In 1997 I went to Eastern Mountain sports. I picked out a car roof rack, life jacket, paddle and kayak. At that time I had some disposable income. I thought I knew all I needed to know about kayaking. That was because I read a book about kayaking. I was wrong. Even though I was able to get right on the water that day and start paddling I still had a lot to learn.
While flat water kayaking is one of the most accessible sports to all people, it is still a relatively niche sport. I can think of no other sport that gets you on the water easier and for less money. With the kayak you can explore places that people in bigger boats will never get to see.
Kayaking can be adapted for many other hobbyists as well. Birdwatchers can marvel at the antics of waterfowl and other birds in the solitude of a still stream. Fishermen can silently slip into their favorite fishing hole far from the disturbance of other watercraft. Photographers can get some amazing shots at water level that are so different and spectacular than they would get from the shore.
I’ve taught kayaking lessons, sold kayaking equipment and learned as much as I could about the sport. I’m still pretty much a novice. A novice who really enjoys the sport. I started The Wired Kayaker as a way in which to combine my love of kayaking with my love of technology. I eventually started creating videos while on the water.
I thought that I could sustain a blog on my love of kayaking, however once the season was over and I didn’t get on the water for a while the posts would dry up. I’d try to continue and write about other things like gadgets. The focus was gone. This blog started to get virtual tumbleweeds from the lack of updating. So instead of continuing to bail on a sinking ship with a thimble I decided to close up shop. Oh, I’ll still continue to blog about my kayaking trips and continue to make video podcasts about kayaking, just not here.
You can continue to read about my kayaking adventures at BenSpark.com under the category of Wired Kayaker.
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Copyright (c) 2009 The Wired Kayaker
I went down Killarney’s ‘meeting of the Waters’ drunk in a Kayak and it was a scary experience. Need to get back and do it(this time sober)
Comment by Gerry Gallagher — March 24, 2009 @ 3:46 am
Gerry,
How utterly random. Lucky for you you didn’t drown.
Comment by BenSpark — March 24, 2009 @ 6:22 am
Thank you for the update about the site.
Comment by Lloyd — March 27, 2009 @ 1:23 am
No problem Lloyd
Comment by BenSpark — March 27, 2009 @ 6:40 am
You know it’s kind of funny – I’ve been thinking about trying to get out there and kayak as part of my workout regiment, and I just today found this site…and then I find out it’s closed down.
I’ve been checking some past posts, you got some cool stuff, I think i’ll flip through em and check em on that new site! So…yeah, thanks for the great info and hope it continues!
Comment by TheNooge — April 1, 2009 @ 11:08 am
Hey TheNooge,
Swing by Benspark.com and look up Wired Kayaker as a category for all my latest kayaking adventures.
Comment by BenSpark — April 1, 2009 @ 12:48 pm
I just happen to stumble on your site and it looks great, I’ve been kayaker since I was young so I’ll definitely have a look on benspark.com
Comment by Donna — April 8, 2009 @ 8:49 am
Thanks Donna. come check out BenSpark.com
Comment by BenSpark — April 8, 2009 @ 12:15 pm
I can’t wait to go hiking and kayaking here in California! I’ll be going with a friend to Yosemite once he’s organized…it’s going to be a blast!
Comment by Fred — April 9, 2009 @ 1:27 pm
Hm, I’ve always stayed clear due to a fear of rapids and the power of the river, but your description and benefits of flat water kayaking make it sound very intriguing.
Comment by Eric — April 10, 2009 @ 12:31 pm
Eric,
Flat water kayaking is a lot of fun. I don;t need rapids believe me.
Comment by BenSpark — April 10, 2009 @ 1:46 pm
Thanks for the update, Ben. Sorry this blog is no longer.
Maybe you could import your RSS feed from Benspark.com here, and just keep things going as usual..
Leo Saraceni
Comment by Leo Saraceni — April 14, 2009 @ 11:16 pm
Leo,
Be on the lookout for what is coming next, I think it will fill the void. Great idea though.
Comment by BenSpark — April 15, 2009 @ 6:53 am
Sad to see you go, but I understand your logic. Good luck in all your future kayaking ventures!
Comment by William — April 15, 2009 @ 3:52 pm
To me closing up a shop is to lock up for the night. Closing down a shop is closing for good.
Comment by Creative Web Design — April 20, 2009 @ 8:03 am
You are correct. h well, since I haven’t turned the lights off yet I still take comments.
Comment by BenSpark — April 20, 2009 @ 8:12 am
We all gotta do what makes life worth living. It was a great site though,
Comment by Scooter — May 3, 2009 @ 7:32 pm
Eric,
Flat water kayaking is a lot of fun. I don;t need rapids believe me.
Comment by mustafa — May 9, 2009 @ 2:38 am
kayaking is one of the best and easy way of spending time!! Good article!!
Comment by Steve — May 12, 2009 @ 4:49 am
I just started to learn kayaking as well. It’s tough in the beginning but I loving every minute of it.
Comment by LithiumMind — May 12, 2009 @ 8:47 am
I like kayaking.It is quite a good sport.I am sad that you are leaving this blog.
Comment by Jordan — May 14, 2009 @ 6:23 am
Flat water kayaking, in my opinion, is just a more comfortable way of getting somewhere than in a canoe. Just found you today. I feel like the poor sole who moves in to town right as the ice cream shop closes. I’ll have to check out the new benspark spot.
Comment by Park and Play — May 16, 2009 @ 2:09 pm
Fishing in a Kayak isn’t really easy… especially if you want to use lures.
Comment by Alfred — May 22, 2009 @ 1:32 pm
kayaking is a lot of challenging, because conditions keeps changing. You need different strategy to paddle in blustery conditions and other strategy in breezy conditions. So you need to learn a lot. I think you also did the same.
Comment by Yuva — June 3, 2009 @ 6:17 am
Great blog. Interesting story of kayaker …. i love history very much. What can i say something else… keep blogging you make a great job .
Comment by Julian — June 3, 2009 @ 12:16 pm
The only bone I ever broke was my finger, after kayaking down rapids in Georgia, flipping and slamming my hand on a rock. It hurt, but didn’t stop me from going again the next summer!
Comment by Dara — June 3, 2009 @ 6:42 pm
After reading the blog, I guess I should try kayaking once. To experience the thrill and all the injuries that I might get.
Comment by David Kendall — June 19, 2009 @ 12:21 am
I feel like the poor sole who moves in to town right as the ice cream shop closes.
Great posting…
Comment by Surajit — July 4, 2009 @ 10:44 am
I really like it. After reading the blog, I guess I should try kayaking once. To experience the thrill and all the injuries that I might get.
Comment by Tiranga — July 6, 2009 @ 2:01 am
I’ve tried fishing from a kayak and flipped every time. It seems like it would be great if I could get it down, but for now I’m sticking to rowboats.
Comment by Alfred — July 7, 2009 @ 12:55 pm