“Believe me, my young friend, there is nothing- absolutely nothing- half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats” Quote by The Water Rat from Wind In the Willows
Typically, my idea of messing around on boats has always been a relaxing pleasure cruise along the coastline. However, when I was faced with the opportunity to do something quite extraordinary and out of habit, I decided to sign up for sea kayaking with Bougainville Travel, who operate day and week-long sea kayaking tours in Turkey.
I was spending time with them looking behind the scenes at their adventure activities and fancied having a go at gliding effortlessly on water. Sea kayaking generally does not appear on mainstream lists of things to do while in Turkey. The day was going to be a great introduction to something new. Something I had never thought about doing.
I soon learned though, that my pre-conceived ideas about sea kayaking were very wrong indeed.
“Although kayaking tends to draw a younger demographic, it is still a lifelong sport that anyone can get into. It’s a sport anyone can enjoy, because it’s not about strength, it’s about technique”. – quote by Katherine Carr
Our Instructor
I should have read the above quote before signing up for the tour. While I did listen to the safety talk and instructions given out by our guide, I distinctly remember paying more attention to the overwhelming urge to jump in the kayak and head off.
The result of my mistake was that when I did get in the kayak, for the first half hour I was paddling either in circles or in completely the opposite direction to the rest of the group!
Once I had managed to turn myself in the right direction, we headed out of the harbor at Ucagiz. Our first destination was Kekova sunken city, lying off a small island separated from the mainland hundreds of years ago during an earthquake.
The Bay of Kekova
Gaining Control of the Kayak
I tried my best, paddling hard and furious, but always lagging behind the rest of the group. A long distance from me, a speedboat raced past. The distance did nothing to calm the ripples in the water that came my way but I had paid no attention to the possibility that my kayak could turn over as I was still focusing my attention on trying to control it.
By the time we had reached Kekova sunken city, I had to admit that sadly this was one thing in life that I was not going to master with very little effort or concentration. I tied up my sea kayak to the back of the safety boat that was following us along the course and joined the jolly captain on board who tried with great comical descriptions to tell me what I was doing wrong.
Following the safety boat
It was too late though and the feeling of failure had taken over.
I viewed the historical Kekova sunken city from a boat when others had the pleasure of sea kayaking over it.
The Sunken City of Kekova
From Kekova, the next destination was the beautiful bay of Simena, an ancient Lycian village only accessible by boat.
Heading to Simena
A refreshment break revealed that others were beginning to flag but they were determined to stay the course.
Leaving Simena
The instructor, as expected was taking it all in his stride. After all, he completed the sea kayaking tour every day of the week throughout the summer. Sea kayaking is one of most popular tours of Bougainville Travel and it irked me that others were achieving something that I had failed at.
Taking it all in their stride!
The group consisted of experienced and first time kayakers who had mastered the art of sea kayaking. I was not to join in with their success and jubilation though, as on that day a personal challenge presented itself to me.
You see, I have always had great luck in life in that anything I do, I normally succeed the first time. I often find that I am in the right place at the right time and my mother still says to this day that “I could fall in s*** and still come up smelling of roses”.
I find it hard to remember things in life that I have failed at however, I had to realize that sea kayaking was going to be something that I will have to work at. It is not going to come to me naturally and has instead left me frustrated and with disbelief, that life dared to throw something at me that I could not do.
Heading back to Ucagiz
Mastering the Sport of Sea Kayaking
An overwhelming urge to sign up again, is with me every day. I think that instead of a group tour, one to one lessons with an instructor, even in a swimming pool would be a good starting point. The lessons would improve my techniques and co-ordination and eventually I will head back to Kas and complete that sea kayaking tour with ease and victory.
I am not ready to accept defeat. Mastering the sport of sea kayaking has grabbed my attention and it has no inclination to let go. Sure, I will need to put in that extra effort but surely the results will be more pleasurable and greater.
“Sea kayaking is about journeying. Sea kayaking is about exploring. Sea kayaking is about sharing experiences and memories with others. There is more to sea kayaking than just paddling.” Quote by Pete Dingle
If you want to experience sea kayaking in Turkey, Bougainville Travel operate tailor made and organised sea kayaking tours on the south west coast. Many thanks to them for introducing me to various adventure activities in Kas and the surrounding regions.
( Bougainville website – http://www.bougainville-turkey.com)
Readers Question : Have you been sea kayaking in Turkey or anywhere else in the world?
[wp_geo_map]
Yeah – you could have a tandem kayak Annie but you would have to do the dogs work instead, otherwise you would just be going around in circles!
Is there room for a dog in a kayak? I now have to consider our canine companion when planning trips.
Hi mario, I think you should contact http://www.bougainville-turkey.com.
They are the experts and will be able to advise you properly.
Hello,
Going to kas in july , but i can’t swim , should i go sea kayaking or is it too dangerous if you can’t swim?
Must be a beautiful trip but i’m a litlle bit scared .
I wanted the double canoe as well Mary but I was traveling solo so had to battle it out on my own!
Sea kayaking sounds like a great adventure, especially getting to see Kekova & Simena. I haven’t figured out kayaking either. We usually opt for a canoe with two seats so Bret can paddle & I can take photos. Nice photos by the way!
Thanks Debs. Hopefully this summer, I will master it 🙂
Aww, sorry to hear that it was so tough! Sounds like a fun day though and different way to see Turkey.
Congratulations for going for it and you are right. A private lesson and pool sessions will help immensely. I know now that it has grabbed your attention, you will conquer it. Can’t wait to hear how the progress goes.
Maybe if there were no sand flies 🙂
I had about the same experience – except my husband and I did the kayak for 2 and of course, he was SO frustrated with me b/c I couldn’t keep up with him so half the time we were going in circles! HA! We did complete the whole tour, but always at that back of the group and I never could figure out what I was doing wrong? I wondered if it was worth it for probably 3 days afterwards because I was so sore! That part was terrible! 🙂
I look forward to reading about your experience Terry
Sorry to hear that Ali. Would you consider giving it another go? Perhaps in a different destination with no sand flies!
It was a beautiful setting Stephanie as the sunken city and Simena are just totally out of this world. Like you are in another place at another time
Dayna is up for it Kurt – she mentioned above – head to the Mediterranean coast for the best experience
This would be so much fun! And such a beautiful setting for it.
Hmm..Something to do in Turkey in a few weeks? I think so!
Andy (my husband) and I went kayaking on our Milford Sound tour. It was ok, but I have very little upper body strength, and I was attacked by sand flies the whole time. So not really an enjoyable experience for me. Although the view was great. Looks like you got some great pictures at least!
Great post Natalie! I plan on headin there myself in the Spring! Looking forward to it!
That is new one on me. Surfing the waves in a Kayak. I would be terrified of capsizing. Surprised it did not happen at least once on this occasions
Where is your sense of adventure Jack!?
Give it a go Dayna. If you have been canoeing before it will probably come easier to you
I want to try again Johnny – This time trying to master the technique before I head out
What a bummer that it didn’t work out for you. 🙁 I love sea kayaking, but I grew up whitewater rafting (we lived on a great river for it) and kayaking was a natural extension of that. In college in San Diego I took a fun sea kayaking course where we took the boats out into the ocean and surfed on the waves! Exhilarating, terrifying, and painful when you inevitably crash. 🙂
I grew up canoeing, but have always wanted to go kayaking! I have been tempted several times on the trip, maybe we should give it a go!
I’d be hopeless. I think I’ll stick to Gulets!
I do not notice Doreen as I was too busy trying to stay balanced!
Thanks Joy – Hopefully I will not need luck next time. Another couple in the group were tandom and she was letting hubby do all the work. LOL. right idea!
Come to Turkey soon Maria. There is so much to do and see. I recommend Kas for the sea kayaking
The photos certainly make sea kayaking very inviting – the water is so clear and blue. The trip looks like it would be a very enjoyable experience.
I wonder if you noticed the type of kayaks they used? (I mean the manufacturer.) Just out of curiousity. Of course all sea kayaks look a little alike.
Natalie,
When at first you fail, try, try again. Come visit Ka? again soon, BT kayak instructors are waiting to give you another course. 🙂
Great story, thanks for sharing…
Life is all about the adventure, right? =) We did some kayaking on our honeymoon in Belize. Luckily, we were in the kayak together as it took me a while to get the hang of it. It’s not as easy as it looks. Good luck again!
Love this! Been wanting to go to Turkey for SO long, including kayaking. I understand it is SO scary at first, happened to me at camp in Puerto Rico. But once you get a gist of it, not bad. Takes some time to master it, but fun to spend time on that! 😉
I actually prefer that whole stretch of coastline to the Aegean coast Alan. Travelling in that area is so much more exciting
Yes Mica, I should have paid attention from the start. Also think I need a bit more training to get into the full swing of things. The rhythm did not come easy to me but strongly feel I would be successful one day.
. . never say die, Natalie! The area around Kale/Kekova is wonderful and is a trip we make often.
I’ve been kayaking in Florida and Hawaii and I am a bit hindered by a shoulder injury. But, always if you try that is what counts! Now you know what you did wrong and you’ll kick the kayak’s ass next time.
Sea kayaking in Gumusluk sounds like great fun Kerry. I would need to master the technique first though 🙂
If you ever do want to try it again and are in the Kas area, look up Bougainville Travel as they are the leading tour company in that area for adventurous sports
Recommend anyone to try it at least once Julia. Even if it is kayaking on a river or at sea. At least is it one of those things in life, that you can return to try again and again
I will definitely give it another go DJ – Something to conquer isn’t it? I am hopeless at admitting failure
I would be on the boat from the start hubby took me out on a kayak at Gumusluk one year I was so scared being out in the deep water I had a panic attack and made him take me back before Rabbit Island. It was so out of character for me and I didn’t expect the reaction I had. But I would love to give it ago again some day. The photos are amazing, certainly an area I would like to visit. Kerry
I just know I’d be about as successful as you were Natalie. Would definitely give it a go though…before being scooped up onto that boat!
Julia
Sorry that you were unable to master sea kayaking…I hope you give it another try though. I’ve only done it twice, and can attest it is really hard work!