Houston Fun Stuff

You don't have a kayak or canoe and wish to get started?

Are you looking to buy your first kayak or canoe, or maybe to upgrade to a nicer, better suited boat? I would love to help you out!!

This is a paid coaching session. It can be rescheduled at a time and location that's more convenient to you!

You will learn in a couple of hours more than what you can in months of surfing the web, getting lousy opinions on social media from total strangers, and finding half-trues on YouTube videos. You are paying us for our unbiased professional expertise. You will receive specific information tailored to your needs and circumstances, faster than it can be dugout from reading paddling books and magazines. Let our 25+ years of expertise be your guidance!

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Class Fee: $200 per person. Usually 3-4 students.

THIS EVENT IS A PLACEHOLDER!

Contact Constantin at 832-686-3231 to discuss your kayaking & canoeing goals and fantasies, to receive a tailored recommendation from a paddle sport professional, and to set up a meeting by the water's edge for your demo day.

Private event, by appointment only!

Reply with your phone number, so I can give you a call to get a ball-park idea of what gear would best fit your needs.

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Based on your request, we can bring out 10+ kayaks and canoes for you to sit-in, compare and contrast features, and take out on water for a spin and drive test.

We have newly restored kayaks and canoes, including recreational, sea touring and whitewater kayaks in rotomolded plastic, blow molded HTP, and fiberglass and composite materials from Prijon and Eskimo (made in Germany), Pyranha, Valley, NDK, and P & H (made in England), Dagger, Old Town, Perception, and Wilderness Systems (made in USA), Current Designs, Riot, and Boreal Designs (made in Canada), and Mohawk canoes.

The cost for this class is $200. If you find a boat that's a good fit and you like, the cost of the class is applied towards the cost of the boat.

This is a family friendly event, kids are welcome to attend, and we guarantee that besides having fun, everyone will learn something new.

You can take several short paddling trips to get a feel for several different kayak models and their comfort level and handling abilities. We will discuss, analyze, compare and contrast features, designs in building, material quality, etc.

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Bring with you a half-gallon drinking water and a snack. Dress in synthetic clothing that dry quickly. Large brim hat and longs sleeves can protect you from sunburns. Your shoes will get wet. Bring with you and leave in the car a towel and a complete set of clothing to change if needed for a comfortable ride home.

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Please let me know if you have any questions or comments.

Constantin
Call/Text: 832-686-3231

PS: Constantin is a certified ACA Level-3 Coastal Kayaking Instructor, ACA Level-3 River Kayaking Instructor, and ACA Level-3 River and Lake Canoe Instructor for Solo and Tandem canoes, and ACA Trip Leader and certified NOLS & Sierra International Wilderness First Aid among other certifications.

$859 per adult | $659 per child <12 y old | Max 6 participants

Outstanding skills developing opportunity in sea kayaking, camping, geology, wildlife, survival skills, history and much more!

Luxury gear is included, along with delicious meals and professional instruction. Don´t risk getting lost in this foreign landscape! Let us worry about all gear and all the logistics!

TOUR CAN BE RESCHEDULED AT A TIME CONVENIENT TO YOU AND YOUR PARTY OF 4 INCLUDING DURING WEEKDAYS.

PRIVATE EVENT: PREPAID REGISTRATION REQUIRED
***TO SIGN UP & CONFIRM LOGISTICS CALL 832-686-3231 ***

Do you want to wander off the beaten path and fully experience the remote sea kayaking backcountry? Do you want to run away from other people and the civilization? Then this guided sea kayak-camping expedition is just right for you!

GOAL: During this 3-days and 2-nights at sea kayaking adventure we will explore Matagorda Bay and visit the Historical Matagorda Lighthouse on Matagorda Island. We will comb uninhabited beaches along the Texas Gulf Coast.

This guided tour requires a moderate fitness level as we will paddle some combined 20-25 miles over 3 days. Active teenagers are welcome, preferably with parent supervision. Although, in the larger scheme of things, our camping is luxurious, this is still primitive camping with pit latrine/no plumbing. We teach and follow Leave No Trace Principles.

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE:

Duration: 3 days/2 nights.
Paddling Time: 10-15 hours round trip.
Paddling Distance: 20-25 miles round trip.

Day 1: paddle 5-6 hours, with breaks, or 10-12 miles, from Port O’Connor to Matagorda Island. We will navigate through a maze of bayous and marshes and into the open waters of the Matagorda Bay. We will spot lots of waterfowl and have high chances to seeing surfacing dolphins just yards away. Set camp, cook dinner, watch the stars, go to sleep.

Day 2: Watch the sun rise. Stretch/Morning Yoga. Breakfast and coffee. Enjoy the breeze. Take an optional 7–9-mile hike to comb beaches and visit the 1852 Historical Matagorda Lighthouse. We will take this day to cook delicious meals, fly kites, explore the island and to rest. We can also practice paddling skills, do a safety and rescue clinic, etc.

Day 3: Morning routine (sunrise yoga, coffee, breakfast), then take camp down, load the kayaks, and paddle back to the mainland to our vehicles.

A NOTE ON PHYSICAL FITNESS: This sea kayak tour is an active outdoor adventure trip in remote backcountry. We use sit-inside sea kayaks that have narrow and confining seats with a maximum 44-inch hip/250-pound person capacity. Each paddler must have the strength and flexibility to climb in and out of the kayak seat at ground level without assistance. Additionally, high winds, large waves and strong currents can sometimes make paddling difficult. Each participant must have the physical strength necessary to control their kayak in any difficult conditions. Each adult guardian on the family tour must also have the strength to paddle a double kayak by themselves with little assistance from their minor child in the front seat.

Minimum 4 participants for tour to go. Small group size (max 10).
Call early to sign up! Limited seats fill up quickly!!
Event cross posted on several platforms.

NOT SURE IF THIS ADVENTURE IS RIGHT FOR YOU?
Take a look at our pictures:

$$ FEAR OF THE DARK?

How is your night vision? Are you easy to get spooked in the dark?

This is the challenge we propose you: try a guided, night, kayak tour of downtown Houston. This is kayaking therapy!

$169 per person, all included (gear, instruction and guiding services).
Quality equipment. Certified guide. Rich historic tour. Fluid itinerary.
Small, private tour, advance prepaid registration is required.
Call Constantin at 832-686-3231 to sign up.

These are 5 reasons why you should sign up:

1. Allow yourself the thrill of a midweek adventure!!
2. Gift yourself with a unique experience! Spend quality ME TIME!
3. Get out of your comfort zone, so you will grow more courageous!
4. Explore and discover downtown Houston in a very unique way: glide quietly in the dark to view the city from the water level up!
5. Be different! Lifelong Houstonians don't know what the city feels like at night; what it smells like, what it sounds like, and what wildlife is moving in the dark...

"I am a man who walks alone | And when I'm walking a dark road
At night or strolling through the park | When the light begins to change
I sometimes feel a little strange | A little anxious when it's dark
Fear of the dark, fear of the dark | I have a constant fear that something's always near
Fear of the dark, fear of the dark | I have a phobia that someone's always there" by Iron Maiden

Urban streetlights, glassy skyscrapers, bridges and traffic shine lights that reflect off the water creating a magic display of colors and shapes and sounds. The whole event is going to be really fun!

Constantin will share historical, environmental, engineering, and politico-social-economic knowledge about Houston during this 2-3 hour guided kayak tour. All gear and instruction are provided, but please bring a headlamp if you've got one. We will provide instruction. No previous kayaking experience is necessary.

Night paddling can be very intriguing and also very relaxing! This is such a stunning time of day to be on the water - hope you'll join us!

Sign up early! Limited seats. Event cross posted on several platforms.

We take appointments! This event can be rescheduled for an evening during the week that's convenient for your party of 4.

Call Constantin at 832-686-3231 to confirm logistics, gear size, to answer your questions, and to process payment.

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WHAT TO BRING:

Bring a 33 oz. water bottle and snack to take with you in the boat. Your bottom will get wet: bring with you a towel to cover your car seats for a comfortable ride home.

We do not want and do not expect anyone to capsize and will take meaningful precautions to avoid unintended capsizes. Dress for immersion by dressing only with synthetic clothing that dry up quickly.

Bring a headlamp if you have one, and water shoes (closed toed sandals, or old sneakers; no crocs, flip-flops, hiking boots or rain boots).

Wear outdoor, fast drying, non-cotton/synthetic clothing. Wear paddling (cycling, workout) gloves to prevent blisters.

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UNDECIDED? Questioning if it's worthing? Check out our photos here:

Join us for this easy & beautiful fluvial geomorphology filed trip, paddling on the West Fork of San Jacinto River near Stubblefield Lake.

$199 + tax per person

LOCATAION SIGNIFICANCE

Lake Stubblefield is the northern part of Conroe Lake and is the transition stage between the West Fork of San Jacinto River and the Lake of Conroe. This is an easy paddling ecotour about 4-5 miles long to explore the calm waters of this quiet, green, and beautiful environment, part of the Sam Houston National Forest.

As we paddle along, we will observe natural features specific to deltas. We will discuss about sedimentary processes associated with streams, lakes, floods, wetlands, and the anthropologic impact on the environment, while enjoying many kinds of flowers and wildlife, including birds such as egrets, herons, owls, hawks, and water lilies.

In 1966, the upstream part of West Fork of San Jacinto River (WFSJR) was blocked by an earth dam to form Lake Conroe, as an alternate drinking water reserve for Metropolitan Houston. Conroe Dam is 2 miles long and has 5 gates of 40 ft. wide each. The dam was completed in 3 years and cost $84 million to build.

WFSJR is the main water-sediment supply that feeds into Lake Conroe. Lake Conroe was filled with water in 10 months. Lake Conroe facts: 26 miles long; 6 miles wide at its widest point; 20 ft. average depth; 75 ft. deep in the river channel; 160 miles of shoreline, with normal pool at 201 ft. above main sea level. Lake Conroe water quality is good, water from dam flows across Montgomery County into Lake Houston.

Despite being relatively close to a major metropolitan area, exploring WFSJR by kayak is a unique experience for most people: you will be amazed by its natural beauty and it's a cool learning experience!

LOGISTICS & COSTS

$199 per person (includes premium paddling equipment rental and guiding services).

There are no kayak rentals available at Lake Stubblefield. Kayaks will be delivered by order from Houston, TX.

Registration includes professional guiding services and delivery and rental of a premium quality kayak and canoe equipment, including touring kayak and canoe, lightweight paddle, adjustable lifejacket, bilge pump, paddle float, dry bag, and use of group gear (tow rope, VHS radio, first aid kit).

Family & Friends are welcome to attend.
Minimum 5 participants for trip to go.

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CALL 832-686-3231 TO REGSITER!
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Undecided? Would like to learn more? Check out our photo album: