I really just want to get my kayak in the water dang it. Melt already! Sheesh.

I still canoe as much as I can. I try to do at least 3 or more trips to the Boundary Waters in Northern MN each year. I am hoping to have surgery by Jan 1. I really do want to be able to do the things I love only with more energy stamina. I know how you feel, it is so peacefull out in the canoe, just you, the river and wilderness. I have had bears come into my camp at night, seeing deer and moose come to the edge of the water to drink. The wife and I will be trying White water rafting next year, lack of funds keeping us from doing it this year. Take Care. Happy Paddling Dave Navratil

Last summer when I tried to canoe with my husband I literally fell into the bottom of the canoe and couldn't even lift myself up on the seat. After losing 101#, (post-op, 5 months) I went on my first canoe trip in 20 years!! WE went on an all day trip that was 27 miles. It was so awesome to be able to sit in the canoe and paddle and get in and out without falling over. It was one of my long term goals after WLS to be able to enjoy family life again instead of sitting on the sidelines and waving good-bye to my husband and kids as they left me. I am ready to enjoy this healthful hobby again on a regular basis. I may even do some white-water rafting in August.

I am getting ready to schedule a kayaking trip to Bair Island. This is out of Red Wood Shores Ca. The trip will be exclusively for weight loss surgery patients (pre and post op) and their support systems. Children under 9 can not attend for safety purposes. The trip will take place on May 14th. We will leave early in the morning. This trip is for anyone who wishes to try kayaking, no experience is necessary. The cost is $70 per person. Let me know if you are interested, as I need to give the company who will orchestrate the trip a head count. You will pay them directly. We need a minimum of 10 participants to save this date. Nancy

First of all, I suggest you sign up for the free newsletter available from www.paddling.net . They don't sell their e-mail lists. And, they are a great resource for both canoeing and kayaking. You may also want to look at www.canoekayak.com which is the on-line version of Canoeing and Kayaking magazine. Secondly, the larger sit-on-tops do advertise that the aft decks are designed for holding scuba gear. So, I assume you could go scuba diving from them. The best source of info on that would be your local kayak dealer. On the paddling.net site, some of the kayaks are listed under kayaks>fishing boats>then choose your boat. Others are listed just as sit-on-top, touring, or recreational. I can barely tell the difference from the recreational and fishing boats. I haven't been boating in a long time, but I read up on it regularly. I've owned two kayaks that you sit in but don't have to learn the eskimo roll because they had large ****pits from which you could fall out of ( for some reason I preferred that). I've e-mailed J M Mcreary,aka "Track", on the Obesity Help site and he now has 2 sit-on-tops. He might be able to give you more info. He's in Virginia.