Kayak Downtown

Started by Overstreet, November 02, 2015, 01:02:56 PM

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Overstreet

November 02, 2015, 01:02:56 PM
Kayaked downtown to Exchange Island last Saturday. Saw lots of "gators" and some stray "dogs" but no "Noone".  Water was rough from the traffic but we prevailed.



Know Growth

#1
November 08, 2015, 10:24:39 PM
Per the chart it appears you embarked at Ortega/Saddler Point and thence returned. Nice jog. Multiple photo scenes.

thelakelander

#2
November 08, 2015, 10:33:34 PM
Where did you see gators?
"A man who views the world the same at 50 as he did at 20 has wasted 30 years of his life." - Muhammad Ali

Tacachale

#3
November 08, 2015, 10:38:36 PM
Quote from: thelakelander on November 08, 2015, 10:33:34 PM
Where did you see gators?

Probably near where they saw the dawgs...
Do you believe that when the blue jay or another bird sings and the body is trembling, that is a signal that people are coming or something important is about to happen?

thelakelander

#4
November 08, 2015, 10:43:24 PM
Aww, that totally flew over my head, the first time I read it.
"A man who views the world the same at 50 as he did at 20 has wasted 30 years of his life." - Muhammad Ali

TimmyB

#5
November 09, 2015, 11:06:58 AM
Quote from: Overstreet on November 02, 2015, 01:02:56 PM
Kayaked downtown to Exchange Island last Saturday. Saw lots of "gators" and some stray "dogs" but no "Noone".  Water was rough from the traffic but we prevailed.





Nice!  Was this part of an organized event (some type of paddling association) or just you and some friends?

Overstreet

#6
November 09, 2015, 11:13:56 AM
Florida Sea Kayak Association..............annual Gator/Dog weekend paddle.....timed to work the tides.

The gators are all figurative in this case. However I have seen the reptiles swimming in the Ortega river and Fishing creek.

Overstreet

#7
November 09, 2015, 11:25:13 AM
Quote from: Know Growth on November 08, 2015, 10:24:39 PM
Per the chart it appears you embarked at Ortega/Saddler Point and thence returned. Nice jog. Multiple photo scenes.

Sixteen miles more or less. Long sleek sea kayaks make the miles easier.


TimmyB

#8
November 09, 2015, 01:13:41 PM
Quote from: Overstreet on November 09, 2015, 11:13:56 AM
Florida Sea Kayak Association..............annual Gator/Dog weekend paddle.....timed to work the tides.

The gators are all figurative in this case. However I have seen the reptiles swimming in the Ortega river and Fishing creek.

That's great.  We have Sea Eagle Razorlites; a nice, fast inflatable, but doubtful we're going to be able to keep up with you in those things!!!   ;D

Still, looking forward to being able to go out into that river.

Overstreet

#9
November 09, 2015, 02:34:11 PM
Most of the inflatables paddle like a sponge but for a select few higher end inflatables. My attitude changed on inflatables when a certain tandem disappeared in front of me on a 20 mile paddle. They were faster, but there was two of them paddling.   The Sea Eagle looks like one of the better inflatables.  Whatever you do be aware of the tides and use the eddies to your advantage.  Downtown can be tricky.  An incoming can flow by the old ship yards creating boils and strong cross currents.  Then again the inside of the turn by the marina can be smoother.

TimmyB

#10
November 09, 2015, 03:27:04 PM
Quote from: Overstreet on November 09, 2015, 02:34:11 PM
Most of the inflatables paddle like a sponge but for a select few higher end inflatables. My attitude changed on inflatables when a certain tandem disappeared in front of me on a 20 mile paddle. They were faster, but there was two of them paddling.   The Sea Eagle looks like one of the better inflatables.  Whatever you do be aware of the tides and use the eddies to your advantage.  Downtown can be tricky.  An incoming can flow by the old ship yards creating boils and strong cross currents.  Then again the inside of the turn by the marina can be smoother.

Yeah, we are in our first year of this.  We are runners and cyclists, but trying to add on to our activity choices!  The Razorlite has really impressed us both.  No one that we see on the water can believe we are in inflatables.  They are solid as a rock and they truly can fly, if they have the right motor.  (Not this 58-year-old one!)  We actually brought them down with us this summer, and had them out in ATL when we were there, but my wife got pretty sick in Jax, so we weren't able to do anything that strenuous while we were in town.  Maybe next year.   :)

Noone

#11
November 10, 2015, 04:10:20 AM
Overstreet, I may have seen some of you from the Hart Bridge. Went to the game and noticed some kayakers. Good for you. It was nice weather. GO GATORS! Jacksonville Waterways Commission meeting 11/12/15 at 9:30 am in council chambers. Have you ever been to one?

DIA (Downtown Is Adrift) with the new guy Aundra Wallace and Guy Parola on the agenda. What is the position if any of the Fla. Sea Kayak Assoc. as it relates to kayak launches in this new 2014-560 CRA/DIA 4.8 mile Rivers edge zone from the Fuller Warren to the Mathews Bridge?

Overstreet

#12
November 10, 2015, 10:21:38 AM
Quote from: TimmyB on November 09, 2015, 03:27:04 PM.......... they truly can fly, if they have the right motor.  (Not this 58-year-old one!)  ...........

Some of the paddlers on that paddle were 10 - 15 years older than you. Don't discount age.

TimmyB

#13
November 10, 2015, 11:17:04 AM
Quote from: Overstreet on November 10, 2015, 10:21:38 AM
Quote from: TimmyB on November 09, 2015, 03:27:04 PM.......... they truly can fly, if they have the right motor.  (Not this 58-year-old one!)  ...........

Some of the paddlers on that paddle were 10 - 15 years older than you. Don't discount age.

C'mon, man.  You're taking away all my excuses!!!   ;D

I do OK in my age group races, but I always reign myself in with reality.  I imagine the same is true for my kayaking abilities.

Know Growth

#14
November 10, 2015, 09:04:29 PM Last Edit: November 10, 2015, 09:57:04 PM by Know Growth
Quote from: Overstreet on November 09, 2015, 11:25:13 AM
Quote from: Know Growth on November 08, 2015, 10:24:39 PM
Per the chart it appears you embarked at Ortega/Saddler Point and thence returned. Nice jog. Multiple photo scenes.

Sixteen miles more or less. Long sleek sea kayaks make the miles easier.


10/4.
For many years I ran a Sleek,Fast Necky Looksha sit-inside. But I often wondered about a Flip in Downtown waters,the scramble back inside (forget about tugging the craft to shore there,sea walls etc.....think about it...),currents,maybe a nice big barge rolling through.
I got a taste of DWSSIV; Downtown Waterway Swamp Sit Inside Version,right there with Noone,under the edge of the parking lot. Good positioning,'planing'- I had to pee bad,waited until emerging from the inner parking lot sanctum to do so,waited until I was next to the floating dock,aware of potential spill,and yep,second "try" I swamped. Bizarre. Clamored on to the floating dock (yep......careful of dem' barnacles),swamped boat,soaked camera. It was about this time of year,falling light,a bit cold. Noone was great,produced a pump. It took some time to get the boat drained,situated.
Since than,I have opted for a sit on top self bailing kayak. Wilderness Systems Ride,comparatively a "barge" but very stable,actually designed to stand up in,I can swing both legs over the side,gotta' really work at it to flip.What a Ride!In the event of a Downtown Waterway Swamp, it's a relatively easy righting,if in fact righting is required,climb aboard and the hull drains. (And one can discretely pee and 'flush' via self bailing scuppers- a wonderful feature  :) )
The "Barge" seems nearly as good a performer as the Necky,and so super comfortable,comforting. A masterful,wonderful Downtown Urban Waterway vessel.

Noone and I once made a kayak run originating at Hogan Creek,McCoys Tunnel Vision diversion,and thence to Ortega/Fishweir Creek.
World Class.
Makes one thankful to not live in Boulder,Colorado.As but one Kayak Lyfe example.
Jacksonville Area Kayak World rocks!

Cheers,Onward!
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