Sea Kayak Baja Mexico

contact
Registros en Mexico
Ivette Granados. 6131138262
info@seakayakbajamex.com
US Office
Mark Whitaker 360-849-4016

...uncommon answers!

What makes Sea Kayak Baja Mexico special?
What equipment do you provide for trips and rentals?
What are the prerequisites for renting a sea kayak?
How can I get the prerequisites?
What experience should I have to join a guided trip?
What kind of food do you eat on guided trips?
Where do you pack all the gear?
What is NOT included in the price of a trip?

What makes Sea Kayak Baja Mexico special?

Our niche. Many things set Sea Kayak Baja apart from the rest. For one, we offer refreshing vacations for paddlers. Our niche is providing expeditions in single kayaks for experienced paddlers. Custom coaching is available but not mandatory.

Small group size (6-8) allows a more personalized experience than the 12-person average among most companies.

The best equipment. Sea Kayak Baja Mexico has a modest fleet of 12 fiberglass Nigel Dennis Kayaks, which are singles with skegs. (doubles and rudders available with prior arrangement).
Other equipment includes Werner paddles and Don Beale Greenland Sticks; Kokatat and Stohlquist PFDs; PFD-back hydrators; and neoprene Seals skirts.

Fresh food. We serve fresh food in delicious meals and can plan to accomodate most dietary needs

The most qualified guides and coaches. Co-owner Ginni Callahan is a BCU certified Level 4 Sea coach with 14 years local experience, and has been training guides in the area for over a decade. Guide Santiago Berrueta is Mexico's first BCU 4-star Sea Leader. He and co-owner Ivette Granados are two of Mexico's first BCU coaches. Together we are committed to providing the very best vacation, or challenge, or training for you. About us.

The number of days noted is the number of actual paddling days.

What equipment do you provide for trips and rentals?
Sea Kayaking UK, or Nigel Dennis Kayaks are fiberglass performance single kayaks with skegs. Carbon Werner paddles or Don Beale Greenland sticks, neoprene Seals spray decks, and Kokatat or Stohlquist PFDs complete the kayaking equipment.

On guided Expeditions, a set of 4 drybags of various sizes is provided. Deck compass and laminated chart are optional, free of charge. All kitchen equipment and meals are provided as well.

For rentals, see details in the package of your choice.

NOT included in any trip or rental is your personal sleeping bag, tent or sleeping pad, although we do have a limited number of Therm-a-rest mattresses available for rent.

What are the prerequisites for renting a sea kayak?
Because of quickly changing weather, the lack of a rescue service, the skill required to handle a rudderless single kayak in rough conditions, and the remoteness of the area, we manage the risk of sending out an unguided group by requiring a high level of proven risk management skills by at least one group member, and a solid foundation of paddling skills among the rest of the group. The BCU 4-Star Sea Leader award is the prerequisite for at least one member of a grout. It is given when someone demonstrates the following:

enough awareness and familiarity with the sea environment to forsee risks techniques and experience to avoid situations beyond the limits of the group ability to recognise the limits of the group, and of oneself practiced techniques for handling emergency situations using the resources of the group

What experience should I have to join a guided trip?
This varies depending on the challenges of the planned trip.

Expedition Primer: Foundational boating skills, overnight camping experience, and good group awareness. For example, a comfortable wet exit and the fitness to paddle 8-12NM/day. BCU 2-star award is ideal.

8-and 10-day trips in the closer islands of the National Marine Park such as Carmen Island: Comfort paddling, rescuing and towing in moderate conditions (3' waves, 15kts wind), and multi-day camping experience. Good group awareness and ability to assist in an incident. Fitness for 12-15NM/day. BCU 3-star sea award is ideal.

Coastal 10-day trips, Extended Expeditions, and remote islands expeditions:: Fitness and experience to paddle 12-20NM/day for many days. Excellent group awareness. Reliable rough water skills to maintain boat control and assist in 4-6'seas and in winds of 15-20kts. BCU 3-star sea award is minimum; 4-star training is ideal.

What kind of food do you eat on trips?
Our menus are modified to meet participants' dietary needs. They include fresh veggies and fruits and Mexican specialties. Chicken Mole, burritos, enchiladas, tuna salad, scrambled eggs, nutty muesli, and other savory staples. On guided trips, participant help with meal prep and clean-up. We also understand the importance of Nutella and Chocolate pertaining to group morale after a challenging day!

Where do you pack all the gear?
In the kayaks, of course! We do have some of the very first oval hatches ever built into Explorers (2010), to fit the larger pots and pans that allow us to cook for 8 people. For the most part, however, all gear must pass into a 10" hatch. Packing into a few larger bags will lead to frustration and despair in packing. Packing into several smaller bags makes it much easier to utilize the little spaces, bringing the joy of packing success.

Backpack-size tents, sleeping bags, and sleeping pads are necessary, as is judicious choice of clothing and extras. In each kayak, the paddler may use about 1/2 to 2/3 of the total space, leaving ample for the group equipment and food. The longer the trip, the more food and water must fit into the kayaks. Paddlers are also responsible for the packing and managing of their portion of group equipment or food.

What is NOT included in the price of a trip?
Airfare or ground transport to the meeting point
Hotel or campground unless you've chosen a package that specifically includes it.
Meals in town
Gifts for the house-sitter, etc
Tips (10% is a recommended starting point)