Brollyaking - Kayak Sailing with a Golf Umbrella

The first boat I owned, Ciao, is not a kayak but a sailing canoe. The thrill of wind power, feeling the taut sail and flying across the water, leaving a gushing wake, can't be beaten. So how to replicate that in a kayak?

Kayak sails are expensive and semi-permanent on your craft. I chose to go with a golf umbrella instead and it works a treat! 

Brollyak back from Waiheke Island to Maraetai today. No paddle power needed.

Pluses:

- No kayak modification needed to accommodate it.

- Easy to manoeuvre.

- Quick to put up and take down. No fuss.

- Much cheaper than a kayak sail.

- Multi-purpose. Great as a rain or sun shield on the water or in camp on longer missions.

- Best of all, in the right wind, with the right umbrella, you MOVE!

Useful as a sun-shade too!

I've been Brollyaking for a few years already in Bluey. When Annette got Bluebell, the question was, 'can we do this in a double?' After a first unsuccessful attempt, we thought not, but trying since, we've found that it works beautifully. So, it's now off to the shop to find the best brolly for the job.

Things to remember:

- Not just any umbrella will do. Get a gust-proof, fibreglass-frame, double layer model - the larger, the better. The fibreglass will not rust. Double layer and gust proof will mean you can ride bigger winds and more surface area means more pulling power.

- Secure your umbrella to something but have a way to close it quickly in case the wind overpowers you. After trial and error, I now tie the handle to a front bungy on my deck with a slip knot. This means it will stay with me if blown out of my hand but is quick to release if I need to.

- Tilting the umbrella helps harness the wind as well as with steering. 

- Avoid tipping. If there is a strong wind from one side, I will not tilt my umbrella directly into it, but slightly forward, as well as having my rudder into it and paddle balanced out, almost like a catamaran arm, for stability. If the wind is too strong, paddle instead!

- Unless you can come up with a better way, paddling while Brollyaking is hard in a single kayak. If that is your aim, it's probably better to go for a sail.

Other considerations: 

- If you want to try sailing before committing to buying a beast of an umbrella, tent flies, (Google it), raincoats and plastic bags do the job as well. Plastic bags also make a good standby in the unfortunate event of losing an unsecured umbrella to the bottom of a lake. I will reveal no culprits' names, D...

Goodbye to Molly the Brolly - an unsuccessful Brollyaking result.

Most of all, Brollyaking is fun and a great way to cover ground - water(!) without wasting muscle power, except from holding-on-tight-to-umbrella muscles. 

Give it a go and let us know how you went!

Just for fun - How not to drive with a kayak

This came out in the local newspaper today: How not to drive with a kayak
Quick summary - don't do this:

You're welcome for the tip!

A hidden gem

Where: Okura, North Shore, Auckland.

Who: Shirley and Annette in Bluebell
3 1/2 hours paddling

Do you have a kayak gathering dust in your garage? Get it out, and do this trip!  Today we discovered a true hidden gem, a beautiful piece of water teeming with fish and stingray, hemmed by bush and home to herons, plovers, oyster catchers and kingfisher.

We launched at the end of Okura River Rd, about 30mins north of Auckland. The tide was out and we were met with a wide stretch of mud between us and the water.

But, we have learned a thing or two since a rather disastrous muddy disaster early on.  We brought along wheels!

...and the wheels can be strapped to the front, out of the way.

 This wonderful invention is a cart that you strap at one end of the kayak, allowing you to wheel it to the water. However, I recommend that if you want to paddle the Okura River you launch at high tide.  It's much easier.

We launch and head out towards the open sea. You may notice the Christmas decoration that accompanied us. Shirley felt the need to be festive!

Once we got out to the sea we hung a right and headed along the coast to Long Bay. The sea was like silk, Rangitoto in the distance was surrounded by tiny white sails and the coastline busy with people out exploring.

While the scenery was stunning, the treats were also good.

The return trip back up the river provided us with some great opportunities for photography. As the tide carried us along at great speed, our waterproof cameras got some work.

And so here we were, floating upstream, paddling occasionally... when all of a sudden the kayak came to a complete stop (or as I called it, a 'stationary stop'... blonde moment). This river is very tidal and we had run aground on a sand bank.  Watch out for those when kayaking in tidal areas. It turns out that it is best to look out for the poles that mark the channel and stick close by them.

But, no harm done, Shirley dragged us safely back to deeper water while I sat in the kayak capturing the moment.

Paddling the Okura is by far and away better than the Puhoi River. I think it is the best beginners paddle around. Dust off that kayak and get out there!