives of sea worthiness represent one of the best compromise between beauty and function.
Having done some ocean sailing I was attracted by this new (to me) means of transport. Admiring something is one thing but practising it is quite different and I thought some trial was necessary before embarking (right word!) on this new activity.
A year after retiring, Betsy and I signed on a guided kayak week in Corsica. We were joined by some friends who had never done any kayaking either but were eager to try it. The week was a mixed success with a less than optimum guide and mixed weather conditions but it was enough to convince us kayaking was something which we could get to love and do together in spite of different physical levels. We bought two Prijon Touryak: a yellow one (mustard) for me and a red one (ketchup) for Betsy .
I hooked up with an Italian group ("sotto costa") to discover northern Sardinia and was joined by Bets afterwards. I continued kayaking with them and other groups and we decided we were ready for a trip on our own. That was in the Ionian Islands in 2006.
Later on I found a kayak group in France which organized long term raids (10 days or so each time) and joined them on many adventures, while learning how to plan and handle excursions in kayaks.
While those trips provide some training for me, they are too arduous for Betsy and our joint kayaking is limited on day trips on Lago Trasimeno close to home. A test in a double kayak did not convince me but may-be we should give it another try.
Kayak is a great complement to my mountain bike excursions, same philosophy, ultra light traveling, discovery of new places and new people, and serious physical exercise. Not to mention good company and fascinating landscapes from a different perspective.
Jacques
jaclah@gmail.com