I have been quilting for 40years, and last Saturday, at the ripe old age of 64yrs. I went kayaking and I loved it. I am off to buy one. I will name it The Happy Quilter and when I get it I will post a photo.

GOOD FOR YOU!! Never too old to try something new. Actually sounds like fun. Cant wait for the photos

Isn't Kayaking fun? I always thought you would tip over easily. boy was I wrong I tipped over once getting out in about 6 inches of water but that was my own fault!

Have fun

As a former canoeist, I've wanted to kayak for a long time. But my DD turned over in freezing rapids a few years ago and got stuck; she still has residual issues from that very close call. And as she's the one who would take me, guess I won't be fulfilling that bucket list wish. :roll:

Jan in VA

Way to go! I have heard that Kayaking is a lot of fun but have never tried it.

my sis and her hubby kayak... they each have one. the views from the water are spectacular. she shares the photos with me.

Good for you, ashlett! Hope you can take some pictures sometime to share with us! Watch out for the rapids!

I also did it this past summer. My little sis bought a lake home on Oneida lake in NYS. I also want to get one!!!

I was in a 2 person kayak in Florida several years ago, was fun

but I think a 1 person kayak would be better

Understood Crafty! Must be H--L if you both can't agree on the same direction to take! LOL

:-P

How wonderful! I'm 59 and love to K. Live by a big 8 mile lake and a wonderful river too. I am so blessed. Have fun and enjoy all your kayaking time! Please post Pics' of your fun!
peace

Dear J, I had a similar spill but not getting stuck. Just had to get toppled and turned over through some rapids but made it through. I now mostly K on the lake. No white water for me! You can still do it!
peace

I love to kayak. Once a week a few friends, mostly retirement age, and I get together and go on a lake. Jan don't take it off your bucket list.

Used to kayak as a kid, and enjoyed it. Figured I wasn't getting any younger, and after borrowing a cousins a couple times, last year bought myself an inexpensive kayak. I am a chubby 62 year old, and have a lot of fun. I don't do white water, just creeks and small lakes. I found a friend with one and we go together. I got a two person (tandem) inflatable at a yard sale this summer and took my grandkids. We got wet and loved it. Next year I want to kayak a bit on the Erie Canal. (Already did it in a 36 ft sailboat, all the way from Buffalo to Albany.)

YOU GO!!! I love kayaking. We "flatwater" as I'm not as athletic as I used to be, lol. My boat is a tandam as I like to take my dogs.

Wow good for you. thats great

I have a Nephew who is a Kayaking Guide in Hilton Head. He is great at it but will never get me (his favorite Aunt) into one. His pics are gorgeous but i have a real fear of being that closr to the water. I envy those who can enjoy such a beautiful sport!

Crafty,

We have a single and tandem kayak that we use up in the Pacific Northwest...mostly on Lake Roosevelt...and I prefer the tandem because I am not the only one paddling!!! DH sits in the back and I'm up front, when I get tired, I can rest and we still move along. There are a couple of kinds of kayaks, the sit-ons and the sit-ins. We have the sit-ins but did try the sit-ons in the ocean in Jamaica. We like the sit-ins because we can pack everything for a weekend of camping in them. Missed that this summer by being in Florida :cry:

I'm jealous.....I too am 64 and would love to go kayaking.....Keep us updated ! Congrats !

My kids love it...I am content to lay on the beach and just watch!

You'd better learn how to do an Eskimo roll first!

Some friends of mine loaned us their kayaks and DH and I loved them. We're too old to buy and use frequently, but would be nice to borrow occasionally. By the way, they're the type that you sit on top - if you tip over you're not trapped.

http://sterlingharbor.com/oceanKayaks.htm

I would really like to go to Colorado and float down the river (bypassing the rapids in Grand Canyon).

Timely topic. Hubby and I were thinking of getting a couple of kayaks or canoes for us to use with the boys.

I am a little nervous because I have never done it, but thinking that it would be a great family activity.

Go 'still water' kayaking on a lake!

Welcome to the Family! DH and I took up sea kayaking when our youngest child went to college. We just love being on the water and are blessed to live in an area with many wonderful places to paddle.

I think the DD of Jan had a bad experience and it does highlight the importance of taking some safety classes. At the very least every kayaker needs to know how to get back in the boat while you are on the water. If a kayak tips over it is very easy and natural to get out (you will most likely fall out unless trained to rollover) however getting back in is a learned skill.

Have fun!

I love kayaking!

Kayaking is the best. So glad to hear of a new convert! Now enjoy your kayak when you get it.

Kat

Good for you!! My father just bought himself one in July....it was his 76th birthday present to himself.

Enjoy!

Not sure what paint you'd use.....but imagine it with a custom paint job, covered with quilt blocks!!!!

Kayaking is fantastic! We(hubby and I) have a tandem sit on top and we fish from it and can take along a cooler with lunch in it. It is a great hobby and can make you feel as though you are alone in the world even in Miami, FL! You go girl!

DH just bought me one this summer for my 50th Bday gift. It really is SOOOO much fun. And living on a farm with teenagers it is great to make time for US. Enjoy!!

Dear Ashlett - I am so happy you finally tried kayaking. I have been involved in the sport in a major way for over 30 years. I was partners in a design/manufacturing company with a dear friend for many years and I taught both my girls who have gone on to compete in kayak racing for longer than I can remember. In 2000, my eldest girl came in 7th in Sprint Races at the Empire State Games held in Binghamton, NY.
One thing you need to know is that you must try out several kayaks before you buy one. Not all kayaks fit all bodies. Go for one that is wide and stable and has some sort of skeg (fin) on the bottom to help you track straight. Sit in the boats, try them out on the water. If your legs fall asleep, try another boat.
Make sure you are able to pick up your kayak on your own, with out help. Fiberglass or Kevlar kayaks are the best, but there are some decent models out there made of PVC for the beginner. Do your homework. Over the years I've seen too many people run out and buy a kayak and then find they're so dissatisfied with their purchase.
Educate yourself before you put your money down on the counter - it'll be time well spent. Good kayak shops will make sure you get the one that will best suit your needs.
Good Luck and Happy Paddling!!
P.S. One last thing - you might want to check out some kayaking classes in your area just to learn the basics and safety aspects of the sport. I used to run a series of classes at an indoor pool, but that pool was shut down for renovations. Won't re-open till next year.

Have been "Paddlin" for 15 years and never tire of it. Favorite place to get my paddle wet is in Florida Keys. Only advice might be to consider weight of what you buy as you will be lifting it on top of vehicle. We ended up buying hullevators.

My husband and I kayak...we have the peddle variety . He fishes and I take
pictures....they are very stable and you have no where to get stuck!

Our kayaks are permanent "fixtures" on our tow car behind our motor home.... along with our bikes. We love the kayaks and used them always when on our 37 ft sailboat sailing Canadian waters. They were much easier to launch (than the dinghy), stable, and you can really sneak up on seals, birds and otters cause they can't hear you coming...... It is an easy sport to learn and if you stay on flat water you probably can't get into too much trouble. There was a place in Canada called Squirrel Cove where we would anchor the boat. There was a reversing lagoon that (with the tides in and out) would have a small RAPID.... OMG! We had soooo much fun in that little rapid...... You would have thot we were doing class 5's......

66 and still paddling.Enjoy while you're still young.

I got a kayak for my 50th birthday. It is so enjoyable when its just you and the loons on the lake early mornings. ENJOY

Only kayaks meant to be used in white water have the skirts that keep you in and water out. If ours tip over, we go in the drink! DH has tipped one over a couple of times - once when we first got them and he wanted to know how to right the kayak and get back in the boat...the other time he was trying to flip over a turtle on the bank and flipped himself instead :lol:

Hope you enjoy it! It's a lot of fun. I've done a little bit of kayaking but I think I'll stick to lakes from now on. Never tried river kayaking, but I've had two too many memorable experiences on the ocean to ever want to try it again!