Kayaking is a fun activity enjoyed by people of all ages. Guided tours inform visitors of local nature species, historical sites and tourist shopping venues. The Southwind Kayak Center is Irvine, California's only kayaking resource that offers tour options. Tours are led along the Colorado River, Newport Harbor and Newport Bay.
Adventure
The decision to go kayaking is adventurous in and of itself but most of Southwind Kayak Center's are localized in the tranquil waters of Newport Bay and Newport Harbor. More adventurous consumers opt for guided trips along the unpredictable waters of the Colorado River. Two trips that operated in 2010 in the lower Colorado River, the "Colorado River Camp-out" and the "Canyons of the Colorado 3-Day" prompted the inception of two more trips for 2011 and 2012. The two additional trips, "Canyons of the Colorado 4-Day" and "Lower Colorado Wilderness Camping", provide consumers with a camping and hiking experience in addition to river canoeing. The "Canyons" trips require that participants have basic paddling and stroking skills before enrollment.
Nature
Tours that provide the best view of nature for kayakers include all of the Colorado River tours and the "Kayak Back to Nature" tour. The "Colorado River Camp-out" tour takes campers through scenic Topock Gorge and Topock March. As indicated by its name, "Canyons of the Colorado" tour paddles and hikes through the Black Canyon region. The "Lower Colorado Wilderness Camping" takes participants to parts of the river that run near the Mexican border. The "Kayak Back to Nature" tour travels along Upper Newport Bay while guides share facts about the reserve's 200 wild birds and various sea animal species.
Pop Culture
Tourists who want to combine kayaking with a more pop culture-oriented vacation experience opt for the "Harbor Highlights" tour. Instead of lecturing about nature, "Harbor Highlights" tour guides point out homes and yachts of famous Hollywood stars that the tour passes. Nature is not totally neglected, however, as guides make brief comments about beach shores that kayakers may recognize from big screen movie appearances and television shows. Participants who use their own boats on the trip benefit from learning where kayak-friendly restaurants and restrooms are as well.
Special Days
As of 2011, the Southwind Kayak Center offers tours to help consumers celebrate special days during the spring and summer. The Mother's Day and Father's Day tours each provide introductory sessions that teach kayaking basics. Small children as young as three years old are allowed to join parents on double kayaks designed to hold up to two adults and one small child. Trip intermissions provide waterside picnics for all guests. The "Fourth of July Fireworks Paddle" tour canoes Newport Back Bay at night. Participants view fireworks from the water. Children as young as 13 years of age may participate if accompanied by an adult.
Sarah McLeod - Sarah McLeod began writing professionally for the federal government In 1999. In 2002, she was trained by Georgetown University's Oncology ...
Join the Conversation