Dreamscapes Travel & Lifestyle Magazine
Issue link: http://read.dreamscapes.ca/i/569741
thing I had never done before. However, with the encouragement of my compan- ions, most of whom were seasoned ocean kayakers, I was able to avoid capsizing on my first plunge into the Ligurian Sea. Prior to signing on for this paddling trip along the Italian Riviera offered by global sea-kayaking outfitter Southern Sea Ven- tures, I had signed up for a two-day introduction to sea-kayaking course offered by Ecomarine in Vancouver. It covered such basics as proper paddling strokes, stable upper body positioning, assisted and self- rescue procedures and more. It was enough to instill self-confidence so that if I did run into trouble on the high seas, I wouldn't be completely lost. This preparation turned out to be a wise decision and one I would recommend to anyone contemplating a sea-kayaking adventure. As with any sport that involves some element of potential risk, the more knowledge you have on safety techniques, the safer everyone is on the water and the more enjoyable your experience will be. NOT YOUR AVERAGE VACATION Once everyone was safely afloat and stable in their kayaks on our first morning, we set off on a meandering journey along the Italian Riviera, taking it all in from the unique vantage point of the sea. Paddling an average of 15 kilometres per day, we took time to explore this majestic coastline, stopping to enjoy leisurely picnic lunches of local focaccia. Each evening we rested in small family-run hotels or country villas, delighting in hearty dinners at local restau- rants, sampling regional wines, reliving each day's aquatic adventures and soaking up the local flavour of rural Italian life. "This isn't just a vacation. It's also an opportunity to challenge yourself and improve your kayaking technique," said our wonderful guide, Enrico Carrossino, as we came ashore on our first morning at the Abbey of San Fruttuoso, a medieval monastery built by the Benedictines of Monte Cassino overlooking a tiny fishing village. Enrico was right. Each day I grew stronger and more confident. True, mastering the strokes and required navigational tech- niques to rise above the novice sea kayaker level would take many more trips. However, even during our roughest passage—a stomach-knotting paddle around Punta Mesco Cape from Levanto to the Cinque Terre village of Vernazza through one-and- a-half-metre swells—it was immensely reas- suring to know help would arrive rapidly if I capsized. We quickly gelled as a team, each member looking out for the others. RELAXED PACE A typical day began with a hearty breakfast together at our hotel and a route briefing. We then loaded our luggage into support vans and headed down to the village har- bour where our kayaks waited to be launched into the warm Mediterranean waters. A couple of paddling hours before lunch and another couple in the afternoon became the norm. This relaxed pace allowed plenty of time to admire the breath- taking coastal vistas, explore the shorelines, enjoy our daily picnic lunches, and savour a beer or gelato as the sun dipped into the azure Mediterranean Sea. When rough seas precluded paddling we hiked the famous network of trails in Cinque Terre, many of which have been FALL 2015 DREAMSCAPES 31