MEDIA CLIPS

KAYAK!

By Michael Rabideau
The Original Cape Code Guide Magazine
Late Summer 2001

If you've never been kayaking, you've got to try it. After all, it's quickly becoming a Cape Cod pastime, Driving around the Cape you can see cars and trucks portaging these colorful modern day canoes from one "way to water" to the next. As a local, I admit I was beginning to feel like an outsider having never been in a kayak before.

My wife and I decided a great way to test the kayaking waters was to take a guided eco-tour. After a hearty breakfast, we met our tour group promptly at 9:30 am at Jack's Boat Rentals in Wellfleet. Rob, our guide, was busy preparing for the 2 ½ hour adventure. It was a splendid early summer morning, the sun was shining and a few wistful clouds floated above. This was in great contrast to the heavier overcast skies we had left behind us in the mid-Cape region. The weather on Cape Cod is well known for changing quickly and on this day it was working in our favor.

After a quick meet and greet, our guide hooked up his truck to a kayak trailer that held eight single and double-occupancy kayaks and we headed off to Indian Neck, the point for our departure. The ocean kayaks we were using were lightweight but still needed two people to maneuver from the parking lot to the beach. Once our gear was at the beach Rob gathered us in a large semi-circle for some basic instruction.

First order of business was properly fitting our life jackets. Next, we learned the proper way to paddle our boats. Technique is very important, as the wrong arm action will leave you tired and sore. Our guide had come prepared with both single and double kayaks, making the trip possible for participants wishing to explore freely or for those with children. He also reminded us to apply our sunscreen and bring our water bottles. Our cameras went into zip tight plastic bags to keep dry and Rob took participants keys…just in case.

Next it was off to our boats and our adventure around Chipman's Cove and Duck Creek. With the wind in our face, we hugged the coast, gently meandering along the tidal grasses and shallows. As we glided peacefully along, cormorants took turns intermittently drying their wings and diving for breakfast. A few Horseshoe crabs seemingly hovered and glided along the shallows. The tranquil lapping of the water against the hulls of our own boats created peace, calm and quiet, save for the intermittent humming of saws and mowers emanating from the shore.

After paddling against the winds blowing across Chipman's Cove, we passed Wellfleet marina and entered Duck Creek. Duck Creek was once home to a myriad of oyster houses and the evidence can be seen in the water where millions of oyster shells cover the bottom. The true character of Cape Cod is evident here as we paddled alongside the bones of a sunken boat and then passed carefully between piers that once supported the Cape Cod railroad. Our guide made mention that, it was here on the Creek that Wellfleet's finest oysters were packaged on board the box cars and shipped to the city.

As we proceeded up stream, and under Uncle Tim's Bridge we found ourselves edging along the tidal banks. Rob noted that we were not looking at mud but rather peat; the effects of hundreds of years of grass degeneration season after season. We also watched thousands of fiddler crabs scurrying in and out of holes in the peat. The sight became a major highlight for some young people that had come along with us.

On our return trip, with the breeze behind us, we discussed handling the wind and appropriate techniques for steering. Our trip back was quick as we glided through the boat basin and back to our point of origination. It was high tide and the beach took on a different look. He assured us this was the right place, and we gently edge our kayaks back onto the beach and prepared for the haul out. This perfect mix of physical activity, learning and leisure left our fellow participants exclaiming what a terrific and educational time they'd just experienced. We couldn't have agreed with them more.

A special thanks to Jack at Jack's Boat Rental and Eric at Fun Seekers for helping facilitate our kayaking trip.

Breezing Along

Surf's Up

Blissful Boarding

Go With The Flow!

Disabilities
At The Dock

Kayak!

Hidden Cape

WINTER MEDIA