has always been fun, but the challenge has always been storage for city dwellers. And for that reason, I never dropped the hammer on a kayak purchase. But then my interest peaked when I heard of Oru Kayak. Before I heard of this company, I had taken many Hudson River trips with the Downtown Boathouse to explore the Hudson River. Whether we crossed the river and headed to Fort Lee or Hoboken, it was always a great adventure. Kayaking is one of my favorite outdoor activities because it gets you up close and personal with nature and helps build core strength.
After my introduction to the boathouse, I was excited to get back on the water, but it felt like a huge hurdle. There is the storing of the boat, the loading it onto the car securely, the transporting, getting it off the car, and getting it back on the vehicle. Thinking about this makes me tired; maybe that is why I did not get a kayak ten years ago.
Passing under a bridge in Asbury Park, NJ
Canarsie Brooklyn, NY
Hackensack River, NJ
Rockaway Beach, NY
Atlantic Ocean, NJ
For Introductory Kayaking, Deal Lake is a great place to get on the water, and tucked away in this man-made lake behind Asbury Park High School are an array of birds, turtles, and fish. It covers Monmouth and parts of Ocean County and is almost a stone's throw away from the ocean. It initially was an estuary, but in the late 1800s, new explorers closed the ocean access off and made it a lake, now no longer capable of cleaning itself as it would had it been left to its own devices. Paddling offers a unique and up-close experience with some riveting natural encounters.
Paddling in the marsh during high tide at Rockaway Beach
With this 30 lb. backpack, I can get on a plane, get on a train or get in a car, travel to any accessible waterway, and be in the water in 15 minutes. To me, that is what makes Oru Kayak special. No pumping, just assembling, but don't be fooled. Make sure you save energy after your paddle because you will need some to get the boat together. I would say one of the only setbacks is that when I get to the beach, I am jealous of surfers as all they have to do is grab their board and head to the water.
Riding the Coast XT in the Atlantic Ocean
The Coast XT, Oru's most giant single kayak, lives up to its name as it can handle everything from big lakes to high tides in the ocean. Please note I would recommend paddling the sea during low tide, but if the paddler has the skills, the boat can get you practically anywhere.
as seen in Men's Journal
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