What "real" kayaks might look like:

I had the honor of meeting Skip and John today.  I was just driving out from the river launch when they were driving in, and I saw their kayaks and made a careful u-turn.

Skip and John are Fort Bragg local, so I was glad to meet and bother them.

Skip has a Necky kayak and John has an Impex.  They use Greenlandic paddles and wear dry suits, and were practicing their rolls.  I took pics:

That's a different world of kayaking than I know, Matt.  Thanks for the glimpse.   

You're very welcome, Eric.  It was new to me too, and I was in awe.  Skip and John also knew all about traditional Greenlandic (sp?) and Icelandic kayak fishing traditions and tools and paddles and such, but they don't fish much.  This was like kayaking purity to just have the honor watch.

The Necky kayaks are fiberglass, but are also made in rotomolded poly, as well as in carbon fiber.  The interesting skinny Icelandic paddles are carbon fiber but John also uses a traditional wooden Icelandic paddle.

I was just so amazed to merely watch.  Sometimes I think I should just get a neat little trailer and live by the river, but there isn't an internet connection there. 

 Wow   the greenland looks amazing.  Always have wanted to make one, but so many projects.
It looks like he might be praticing handrolls?

Man, you sure don't see many folks sporting a tuliq. These guys are serious.

Of course, really qayaq-ophiles paddle skin on frame boats

Scott

Man, you sure don't see many folks sporting a tuliq. These guys are serious.

Of course, really qayaq-ophiles paddle skin on frame boats

Scott

You mean like this...

that back arching manuver looks painful... funny, I thought the point of kayaking was to stay dry?

In "real" kayaks, knowing how to roll actually keeps you much dryer in the long run than the alternative.. the wet exit. Not having to bail out your kayak if you flip over is nice.  However, in order to be able to do that it does take practice. That, and some people actually find it fun... (which it is).

Brian

that back arching manuver looks painful... funny, I thought the point of kayaking was to stay dry?

Kayaking is a watersport, a fact commonly forgotten by many kayak anglers. Would you say the point in swimming is to stay dry? Waterskiing?

As for the point in kayaking, isn't it to be able to enjoy the feeling of closeness to the water, something that is not to be found in most water craft, save surf/belly boards.

Scott

Yep, Skip and John were out there practicing their rolls for about an hour at least, and they each did dozens and dozens of rolls.  Very impressive to watch, and they were really tired when they got out.  They stayed pretty dry in the drysuits.  Serious stuff indeed.

Yep, Skip and John were out there practicing their rolls for about an hour at least, and they each did dozens and dozens of rolls.  Very impressive to watch, and they were really tired when they got out.  They stayed pretty dry in the drysuits.  Serious stuff indeed.

An hour of winter roll practice is pretty hard core, even in drysuits/tuliq. I see John has noes plugs, does Skip? Did they wear goggles?  I've found that plugs are practically mandatory for extended roll sessions, while swim goggles make spending time upside down a literal joy.

Scott

I don't think they were wearing googles, but that's a good idea, Scott.
Also I think that both of them actually did mention some Greenlandic blood in their families.  Skip looks like Eric the Red or something.