What should i bring?
Water. Snacks. Sunscreen. Clothes suitable for kayaking. Joy. Your best powers of observation.
I will provide kayaks, paddles, PFD's (life jackets), paddling instruction, and a unique guided tour. Bug spray is usually not needed, but you may wish to bring some for the hiking tour. I also recommend close-toed shoes for the Sandy Island hiking tour.
I will provide kayaks, paddles, PFD's (life jackets), paddling instruction, and a unique guided tour. Bug spray is usually not needed, but you may wish to bring some for the hiking tour. I also recommend close-toed shoes for the Sandy Island hiking tour.
Where do we meet?
Meeting locations for each tour are sent in the confirmation email and can be doubly confirmed by phone call or text with me.
what is the age-limit?
Paddlers must be over ten years-old. Anyone under this age must ride with an adult in a tandem kayak.
What IF I want a tandem kayak?
Well, these are called "Divorce Boats" for a reason.
But seriously, I have tandem kayaks and can equip you with one. Please let me know by texting, calling, or emailing after you make your booking.
But seriously, I have tandem kayaks and can equip you with one. Please let me know by texting, calling, or emailing after you make your booking.
do you rent kayaks? WHY DO I NEED A GUIDE?
I do not rent kayaks for personal use.
A guide prevents you from going up the wrong creek in the marshy maze, getting stuck in the pluff mud on the outgoing tide, and getting cut up by oyster shells. Or lost on the river. I've seen it happen many, many times. A guide is also armed with lots of fun facts, paddling know-how, and local knowledge.
A guide prevents you from going up the wrong creek in the marshy maze, getting stuck in the pluff mud on the outgoing tide, and getting cut up by oyster shells. Or lost on the river. I've seen it happen many, many times. A guide is also armed with lots of fun facts, paddling know-how, and local knowledge.
what if i've never kayaked before?
I'd be happy to have you and to teach you how to paddle. Kayaking is an easy, fun sport for everyone.
can i bring my own kayak?
Absolutely. Just let me know before the trip. You get a $10 discount for not using my gear.
WHY DO most TOURS START IN THE MORNING?
Down here, the heat, the wind, and the weather typically pick up in the summer afternoons. Besides, there's nothing better than exercising in the morning and enjoying lunch afterwards.
will i tip over?
These kayaks are super stable. Out of the thousands of people I have taken kayaking, only four have ever gone swimming (and all four were "horsing around"). So you have, roughly, a 0.004% chance? (I'm no mathematician.)
Bottom line: Sure, you can always tip over, but you can never OVER TIP!
Bottom line: Sure, you can always tip over, but you can never OVER TIP!
why can't i use drugs or drink alcohol?
A rhetorical question, surely. Safety. Insurance purposes. Party afterwards, if you like.
how many people can you take?
I take up to 7 people with online booking. It's best--for safety and intimacy of experience--that we keep the group small. If you have a larger group, call me to work it out.
What is your cancellation policy? WHAT IF YOU HAVE TO CANCEl?
Free rescheduled tour or full refund if customer calls before day of departure. Cancellations made the day of departure are non-refundable, as I may have turned down other bookings.
I will of course refund you 100% if I must cancel for any reason, including heavy wind or bad weather.
I will of course refund you 100% if I must cancel for any reason, including heavy wind or bad weather.
Do you offer kayak fishing?
I love to fish. But these are paddling tours only. I'd be happy to recommend a good fishing guide.
are there bathrooms?
There are port-o-potties available before and after the river tours. However, I recommend using the restroom before you arrive.
There are no bathrooms available for the marsh tours other than the salt creek itself (#1 only).
For the Sandy Island hike, it's a "third tree on the right" situation when we get to the island. I will bring a trowel, TP, and a bag for packing out TP. Leave no trace!
There are no bathrooms available for the marsh tours other than the salt creek itself (#1 only).
For the Sandy Island hike, it's a "third tree on the right" situation when we get to the island. I will bring a trowel, TP, and a bag for packing out TP. Leave no trace!
IS THERE A WEIGHT LIMIT?
I ask that you let me know if you are over 260 pounds so I can choose the best kayak for you.
What will i see?
Check out the Photo Gallery on this website for a sample of potential observations and scenes.
what about the big, bad alligators?
In the wild, which is where we paddle, the American alligator is absolutely terrified of us. And completely harmless.
However, if you are someone with a deep-seeded fear of alligators--a fear that cannot be pacified by logic and the knowledge you are under no risk at all with alligators--then book a tour in the salt marsh. Alligators don't live in the salt marsh. Or book a river tour between November and March. Alligators don't come out at that time.
But whatever you do, don't talk smack about the American alligator. They are a keystone species. At River Reader Kayaking, we love them.
However, if you are someone with a deep-seeded fear of alligators--a fear that cannot be pacified by logic and the knowledge you are under no risk at all with alligators--then book a tour in the salt marsh. Alligators don't live in the salt marsh. Or book a river tour between November and March. Alligators don't come out at that time.
But whatever you do, don't talk smack about the American alligator. They are a keystone species. At River Reader Kayaking, we love them.