Wild Rock summer hours have begun. We are open until 8 pm during the week to allow you time to get the things you need to get out and play!

Monday to Friday 10 am until 8 pm

Saturday 10 am until 6 pm

Sunday 11 am until 4 pm

Check out the coupon at the end of the newsletter!

Hike to High Falls Sat. June 3rd 8 am meeting at the Park and Zoo. Join us in this 6 km hike to High Falls and learn some interesting facts about nature. The hike might last 3 or 4 hours so bring snacks. Cost is $5 when you sign up.

Road Bike Demo - June 7th and 8th. If you always wanted to try a carbon bike this is your chance. The first people to contact me get to ride these bikes for a night! Contact me at scott@wildrock.net to reserve a bike. Let me know what you would like to take out for a spin! First come first ride. Check out which bikes are available on the PCC(Peterborough Cycling Club) forum: www.peterboroughcc.com

Kayaking clinics and demos - Whether you are shopping for a boat or looking to improve your paddling skills Tuesdays are for you! Running every Tuesday night at 6pm throughout June, July and August at Beavermead our demo nights have something for everyone. If you wish to try-before- you buy there is no cost to the demos. You do need to inform us(or our staff can help direct you) as to which boat you are interested in trying so that we ensure it is available. The insturctional courses that run at the same time are $20 payable when you register. Please visit our website to get the course content schedule.

Basic Bike Maintenance Clinics to keep your bike rolling between tune-ups. June 14th at 6 pm. Cost is $5 when you sign up.

Intermediate Bike Maintenance Clinic. If you want something more in depth than the basic, come out on June 28th. Cost is $5 when you sign up.

. . . . . . Paths and Pedals Bike Rodeo and Trail Day is on Saturday June 3rd! For children between the ages of 5 and 12. The cost is free and you can arrive any time between 10 am and 1 pm (ends at 2pm)

A canoe trip is a wonderful time to spend with your family and can be a great experience for children of all ages. A ride in the canoe for our first newborn was the only thing other than the vacuum cleaner and a bumpy ride in the stroller that would stop his crying. In fact, he still cries when he doesn’t get to go canoeing. Kids—just like adults—must always wear PFDs when canoeing. Be aware that an adult-sized PFD will not be suitable for children. Lifejackets need to fit properly in order to be effective, and there are many kid-sized PFDs on the market at very affordable prices. Kids also need a paddle, although you may want to tie the paddle to the canoe so that it doesn’t get lost.

This is an excerpt from a book called Canoe Camping by Mark Scriver. Click on the picture to find out more from The Heliconia Press.

Of course, paddling with kids has the potential of being a trial for everyone involved, but here are a few tips to help make it a happy experience. Have a comfortable space for them in the canoe where they can reach the water. The younger the child is, the more sensitive they’ll be to sun, dehydration and hunger. With small children, don’t plan to go far. Their needs must dictate your schedule. With older kids, set manageable and rewarding goals and don’t smother them with rules or technical paddling advice-let them try it their way. Don’t expect kids to enjoy spending extended periods of time quietly sitting in a canoe, or efficiently paddling in rhythm for hours. If your plan is to complete an ambitious three-hour tour of the entire lake shoreline (with minimal pit stops), then a full-on mutiny should also be on your schedule. Kids get bored fast if their curiosity and creativity aren’t engaged, so wherever possible let them set the goals and make up the games. Their imaginations will astound you, and in seconds, they’ll be using a canoe in ways that you never even considered. If you do "need" to cover a certain amount of ground, bribery is always a valid option. Bring small treats along for the ride and you’ll be able to keep kids interested and happy for a bit longer.

Around camp, all of the little tasks, such as putting up the tent, collecting wood and cooking, can be fun if kids are involved. Come to think of it, this applies to adults as well-almost anything can be fun if you let it be. Although it’s not a bad idea to bring toys or some other form of distraction, the most interesting things may well be dragging a hand in the water, a lily pad, a frog, a chipmunk, or a stick in the fire. Teach them, learn from them, and enjoy.

I imagine slicing silently through the water listening to the sound of loons calling across a mirrored lake. Or witnessing an orca break through the water's surface and blow, perhaps no more than 20 feet from your boat. Or how about catching a friendly wave and riding it into shore?

Whether you're headed to a local lake for the day or off on an extended paddling tour, you'll want to make sure you've chosen the boat that will let you get the most out of your time on the water. The information that follows will help you sort through the options for flat water paddling.

Quick Read           

1. Determine your paddling-trip preferences (day trips, expeditions, family recreation) before selecting a boat.
   
   
   
2. Choose a boat based on the type of paddling and water for which it was designed.
   
   
3. Design and materials will affect how your kayak handles in various situations.
   
   
4. Consider the important "extras" before purchasing your kayak.

What Kind of Paddler are You?

How do you plan to use your new kayak? Do you see yourself exploring or fishing on a local lake, perhaps with your family? Playing in the ocean surf or on gentle rivers? Maybe you have in mind some day trips in coastal areas. Or perhaps you're dreaming of packing up and heading out for a long kayak camping trip.

Decide how and where you'll be using your kayak to help narrow down the choices.

Types of Kayaks

Kayaks, or portable, covered boats with cockpits, are designed for use on lakes, oceans and rivers-even for surfing. Take a look below at the types to select the right one for you.

Recreational
These all-around boats are stable, easy to handle, fun and affordable. Most have large open cockpits for easy entry and exit. They are great for lakes, tidal areas and slow-moving rivers.

Day Touring
This wide-ranging category includes everything from small touring boats to canoe/kayak hybrids. In general, day touring boats are designed with beginners and recreational boaters in mind. Most are shorter and lighter than regular touring kayaks, so they're easy to turn, maneuver and transport. They have less capacity for carrying gear than the larger boats. They're also easy on the wallet! These boats can be used just about anywhere, short of whitewater rivers.

Multi-day Touring
Touring kayaks are built to handle long trips and big gear loads. They're roomy and comfortable, with covered decks to protect you and your cargo from the wind and water. They're also quite easy to paddle, with sleek, efficient designs that cut through the water, track well and keep a low profile so you don't get blown off course. These boats are ideal for open water paddling on oceans and lakes.

Sit-on-Tops
Sit-on-top kayaks are designed for fun. They're easy to use and a breeze to get on and off. Sit-on-tops make great bases for swimming, snorkeling, diving and more. Shorter models are great for surfing! Most are designed for day use, but some are built to handle everything from river running to overnight touring. Some styles even feature hatches for internal storage.

Materials

Fiberglass
Fiberglass is lightweight and stiff, and can be shaped into extremely efficient, responsive hull designs. (Stiffer hulls are more responsive and require less internal bracing. This means a lighter boat with more room inside for legs and gear.) Fiberglass is most often used in top-of-the-line kayaks. Fiberglass hulls are made of layers of woven fabric, bonded together with a polyester resin for strength and rigidity. An outer gel coating provides protection against abrasion and exposure to ultraviolet light.

Composite
This category includes Kevlar™, fiberglass and carbon blends which are extremely durable and lightweight. They tend to be more expensive than polyethylene or rotomolded plastic boats. Airalite™ is a thermo-formed material similar in appearance, stiffness and weight to traditional composite materials, but it's considerably less expensive.

Polyethylene
Polyethylene plastic is less expensive, more impact-resistant, and more abrasion-resistant than fiberglass. Polyethylene can be molded into complex shapes using a variety of molding processes. Polyethylene boats can be a bit slower than the slick fiberglass or composite models. Exolar™ resin, a newer plastic material that's being used in kayaks, is 40% stiffer and more durable than superlinear polyethylene.

PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride)
This flexible, clothlike thermoplastic material is used to make inflatable kayaks and rafts. It's tough and abrasion- and puncture-resistant, and it comes in a variety of thicknesses.

Nitrylon™
Also used to make inflatables, Nitrylon is a combination of tough, nylon fabric and a Nitrile/natural rubber coating. It offers excellent abrasion resistance and cold-weather flexibility.

Design

Length
Longer kayaks tend to be easier to paddle over long distances than shorter boats (once you get them up to speed). They also stay on course better and hold more gear. Shorter kayaks weigh less, are less affected by winds and are easier to turn, maneuver and transport. Recreational kayaks are typically shorter, between 9 and 15 feet in long. Touring boats are anywhere from 12 to 18 feet, with the average being about 16 feet. Tandems, (two-person kayaks with two cockpits), average about 18 feet.

Width (Beam)
Wider kayaks are easier to enter and exit and are more stable on the water. They also have more room for gear. These include most of the recreational boats which range from about 25 to 30 inches in width. Narrow boats are a little more "tippy," but they tend to be lighter and more efficient through the water. They also track better. Narrow boats are usually easier to "roll" back up after a capsize than wider boats. Touring kayaks are usually a bit narrower than recreational boats, and range in width from 21 to 25 inches. Tandem touring kayaks are typically a bit wider.

Chine
The point at which a kayak bottom turns upward and becomes the kayak's side is called the chine. Smooth, rounded chines provide good secondary stability and easier bracing and rolling. Sharper, more pronounced chines can enhance tracking and initial stability.

Entry Line
The edge of a kayak's hull where it cuts through the water is called its entry line. Sharp entry lines slice through the water efficiently for better speed and easier paddling. Blunt bows ride up slightly on incoming waves for better buoyancy and drier paddling in windy, rough conditions.

Don't Overlook the Details

Rudders and Skegs
Rudders and skegs are typically used on touring kayaks for steering and stability. Depending on your paddling ability and the types of trips you'll be taking, you may choose to get a boat with a rudder or a skeg, or you may be a purist who prefers a boat with neither. A rudder helps you turn, maintain a straight course and keep your boat steady in rough water. It is operated by maneuvering foot pegs attached to wires and can be raised when not needed.

A skeg, or a keel that can be lowered and raised offers stability and causes the boat react with wind or current, depending on its position. You should know how to turn using body weight and paddling strokes when considering buying a boat with a skeg. The same can be said for boats with neither rudder nor skeg. These boats are a joy to paddle for their smooth lines, but you need to be proficient at turning and handling the boat if you venture into anything more than calm, sheltered waters.

Cockpit Shape
Large cockpits are easy to enter and exit, and they allow you to store larger items inside the cockpit area. Small cockpits help hold you inside the kayak for easier rolling and maneuvering in rough conditions. Small cockpits are also easier to protect with spray skirts, which keep water from getting inside. Before you buy any kayak, make sure the cockpit and seat are comfortable!

Foot Pegs
To kayak efficiently, you need to brace your feet against the kayak hull. Make sure the foot pegs (or heel pockets) designed for this task are comfortable. Adjustable pegs allow more than one person to paddle a kayak.

Storage Space
Make sure you have enough storage space for the kinds of trips you have planned. If your storage space is inside the kayak, check for reliable seals on the deck hatches and internal walls (bulkheads). If the storage space is on top of the boat, make sure you have some way to strap down all items securely.

Flotation
Airtight hull sections closed off by bulkheads or inflatable air bags will keep your kayak afloat during a capsize. Make sure the bulkhead walls are sealed well, or that the air bags are tough and well-made and can be secured inside the hull. If you're considering a sit-on-top kayak, it should have self-bailing drainage holes.

Take a Test Drive

In the last newsletter we informed you of two women setting out on a crazy journey. The adventures of Alison and Megan continue on their Herstory 2006 bike tour of the country.

In their words, they are biking across the country because:

Biking across the nation and learning the stories of women facing breast cancer will be an intimate discovery of our land and people. It will be a journey in hopes of weaving a common thread from coast to coast through a challenge that affects each of us. Riding our bikes through the raw and diverse terrain and weather that characterizes Canada is our challenge in honour of all those women who have struggled and will struggle against this disease.

Join the tour of the century - or is that the century tour - or maybe both! What a great way to spend a weekend: cycling around the Kawarthas! All proceeds from this event will help support the renovation of a new Occupational Services Facility for the clients supported by Peterborough Communication Support Systems. 100 kms of supported riding two days in a row. Does it get better than that?