Steve wrote: >The real good news about GW is that I currently have a 4 hour drive to >the ocean. If sea levels go up enough, I can save gas, which will reduce >my carbon footprint, which will...hmmmm. G'Day Steve and all, 40km to the ocean! You must be one dedicated kayaker! I used to try and emulate Ralph Diaz using a folding boat and public transport. Not really workable with the Klepper Aerius but eminently practical with the Feathercraft Kahuna or the Fujita. If only the two companies would get together and combine the elegant Fujita frame with the tough skin of the Kahuna and combine the rollability of the Fujita with the superb wind and sea handling of the Kahuna! Trouble is that the seas have got cleaner and so there are more fish and more sharks around. One or two of my mates have now had their kayaks bitten and bumped and I've had two or three sharks circle me from time to time. While that's not a big issue in a five metre sea kayak I'd start to get very nervous in a black hulled folding boat that must look just like a seal from beneath and not likely to stand up to an exploratory bite from an inquisitive predator. I got around the problem as far as accessing Sydney harbour is concerned by hiring a spot at Skiffies, a local yachting club who are happy to host kayaks. Problem is you have to drink the odd beer or two at the club to justify your existence there. Its a worry! But it does allow the use of public transport and these days the rent at Skiffies costs less than the car fuel or parking fees would. This doesn't help if you want to go further afield like Steve. And although the Sydney coast line is without prejudice, bias or doubt the most beautiful and varied stretch of coast you'll find alongside any city in this world or the next; the grass is ineviitably greener elsewhere. Lately I've spent a weekend or two using the train to explore the northern and southern coasts of NSW and have started wondering whether there are people living close to the sea, with spare room in a garage or shed, who wouldn't mind storing a kayak for a reasonable rental. Has anyone on Paddlewise found such an arrangement to work well? All the best, PeterO *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
This archive was generated by hypermail 2.4.0 : Thu Aug 21 2025 - 16:33:52 PDT