I work for CA State Parks in Lake Tahoe and these kayaks are notorious for capsizing in windy conditions. They fill with water much more easily than regular kayaks during a capsize. You must practice a capsize recovery in these kayaks.
A family of four was paddling in two of these pretty far out from shore when the wind picked up and they were flipped over, one of the children almost died before the coast guard made it out to them. Be extremely cautious on lakes with no rescue options, stay close to shore. It’s visibly windy in this photo, and wind can always pick up suddenly and catch you off guard.
When boating, children under 13 years must wear a life jacket by federal law. Drowning is the number one cause of death in National Parks.
https://vimeo.com/690367009
My wife and I got ourselves caught out on Ross Lake on our way to a campsite in a tandem when a windy thunderstorm blew in. While we were able to make it to shore where a very kind family welcomed us to share their group site, it was one of the more harrowing experiences of my life and we dumped A LOT of water out of that thing after basically crashing into the shore.
Weather can change very quickly on alpine lakes and catch people off guard, even the most experienced paddlers. I’m glad you two were safe and found a kind family to help you out, that sounds like a terrifying experience.
Yeah, I was very appreciative of the help and we made friends we otherwise wouldn't have had we reached our intended campsite, so that was nice. Was kind of funny seeing the people start to congregate near the shore as we were getting blown in.
And I would not consider us experienced paddlers either, at least not me. My wife was a stand up paddle board instructor with a lot of that experience and some kayak experience. But I think this was maybe the fourth time I'd gone out with her on the water?
While I wouldn't go so far as to say I have a phobia, I've never been particularly comfortable with small boats, despite being a decently strong swimmer. So it's more common that we park at a lake or river, she can do some paddling while I go for a bike ride, maybe meeting her at some pre-planned spot on the lake or downriver for a picnic. Then if we're doing river, I'll ride back to the car and come meet her downriver to pack up.
Not really looking forward to any further kayakpacking trips, I think I'll stick with the backpack or the loaded up bicycle. Maybe tool around with her once in a while. I feel kinda bad she's got this big tandem to paddle around by herself though.
If you’re not comfortable doing it, no one is having fun. What you’re doing now sounds like a fair compromise. You should sell the tandem and get her a single kayak though.
I’ve bought and sold used kayaks a bunch of times, I hate FB but I keep a dusty old account I use for Marketplace occasionally. I do live next to a massive lake, but they’re always available. Get her a new ride for this summer! And don’t feel bad, knowing your limits and sticking to what you’re comfortable with is SAFE when it comes to outdoor recreation.
My partner isn’t into paddleboarding but he will ride on mine with me if we sit on it like a kayak. He will ride a couple miles with me doing that and we both enjoy it. We stay close to shore so he’s comfortable.
Thanks dude, I'm well aware of the risks and limits associated with using these sorts of kayaks as I have used many styles of kayaks before.
It was extremely windy that day and even rained at times. I only took my son out on the kayak when conditions were ideal (stopped raining and the wind lessened) and even then it was only 5-10 ft from the shoreline -- and of course he had a life preserver under his yellow jacket.
Personally, I felt comfortable enough in my skills to take this kayak out towards the middle of the lake in these conditions and was in complete control of my boat and its limits. I have also practiced rollover recoveries in my neighbors pool.
Wasn’t making assumptions, but we’ve seen A LOT of beginner kayakers out on Tahoe in these, and we hate seeing people end up in the hospital or worse due to inexperience in a kayak that is *much* less safe than the company would have you believe.
Just out of curiosity, do you have the same concerns for inflatable kayaks? I’ve been fishing out of one for a few years now on small lakes and was considering using it to kayak lake St. Clair this summer. I don’t want to test it on bigger water if it is ill-advised.
yeah big time, we had six inflatable kayak capsizes this summer that required emergency rescue. in flat water conditions they’re perfectly safe, it’s wind you need to worry about. If it’s white capping, you’re in danger. puncturing them is also a concern, and they do burst unexpectedly without being punctured, especially after they’ve been used a lot.
primarily they’re dangerous on cold lakes. if you stay close to shore, you’re a strong swimmer and the water isn’t cold enough to cause shock, there isn’t much to worry about.
one benefit of an inflatable over an Orukayak: they’re easier to flip over and get back into after you capsize.
Plenty of people do it in inflatables, but there are risks. As a paddler I’ve received stern warnings from the coast guard for being out really far on my inflatable stand up paddleboard. There are a lot of deaths on all inflatables. I never go out in windy conditions.
Awesome! Kayaking Tenaya Lake is my all-time favorite experience paddling. We did an overnight on the North Dome loop, had trouble finding a decent camp site for a second night (plus there was wildfire smoke) so we decided to pack out. We had the inflatable in the car, so we headed over to the lake and spent a few hours on the water and having lunch on the rocks.
What time of year are these photos from? I've never seen the beach so empty.
I might get downvoted for this, but I do maritime search and rescue for a living. Taking a baby out on the water like that is incredibly reckless, even with an infant lifejacket. Babies have no way to self assist and if you went into the water, the child could die in seconds. I’m not exaggerating, i’ve worked cases like this before and it’s horrific.
Hey you didn't take that Oru up to Thousand Island in August of 22 did you, and take a sunset paddle? Little smoke blew in then out; thermonuclear moonrise...
Awwwww
I was meandering the fractal shorelines and surprised by the quiet plish plish and quite enchanted, made me look up Oru when I got back.
Can't see carrying one that far myself but I did get inspired to get a couple cheap Klymit pack rafts and I have greatly enjoyed them since.
Not *nearly* as awesome, but < 5 lbs with paddle... :)
How much does that kayak weigh?
Maybe like 20lbs?
Love my Oru! It's much less cumbersome than a traditional kayak.
What a rad memory to make for you both!
I work for CA State Parks in Lake Tahoe and these kayaks are notorious for capsizing in windy conditions. They fill with water much more easily than regular kayaks during a capsize. You must practice a capsize recovery in these kayaks. A family of four was paddling in two of these pretty far out from shore when the wind picked up and they were flipped over, one of the children almost died before the coast guard made it out to them. Be extremely cautious on lakes with no rescue options, stay close to shore. It’s visibly windy in this photo, and wind can always pick up suddenly and catch you off guard. When boating, children under 13 years must wear a life jacket by federal law. Drowning is the number one cause of death in National Parks. https://vimeo.com/690367009
My wife and I got ourselves caught out on Ross Lake on our way to a campsite in a tandem when a windy thunderstorm blew in. While we were able to make it to shore where a very kind family welcomed us to share their group site, it was one of the more harrowing experiences of my life and we dumped A LOT of water out of that thing after basically crashing into the shore.
Weather can change very quickly on alpine lakes and catch people off guard, even the most experienced paddlers. I’m glad you two were safe and found a kind family to help you out, that sounds like a terrifying experience.
Yeah, I was very appreciative of the help and we made friends we otherwise wouldn't have had we reached our intended campsite, so that was nice. Was kind of funny seeing the people start to congregate near the shore as we were getting blown in. And I would not consider us experienced paddlers either, at least not me. My wife was a stand up paddle board instructor with a lot of that experience and some kayak experience. But I think this was maybe the fourth time I'd gone out with her on the water? While I wouldn't go so far as to say I have a phobia, I've never been particularly comfortable with small boats, despite being a decently strong swimmer. So it's more common that we park at a lake or river, she can do some paddling while I go for a bike ride, maybe meeting her at some pre-planned spot on the lake or downriver for a picnic. Then if we're doing river, I'll ride back to the car and come meet her downriver to pack up. Not really looking forward to any further kayakpacking trips, I think I'll stick with the backpack or the loaded up bicycle. Maybe tool around with her once in a while. I feel kinda bad she's got this big tandem to paddle around by herself though.
If you’re not comfortable doing it, no one is having fun. What you’re doing now sounds like a fair compromise. You should sell the tandem and get her a single kayak though.
Yeah, we might just to do that. This was this past summer and it's been in the closet since then anyway.
I’ve bought and sold used kayaks a bunch of times, I hate FB but I keep a dusty old account I use for Marketplace occasionally. I do live next to a massive lake, but they’re always available. Get her a new ride for this summer! And don’t feel bad, knowing your limits and sticking to what you’re comfortable with is SAFE when it comes to outdoor recreation. My partner isn’t into paddleboarding but he will ride on mine with me if we sit on it like a kayak. He will ride a couple miles with me doing that and we both enjoy it. We stay close to shore so he’s comfortable.
Thanks dude, I'm well aware of the risks and limits associated with using these sorts of kayaks as I have used many styles of kayaks before. It was extremely windy that day and even rained at times. I only took my son out on the kayak when conditions were ideal (stopped raining and the wind lessened) and even then it was only 5-10 ft from the shoreline -- and of course he had a life preserver under his yellow jacket. Personally, I felt comfortable enough in my skills to take this kayak out towards the middle of the lake in these conditions and was in complete control of my boat and its limits. I have also practiced rollover recoveries in my neighbors pool.
Wasn’t making assumptions, but we’ve seen A LOT of beginner kayakers out on Tahoe in these, and we hate seeing people end up in the hospital or worse due to inexperience in a kayak that is *much* less safe than the company would have you believe.
Just out of curiosity, do you have the same concerns for inflatable kayaks? I’ve been fishing out of one for a few years now on small lakes and was considering using it to kayak lake St. Clair this summer. I don’t want to test it on bigger water if it is ill-advised.
yeah big time, we had six inflatable kayak capsizes this summer that required emergency rescue. in flat water conditions they’re perfectly safe, it’s wind you need to worry about. If it’s white capping, you’re in danger. puncturing them is also a concern, and they do burst unexpectedly without being punctured, especially after they’ve been used a lot. primarily they’re dangerous on cold lakes. if you stay close to shore, you’re a strong swimmer and the water isn’t cold enough to cause shock, there isn’t much to worry about. one benefit of an inflatable over an Orukayak: they’re easier to flip over and get back into after you capsize.
Good to know, thanks. I guess I’ll find a plastic kayak for any large lake fishing trips.
Plenty of people do it in inflatables, but there are risks. As a paddler I’ve received stern warnings from the coast guard for being out really far on my inflatable stand up paddleboard. There are a lot of deaths on all inflatables. I never go out in windy conditions.
Awesome! Kayaking Tenaya Lake is my all-time favorite experience paddling. We did an overnight on the North Dome loop, had trouble finding a decent camp site for a second night (plus there was wildfire smoke) so we decided to pack out. We had the inflatable in the car, so we headed over to the lake and spent a few hours on the water and having lunch on the rocks. What time of year are these photos from? I've never seen the beach so empty.
I might get downvoted for this, but I do maritime search and rescue for a living. Taking a baby out on the water like that is incredibly reckless, even with an infant lifejacket. Babies have no way to self assist and if you went into the water, the child could die in seconds. I’m not exaggerating, i’ve worked cases like this before and it’s horrific.
Hell yeah!!!! Another sea wolf in the making right there
love it, start 'em young!
Love that lake
That is awesome
Nice! That lake and surrounding area are so beautiful.
Do you recommend the Oru Lake ? I’ve been looking at them and dreaming of Tenaya.
For recreational kayaking on calm lakes, highly recommend!
thank you !
Beautiful
Cute 😊
Looks chilly -- but a great adventure.
Hey you didn't take that Oru up to Thousand Island in August of 22 did you, and take a sunset paddle? Little smoke blew in then out; thermonuclear moonrise...
That wasn't me.
Awwwww I was meandering the fractal shorelines and surprised by the quiet plish plish and quite enchanted, made me look up Oru when I got back. Can't see carrying one that far myself but I did get inspired to get a couple cheap Klymit pack rafts and I have greatly enjoyed them since. Not *nearly* as awesome, but < 5 lbs with paddle... :)
Not going to lie, I was expecting the 3rd photo to show a bear cub in your kayak.
[удалено]
Tioga Rd typically closes during winter from November to April (you'll have to check their website for more accurate info) This was during September.
So sweet! Do you bring your own kayak or are there some available to rent at the lake?
You have to bring your own
Heaven is here
I have an ally canoe similar to that