Downunder Kayaking

American Airlines In Flight Magazine

Last week a member of the Associated Press brought his wife and daughter kayaking, as he reviewed Downunder for an upcoming article in American Airlines In Flight magazine - scheduled for the Spring of 2009.  Now wouldn't that be fabulous!  The gentlman read about Downunder on a Lighthouse Map - these are the colorful maps you find at tourist centers, hotels etc.  Great to see the marketing and advertising dollars paying off!  Fingers crossed...

Tokeneke Club Family Kayaking

It's becoming more and more popular to have private kayaking parties offsite.  In the last month we've taken between 2-10 kayaks to personal residences on the Sound, and private clubs.  Most recently, Mitch and Alison Kreuch, Darien locals and members of the Tokeneke Club, arranged for 3 guides and a variety of kayaks for a member kayaking outing.  We split into two groups - one led by Steve Annunziato that went around Long Neck Point to Pear Tree and the Darien river.  The other group consisted of families, and was led by Kim and Jesse Ford, our newest guide.  We focused on Scott's and Zieglers Cove ending up at the Fish Islands (of course!)  Mitch has been coming to Downunder with staff groups varying from 8-14 for the past 3 years, for a few hours of fun on the water, lunch on a beach, and the joy of playing hooky.

A Triathalon! 

A triathalon!  Well, we didn't actually DO it, however we did help 18 participants quickly don their gear, for a race up river, under the White Bridge and back.  Rowayton locals Volckert and Eliane van Reseema - originally from the Netherlands - arranged a course that had participants swimming, biking, running and paddling to raise funds for the Medical Knowledge Institute (MKI) a cause dear to their heart.  Volckert and Eliane were married in Capetown, South Africa and have since 'adopted' a nearby township called Kayamandi.  They have been able to persuade MKI to help improve life in Kayamandi through the creation of Health Information Centers (HIV education and free vaccination for over 3,000 people) and the development of a program to empower HIV infected females by providing them with beads to make bracelets that are for sale everywhere in the Netherlands and for a limited time at Below Deck here in Rowayton!  (Note they are not on sale!)  Proceeds go directly to the women who make the bracelets (seen in photo at left).

'Super Kayaker'

Jaden Volz turns 6.  Jaden first started kayaking in the 'Mom and Me' program when he was 4, now he has his own kayak!  Pictured below he's quietly paddling towards a green heron at the northern most end of Five Mile River, under the bridges.  On the right is his birthday cake - a kayak! made by his Mom, Carolyn.

Camp finishes with Oysters!

Caith Bazoian and cousin Jeni were the last paddlers in the children's program, sneaking in a final few days before school starts.  A field trip on one of the on/off storm days, took us to Sargent's Cove of CT - a shellfish Aquaculture business in South Norwalk, where we learnt how oysters are seeded and ultimately planted in beds out in the Sound.  From there we went over to Norm Blooms oyster and clamming business, checked out the huge boats, and dredging equipment.  Watched as fisherman chipped away at the clusters of shells to separate them, before cleaning, packaging and refrigerating for shipment throughout the country.  Lastly, we enjoyed ice-cream and a science project, as we painted designs on clam shells with nail polish.  Left in vinegar for a period of time (long probably), the vinegar will eat away the calcified shell, leaving a raised design.  We're keen to see just how that works out!   Thanks to Nina Miller for that great idea!  The children learnt a lot about the algae oysters feed on, how useful their shells are for oyster beds, the impact storms, run off and pollution have on them, AND how quick and clever they are at filtering out all the bad stuff.  Couldn't talk them into trying one though!

Time Warner

Turned visited late August for a guided paddle out to the Fish Islands.  Also in August we took most of the fleet by Seaport Express to the Woodway Country Club, where Thomson Reuters had a fantastic event for staff and their families - climbing wall, bouncy castle, beach games.  We brought along a water trampoline and led guided kayak outings throughout the afternoon.  It was a blast, and our third year helping them create a memorable day.  Later this month MySpace and Quark Expeditions will be coming through.  September is a great time for outings...  Keep Seaport Express in mind for outings as well - Barry Natale, owner, can accommodate 25 on this beautiful boat, and is starting to offer RIB outings that accommodate 6 passengers - a thrilling ride!  Barry's business, Sound Navigation  partners with us for kayak transportation to Sheffield Island, allowing clients to go kayaking AND to go on boat tours.  We're about to accommodate up to 50 clients this way.  More if we ally with Seaport Assn who own the Sheffield Lighthouse and offer a wonderful maritime program.  We are in the process of arranging a kayak concession on Sheffield Island, more news on that in 2009!

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"Give it a Go!"

...that's the motto at Downunder, and they do - 3 year olds through grandparents get out on the water, with experience or not, swimmers or not, even dogs go out!  Kayaking on a sit on top is easy, safe and fun - our job is to make it so and we do our job, really well.  No worries mate, we'll take care of you! 

Go a little further... and travel with Kim to New Zealand on one of her annual Adventure Trips.     

At Downunder you'll enjoy a beautiful river with several inlets, a small waterfall, bridges, docks and pilings to meander between and around.  Explore the bays and coves of Long Island Sound.  Wildlife sanctuaries such as Farm Creek and the Fish Islands.  Comb beaches, swim, enjoy the wildlife - oyster catchers, osprey, cormorants, herons and egrets. 

Located at ‘Below Deck’ a cabana-like store full of fun summer gear - swimsuits, sandals, hats, gift. Services include: sit on top kayak rentals, instruction, guiding, children’s summer programs, parties, catered events (through the Rowayton Market - upstairs) from simple to gourmet, island rentals,

corporate events.  Visit us for
a mini vacation! 

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