A kayak tour provides a great way of exploring Lanzarote´s many hidden corners. Opening up whole areas of the coastline which can only otherwise be reached by a long trek on foot or with a 4×4. And with a new Kayak centre opened in Puerto Calero, offering free beginners classes in June, there are now several options available to those who’d like to spend a day at sea.
Danish kayak expert Bjarke Bechmann has been living on Lanzarote for 23 years and knows the island intimately. This knowledge is now extremely useful as it allows him to show visitors some of the better kept secrets Lanzarote has on the kayak trips he offers.
Bjarke’s many years of kayaking make him an excellent tutor for the uninitiated, but he has also devised courses for those with previous experience and has facilities available for competition level users. The course ‘An introduction to sea kayak’ is divided into two three hour training sessions, which aim to teach beginners basic rescue skills, how to manoeuvre the kayak, a degree of confidence at sea which will prevent capsizing and how to use the paddling gear. And of course all the relevant terminology that applies to the sport.
Free Beginners Classes
Beginners who really get into the experience can go on to take the intermediate level course, which will cover, amongst other things: advanced manoeuvring, towing, further safety training and self-rescues. This course aims to bring beginners up to a level of competence where they can kayak at sea unaided. During June, there will be free introductory sessions of 45 minutes instruction with a tutor available.
The advanced course takes things to the next level, by covering topics such as learning to Eskimo roll, surfing and how to handle rough and choppy water, especially in relation to the wind and waves encountered in open sea crossings.
There is also the opportunity for those who require intensive one to one instruction to have private lessons. The courses offered above are taught to between four and six people at a time, but for those who prefer the undivided attention of an instructor this is to work on specific skills and abilities this is also possible.
Anyone interested in taking one of the courses will need to bring with them a change of clothes (in case you get thoroughly soaked), a towel, sun screen or sun block, water and something to eat. It is essential that participants can swim. Transportation can be provided. Included in the cost of the courses is the kayak hire, the instruction and use of accessories and facilities.
For the more adventurous and those who already have kayak experience, a range of day trips is available, including some with overnight camping. Amongst other destinations, Bjarke can take small groups to explore the Chinijo archipelago, which includes the islands of La Graciosa, Alegranza and Montaña Clara to the north of Lanzarote. This area is designated a protected marine reserve, so kayaking is one of the best ways of exploring the waters without the use of an outboard motor.
The next trip planned for La Graciosa will take place on 20th June, weather allowing. This will be a twenty-eight kilometre round trip, starting at Caleta de Famara, visiting La Graciosa and returning to Famara. For those who wish to, there will be the option to camp overnight on La Graciosa. Anyone who is keen on this trip needs to subscribe by 18th June.
The island of Los Lobos, which lies between Lanzarote and Fuerteventura, is also offered as a destination for the two day expeditions. This involves kayaking for twenty seven kilometres each way, so is best tackled with an overnight stop in between.
Fishing enthusiasts will find there are rigged kayaks that can be used for small and big game fishing. Whilst the guiding principle of catch and release is applied to most of the haul, there is room for a trophy catch to end up on the barbecue. The stealth factor which fishing from a kayak brings allows sailors to get right on top of their prey – an obvious advantage.
Courses start from €62 per person and private classes from €40. To make a reservation or find out more about the services Kayak del Mar have to offer, visit their website: www.kayakdelmar.com or phone Bjarke on 00 34 630 223 962.
