Dolphin Paddlesports

"Ultimately, the question is less important than the fact he was prepared to help. All those years paddling—the courses he took to improve his stroke, to master his roll, learn rescue techniques and incident management—they paid off that day on Lake Murray."

How A Lone Kayaker Saves Two Men From Sinking Motorboat | Allen Hutto was having one of those days.

He’d loaded his sea kayak for an early morning paddle, but on the way to the lake his car picked up a nail. Repairing the flat took a couple of hours.

The wind was whipping when he finally got to the boat launch at Lake Murray near Columbia, South Carolina, and most of the boat traffic had already called it a day. Not Allen. He’s been sea kayaking for 35 years and worked hard to improve his skills, training with the likes of Derek Hutchinson and Nigel Foster and earning his Level 4 Open Water certification from the American Canoe Association.

Allen enjoys paddling in lively water, and the wind ripping across Lake Murray was just what he needed to get his mind off the flat tire and the workweek ahead. Continue reading: https://bit.ly/3n0Jukn

✍️: Jeff Moag
📷: Allen Hutto

Just another rough year for the kayak industry 😟

Kayak Manufacturing Costs Spike As Strait Of Hormuz Remains Closed: The closure of the Strait of Hormuz due to the U.S. and Israeli war with Iran is causing effects far beyond the fuel pump. For the paddlesports industry, the disruption of the strategic waterway has triggered a sharp spike in the cost of the plastics vital to modern kayak manufacturing.

From rotomolded polyethylene and thermoformed ABS hulls to composite sea kayaks, drop-stitch SUPs and inflatable rafts, nearly every component in a modern paddlecraft starts with petrochemicals. More than 40 percent of global polyethylene exports originate in the Middle East, and Reuters reports that 84 percent of that capacity is currently bottlenecked behind the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow seaway linking the Persian Gulf to the rest of the world.

Materials costs for U.S.-based kayak manufacturers have surged as much as 35 percent as a result of the blockade, while European and Asian producers have in many cases been hit even harder. Most of the plastics precursors that exit the Strait are bound for Asia and Europe. China and other Asian industrial juggernauts rely heavily on oil and chemical shipments flowing through the narrow waterway, in stark contrast to U.S. producers who source most of their ethylene feedstock domestically.

Still, that hasn’t stopped U.S. producers from raising prices...

Continue reading: https://bit.ly/4ei5K4p

A great seminar by Dick Pfaff about paddling the Myakka River. We have more seminars to come these upcoming summer months. Follow us on FB or sign up for our newsletter (on our website) to hear about the next presentations.

"In both cases, the paddlers underestimated the risk of short, seemingly routine outings. They didn’t leave a float plan despite challenging conditions, and none of the three brought their cell phones with them for fear of getting them wet, says Barnard, who is an avid kayaker himself."

We are no match for mother nature and her force. Always plan for the worse. Time and time again we have to remind people to buy PFD's. Often, the response we get is 'well, we are just paddling close to shore' -or- ' we are just paddling the canals.' IT DOESN'T MATTER!!! Take safety gear. Take your phone. Take an anchor. Tell people where you are going. Your life is worth it.

Swept Away: Paddler’s disappearance provides hard lessons and hope for a better future | A cell phone in a waterproof pouch might have made the difference. Or if he’d chosen his paddleboard that day, rather than the sit-inside kayak that filled with water when capsized. Perhaps if the wind had been calm or the current hadn’t been running so strongly, David Schink would have come home cheerful and energized, as he did almost every day after paddling. Instead, the kayaker went missing with barely a trace.

The what-ifs scroll through Judy Schink’s mind when she thinks back to the February day her husband of 38 years hustled out the door to look for dolphins in Destin, Florida, a seaside community built around a protected bay and a narrow pass to the Gulf of Mexico that is notorious for strong tidal currents.

“He didn’t say goodbye,” Judy recalls. “He said ‘See you later—we’ll go for a walk when I get back.’”

David Schink was no rookie paddler, Judy says. One of their first purchases as a couple was a canoe, and they spent summers at a lake house in Minnesota, paddling, sailing and water skiing with their three boys. David ran marathons and triathlons. He swam competitively in college and once rode his bicycle across Minnesota. At 61 he’d lost little of his athlete’s endurance and none of his enthusiasm for the water.

“He absolutely loved to paddle board every single day,” Judy says. “He was 6’5″ and he would pick up the paddleboard and carry it around like it was nothing. He just was exuberant when he was on the water, and he was so big and powerful I think he felt he could muscle his way out of anything.” It wasn’t unusual for David to be out after dark. At home in Minnesota, he loved to watch the sunset from the Mississippi and paddle home after dusk on the glassy water.

Continue reading: https://bit.ly/4425FJT

✍️: Jeff Moag
📷: Courtesy Judy Schink

INFLATABLE SUP'S ARE IN! LIMITED STOCK - GET THEM BEFORE THEY'RE GONE!

TAHE




https://floridakayak.com/store/TAHE-SUP-YAK-AIR-106-KAYAK-PACK-p650125357?category=0

When he’s not keeping watch on the beaches, chasing fish, or spending time with the fam… you just might find Chris Lender here. 🌊🎣👇
Anyone need some new bungees or rudder lines on their Hobie? 😅😅

**SEMINAR AT THE SHOP***
The Myakka River was Florida’s first officially designated Wild and Scenic River, with 37 miles of its 66-mile length protected to preserve its untouched beauty and natural character. Flowing through one of the state’s oldest and largest parks, Myakka River State Park, it offers visitors a rare glimpse into Florida’s unspoiled landscapes and diverse ecosystems before widespread development.

Dick Pfaff brings 30 years of kayaking experience and is a certified instructor. For 15 of those years, Dick Pfaff served as a kayak guide on the Myakka River and volunteered within Myakka River State Park, gaining extensive knowledge of the river’s rich history, wildlife, and hidden beauty.

On May 28th, Dick will share his firsthand experiences and expertise on paddling the Myakka River, including park requirements, launch locations, wildlife encounters, safety tips, and what paddlers can expect while exploring this unique Wild and Scenic River. Whether you are new to kayaking or an experienced paddler looking to learn more about the Myakka, this presentation offers valuable insight into one of Florida’s most treasured waterways.

Join Us May 28th @ 5:00 at the Economy Tackle Shop for this presentation on PADDLING THE MYAKKA
6018 S Tamiami Trl, Sarasota, FL 34236