looks like we're going to try some platform camping on the roanoke later next month...everyone else will probably be canoeing through the swamp, but i'm thinking about taking my kayak and hammock

anyway...it's been ages since i've kayaked and i want to get some practice in, see if i feel comfortable taking my dagger out on still water, but i'm not sure where around here i could put in and practice

suggestions?

[Edited on February 23, 2011 at 9:31 PM. Reason : .]

2/23/2011 9:31:15 PM

Falls?

2/23/2011 9:32:23 PM

When i had sea kayaking for PE we paddled around the pond/lake on centennial when we couldn't get anywhere better.

2/23/2011 9:33:08 PM

^^ farther than i want to go, but good suggestion...i might do it

^ that's all of 5 minutes from me...that's a good idea, too

2/23/2011 9:34:38 PM

Lake Crabtree too obvious?

2/23/2011 9:42:01 PM

Quote :

"Lake Crabtree"

also, Lake Wheeler

2/23/2011 9:53:17 PM

Lake Johnson...

2/23/2011 9:54:58 PM

jordan lake isn't far... maybe 20 minutes

2/23/2011 9:55:22 PM

[insert name of area lake here]?

2/23/2011 9:55:40 PM

some lakes are easier to access than others...i mean, the obvious answer is "any body of water large enough to fit your kayak," but i'm looking for personal experience

2/23/2011 10:01:08 PM

i really suggest jordan lake, there are public access areas and such but also has some areas where you have to get crafty closer to the shore

2/23/2011 10:06:42 PM

Crabtree is sail only so you won't have to deal with asshole jet skiers or power boaters that try to be dicks and flip you with their wake. Also a nice urban lake with some tall buildings in the background.

Shelly was my neighborhood lake growing up. Lake Lynn is also very accessible,

[Edited on February 23, 2011 at 10:14 PM. Reason : sp]

2/23/2011 10:13:26 PM

Quote :

" where to practice kayaking around raleigh?"

in a boat trailer...

2/23/2011 10:17:45 PM

Lake Jordan/Wheeler/Raleigh/Falls if you want still water fairly close, or the Neuse/Haw Rivers if you want it moving.

2/23/2011 10:27:43 PM

Lake Crabtree, Lake Johnson, even Lake Bond is alright.

2/23/2011 10:37:31 PM

Lake Raleigh on Centennial Campus is going to be the easiest and closest to you. There are areas on Jordan and Falls Lakes that do not allow gas engine boats. I take my canoe there to paddle and fish to avoid traffic and waves from powerboats and annoying Jet Skis. Shoot me a pm if you want some more info

2/24/2011 7:21:52 AM

Quote :

"Crabtree is sail only so you won't have to deal with asshole jet skiers or power boaters that try to be dicks and flip you with their wake."

ah, yeah, that's pretty important, especially given my recent lack of experience

^ thanks for the offer...i might just shoot you a PM in the next week or so

2/24/2011 8:10:06 AM

Crabtree Creek. You might find some dead bodies too!!

2/24/2011 8:19:40 AM

2/24/2011 8:22:45 AM

After you are done practicing and want to get out on the water for a camping adventure, check out my buddy's website: http://www.moratocadventurepaddlingllc.com/

About a 2 hour drive east gets you some great kayaking opportunities!

2/24/2011 9:29:17 AM

All of the aforementioned suggestions are good if you just want something close.

I would recommend the Haw River if you want better scenery. Just take 64 West until you cross it (a few miles past Jordan Lake). As soon as you cross it take your first left and you'll see a little road that takes you down to the river. It takes you to a little parking lot next to the 64 bridge that you just crossed. There's a kayak put-in there.

Just a little ways down the road past the Carnivore Preservation Trust there is a boat ramp that makes for a good put-in as well. Go there if you want to avoid the rocks/rapids.

2/24/2011 9:41:17 AM

Lassiter mill above and below the dam

below the dam there are some good currents that extend downstream pretty far, and a spot to port the kayak over an obstruction to practice your porting


and ive waded the entire area its pretty shallow, maybe at most chest height, but the depth is never incredibly shallow.

Also closer than the Haw is the eno river, the whole eno is perfect for kayaking and youll encounter all kinds of rapids, portage, and great scenery and for the most part flipping your kayak wont get you in deep shit


[Edited on February 24, 2011 at 12:12 PM. Reason : f]

2/24/2011 12:11:11 PM

I-40.

2/24/2011 12:15:20 PM

Lassiter sounds pretty sweet. where does it dump off at? Going over that dam would suck though I'd imagine

2/24/2011 12:16:17 PM

The fountains in the tobacco district a la durham look like they'd be fun too

2/24/2011 12:17:13 PM

you can access the lower area by some steps that are built in along the lower portion of the dam

2/24/2011 12:18:06 PM