Location: Germany
My first memorable paddling adventure was in fifth or sixth grade. My school friend had acquired this old folding kayak that we used for going down our very first “rapid” on the creek that his dad had dropped us off at. Unfortunately, my great hopes for more of such adventures did not come true at this time.
Years later, on the first day of University I met this guy who was already paddling class IV rivers. Using his old fiberglass boat I was taught how to paddle and we ended up exploring rivers in the European Alps. Despite this kayaking distraction we were able to complete our engineering degree. Upon moving to the US a group of new friends took me along for new white-water and kayak surfing adventures around the country.
Eventually I discovered sea kayaking and with it portions of the Mediterranean Sea, North Sea, Chesapeake Bay, reefs in Belize, the US East Coast and more. What a fantastic way to travel! The drawback is transporting the long boats for miles on top of your car or having to rent boats at remote locations. You also need to coordinate drop off and pick up points or ensure you are completing circular or out and back trips. A folding kayak solves this issue!
As a new TRAK 2.0 owner, now in the area of Frankfurt, Germany, I am looking forward to extended “one-way-do-not-return-to-the-put-in” trips along European coast lines using the European public transportation system.
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