Page 181 - South Mississippi Living - September, 2017

Kayaking along the coast!
GULF
story by Kelsey Sunderman-Foster photos courtesy of Everything Kayak and by Katherine
Sowers and Kathy Wall
riving down Highway 90, there’s
a good chance of spotting brightly colored kayaks scattered across
the Gulf. The beauty of the Coast
is undeniable, but its unique geography is what sets it apart as a prime kayaking mecca.
“The accessibility of the waterways here is a huge benefit,” said Edward Hornsby, assistant manager at Everything Kayak in Gulfport. “Not only do we have an inland bayou area, but also the more open area of the Gulf, which is protected from larger swells by the barrier islands. It’s really the perfect place to paddle.” In recent years, Hornsby has seen a definite rise in
the sport’s popularity. “We’ve had an influx of people coming into our store who have never paddled before,” Hornsby commented. “I think the prevalence of it has really encouraged more people to try it out for themselves. Seeing people out there paddling and enjoying themselves, especially at races such as Battle on the Bayou and the Pink Paddle Race, really gets people excited about kayaking.”
Another big draw for the sport is its affordability. For a first time kayaker, it’s not necessary to go out and purchase a kayak to be able to try it out. With a large variety of rental locations across the Coast,
interested participants can rent a kayak for the day and get some expert advice from a professional in
the process.
“We give all of our first time kayakers a free lesson
and area map before they head out,” said Dan Whittmann, owner of Wats Up Paddleboards in Gulfport. “About 60 percent of our rentals are by people who have never been kayaking before.
Whittmann, who is also known as “Dan the Paddle Man,” is an expert in all things kayak, and was
even named the Mississippi Paddleboard Athlete
of the Year. He and his team are devoted to making sure first timers have all the instruction they
need before hitting the water. Dan’s best piece of advice? “Where the head goes the body follows, so
don’t lean over the side of the kayak or you’ll find yourself in the water!”
Each kayaker has their own favorite haunt, and for Whittmann that place is Turkey Creek. For him, the
location is the perfect place because of the creek’s narrow width, which means there are no boats to
worry about.
Hornsby advocates for both the Back Bay and
the Gulf depending on his activities for the day. He prefers the Gulf for fishing, but can’t deny the sightseeing and wildlife he enjoys in the Back Bay. No matter the activity, the Coast has the perfect waterway for any adventure.
FOR MORE REFLECTIONS OF THE GULF COAST >>
September 2017 • SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living 181