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Kayaking On The Willamette River In My New Hobiecat

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Real Estate Agent with Premiere Property Group,LLC Portland Metro & Suburbs Oregon

Kayaking On The Willamette River In My New Hobiecat

Kayaking selfieWhen I told my hubby that I wanted to start kayaking, it was a good thing that he wasn't sipping a drink at that time or it would have sprayed everywhere. You see, I'm kinda a klutz and have never really been athletically inclined. There is also the fact that as one gets older, the balance (for me anyway) isn't as good as it once was, but I was determined! Like home buyers starting on their journey,  I searched the web to see what was out there and was very curious to try the Hobie kayaks. These not only have the typical paddle, but also "mirage drive"  fins that you can slip in and peddle with easy steering with a rudder.

When a local company called Next Adventure was holding a free kayak (and other watercrafts) tryout on the Willamette River, I went for it. Of course when I was signing the waiver and slipping on my life preserver which are now called PFD's (personal floatation devices), my hubby was telling everyone that I was going to be IN the river. I of course was a tad bit nervous as well since the river IS a bit cold and there is that klutz factor. I'm happy to say that I stayed very dry when I tried the Pro Angler model. This baby is wide, large and sturdy. Not your "typical" kayak in that its more a small boat and a bit wide to to lots of paddling, but moves fantastic for peddling and great for fisherman..thus the name.

We purchased the Pro Angler 12 and the Revolution 11 models since the Revolution is half the weight and much narrower  than the Pro Angler so I can get it in and out of the water myself with ease. I gotta say, I'm addicted! It's not only a great workout but it's my meditation. There's nothing like watching the fish jump out of the water in front of you, the swallows skimming the water's edge and the Bald Eagles, Hawks and Herons flying over you!

Enjoying the outdoors is just another great reason to love living in Portland!

Heading toward Lake Oswego

Kayaking on the Willamette River In my Hobiecat

At the Oregon City Bridge with the Willamette Falls in the distance

Kayaking On The Willamette River In My New Hobiecat

My son and I heading toward the Willamette Falls in Oregon City

Kayaking On The Willamette River heading to the Willamette Falls in Oregon City

Video of my first time out test driving the Hobie Mirage Revolution 11

 

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Knowledgeable, Approachable, Service Oriented

Cindy Westfall ABR,GRI

Premiere Property Group,LLC

5000 Meadows Rd., Ste. 150, Lake Oswego, OR 97035

Cell: 503-819-5241      

E-Mail: cindy@cindywestfall.com

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Disclaimer: All views on my blog are my own and may not reflect that of Premiere Property Group. All pictures and content are my own unless otherwise noted. Please No Copying without my permission.

 Cynthia Westfall is licensed in Oregon State

 

Comments (11)

Lottie Kendall
Compass - San Francisco, CA
Helping make your real estate dreams a reality

Cindy, how fun!!! Your new hobby fits perfectly into your life.

Jul 10, 2014 06:00 AM
Gayle Rich-Boxman Fishhawk Lake Real Estate
John L Scott Market Center - Birkenfeld, OR
"Your Local Expert!" 503-739-3843

Cindy, you've gotta bring this out to Fishhawk Lake!!!!!!!!!! I have never seen a kayak that you can operate with your feet....fascinating. I absolutely loved your first photo--fun editing on that one--and I watched your video twice. 

Boy, are you right about the meditation factor, the wildlife and all of the calories you're burnin' in the process!

Jul 10, 2014 12:20 PM
Rob D. Shepherd
RETIRED - Florence, OR
RETIRED

Bring it down to the North Jetty on the Siuslaw River in Florence. Lets see what it can do!

Jul 10, 2014 01:21 PM
Gary Woltal
Keller Williams Realty - Flower Mound, TX
Assoc. Broker Realtor SFR Dallas Ft. Worth

Looks like fun. Haven't seen that pedal version. Have done this in Austin. I think I am a kayak renter. I am expert canoeist and think I don't get as wet being higher up.

Jul 10, 2014 01:30 PM
Cindy Westfall
Premiere Property Group,LLC Portland Metro & Suburbs Oregon - Tualatin, OR
ABR,GRI Your Tualatin & Portland Metro Real Estate

Hi Lottie, It certainly does! I'm so glad I decided to go for it!

Jul 10, 2014 11:51 PM
Cindy Westfall
Premiere Property Group,LLC Portland Metro & Suburbs Oregon - Tualatin, OR
ABR,GRI Your Tualatin & Portland Metro Real Estate

Hi Gayle, I'd seen these on the internet and was instantly enamored with them, so was lucky enough to get to try one out on the river before buying to see if I'd like it. It sure beats walking on the treadmill and it doesn't feel like excerise at all. In fact, I have to remind myself when I'm out that I need to pace myself knowing I have to go back home (often against the current) when all I want to do is explore!

Jul 10, 2014 11:54 PM
Cindy Westfall
Premiere Property Group,LLC Portland Metro & Suburbs Oregon - Tualatin, OR
ABR,GRI Your Tualatin & Portland Metro Real Estate

Hi Rob, that looks like a beautiful place to take them out!

Jul 10, 2014 11:55 PM
Cindy Westfall
Premiere Property Group,LLC Portland Metro & Suburbs Oregon - Tualatin, OR
ABR,GRI Your Tualatin & Portland Metro Real Estate

Hi Gary,  I've never been in your typical kayak or canoe, so have nothing to go by for comparison. Might have to rent one just to see the difference now that I'm comfortable in the water.  I lived in Austin for 3 years and loved it. I can see taking these out on Lake Travis. When I take out the bigger one (the pro angler), I am nicely above the water so rarely get wet. We're scheduled for a heat wave this week, so getting wet is good!

Jul 11, 2014 12:01 AM
ReadySetLoan Team
ReadySetLoan Condo Team LLC - South Windsor, CT
Residential, Commercial & Condo Financing Experts

Hi Cindy - that looks like a blast!  Kayaking is something that I have been meaning to get into.  My boys are big enough now to where we should be able to cruise around a lake that it near to where we live.

Jul 11, 2014 01:47 AM
Cindy Westfall
Premiere Property Group,LLC Portland Metro & Suburbs Oregon - Tualatin, OR
ABR,GRI Your Tualatin & Portland Metro Real Estate

Hi Eric, It took me 53 years to try kayaking and I'm loving it! I was passing a man and son the other day easily with my kayak and the son says " I want one of those Dad!". Go for it!

Jul 11, 2014 02:38 AM
Tammie White, Broker
Franklin Homes Realty LLC - Franklin, TN
Franklin TN Homes for Sale

I didn't know you could get a kayak with peddles. Looks like a lot of work to me.

Oct 20, 2014 03:30 PM