This project is a special project created by Capt. Donald R. Reid, retired Merchant Marine Master, and an avid kayaker. The principal purpose of the project is to promote a cultural and ecological type tourism utilizing human powered craft, built from natural materials (wood) by native artisanal craftsmen.

"I worked for many years on fisheries projects in conjuction with Sudepe (now Ibama), and the state government of Rio Grande do Norte. Many of my friends were boat carpenters that have since been displaced because of the newer fishing vessels being made of steel. These craft, models of typical Indian craft of North America and Greenland, are ideal for this type of tours. And the contruction of these craft will provide employment in the beach communities which despretely need the influx."

"There are no quality boats of this type being made in Brazil except for the occasional 'home built' by ambitious hobbyists. And the Brazilians, normally very open and love water sports, will adapt very fast to this sport."

"Recently I was shocked to find out that some of the kayak people in the south of Brazil, especially some so called promoters of the sport are nothing like my beloved northeast.

I am used to everyone in the sport working together in North America to promote the sport as well as responsible tourism in a manner to benefit the people and the country. I found the kayakers in Argentina to be of the same mentality. I have been offered support by all of the kayak communities and forums throughout North America and Europe.

I had to redo this page ... taking out a very nice Portuguese translation of the history of kayaking that I had found by researching on the internet. I had to remove it because the author felt that I was trying to compete with his own business interests in the south of the country. I really doubt that the few hand-made kayaks that we build in the northeast will really endanger his business operations ...

We sometimes, when trying to explain a project, borrow text and photos from other sites on the internet that help explain Brazil to our club members. I have a 'disclaimer' on this page (above) ... and if anyone objects or feels offended by our use of a picture or text .. simply 'ask' .. and we will remove the offending material."

"The areas that we work in with our club projects are some of the poorest in the country .. the northeast, the Amazon regions, and the Pantanal. But the people themselves are the warmest and most helpful."

"One final point .... I am a North American ... natural of Texas ... and I have been working in Brazil for some 20 + years.

This kayaking project is personal ... and although I am the International director of the Andetur Brazilian Travel Club ... this project is mine and mine alone. I am responsible for the content of this page and anything that appears on it."

Capt. Donald R. Reid

Master Mariner

If you really like getting close to nature, imagine the sensation of navigating in crystal clear waters and stopping on deserted beaches, camping in the shade of coconut trees, sleep watching the stars and the planets inclear unpoluted skies, refreshed by by the cleanest air on the planet (NASA). All this is possible, especially if you have a good infrastucture supporting you., and we have an open mind about new proposals for that promotes our projects in Brazil.

Thousands of stories and data about long sea voyages (in kayaks) like the circum-navigation of Iceland (1,700 km), a coastal jorney from Alska to Vancouver (3,000 km), a long journey along the coast of South America (8,335 km), an ocean voyage from San Diego to Hawaii (4,075 km) and also another grand adventure by Brazilian Vicente Klonowsky from Natal to Florinopolis.It should be noted that these trips were well planned, by scientific personnel and others that went along for the pure pleasure.

Brazil alone has 8,000 km of coast, hundreds of islands, beautiful beaches,contrasting cultures and regions, exotic wildlife and plants, a nice climate and receptive people. With all of this, what are you waiting for to start your paddling journey?

You don't need audacity and courage; organizing your kayak trip requires little planning and knowledge of the area, little space is required, the ambient is dynamic and there is no signs to tell you the best routing. Imagine a beautiful sunshine day, and think, when you have time, suddenly the sea is covered with fog, and you lose all reference. What to do? Where are your friends in the other boats? Certainly, no matter how close the group was together, in a matter of minutes they are scattered dozens or hundreds on meters apart. In this case, the first thing is to stay calm, it is not wise to estimate the last point of reference and try to keep going. Stop, maybe swim a bit, or slowly paddle toward the wind and / or current like a sea anchor to slow your drift. This situation should not last long and normally occurs in a calm period, with a stable atmosphere. For this, planning is the keyword for the success of your adventures. The idea normally of adventure in kayaking is associated with 'wild rivers', and radical manuvers during surfing or the exploration of new passages in rivers or along the coast. This last possiblility insures that 'Sea Kayaking' will have its space in our waters.

SEA KAYAKS

When speaking of Sea Kayaks, one thinks of a small fragile boat, making a trip at the mercy of the ocean forces. In truth, the majority navigate these boats in closed waters and close to the coast. Clearly there are exceptions in Brazil, as in the rest of the world. Long voyages that have been made and world records established, proves that the 'old design' of the Intuit Indians is better that possibly imagined. These indians, with their envolvement with the sea, certainly had respect for the elements of nature. It is not necessary to force yourself or be athletic, it is important to know your own limits and be prepared for adverse situations. Therefore, a sea-kayaker, even if he knows his equipment, will study all of the available information with respect to the area he plans to navigate. In the first place, to do a small trip or a grand prolonged journey, you need to have an adequate boat. The formula for this boat is simple: 4, 5, or 6 meters in length, the bow raised and adequate for the waters you intend to navigate, directional rudder to compensate for the length of the boat, storage areas, and a lower stern deck area. Special attention must be given to accessories to be carried with regard to their size and dimensions. We have a suggested check list in annex.

Kayak e Náutica

Ecological Kayak Trips

Passeios diários
LAGOA GUARAÍRAS

Com o mínimo de esforço, você vai desfrutar de uma exuberante natureza e um lindo e inesquecível visual.Todos os grupos serao acompanhados por guias treinados.Saída da praia de Tibau do Sul (maré enchendo), com parada para banho e incursão nos canais do mangue da Lagoa Guaraíras. Retornando ao local de partida com a maré vazando.

Duração - 2:30hs a 3:00hs dependendo do trajeto.Preço por pessoa -R$ 25,00

Tibau do Sul - RN - Brasil

The first kayaks were know to have existed centuries ago, built from whale bones and covered with seal skin, natural materials available in the Artic Circle. Built to transport Intuit hunters for remote regions, these boats were noted for their easy engineering and their versatility. Initialy, these people hunted whales with a type of canoe approximately 9 meters long called a Umiak, which was normally built and used by the women for general transportation. Ulimately, the need for a faster and versatile boat for hunting seals, sea lions and polar bears, they came up with the conception of the Kayak, a boat built especially for hunting and to be used only by the men. For the "Intuit", also known as eskimos (meat eaters), this small work of art meant survival.

In 1865, Scotsman John McGregor adapted the concept of the eskimo kayak into a model of wooden canoe, which became popular under the name "Rob Roy", creating a simple option, that the nautical recreational enthusists started using as a sport throughout Europe. Canoeing as a pratical sport was born. After this, a traditional form with a wooden structure covered with canvas continued until the most recent forms made from fiberglass.

During this evolution, as modifications became more significant, also came a new vision of the sport in 1959, when Ken Taylor brought a magnificent example of the authentic kayaks of Greenland. This boat served as a mold for various copies in fiberglassm until 1971, after which it suffered some modifications, and was sold under the name Anas Acuta, which in Latin means 'needle hull'. Several years after this, an English mountain climber and hang glider, proposed an expedition using kayaks in the fiords of Norway., until they reached an area known as North Cape or in Norwegian: Nordkapp. After finishing the expedition, which was done in the Ana Acuta kayaks, they came to the conclusion that some further modifications were necessary. Again, the hulls were redesigned, with a section better designed to carry more cargo or weight. Therefore was born, in 1975, one of the best kayak designs for long expeditions, the Nordkapp. With these same changes, the original proportions of kayak continues until today; the relation between length, beam, and hull shape are the same rule, pricipally the sea kayaks. With acceptance and distribution throughout the world, as a practical sport for recreation and diversion, the kayak has gained thousands of adicts.

In Brazil, during the canoe boom, it was estimated (1988) that there was some 100,000 boats in circulation. Actually, our canoe sports are seeking new objectives, and for now, the builders are marketing new boat options. Because of this, they are buidling quality boats, with tradition and variety, from fiberglass in a process that is quite primative. There aare several sport models of canoes and for this, there exists many types of boats; meaning, canoeing (and kayaking) can be developed for the various types needed.