July 2009    Download the Entire Issue (PDF)

Vol. 24, No. 7   What's this?

Go Where No Diver Has Gone Before

try diving from a kayak

from the July, 2009 issue of Undercurrent  

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If you’re a diver who complains about crowded sites and longs for tranquility, read on. On a kayak, you’re the captain, and you can steer it wherever you please. Many divers use kayaks to extend their range, and there are so many reasons why they’re worth the effort.

After launching a kayak from a beach or ramp, a diver can paddle to secluded sites or where shore access is restricted. Entry and exit through surf are generally easier. You can stay warmer and dryer before and after the dive. You’re more rested upon reaching the dive site. Kayaks can get through or into tight places. A kayak provides you a way to get out of the water and a platform to rest on between dives and converse with your buddy. You can tote your lunch. You can even take an extra tank or two. They have anchor lines to help your ascent and descent. They can carry sonar, GPS and radios or phones. They’re low maintenance; once you own one, it costs nothing to operate. However, kayaking skills are crucial. You must know how to right yourself if you capsize, as well as how to manage currents and rip tides. ...