| I couldn't wait to try out my new inflatable kayak | | | | carried down river in a swift current, is completely |
| that I ordered on the internet! It arrived in a big | | | | different. I struggled every which way to steer in |
| box and I couldn't believe a box that size would | | | | a straight line but just couldn't get the hang of it. |
| have a boat in it! I unpacked it and found | | | | My son was having a fit so we paddled to shore |
| everything I ordered neatly folded and compacted | | | | and switched places. |
| including the oars. I took out the foot pump and | | | | Turns out, the switch was a smart decision. My |
| unfolded the kayak on the floor in my son's | | | | son, who's apparently a little more coordinated |
| bedroom. The hose easily fit into the valve | | | | than me, had a natural talent for paddling the |
| openings that inflated the sides and floor of the | | | | kayak in the direction he wanted it to go and I |
| kayak. Then I inflated the two seats, all in less | | | | just let him be captain and take control. The |
| than 10 minutes. | | | | young man who offered advice earlier was |
| After I had it inflated and inserted the seats | | | | definitely right about the shallow spots in the river. |
| where I thought they should go, I climbed in and | | | | Each time we approached a shallow area, we |
| just sat there for a few minutes My knees | | | | could feel the river bottom under our boat but I |
| started to tingle so I scooted the rear seat a little | | | | wasn't worried about it getting torn or damaged. |
| further back in the kayak to give myself a little | | | | We had to literally pick up the kayak and wade |
| more legroom. The seat cushion was surprisingly | | | | through at least six shallow areas on our trek |
| comfortable and I liked the feel of the heavy | | | | down river. I was very pleased to find no damage |
| duty material surrounding me. I knew I made the | | | | to the kayak when we finally reached our landing |
| right decision buying this inflatable kayak, and now | | | | spot and pulled it out of the river only an hour |
| it was time to take it on its maiden voyage. | | | | after we launched. |
| Sunday morning, end of summer, a lazy kind of | | | | A slight breeze came up as we set out our little |
| day, I got my teenage son out of bed, loaded up | | | | picnic lunch of submarine sandwiches and chips. My |
| the truck with just my compact inflatable kayak | | | | wife was dying to try out the kayak but after |
| and a cooler packed with lunch, grabbed my wife | | | | she heard about wading through the river, she |
| and headed up the canyon. About 45 minutes | | | | decided against another river trip. But, just up the |
| later, we pulled off the highway at the base of | | | | highway was a reservoir with a fairly secluded |
| the dam and parked the truck. A young group of | | | | branch of water where we decided to give my |
| other river kayakers were just getting ready to | | | | wife her turn at paddling around. I stayed on |
| launch their inflatable boats into the river. One of | | | | shore and watched as my son, again in front and |
| the guys was nice enough to give us a couple of | | | | in control, and my wife, zigzagged up to the end |
| tips such as which side of the river to stir clear | | | | of the beach and around to the far side of the |
| from and to watch out for the shallow spots. He'd | | | | lake. She really enjoyed how easy and fun it was! |
| been down the river many times before. I | | | | Finally, the sun started to set and the wind chill |
| thanked him for the advice and watched them | | | | went up. My wife and son paddled up to where I |
| launch off into the swift current. | | | | stood on the shore and climbed out. We carried |
| My turn! For the second time, I unfolded my | | | | the kayak up the trail to where the truck was |
| inflatable kayak and pumped it up. My son | | | | parked and threw it in the bed. Since it was longer |
| grabbed the bow, I picked up the stern and we | | | | than the truck bed, I unscrewed the valves to let |
| carried it down to the water's edge. We threw on | | | | the air out. Within ten minutes, I had it folded up |
| our life vests and climbed in. I got in front, my | | | | and tucked securely in my truck. I'd say my small |
| son shoved us off and jumped in behind me. I | | | | investment into an inflatable kayak was well |
| waved to my wife who would drive the truck 5 | | | | worth it and I expect to have many more great |
| miles downriver to our landing spot. Now mind | | | | adventures with my family and friends. Bon |
| you, I know how to row a boat but getting the | | | | voyage! |
| hang of steering an inflatable kayak that's being | | | | |