Kayaking in or around NOLA

[RitaZero]

Hey now fellow festers!! I'm hoping to find time (yeah, right) to rent a kayak on the daze between and I'm wondering if any local paddlers have any recommendations on the best place to go. Is there a great spot to paddle on Lake Ponchatrain? I don't want to take a "tour," as I tend find those to be expensive and somewhat boring (no offense if you are a kayak guide!) If anyone else is interested let's get a group together!

Thanks

[stlbarb]

Hey now fellow festers!! I'm hoping to find time (yeah, right) to rent a kayak on the daze between and I'm wondering if any local paddlers have any recommendations on the best place to go. Is there a great spot to paddle on Lake Ponchatrain? I don't want to take a "tour," as I tend find those to be expensive and somewhat boring (no offense if you are a kayak guide!) If anyone else is interested let's get a group together!

Thanks

lake ponchatrain is usually a little choppy for kayaking. i'd try the pearl river, north of the lake.
what have you tried in the search engine(s)?

[rosetree]

I'm not a kayacker, but I do know that a lot of people here go out to Tickfaw Park. It would be a day trip for ya, but it's a suggestion....
ZKitty might be a good one with info....

Here's a start on Tickfaw, you can add your search to this....

http://state-parks.nothingtoprove.net/louisiana/state-parks-0295.htm

[stlbarb]

I'm not a kayacker, but I do know that a lot of people here go out to Tickfaw Park. It would be a day trip for ya, but it's a suggestion....
ZKitty might be a good one with info....

Here's a start on Tickfaw, you can add your search to this....

http://state-parks.nothingtoprove.net/louisiana/state-parks-0295.htm


i found this webiste for putin sites on the northshore
http://www.neworleansnorthshore.com/cms/index.php?id=504
this company says they have rentals (without guides)
http://www.compassrosescuba.com/

you'll need a car for this adventure.

and of course, ZKitty is definitely the resource for Kayaking.

several years ago we did canoes on the pearl, it was great. the current is so mild you can actually paddle upstream. so if we can do that in canoes, should be pretty easy in a kayak.

[RitaZero]

lake ponchatrain is usually a little choppy for kayaking. i'd try the pearl river, north of the lake.
what have you tried in the search engine(s)?

When I googled I came up with a bunch of launch sites in various bayous. I've got to admit (you are all going to get a big laugh out of this one) I'm not that anxious to paddle with gators....and I don't know if paddling in a bayou involves gators.... My friend in Florida has a paddle that has a big gator bite out of it - he managed to get away safely with one paddle.

My search also found a lot of fishing tours but I'm more interested in getting exercise with some beautiful scenery.

Thanks for the tip on Tickfaw Rosetree! And thanks for the links Barb.

Zydekitten, I'll be chillin' in the Bywater for JazzFest too! Do you have any favorite places to paddle?

[Zydekitten]

Woo Hoo, Fellow Paddler (from Z Kayak Kitten)!!!

I haven't unfortunately been able to get out on the water since I moved here from NorCal, but I have done some research about paddling opporunities here.

There is the aforementioned North Shore put in sites and Compass Rose. Also on the North Shore, there is South Coast Kayaks (which rents, has guided tours, etc.): http://www.southcoastkayaks.com/

Here's some folks who offer tours of Bayou St. John here in the city, which sounds like a great way to see New Orleans from a different viewpoint:

http://www.laidbacktours.com/tours_kayak.shtml

I'd love to hear about what you decide to do to guide me when I am able to get out for some paddling!! :D

[RitaZero]

Thanks Zydekitten! This info from one of this links you sent is most useful to me ;) :

"What about alligators? Are they aggressive?
Alligators, unlike crocodiles, do not see humans as a food source. If you want to see alligators, you have to be very quiet and paddle softly. In Louisiana, alligator attacks on humans in the water are nearly non-existent. We have kayaked the Louisiana swamps for over 7 years and have never had any problem or felt threatened by an alligator. On land, the female alligator will become aggressive when protecting her eggs and young. After they enter the water, the baby alligators are basically on their own."

I'll be loud and paddle hard - I don't WANT to see any gators!

PS Zkitten, I'm a northern California girl thinking of moving to NOLA myself. Would love to chat with you offline - if you have a sec and can contact me at ritazero at rattlebrain dot com that would be great!

[Muffaletta Diver]

Thanks Zydekitten! This info from one of this links you sent is most useful to me ;) :

"What about alligators? Are they aggressive?
Alligators, unlike crocodiles, do not see humans as a food source. If you want to see alligators, you have to be very quiet and paddle softly. In Louisiana, alligator attacks on humans in the water are nearly non-existent. We have kayaked the Louisiana swamps for over 7 years and have never had any problem or felt threatened by an alligator. On land, the female alligator will become aggressive when protecting her eggs and young. After they enter the water, the baby alligators are basically on their own."

I'll be loud and paddle hard - I don't WANT to see any gators!

PS Zkitten, I'm a northern California girl thinking of moving to NOLA myself. Would love to chat with you offline - if you have a sec and can contact me at ritazero at rattlebrain dot com that would be great!

Rita,

As someone who has paddled gator-laden water many times, don't worry about them. You likely won't even see any. They few times I have encountered them while we were both in the water they pretty much just ignored me. It can be intimidating to think about, but you and your kayak are likely larger than any gator you might get close to.

Now paddling in the Pacific seal/sea lion breeding grounds where the Great Whites like to come and find their snacks...even that one made me sweat. Especially when I capsized. :eek:

[RitaZero]

Rita,

As someone who has paddled gator-laden water many times, don't worry about them. You likely won't even see any. They few times I have encountered them while we were both in the water they pretty much just ignored me. It can be intimidating to think about, but you and your kayak are likely larger than any gator you might get close to.

Now paddling in the Pacific seal/sea lion breeding grounds where the Great Whites like to come and find their snacks...even that one made me sweat. Especially when I capsized. :eek:

Thanks Diver! When I paddle in the ocean I have a healthy respect for sharks - especially after a surfer was attacked nearby not long ago. But I have never seen a shark. The most exciting day of my life was last August when I was 1/2 mile out at Moss Landing and paddled with 3 humpback whales. They circled us for about 1/2 hour, showed lots of flukes and even sang for us. AND one breached 50 ft. away. It was most exhilerating....but also scared the bejeezus out of me!

[Headless Hornman]

...In Louisiana, alligator attacks on humans in the water are nearly non-existent...

Interesting. Gators eat people in Florida all the time.

[Carolina Beadhead]

Interesting. Gators eat people in Florida all the time.

The meat is more tender in FL, I hear...

:D

[funkkjunkie]

HH, I think it has something to do with encroachment, on people's part. As JJGrey says: Florida, I know you're out there hiding from me. You get harder and harder to find. Every day she keeps slippin away.

[RitaZero]

Interesting. Gators eat people in Florida all the time.

Yes, I see there have been 18 fatal attacks in FL since 1973....swimmers, small kids or joggers.

http://www.southeasternoutdoors.com/wildlife/reptiles/fatal-alligator-attacks.html

Thank goodness it's kayaking in Louisiana I'm inquring about......thanks again for your reassuring words Diver.....

[Headless Hornman]

I wouldn't worry about kayaking with gators either. The dangerous ones are the ones people have been feeding. I saw this one while hiking along the Myakka River yesterday. It was very skittish and swam away when it saw us.

http://dirk.pitt.home.att.net/album/myakka-gator.jpg

Over the years I've met 2 people that have been hit by lightning, 2 people that were hit by boat propellors, 1 person that survived an alligator attack, but no shark attack victims. I base my fears of these events in that order.

[Muffaletta Diver]

Florida is where I've done most of my paddling with gators. The schools of senior citizen drivers down there pose more of a threat, in my mind. ;)

[Festnfreida]

I wouldn't worry about kayaking with gators either. The dangerous ones are the ones people have been feeding. I saw this one while hiking along the Myakka River yesterday. It was very skittish and swam away when it saw us.

http://dirk.pitt.home.att.net/album/myakka-gator.jpg

Over the years I've met 2 people that have been hit by lightning, 2 people that were hit by boat propellors, 1 person that survived an alligator attack, but no shark attack victims. I base my fears of these events in that order.

You are considering this order from a survivor's perspective or from an occurance perspective? That would have a slight impact on the order. :)

(How ya doin guy? I still remember your kindness(s) from last year.)

[stlbarb]

i cant believe you're scared of a little bitty gator.

http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u315/taboba/GatorWarden.jpg

[ScoopJohnD]

Watch out for giant fire breathing turtles.

http://www.dinosaur.org/godzilla/gamera13.jpg

Oh wait, that's only if you're kayaking in Japan! :)

[rosetree]

The gators here don't go after kayakers, they are too busy playing golf!

This is from this week's PGA tour stop in New Orleans. How surprised must Davis Love III been when the gator asked to play through!!!! ;)

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/44521000/jpg/_44521519_alligatorbbc203.jpg

[VWGal]

The gators here don't go after kayakers, they are too busy playing golf!

This is from this week's PGA tour stop in New Orleans. How surprised must Davis Love III been when the gator asked to play through!!!! ;)

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/44521000/jpg/_44521519_alligatorbbc203.jpg

I was golfing in Hilton Head a few years ago...three sleeping gators lay off a water hazard. Skipped the ball off one onto the green....he didn't wake up....but I thanked him for the help as we scurried on by....

[RitaZero]

Watch out for giant fire breathing turtles.

http://www.dinosaur.org/godzilla/gamera13.jpg

Oh wait, that's only if you're kayaking in Japan! :)

Here's what happens to kayakers in Japan: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QmbsxCQ66D4

[linza22]

Hey now fellow festers!! I'm hoping to find time (yeah, right) to rent a kayak on the daze between and I'm wondering if any local paddlers have any recommendations on the best place to go. Is there a great spot to paddle on Lake Ponchatrain? I don't want to take a "tour," as I tend find those to be expensive and somewhat boring (no offense if you are a kayak guide!) If anyone else is interested let's get a group together!

Thanks


keep me posted. i wonder if i can use my kayak as one carry on? it's only 13 feet....

[jolie]

There's this little place on the Northshore/Lacombe called Lil 'Isla... A great place for kayaking, swimming, layyyying back on the daze between.

It has been tried and tested...
Can I get a AMEN???????????

[jolie]

keep me posted. i wonder if i can use my kayak as one carry on? it's only 13 feet....

You can use mine... cantrellclack at bellsouth dot net:)

[RitaZero]

There's this little place on the Northshore/Lacombe called Lil 'Isla... A great place for kayaking, swimming, layyyying back on the daze between.

It has been tried and tested...
Can I get a AMEN???????????

AMEN Jolie! This is the kind of first hand info I was looking for. THANKS!

[linza22]

You can use mine... cantrellclack at bellsouth dot net:)


but what will you use?

[jolie]

but what will you use?

My street is basically an island, water everywhere. All of my neighbors have kayaks. It really wouldn't be difficult to round up some kayaks if anyone is interested in a day trip to Lacombe, preferably Wednesday:)

[ozzie]

Sounds like fun Jolie!

[jolie]

Sounds like fun Jolie!

Well come on....
I know everyone's calendars are prolly already full
But Wednesday I'll be hosting a few folks here
If anyone's looking to get out of the city for a day...
Mudbugs at Jolie's!!

[tangledupinblue]

Well come on....
I know everyone's calendars are prolly already full
But Wednesday I'll be hosting a few folks here
If anyone's looking to get out of the city for a day...
Mudbugs at Jolie's!!

Deja Vu

[almarco]

Well come on....
I know everyone's calendars are prolly already full
But Wednesday I'll be hosting a few folks here
If anyone's looking to get out of the city for a day...
Mudbugs at Jolie's!!

geez someones gonna have to reteach me how to peel them suckers....

[jolie]

Deja Vu

HA! We winded down here after midnight... finished off that bottle of Don Julio:eek:

[RitaZero]

My street is basically an island, water everywhere. All of my neighbors have kayaks. It really wouldn't be difficult to round up some kayaks if anyone is interested in a day trip to Lacombe, preferably Wednesday:)

I'm in! I'll contact you off line - thanks so much :)

[linza22]

My street is basically an island, water everywhere. All of my neighbors have kayaks. It really wouldn't be difficult to round up some kayaks if anyone is interested in a day trip to Lacombe, preferably Wednesday:)

that sounds great! i would love to do that!

[tangledupinblue]

HA! We winded down here after midnight... finished off that bottle of Don Julio:eek:

Yea...I got your text at 11pm that you were dancing around your living room..LOL

Now you know I would have been the one sitting calmly on the couch just watching....

GREAT DAY!!! Thanks baby!

[NOLA]

Now you know I would have been the one sitting calmly on the couch just watching....



OK, what have you done with the REAL Tangie??

[RitaZero]

OK, what have you done with the REAL Tangie??

Three posts in a row, now it's easy to put together the NOLA, Linza and Tangie in Linza's signature!

[linza22]

Three posts in a row, now it's easy to put together the NOLA, Linza and Tangie in Linza's signature!


haha! that's us!

[tangledupinblue]

OMG...that is so funny!

[RitaZero]

OMG...that is so funny!

I still can't tell if tangie is a male or female though....I do know you're a fellow DeadHead.

I have two tattoos: A dancing bear on my left ankle and a fleur di lis on my right ankle.....

[Jada]

I still can't tell if tangie is a male or female though....I do know you're a fellow DeadHead.

I have two tattoos: A dancing bear on my left ankle and a fleur di lis on my right ankle.....

She's a she.

Hey Rita, how ya been girl?

[RitaZero]

She's a she.

Hey Rita, how ya been girl?

Thanks Jada! I've been good, great, busy, busy, busy. Been meaning to write ya, will do so in a minute! Only 25 days till JazzFest, woo hoo!