Southport Magazine

Kayak Adventures!
Adventure Kayak in Southport offers fun and adventure on land and water.

They say nature is healing… it connects us to the Earth. Well I hope you go exploring as much as this Southport Company does. The Adventure Kayak Company loves to venture out into the local water ways, explore historic Southport and all over the coastal region. If you want a day of fun, book a tour, you’ll be glad you did. Here are some fun questions about Adventure Kayak that I bet you didn’t know….

1 – Tell us a little about how The Adventure Kayak Company got started.
In April 2000 taking a leap of faith, I begin my adventure journey starting The Adventure Kayak Company. The main goal was to share with others what I love, being outside, on the water and experiencing nature. The Adventure Kayak Company started out as a kayak tour company, renting space from Foster’s Market on West West St., leading kayak tours in the local salt marsh creeks and black water rivers. Within the first season adding kayak and bicycle rentals, kayak lessons and Historical Southport Bicycle tours. Six years later I decided to take the tour/rental business to the next phase and moved The Adventure Kayak Company to 807 N. Howe St. adding a retail shop selling kayaks, stand up paddle boards and all the gear needed – becoming a full service kayak and SUP outfitter.
2 – What can someone expect to experience on a kayak tour?

We always start with basic kayak instruction before going out on the water. So, no experience necessary to join one of our local 2 hour guided kayak tours. We focus on introducing kayaking through awesome nature experience. Our amazing guides are knowledgeable about the local history and our unique coastal environment.
We offer daily kayak tours in the local salt marsh creeks, exploring the vibrant eco-system with a big variety of coastal birds, paddling to barrier islands and on peaceful gentle black water rivers with huge old Cypress growth. Sunset and full moon paddles are also a part of our paddling schedule.
We ask our customer to wear shoes that can get wet and protect their feet, bring water to drink, wear hats, sun glasses, sun screen and be ready to have lots of fun on the water!
3 – Who is your typical customer for the tour? (age range)
Our minimum age requirement is 5 years old for a guided kayak tour and no there’s no maximum age requirement. Our moto is you’re never too old to experience kayaking. Participants age range from 5-95 have enjoyed our kayak outings.
We have provided kayak outing for wedding parties, birthday celebrations, scout troops, youth groups, school groups, corporate team building outings, wounded warriors and military family outings and more.
4 – I notice you also do historic Southport bicycle tours… tell us more.
The Historical Southport bicycle tours begin our first season in 2000 with an enthusiastic guide ready to share the local history and a fleet of bicycles. A few years ago we decided to collaborate with the NC Maritime Museum at Southport offering monthly tours with a portion of participants fee donated to the Maritime Museum. Tours can be added to the schedule by request and with the minimum age of 13 years old to participate.
Our bicycles are single speed, the pace is slow and easy traveling approximately a 5 mile loop around Southport’s Live Oak canopied streets and waterfront.
5 – You have a retail shop there, what is your most popular seller? (and tell us a little about what you offer)
Recreational kayaks both sit in side and sit on top are our top sellers.
We stock Hurricane Aqua Sport kayaks made in Warsaw, NC, Perception kayaks from Greenville, SC and Invert Stand Up Paddle Boards also from Greenville, SC. We also carry roof racks, paddles, life jackets and other accessories items and gear for kayaks and SUPs.
We strive to help our customers find the right boat and gear that will meet their paddling desires by offering the opportunity to demo kayaks. It’s really important to try before you buy.
6 – Is there an exciting story (or adventure) that happened on a kayak tour or bike tour? (One that stands out)
I am truly blessed to Do What I love and Love What I do and have an amazing staff that have helped to make my dream come true.
The opportunity over 18 years has been abundant to meeting so many wonderful people from all over the world during our tours and in the shop.
I would have to say more than exciting or adventurous, what stands out to me is more of an humbling experience to hear comments from Wounded Warriors on the sense of peace they feel by being out on the water. Or a group of young folks from an afterschool program or group home who expressed they have never been in a place so beautiful and calming. When you hear comments like that you know you are helping to provide more than just a kayak outing, the opportunity to really experience nature by kayaking.
7 – Kayaking seems to be physically demanding…do you have “easy” tours for people with limited upper body strength? (elderly or young?)
It’s all about technique. You really don’t have to have strong upper body strength. A good paddle stoke, proper body posture and balance will get you on your way. Our guides lead basic instruction with every tour and continue to give pointers if needed along the way.
We also offer kayak lessons for all age groups and skill levels from beginner to advance. Our lessons are for anyone that wants build a good paddling foundation or improve and sharpen their existing skills. If you ever wondered what to do if you fell out of your kayak, we have a class for you, Basic Kayak Rescue and Recovery. No Experience necessary just come prepared to get wet and learn lots of helpful techniques to get you back in your boat and paddling.
8 – Do you ever encounter interesting wildlife? (alligators, snakes, birds, etc..) ALT- What kind of wildlife can someone expect to encounter?
Nature is so cool and unpredictable. You never know what you might be privileged to see. Each tour provides something uniquely different. Our on water protocol is to observe any wildlife (bird, turtle, dolphin and sometimes we are lucky to see an alligator) from a distance and let the wildlife do their thing. We’re the visitors coming to their home and want to give them plenty of respect and space.
Last season there were a couple of black bear sightings, a few beavers slapping their tails on the water and a number of bald eagles circling overhead. Quite often we see barred owls, osprey and a variety of warblers. Both the local salt marsh creeks and black water rivers provide incredible birding opportunities.
We have had a few unusual wildlife encounters during a kayak tour, once a large sea turtle came up for a breath right beside one of the kayakers, another tour a dolphin jumped over the bow of a kayak. I remember on a salt marsh creek tour a huge ray coming out of the water in front of the group spreading out like a blanket at least 10ft wide. Now that was a sight!
9 – Is every tour different? Do you explore different areas each time?
We provided daily kayak tours in different locations at set times to coincide with the daily tidal chance.
One morning we might be out on a salt marsh creek with lots of birding opportunities and the next day on a fresh water river with Cypress trees that could be between 300-800 years old.
During the Spring and Fall we offer tours throughout the day. During the summer months late June, July and August we like to start out early in the morning avoiding the heat of the day and more opportunity to see wildlife.
There are so many incredible place to paddle in our immediate area and within a short drive. This is truly a paddler’s paradise!
10 – What is new this season for Adventure Kayak – or do you have any exciting plans for the future you’d like to tell us about? (new tours, new equipment, expansion, etc…)

This season we are celebrating our 18th Anniversary and high lighting 18 different local and regional river kayak tours. From the Waccamaw River, Town Creek, the Lockwood Folly to the Lumber River and more. Check out our web site www.theadventurecompany.net for a monthly list of our guided tours.
In our retail shop we’ve added a variety of sit on top fishing kayaks with propel pedal drive from Hurricane Aqua Sport and Perception Kayaks and kayak fishing accessories.

The Adventure
Kayak Company
807 N Howe St. Southport, NC
910-454-0607
www.theadventurecompany.net
Shop hours: Monday-Saturday 10:30-4:00 PM

Mention the Southport Magazine article and receive $5.00 off a full day bike rental.
FUN QUESTIONS
What is number 1 on your bucket list?
Enjoy time outside everyday! Even better if it’s time on the water.
What is the best adventure you’ve ever been on?
Wow that’s a tuff one to answer. I’ve been very fortunate to have had many great adventures locally and abroad.
Paddling around Milos Island in Greece with a group of wonderful folks on my birthday and kayak camping on Coiba Island Panama are two of my top adventures so far. I think the best is yet to come!
What is your favorite adventure film or book?
I find it inspiring to read about amazing adventures individuals choose to experience. Sharing their journey, the challenges they faced and their growth along the way. “On Celtic Tides” by Chris Duff, “Paddling North” by Audrey Sutherland and the “Sailing Promise” by Alayne Main are a few of my favorite adventure books