Monthly Archives: November 2012
Photo of the Week: Drain the Pond
The Billington Sea Kayak staff takes great pride in making your kayak rental a full-service experience. We take your kayak down to the dock, fit you with a PFD, and give you a quick tour of the lake before waving Bon Voyage! Pretty standard so far, right?? Well, imagine all of this wrapped up in … Continue reading
Oru Kayak: a revolutionary origami folding kayak
The Deets Length: 12’ Width: 25” Weight: 25lbs Capacity: 260lbs The first look One of the most revolutionary projects to hit the internet this month was a concept developed with kayakers, travelers, and innovators alike. Made in California, the Oru Kayak, is a folding recreational kayak engineered from a single sheet of double-layered plastic. The … Continue reading
Astral Seawolf PFD Review
Overview: “This sea kayaking inspired lifevest combines incredible fit, lightweight construction, and ample organized storage space.” –Astral Buoyancy The Deets: PFD Type: USCG approved Type 3 (Flotation aid) Style: Side-entry, Unisex Designed flotation > 15.5lbs Weight: 1lb, 11oz Tow compatible: Yes (belt not included) Pockets: x3 (large front, x2 small side) Sizes (Chest): S/M (31”-37”), … Continue reading
When is it too cold for kayaking???
When is it too cold for kayaking, you ask?? The answer really depends on what type of paddling you enjoy. Many of us consider kayaking to be a summer-only activity and are more than content to hang up the paddling gear for the season when things start to get cold outside. Others will paddle on … Continue reading
Astral Gives Green Jacket PFD a Facelift for 2013
The Astral Green Jacket has served the greater kayaking community as the premier Type 5 “rescue” PFD ever since it’s inception. The many unique features of this technical life jacket including: tectonic construction, build-in body armor, integrated harness, quick-release tow system, and reinforced shoulder straps are certainly enough to make you fall in love with … Continue reading
To Instruct or Not to Instruct…That is the Question!
For many kayaking instructors paddling is much more about passion than work and you’ll often find us out on the water without a class in tow. I always enjoy the chance encounter with fellow members of the paddling community on my “off-the-clock” excursions. It’s nice to see others enjoying the sport that I love so … Continue reading
Is it a public or private beach?
Beach access and the use of coastal land are an area of wide discussion throughout kayaking, hiking, and outdoor communities. Frequent sea kayakers, at some point, have faced the familiar scenario of paddling ashore to an unfamiliar beach for a rest and questioned their rights to beach access. Where does the beach begin? Is it … Continue reading
Photo of the Week: Morton
When I reported to work at Billington Sea Kayak this past spring I was greeted by the shop’s newest staff member: Morton the Dog. Morton, a black lab-vizsla mix, had just celebrated his first birthday and he was holding on to his puppy-hood with all of his might! When we arrive in the morning Morton … Continue reading
Stellar Kayaks S14 Review
Overview “Unlike other boats of this length, the S14 has the speed of a much longer boat, but beginners can feel comfortable paddling it. A large hatch in the stern allows for ample storage for day and overnight trips, while the retractable skeg in the stern helps with tracking. Its short length and light weight … Continue reading
Thermarest Introduces New Line of Sleeping Bags
The Therm-a-rest brand, by Cascade Design, is best-known to outdoor enthusiasts for their sleep-transforming, self-inflating mattress pads. More recently, they released a line of down blankets in an attempt to bring backcountry comfort to a new level. These blankets were designed to integrate with the mattress pads in a way that provides the warmth of … Continue reading