InnovaKayak - Adventure

The sea is calling...

noreply@blogger.com (Mandy Landa) — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 05:52:00 +0000

Andy Sawyer and his uncle paddling around the Cornish coast in a green Innova Helios and a blue Innova Safari.

Innova Boats can Travel Anywhere...and have lots of uses!

noreply@blogger.com (Mandy Landa) — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 08:41:00 +0000

Shoutout to Xero Shoes (and Jon Sattler)

noreply@blogger.com (Mandy Landa) — Wed, 06 Feb 2013 02:06:00 +0000

In Episode 413 of Shark Tank, Xero Shoes demos their shoes in an Innova kayak. We Feel the Freedom Xero Shoes!

Here's the original photo.

And here's a really cool video of Jon Sattler running in Xero Shoes. His Helios II is featured in the beginning because it allowed him to get to the point of departure for the run (via Lake Powell).

If you look way back in this blog, you'll see photos of Jon floating around Venice in his Helios II which he calls the "Crimson Poobah". In Jon's most recent email he tells of a friend who kayaked his Crimson Poobah on the Great Salt Lake departing from Antelope Island (not recommended for beginners).

Surfing in a Safari

noreply@blogger.com (Mandy Landa) — Thu, 07 Jun 2012 20:38:00 +0000

These pics are taken by Allan Mather. They are of his son, Gavin, surfing the coast of California. Allan was in another Innova kayak and said this, "Think of me, sitting there taking those pics - I got dumped a few times!"

Enjoy Allan's photo galleries of Safari photos:

Beijing Paddling in an Innova Kayak

noreply@blogger.com (Mandy Landa) — Thu, 07 Jun 2012 20:24:00 +0000

If you were going to spend three months in Beijing, what would you pack? Why not your inflatable kayak? That’s what Chuck Yamashita, kayaking and cycling enthusiast, decided to bring. He bought his Helios II used (on craigslist), knowing that Innova’s quality construction and design could be trusted to last.

See Chuck's trip report below.

Paddle Tour of Beijing: Summer Palace and Cixi Canal

Bai River

From Chuck’s Trip Report (published on Folding Kayaks Forum)

The quest for paddling venues around Beijing continues.... My everyday rule "Do not paddle where you would not be willing to swim" is put on hold whenever I go to China. The Wenyu River is no exception, but desperate times call for desperate measures.

This morning my friend Fischer, who is a budding kayaker, and I went off to the river. We caught the bus in front of my apartment complex. I had the Helios packed in a GI duffel bag and the paddles, PFDs and drinks in another small duffel. Very easy carry compared to a Feathercraft.

We had a single bus change and the 15km round trip was pretty expensive, about 30 cents each. It was a bit less than a km walk to and from the bus stop to the put in and carrying the 380 was a breeze - 10 minutes from bag to water. We launched near a golf course.

We paddled a section about 4km long between 2 dams. The boat paddled nicely. The water was not stinky, but was dirty. Live fish were seen as well as a few ducks on the water. There was lots of algae as well. Our total transit time was about 45-50 min each way. I am going to try and portage around a dam next time (with felt shoes to keep from slipping). The Helios is the easiest boat I have ever portaged and a pleasant boat to paddle.

The Innova Swing - new in 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Mandy Landa) — Wed, 06 Jun 2012 06:10:00 +0000

The Swing is the newest member of the Innova family. It has handsome lines and glides beautifully through the water. Here are a few photos of this beautiful, versatile boat.

Paddling Baja in an Innova Sunny

noreply@blogger.com (Mandy Landa) — Thu, 17 May 2012 06:27:00 +0000

Paddlesheep traveled from Vancouver, BC to Baja with his Innova Sunny Inflatable Boat...to experience the waters, the sun, and the warmth. Along the way he spent several days on deserted islands where he camped. He prepared his meals on a portable stove. Following are some of his collection of pics. Read his trip report here: http://paddlesheep.blogspot.com/2011/12/isla-espiritu-santos-baja-california.html

Go with the Grizzlies - Innova Inflatable Boats

noreply@blogger.com (Mandy Landa) — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 21:34:00 +0000

There's not much to say when you see two grizzlies hanging out near an Innova Safari. Maybe we ask a few questions...Is the owner OK? How close is he to the bears? Is he nervous?

The owner turns out to be a field biologist in British Columbia. He uses his Innova inflatable boats to study grizzly bears, salmon and their habitat. He purchased them in 2001 from Ocean River Sports in Victoria, BC because he needed boats that would fit in a Robinson R44 helicopter.

Innova Twist Inflatable Kayak on a National Geographic Expedition in Western Egypt

noreply@blogger.com (Mandy Landa) — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 21:44:00 +0000

The Innova Twist kayak went on a National Geographic expedition to western Egypt. The writer for this expedition, Andrew Todhunter, is back and sent us this image.

In his own words:

...the boat was wonderful. While heavy winds prevented using the kayak on most of the lakes, I was able to inflate and paddle it on a lake out in the midst of the high dunes on the edge of the Great Sand Sea, south of the Siwa Oasis. As you suggested, the Twist was almost certainly the first craft ever in that body of water. It worked beautifully, and the small size when deflated made transporting it a dream (by hand and later in a tightly packed 4x4). The Bedouin guides were amazed by the boat...

...With continued gratitude for your enthusiasm and support of National Geographic exploration!

A Bedouin studying the inflated kayak.

Packing for the Journey...How Does Harold Do It?

noreply@blogger.com (Mandy Landa) — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 07:20:00 +0000

Harold Murphy has taken his Innova Safari Inflatable Kayak more than 4,500 miles down American Rivers. He took some time to explain some of his tricks for packing and rigging his boat. We hope you appreciate them. Click on the images to see them rotated and larger in their photo album.

A Journey Down Indiana's White River in June 2011

noreply@blogger.com (Mandy Landa) — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 06:53:00 +0000

This June, Harold Murphy flew to Indianapolis, paddled down the West Fork of the White River to Maysville, hitched a ride to Vincinnes, and hopped a bus home. In all, Harold paddled 135 river miles, exiting the river a bit earlier than he had expected due to flood warnings. He traveled with clothes, food, water, and his Innova Safari.

"Ahhh, the beauty of the White River. There was more solitude on the White River than civilization. Within 2-3 hours of leaving the center of Indianapolis, I entered into remote areas with beautiful rolling hills and farmland. Since the White River often goes over its banks, there were very few houses near to the river. Camping was easy and safe. There were three small (but still dangerous!) dams that were easy enough to portage around. Drinking water was a bit of a problem (I found only one fresh spring in 135 miles, but there were a few small towns and cities where I could fill up).

"The river speed was a fairly consistent 2-3 mph, at times 4 mph. No rapids, but a lot of debris in the water (the result of earlier floods).

"A few days into the White River trip, there was heavy rain in Indianapolis and points North. I was perhaps 50-80 miles below Indianapolis and that high water "followed" me. While it posed no real danger, I made sure to camp 8-10 feet above the river. As I approached Maysville, the forecast was for the White River to rise another 3-4 feet and flood the low farmlands. This didn't present a danger, but it would have made it difficult for me to find suitable campsites and provisions. I decided to end my journey there."

If you want to find out more about navigating the White River, author and riverlorian, Jerry Hay, has put together a White River Guidebook.

Visit our photo album to see more photos!

Glenn Canyon Summer 2011

noreply@blogger.com (Mandy Landa) — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 04:48:00 +0000

This looks like quite a trip. Perfect for an Innova inflatable boat.
Owners of Innova Inflatable Kayaks have one thing in common - they like to travel with their boats. The photo above was taken in Glenn Canyon this summer. It looks like they've packed enough gear to stay a while. Where are you going in your Innova kayak? Let us know!

Hotham Sound - Innova Sunny Inflatable Kayak

noreply@blogger.com (Mandy Landa) — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 06:51:00 +0000

The entrance to Hotham Sound is some of the deepest water on the West Coast. The area is designated as a military operations zone and the Canadian and US navies do submarine practice here. Fortunately Paddlesheep did not get torpedoed. Read his trip report here: http://paddlesheep.blogspot.com/2010/10/hotham-sound.html

Helios I - South Bethany Beach, DE

noreply@blogger.com (Mandy Landa) — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 18:41:00 +0000

Love the kayak! Everything fits into the trunk of my Mustang!

Here's a pic of my kayak parked in South Bethany Beach, DE.

Best regards,

Bob

Paddling the British Virgin Islands

noreply@blogger.com (Mandy Landa) — Fri, 05 Aug 2011 09:21:00 +0000

This summer Everyone's Travel Club visited the British Virgin Islands. They went kayaking, snorkeling, and exploring around the Islands.

From their blog:

I arrived on the island (Eastern Standard Time) at 2 in the afternoon with two pretty big bags (full of kayaking gear...and inflatable kayak). I woke the next morning and made it down to the ferry dock (Speedy's). My ferry left St. Thomas, a U.S. Virgin Island, to Virgin Gorda in the British Virgin Islands. It took only a couple of hours and there were other Virgin Islands in view the whole way. On the boat ride I filled out my customs form (using the captain's pen...the one piece of gear I didn't bring) and turned it in upon arrival at Virgin Gorda. The kayak in my carry-on made it into the country just fine.

Snorkeling at Little Trunk Bay, Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands

Kayaking the North Sound, Virgin Gorda, BVI

Kayaking from The Baths, Virgin Gorda to the island of Fallen Jerusalem Island

Virgin Gorda B.V.I. - Kayaking at Savannah Bay

How to Inflate an Innova Kayak

noreply@blogger.com (Mandy Landa) — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 23:27:00 +0000

Everyone's Travel Club inflates an Innova Helios II inflatable kayak. Actual time to inflate: 7:24...not bad.

Canadian Rangers chose the Innova Helios II

noreply@blogger.com (Mandy Landa) — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 21:22:00 +0000

The Canadian Rangers need a tough boat that can be packed into remote search areas, a kayak that can be loaded easily in to a sea plane or a helicopter and quickly set up. They need a boat that is a rugged as the country they patrol. They chose the Innova Helios II.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zUI42Xt7NWw

Kayaking the Bahamas: Peterson Cay National Park

noreply@blogger.com (Mandy Landa) — Tue, 17 May 2011 20:16:00 +0000

Everyone's Travel Club visits the Bahamas!

Peterson Cay National Park

"Peterson Cay is a very small island, surrounded by a coral reef, about a mile offshore. You have to take some kind of watercraft to get there. We made a about a 5 hour trip out of it."

The Mighty Mississippi from Burlington, Iowa to St. Louis, Missouri...in an Innova Safari inflatable kayak

noreply@blogger.com (Mandy Landa) — Fri, 06 May 2011 16:41:00 +0000

In September 2009 Harold Murphy kayaked down the Mississippi River from Burlington, Iowa to St. Louis Missouri. He spent 10 days aboard his Innova Safari, pulling alongside the river each night to set up a tent or a hammock and sleep. He packed everything he needed onto his inflatable kayak and set out to explore the waters of the mighty Mississippi.

In Harolds own words: "Most people look at the Mississippi River as too large, too many boats, too many cities, and little beauty or remoteness. I think people would be surprised as to how beautiful and remote the Mississippi River can be."

Following are a series of photos following Harold Murphy's kayak adventure. We've published his entire trip (in higher resolution and with captions) on Picasaweb: http://picasaweb.google.com/innovakayak

It was just one of those rare combination of incidents...a sudden storm, a dragging anchor (which fouled the prop), a strong current and a bridge between us and open water.

noreply@blogger.com (Mandy Landa) — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 17:59:00 +0000

We purchased a new Sunny and have been very pleased with the boat. In fact, our small cruising sailboat was caught in a severe sudden storm while anchored one night off Bahai Honda Key, FL and broke free. Our sailboat was blown in strong currents and 45+mph winds into an old railroad bridge, breaking the mast and causing other significant damage.

My wife and I managed to escape our near capsizing craft by stepping into the Sunny that we had secured to our stern cleats. The Sunny certainly played a role in helping us get to shore (no paddles) and save ourselves during the ordeal. We also managed to pull it up on the coral and rocky banks and secure it during the blow. The Sunny came through with only a few scratches (as did we), though my sailboat has been declared a loss by the insurance company.

It is sad to have our little Flicka declared a loss, but given the situation we did pretty well to save ourselves and, eventualy, most of our gear on board.

It was just one of those rare combination of incidents...a sudden storm, a dragging anchor (which fouled the prop), a strong current and a bridge between us and open water. We were one of 11 boats the coast guard had to respond to during the storm. A 50' catamaran suffered a similar fate at another bridge a few Keys to the east. It's just a part of sailing.

The Sunny has drawn lots of attention among the cruising community in Marathon (200+ cruisers moor there) and other spots. I often found myself giving out information on the boat and your company to folks interested in looking into getting one as a tender or back-up tender/water toy.

Guess we will be doing more paddling for a while....

Roy

Harold Murphy's Safari Trips

noreply@blogger.com (Mandy Landa) — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 03:28:00 +0000

From Harold Murphy

I will try to explain my Safari trips in a few words. This one picture explains it well. Here I have my Safari loaded with 10 days of food and a few days of water. The scenery is blue and green, the wind is at my back, the river current is 1-2 mph. Camping is no problem.

I do not have a worry in my mind. All I need to understand is which way the river flows, and follow it around the next bend, then the next bend, and then the next bend. Need I say more? Life is simple and perfect here.

And for 2011?

I just booked my flight to Indianapolis, Indiana (early June) to travel the White River, south-west to the Wabash River south, to the Ohio River west, to the Mississippi River south as far south as New Madrid, Missouri. Should be 400+ miles. Should be another "adventure" with my Safari & camera. P.S. New Madrid, Missouri lies exactly on top of a major earth-quake fault that has been "sleeping" for a couple hundred years. Hope it continues to "sleep" through June, 2011

Harold Murphy on the Mississippi Summer 2010

Inflatable Kayaking in Naples, Florida

noreply@blogger.com (Mandy Landa) — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 06:49:00 +0000

Sent from one of our customers: the Innova Helios 1 in Naples, FL

Reasons Why to Get an Innova Inflatable Kayak

noreply@blogger.com (Mandy Landa) — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 23:36:00 +0000

#1 - fits in your overhead bin.

What do Lake Titicaca, Great Salt Lake, and the Baja Peninsula have in common? They're all places you can get to with your Innova inflatable kayak.

It's as simple as:

- make reservations
- pull your Innova kayak out of your closet (comes in its own backpack)
- pack your clothes
- fly wherever

Awesome!

Links for 2011-02-07 [Digg]

Tue, 08 Feb 2011 00:00:00 PST

The Preventable Epidemic of Fatty Liver Disease
TheDispensaryOnline.com Offers Some New Insight Into This Preventable Liver Disease which Afflicts 1 in 20 Americans.

October Kayaking in British Columbia

noreply@blogger.com (Mandy Landa) — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 16:49:00 +0000

Larry James took his Innova Sunny inflatable kayak out in October in BC, when he was often the only one on the lake!

In his own words: From Clearwater B.C. on Kalamalka Lake I took my GPS with me and recorded the stats: In 5 hours and 25 minutes, only stopping a few times, but never getting out of the kayak I paddled 24 kilometres averaging 5 kilometres per hour with a top speed of 8.5 kilometers per hour, all on calm water. Now that was a workout, but big FUN!!! Two days later I managed to squeeze 8.9 kilometres per hour out of that Sunny, (in a short burst of speed). I've learned all of the proper gear to take with me now for all types of weather and am enjoying the heck out of my Sunny!!! Unfortunately, time to put it away until next year.

Kayak Guatamala

noreply@blogger.com (Mandy Landa) — Sun, 09 Jan 2011 03:54:00 +0000

Innova inflatable kayaks will soon be sold at a distributor in Guatamala. As we venture into the winter months up North, these photos are exceptionally appealing. Kayak Guatamala!

Links for 2010-12-13 [Digg]

Tue, 14 Dec 2010 00:00:00 PST

Seasonal Affective Disorder and Six Tips to Beat the Winter Blues
Fall and winter bring holidays, hot cider, fires and skiing. They also bring darkness that, for some, can be unbearable. Feelings of low energy, fatigue and loss of motivation are common to many people. But for others, it can progress into a near debilitating condition called Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).

Links for 2010-12-12 [Digg]

Mon, 13 Dec 2010 00:00:00 PST

Vitamin D - this article stands in stark contrast to the flawed guidelines recently put forth by the Institute of Medicine
Vitamin D refers to two biologically inactive precursors - D3, also known as cholecalciferol, and D2, also known as ergocalciferol. The former, produced in the skin on exposure to UVB radiation (290 to 320 nm), is said to be more bioactive. Vitamin D3 is the best absorbed and utilized form of oral vitamin D. We STRONGLY suggest vitamin D supplementation over 1,000 IU daily be done under the guidance of a licensed health care provider. We also suggest vitamin D levels be checked once or twice yearly depending on what part of the world you live in (sun exposure) and various disease conditions you may suffer from or be at risk for (osteopenia or osteoporosis, cancer, multiple sclerosis, autoimmune inflammatory diseases, depression, fibromyalgia).

Links for 2010-11-30 [Digg]

Wed, 01 Dec 2010 00:00:00 PST

TheDispensaryOnline.com - About Your Health - Antioxidants: What are they and why do we need to care?
What are antioxidants? What do antioxidants do? Why do we need antioxidants? Oxidative reactions are necessary within our bodies to fight off bacteria and other foreign invaders and are part of the natural inflammatory reaction secondary to injuries. For example, when you get a cut in your skin, it is oxidation that causes the old, damaged cells to die and new fresh cells to grow. Yet, in an uncontrolled situation, oxidation can cause damage to healthy cell membranes and other molecules, including those that make up the DNA of our genes.

Links for 2010-11-24 [Digg]

Thu, 25 Nov 2010 00:00:00 PST

TheDispensaryOnline.com - About Your Health - Holiday Eating in Ten Easy Steps
For years now I've been coaching my patients (and myself) on how to make it through the holiday eating season. Holiday Eating in Ten Easy Steps is my holiday gift to our readers who work hard all year to keep their bodies in the best shape they can -- and need practical tools for maintaining their weight (and sanity) through the holiday season.
TheDispensaryOnline.com - About Your Health - Osteoporosis: Getting to the Bones of the Problem
For the most part, Osteoporosis is a preventable disease. You can start today by monitoring and making the necessary changes to your calcium intake, Vitamin D levels, bone supporting nutrients, tobacco use, eating disorders, activity levels, alcohol consumption, and use of medications.

Links for 2010-11-23 [Digg]

Wed, 24 Nov 2010 00:00:00 PST

TheDispensaryOnline.com - About Your Health - Vitamin D and the Prevention of Influenza
Did you know vitamin D(3) supplementation is a simple, cheap, and safe way of preventing the flu and its complications that is being scientifically researched and recognized but not readily promoted? It is now becoming clear through published medical studies in the scientific literature that: Declining serum concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D seen in the fall and winter months, as distance increases from the equator, is appearing to be a factor in the seasonal increased prevalence of influenza and other viral infections; Maintenance of a 25-hydroxyvitamin D serum concentration of 38 ng/ml or higher (optimally 60ng/ml) should significantly reduce the incidence of acute viral respiratory tract infections and the burden of illness caused thereby, at least during the fall and winter in temperate zones; Vitamin D(3) supplementation during the fall and winter months appears to reduce the incidence of influenza A and its complications, particularly in those specific subgroups at greater risk for complications and death (school children, elderly, asthmatics, diabetics, obese persons, pregnant women, Hispanics, people of dark-skinned complexion, and the chronically ill); The subgroups at greatest risk for complications and death from the flu are the same groups found to have the lowest serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D during flu season; Vitamin D is involved in the production of antimicrobial peptides called defensins and cathelicidin. These peptides provide a natural defense against viral and microbiological pathogens specifically in the respiratory tract. Vitamin D supplementation increases their production while vitamin D deficiency reduces their production; Low vitamin D levels are associated with an increased incidence of upper respiratory tract infections and the complications from those infections.