Houston Travel Buddies!

$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:

Tuition: $199 per person | Half a Day In-Person Class | Class Size: minimum 4, maximum 6 students | Duration: 5 - 6 hours | Paddling Time: 3 - 4 hours | Paddling Distance: 2 – 3 miles. No previous paddling or swimming experience required. Course tuition includes ACA certified instructor and premium quality canoeing gear.

THIS EVENT CAN BE RE-SCHEDULED AT A DATE & LOCATION THAT'S CONVINIENT TO YOU.

We travel and are flexible. We provide all the canoe gear.
Give Constantin a call at 832-686-3231 to discuss.

THIS CLASS IS GREAT FOR & WE WELCOME: Girl Scouts. Boy Scouts. Church Groups. Birthday Gift or Other Anniversaries. Bachelor / Bachelorette Parties. Corporate Team Building Events.

Each canoe has two seats. It's best to bring a partner to paddle with and share the experience. Minimum 4 paddlers are necessary to run the course.

We also offer more advance canoe classes, including overnight camping and guided tours.

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Whether by yourself or with the whole family, canoeing is a wonderful way to explore and enjoy the water! Open the door to explore the awesome Texas's coastline with its many paddling environments including lakes, swamps, bays, bayous, creeks and rivers!

This course is designed as a short program emphasizing safety, enjoyment and skill acquisition for controlling and maneuvering a canoe on flatwater.

This class is for beginners who have never paddled a canoe before, or need a paddling refresher skills class because they last paddled a long time ago, fewer than 10 times, or have experience paddling only in the bow, or only in the stern, or have to grab the gunnels when leaning sideways, or find it challenging to keep the canoe gliding in a straight line.

In this class paddlers can master canoeing on the lake (flatwater). On dry land we will discuss about equipment needs and safety, then go paddling for about 2-3 hours. We will teach proper techniques for launching, landing, paddle strokes, and boat maneuvers.

CLASS OUTCOME:

This is a super fun hand-on class. By the end of this class, you will be Aa more a skillful, confident and safe paddler and have increased specific knowledge and appreciation for canoeing. We help plant the seeds for a lifelong hobby, environmental consciousness, and an active lifestyle.

CURRICULUM:

• Unseen danger and your concerns.
• Introduction to basic equipment.
• Launching and landing from a bank.
• Introduction to how body, boat and blade work together.
• Basic body mechanics and efficiency of stroke.
• Forward and reverse paddling.
• Sweep strokes.
• Draw strokes.
• Turning on the move.
• Communication with partner.

WHAT TO BRING & HOW TO DRESS:

• Dress only with synthetic clothing (no cotton shirts, no blue jeans)
• Work-out or gardening clothing comfortable to movement and made to dry up quickly work best.
• Wear long pants and long sleeves shirt to avoid sun burn and insects.
• Cycling or workout gloves can prevent blisters and sunburns.
• Large brim hat with under chin strap.
• Old snickers or water shoes; no crocks, flipflops, rain or hiking boots; your feet will get wet.
• Sunglasses with retention device (i.e. Croakiest, Chums, etc)
• Half gallon of water, a fruit or snack bar
• Sunscreen, lip balm, insect repellant, towel

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WHAT'S INCLUDED / WHAT TO EXPECT:

• Premium quality fiberglass Mohawk Blazer 16 ft. canoes
• Top of the line life jacket
• Single blade canoe paddles (wooden bent or straight shaft)
• 10-liter dry bags, auxiliary equipment (bilge pump, tow rope, throw rope, etc), group first aid kit.
• Convenient destination with access to restroom/changing room.
• Event still pictures at no additional cost.
• Flexibility (the class curriculum, paddling distance/time, etc., can be tailored to fit the student's needs and based on circumstances)

LIMITATIONS:

This class requires an easy to moderate fitness level. Our canoeing gear comes rated for weight/size, and we can accommodate students only up to 250 lbs. each.

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

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

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

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

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-2 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.

$259 per person full-day geologic field trip by kayak and on foot on the upper stretches of the Buffalo Bayou to look at the aftermath of 2017 Hurricane Harvey | Small group size: minimum 4 | Includes geologic field trip led by geology professor, premium quality touring kayaking equipment, certified kayaking instruction, and field pictures | Requires 30 minutes shuttle.

Activity Duration: 10 hours.
Paddling Time: 5 – 7 hours.
Paddling Distance: 16 miles.

THIS FIELD TRIP CAN BE RE-SCHEDULED AT A DATE CONVINIENT TO YOU. PRIVATE EVENT, PREPAID REGISTRATION REQUIRED.
WE TAKE APPOINTMENTS.

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GEOLOGIC FIELD TRIP SIGNIFICANCE: Hurricane Harvey (August 25, 2017) ravaged Greater Houston and the Texas Gulf Coast. Hurricane Harvey hit as a wet storm, dumping as much as 60 inches of rain over four days, producing $125 billion in damages, and killing 36 people in Harris County alone (107 people killed in total and ~32,000 displaced in shelters). An estimated 25–30 percent of Harris County or ~444 square miles of land was submerged. Hurricane Harvey was the costliest, wettest tropical cyclone on record in the USA, second to Hurricane Katrina (August 23, 2005).

TAKE AWAY CONCEPTS: Urban development, subsidence, sea level rise, meandering channels, wetland and prairie, storm water, drainage capacity, erosion, flood plain, bank consolidation, stream management.

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Join us! Outstanding geologic and kayaking learning opportunity. Small group size. Experienced trip leader and geology professor. Awesome urban destination.

EQUIPMENT: We use premium quality kayaking equipment designed for comfort and covering distances with ease. Kayaks have sit-inside cockpit seat, with long and narrow hull. We do not use sit-on-top kayaks.

REQUIRMENTS: Good balance skills and reasonable fitness level is advisable. Our sit-inside cockpit touring kayaks can accommodate paddlers only up to 280 lbs. or less. Best for outdoor enthusiasts without motion or sea sickness, comfortable with vigorous exercise. No previous paddling or swimming experience required - instruction provided!

LOGISTICS: We will paddle roughly from Highway 6 to I-610-W, approximately 16 river miles, a long distance for most occasional paddlers. Good fitness level and commitment to complete the distance is expected from each participant. The itinerary is tailored to guests' desire, fitness level, group dynamics, weather conditions, etc.

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Sign up early!!
A RSVP “Yes” on Meetup merely states your interest.
Seats fill up quickly - the tour is cross posted on several platforms.

***TO SIGN UP & CONFIRM LOGISTICS CALL 832-686-3231 ***
Call Constantin Platon to confirm logistics, gear size, set up expectations, fill out waiver and to process payment.

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WHAT TO BRING/HOW TO DRESS: Bring two 33 oz. water bottles and pack a snack and lunch to take with you in the kayak. Bring with you a towel and a set of dry clothing to change at the end for a comfortable ride home.

Dress only with synthetic clothing. Wear outdoor, fast drying, non-cotton/synthetic clothing like hiking pants and shirts. Long sleeve shirts and long pants prevent sunburn and insect bites. Wear a large brim hat with under chin strap, sunglasses, and bring lip balm, sunscreen, bug spray, etc.

Bring water shoes/closed toed sandals; old sneakers work great - your feet will get wet. No crocs, no flip-flops, no rain boots. Wear paddling gloves or cycling/ workout gloves to prevent blisters and sunburn on hands.

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NOT SURE IF THIS IS RIGHT FOR YOU? CHECK OUR PHOTOS: