Kayaking with only the iPhone 11 Pro Max

Paddle Cypress Forest With Me

Paddle Cypress Forest With Me

Paddling Alone Safety Tips

For those of you who follow Paddling Places Florida and follow my YouTube channel know that I paddle most of the time alone. Now understand I mostly paddle flat-water like lazy rivers, lakes and inlets. Now, I would never paddle alone if the area has rapids or even open ocean. As that can be a ticket to disaster.  So todays blog will be addressing paddling alone in flat-water conditions.

Kayaking safety is at the forefront of many discussions in the kayak community. While the 2018 American Canoe Association statistics have not been released yet, 2017 had a total of 149 documented paddle sport fatalities, which consisted of 94 kayak, 44 canoe and 11 paddleboard deaths. One fact that highlights the growth of kayaking as a sport is that canoe fatalities accounted for most deaths in the United States until 2010, when kayaking took over the leading category – and ever since, kayaking has not relinquished the title of deadliest paddle sport in the United States.

Not to put a damper on our wonderful sport, but it can be dangerous if common sense safety practices  are not followed especially if you paddle alone.

Having the right Kayak; Know the limits of your kayak either inflatable of hard. They all have weight capacities and if you, by body weight or combined load weight, exceed those limits your chances of a potential disaster is multiplied.  Is your kayak stable or kind of rocky. When paddling alone have the most stable kayak is the smart thing.

PFD (Personal Floatation Device); Now I'm not going to preach about wearing a PFD. Me personally, I wear mine all the time and it's a Type II. But if you get in trouble out there that PFD can save your life. Did you know there are 5 different types of PFD's.

• Type I PFD – provides the most flotation of any PFD, suitiable for rough water or stormy situations. The only PFD that will keep most unconscious victims face up and out of the water.
• Type II PFD – suitable for most water conditions and provides great flotation in calmer water, but may require the individual to tread water to remain face up in rough water.
• Type III PFD – designed for calm water or where rescue would be very quickly accomplished. Type III devices are not designed for extended survival situations and will not turn individuals face up.
• Type IV – throwable devices made for overboard situations or to keep someone afloat long enough to direct the watercraft into a rescue position.
• Type V – special use. This is a very broad category that encompasses most inflatable life vests, special purpose life vests and jackets, as well as white water vests. They must be worn to meet U.S. Coast Guard requirements for vessel flotation devices. Automatic inflatable life vests are included in this category and provide the most comfort and user mobility during use.

Now if you are paddling alone I recommend strongly you wear a PFD.

Paddle Leash; Now this seems to be a no brainer. A simple paddle leash will keep your paddle connected to your yak. if you are paddling alone on  a river with current and the unfortunate happens you want your paddle still connected to your yak. Think about this, you get pitched out of your yak and get back in but your paddle is gone floating down river. What you going to do?

First Aide Survival Kit; Having a small First Aide Survival Kit, which I just recently added, with you makes sense for those minor cuts and abrasions that can happen out there. Also, if you are waiting for a rescue you need some basic survival gear to hold you over until help arrives. Having a flash light, fire starter,  knife and other basic survival items could save your life. I simple slip and fall on a sandbar or dock can cause a cut or abrasion and with your kit you can address it right away. Just keep it small and waterproof. 

Repair Kit and Pump; If in an inflatable and by your self having a simple repair kit and small foot pump can get you back up and paddling in no time. 

Communication; Here is an issue that is very important. Everybody has a cellphone. Again, being alone 8, 10 miles up river something happens and you need assistance a cellphone or VHF handheld can get the help you need quick. Also, GPS to pinpoint your exact location. I use an app called MapMyFitness which works really great or I use google maps which I have used on occasion.

Paddle Plan; Pilots are required to log a fight plan, the same should be for a lone paddler. Having a paddle plan shared with a loved one or friend can get a rescue or even worse a search started way sooner than not making a Paddle Plan. This plan should include your docking location and time,  paddle time, distance plan if not returning to the launch point, estimated time to return. Aways call your plan holder when you arrive and when you get back to the launch point. Finally let them know when you're back on the road heading back home with an ETA. 

Weather Report; Check the weather forecast for your paddling venue a couple of days before your planned outing and also the day of your paddle date. Weather can change very fast, especially in Florida, lightning and winds are your enemy. Rain not so much, but it does make for not a fun paddle. You can always reschedule your paddle because of forecasted bad weather.  Way better than getting caught in a storm.

Proper Apparel; Don't paddle barefoot! Water shoes are not expensive and if you step into the water you can't see what you will be stepping on. Wearing the proper apparel for the conditions is important.

Dry Bag; A dry bag can keep all your belonging dry and in one place, especially your ID and cellphone.

Sunscreen and Repellant; When paddling you are exposed to all the elements. From hot sun to those pesky bugs. Just make sure you add sunscreen and bug repellant liberally before you launch. It will make for a more pleasurable paddle.

Hydration and Power Bars; This is a very important. You are expending energy with every stroke while paddling. Not to count the energy expended setting up at the launch. Replenishing protein and water will keep you fresh on water.

So, that about covers it. The most important part of paddling alone is practicing and employing common sense. Know your limits and don't push beyond them. You want to paddle tomorrow so be safe today.

Napier Series 57 Truck Tent

Selfie Drone. . . .Not!

I have been looking at the new trending market of "Selfie Drones". My plan was to enhance my kayak wildlife photography, "Paddling Places - Florida" video series and kayaking product reviews with this new addition to my ever growing inventory of cameras and support gear.

Advanced Elements Expedition XL

Now as you can see all or most of my photography is taken from a kayak. Currently I have to place my camera on a dock, a floating tripod, a GoPro mount on the kayak or a pole. Adding an aerial perspective would enhance my productions 10 fold. But I must trust it. I have to be able to hand-launch and hand-land these type selfie-drones. Also altitude hold is a must. You can see why, one failure its gone, sunk to the bottom of the lake, or river I'm reviewing.

Now selfie drones are not to be confused with mini-drones. A Selfie Drone is a close proximity
multi functional, autonomous still and video drone. Whereas a mini-drone is a smaller version of the standard drone. There is a huge difference.

With that in mind I have some requirements that must be met in a real selfie-drone.

• Face aware Hand Launch
• Hand Land-able 
• Self holding
• Max height 100 ft
• Max distance 100 ft
• Auto Pull Away
• Altitude hold
• Compact
• Folding prop arms
• 4K or 1080p 60fps stabilized
• Automatic Subject Tracking
• Facial Tracking
• Follow-me
• Orbit Mode
• Gesture Recognition
• Flight Time of 10+ minutes
• Maintain connectivity 
• RELIABLE APPLICATION
• Android and IOS application with no compatibility issues

Well, does that sound like a lot? Not really the technology already exists the problem really is the simple definition between a selfie-drone and a mini-drone. Many manufactures are really mixing up stuff with a selfie drone but jamming in some stuff that is in the standard drone like speed, height and distance and calling it a selfie drone. Lets take a look. 

A selfie drone at 150 feet is not a selfie. It is a postage stamp! If one wants to take high altitude videos there are a lot of standard drones on the market currently and now also in the mini-drone market. A standard drone is not for everyone. It's a specialized market and so that same thought should be in the new selfie-drone market. It's not the case though. It is a mixed bagged at best. But that's not the real problem here.

All these mini-drones and so called selfie drones all have the same problems. Their manufacturing of the drone itself is beyond outstanding in most cases. Just looked at the new DJI Spark, all I can say is wow! But as with all the others their cell applications are horrible, undependable and just not ready for prime time use. Look you're flying a mini or selfie $500 drone and it takes off never to be seen again, or goes way high and looses connection and slams to the ground shattering in to pieces. All because the Cellphone App fails. All this great technology in these great minis and selfie drones is worthless with horrible Application support. Also with many of these applications have major compatibility issues. Now they don't give you these compatibility problems on their websites so you assume all is good. NOT!!!

So lets take a case in point. We are going to look at 2 Selfie-Drones I personally tried out and both I had really high hopes for only to be dashed by horrible Cellphone Applications. Firstly, the Yuneec Breeze. The technology packed into this great drone was outstanding. Went out the first day downloaded the "BreezeCam App" turned on the Breeze and the app. The App walked me through the WiFi connection process. Yup went to my wifi on my Pixel XL shows connected. Returned to the Breeze Cam app and it kept asking me to connect to my WiFi. I checked several times and each time it shows connected but not on the app. So, apparently there is a compatibility issue with either Android phones some or most of them. However IOS devices, well most of them there is no problem. I did launch and fly this outstanding selfie drone using a 2 Gen iPad. But with a tablet (IOS) kind of defeats the purpose of this selfie-drone. Breeze 4K compact selfie-drone being flown with a large tablet. Kinda defeats it purpose. Well unless you own a iPhone. Also, I could not hand-launch or hand-land this drone and the prop arms were not collapsible. So I decided to return this item and try the Dobby. 

The next day I had a Zerotech Dobby. This drone is controlled by an application called Do.Fun. Well it should say No.Fun. The same exact problem with my Pixel XL, also Samsung. The application would not recognize my Wi-Fi connection even though it was connected. Same thing again I hooked it up to my iPad and connection was great. Had one excellent flight. But other issues reared their ugly heads like constant App crashes and turnoffs. Also, inconsistent satellite connections. One minute 8, then 10, then none then back to 8. Just would not show any consistency which is a must with any drone. The Dobby was the closest to meet all my qualifications. Voice activation did not work and the hand-land icon was not on the app as advertised along with a couple others. The hand-launch (once I found it) and hand-land worked flawlessly but the Application killed this drone. It was a shame. 

Then more research, and more research. It seems this is the current theme with all these Selfie-Drones. I looked at several. Like the HoverPassport. This particular seemed to meet all my qualifications, but again Application issues. Connection issues, compatibility issues and the feared fly away issue. 

Look, all these Selfie-drones are jammed packed with features. The R&D placed into the development of these drones is spectacular. But they have failed to place the same attention into their flight applications. It's funny, well not really, this problem is rampant throughout this entire market. It doesn't matter what type of wifi drone you have or want. Until this WiFi Application issue is fixed you will own a $500 paperweight.

So here they are some of the best Selfie-Drones all with the same problem...Application support.

Paddling with Gators

I get asked almost every time I go out paddling about gators. Doing most of my paddling on Florida waters, I've come upon many gators of all sizes. At first I was terrified about doing any kind of water sport in Florida. But I did research on the behaviors of gators and found that most attacks on man are by crocodiles not alligators. But that really didn’t help me on confronting my fear. I wanted to learn kayaking for incorporation into my wildlife photography. So one day I went to a local State Park that had 3 lakes on it to rent a kayak and give it a try. The young lady handling the rentals was very helpful and explained state policy on gators and what to look out for. She assured me that I would be fine. I did about a 2-hour paddle and didn’t see any gators but was told there were many in the lake.

Excited about my new adventure I wanted to do it again. I had talked with my sister and told her about my new thing. I asked if she would like to go kayaking? I found a different place called Shingle Creek that rented kayaks, excited we headed out the next morning. Knowing nothing about kayaks I saw that this kayak was one that you sit in not sit on top. Hey I didn’t know the differences. Anyway, we headed out and it was beautiful. This creek has several narrow passages, twists and turns. My eyes were glued on the water and banks as I knew there were hundreds of gators all around me. Well that’s what my head said. I was starting to relax more as I got a little out of shape amongst some cypress trees. I pushed off a cypress with my paddle that tilted the kayak which immediately took on water and tossed me out.  I was terrified and panicked. I just knew I was gator bait as I shot out of the water like a V-2 rocket. Standing on a submerged cypress root I attempted to empty out the kayak. Uncontrolled laughter is coming from my loving sister as she’s chasing down my paddle down stream. With a lot of the water out I got back in but there was still too much water in the kayak making it very unstable. I saw a small sandbar about 50ft away and thought I could dock there and empty out the kayak there so I made a small right turn and I was tossed out again. Panic really set in now I didn’t know what to do when 2 paddlers offered to help. The kayak was almost totally submerged as these 2 good Samaritans emptied out the kayak and waited for me to comfortable and pushed me off. I’m really leery about the balance of the paddle. But we finished without incident. I learned a lot that day. Types of kayaks and the waters are not jam-packed with gators. That incident is always in my mind. Since, with over 100 paddle adventures I have seen many gators where I paddle and the I've had many more close calls driving than I've had paddling around gators.

Typical Alligator Behavior Around Paddlers

The typical behavior of gators I've seen many times; I will see their head and part of their body on the surface of the water and as approached they will submerge or if on the bank they will slip into the water when paddlers approach. That makes sense, because they probably feel more protected from us underwater. So slipping into the water is typically not aggression, but just the opposite; a defensive action they take because they probably view a paddler as a potential threat to them.

During their mating season (May or June) is when they can get somewhat aggressive. If you are close to their nest they will let you know. Incubation requires approximately 63-68 days, and hatching occurs from mid-August through early September. So if you see a gator nest use common sense and give it a wide berth. The female is very protective of her young and if you’re too close she may get aggressive.

Gators in more remote areas less visited by man seem to enter the water faster than those that see people and paddlers more frequently. Stay away from heavy moss covered areas, reeds or heavy lily pad areas as this area is where they hide and hunt. I have learned where the gators stay on my regularly paddled lakes and rivers I travel as they stake their turf.

Be aware of your surroundings. Look for bubble trails or vibrating water ripples as that’s a male mating call. Again paddle clear of that. I always tell my friends who go paddling with me to be attentive of your surroundings.  Understanding their behaviors will make your paddle experience better. Over time, I've grown to enjoy seeing alligators while kayaking as I've become familiar with their typical behaviors. Here is the bottom line; remember that song by Aretha Franklin? RESPECT – that’s the best advice I can leave you with.

Things to Remember

Gators can certainly be deadly to paddlers if they wanted to be, but they typically try to avoid paddlers.

Some advice on paddling near gators:

Never feed alligators

Don't get too close or harass alligators

Don't corner alligators

Stay away from potential alligator areas during mating season in spring when they

become more territorial

Don't take small children or small creatures like pets near areas with alligators

Finally, beware that alligators behave very differently than crocodiles. Crocodiles are extremely dangerous to paddlers and have attacked and killed paddlers without warning or provocation. Crocodiles are common in Asia, Africa, and Central and South America and there are crocodiles in south Florida and the Everglades, though they are not nearly as common as alligators. Avoid paddling in areas with crocodiles. Do your research on the area you wish to paddle. On some Florida websites they have lists of lakes with the gator population posted. I know which ones to paddle and which ones I stay clear of. Do your homework and happy paddling.