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Post by Tuan Nguyen
Kayaking at Dr. Von D. Mizell-Eula Johnson State Park
Dania Beach, FL- I had a wonderful day during my school beach field trip. I was so excited and prepared a lot for that trip. At the park, everything was perfect until I found out that I had forgotten some items at home. I was in a bothersome situation that should not be part of our trip. Therefore, I wrote this essay to give some advice for people planning their next kayaking experience.
First, you should wear comfortable clothes because the kayak is very small and moist. On that day, I saw a lady wearing a white skirt and spend a lot of time to get on the kayak, and also her face was very uncomfortable when she was kayaking. She tried to paddle and always looked down because she was scared that her clothes would get wet and dirty. Comfortable clothes could be the best choice in that situation, so you should wear swimwear or shorts. It could make you feel comfortable while you paddle as well as you enjoy nature while kayaking in the canal.
Second, you should wear neoprene shoes when you go kayaking, because the water can get in the kayak very easily, and you have to walk from the rental court to the kayak ramp to get on the kayak. It could be a challenge when you have to take your sneakers off to get on the kayak; not to mention that you have to leave your sneakers at the ramp without any attention. Also, a sun-shielding hat, and the paddling gloves could help you a lot in a very hot day and can protect your hands.
Third, you should prepare a list of very useful personal items, such as: sunglasses and sunscreen for a sunny day, and water and snacks for the break time. They also sell water and snacks at the park, but there are not many choices. If you want to save money and have more food and drink choices, you should bring them with you. Moreover, your ID and credit card are the most important items that you must bring to make the rental and don’t forget a water proof case to protect your phone, ID, and credit card from the water. I didn’t know that the rental company requires ID and credit card. I had left them in my car, so I had to go back very far to the parking lot to get them. It drove me crazy even thought it was my fault.
Finally, you should be smart when you go kayaking. The fee of kayak rental was charged by the hour. You should know the exact time to go and come back to avoid being charged extra fees. Moreover, if you are excited about this activity, I advise you to buy your own kayak, because if you go kayaking once a week, you would spend hundreds per month, and after a few months the amount of money that you spend could be over the value of a new kayak. In addition, when you own a kayak, you don’t have to worry about the closing time of the park because you can go to any boat ramp, and not only the one at Dr. Von D. Mizell-Eula Johnson State Park
To conclude, you should follow the advice listed above and do a check list to make sure your kayaking experience is exceptional. Everyone has a different idea about preparation, but this is my kayaking experience after the Spring field trip with United International College.