Paddle Tales

by Mike Petrucelli

There are plenty of ways to do this— from the ease and maneuverability of a kayak to the versatile minimalism of a paddleboard, to the sturdy, classic canoe.

While kayaks have been overtaken a bit by paddleboards, they have seen a resurgence in the past couple of years and especially during the pandemic, according to Jake England, owner of The Lake House in Winona Lake.

“A lot of people needed to do outdoor activities,” England said. “It’s been nice seeing a lot of people new to the sport.”

Kayaks, England said, basically come in three main categories: sit-in; ocean (the sit-on-top style); and fishing, which tend to be rigged a little differently. The first two can also be found in tandem models.

The thing to remember with kayaks is that you don’t just go and buy one and you’re all set. You also need paddles, personal flotation devices (in Indiana, you aren’t required to wear them in a kayak, but you must have one in the boat), and a way to transport them if traveling for their use, like a roof rack (if you don’t have a pickup truck, that is).

So it’s a good idea to try before you buy. You can rent kayaks (and canoes and paddleboards) at The Lake House— they’ll even deliver, and at Pedals and Paddles in North Webster, which also delivers.

Renting lets people get a good feel for what they’re comfortable with, according to Barbara Huffman, co-owner of Pedals and Paddles. Here, she tends to get people started with the sit-on-top kayaks, as they’re great for beginners.

Paddleboards are a little more inexpensive and easier to transport, which is part of their appeal. While it may look a little awkward to maneuver, they aren’t too difficult to get the hang of. And, England said, they are the most versatile.

“You can kneel on them, you can sit on them and paddle them like a kayak, they’re light and a little more maneuverable,” he said.

They also offer an added bonus if your morning moment of Zen includes more than just paddling. “You can swim off a standup paddleboard and get back on,” more easily than a kayak, he said.

And if you really have portability in mind, Huffman said to look at inflatable paddleboards.

These come with a backpack, a telescoping paddle, and a two-way air pump for quick inflating and deflating, with the whole rig weighing about 35 pounds.

Hobie.com

Newest on the market, according to England and Huffman, are paddleboards that let you combine your glide with a workout. The Hobie pedal board combines a paddleboard with a water bike. Huffman likens the board to a stair climber, rigged to a flipper drive that moves the board through the water.

Finally, if you’re looking to get an early start to the campsite or fishing spot, canoes are classic. They can hold the most cargo, and can be found in different configurations for solo or tandem paddling, to expedition type canoes that carry heavier loads.

However you glide into serenity, with a little practice, you can find yourself on your own little quiet piece of water in no time.

Live well in the moment

VisitKosciuskoCounty.org @VisitKosciuskoCounty #VisitKCounty

Life is better on the I can help you get there!

Senior Loan Officer

NMLS: 139300

lori@ruoff.com LoriHorney.com

Ruoff Mortgage Company, Inc., d/b/a Ruoff Home Mortgage, is an Indiana corporation. For complete licensing information visit: http://www. nmlsconsumeraccess.org/EntityDetails.aspx/COMPANY/141868. This is not an offer for extension of credit or a commitment to lend.All loans must satisfy company underwriting guidelines. Information and pricing are subject to change at any time and without notice. Equal Housing Lender. NMLS #141868.