A perfect size group of Jersey Shore Sea Kayak Association members launched from Berkeley Island County Park in Bayville NJ into the Barnegat Bay at 9 am. The group included our guide Carl White, myself, Patrick Ford, Bob Arthur, Jeff Cooper and Joe Messier. There was a remote chance of t-storms later in the day being reported on the marine weather station and nothing in the sky that looked immediately threatening. A mild wind was from the south and provided mild relief from the summer heat as we paddled a south easterly course across the bay and rode the ebbing tide along the shore of Island Beach State Park almost 9 miles to the Sedge Islands and ultimately to the Barnegat Inlet. The paddle to the Sedge Islands was mostly uneventful aside from some small boat wakes and a short drag near the Sedge Islands due to low water. Bob Arthur, who agreed to play guinea pig, found a small channel with enough water to pass thru however we were already done dragging our boats back to sufficient water levels.

A Sea kayak or touring kayak is a kayak developed for the sport of paddling on open waters of lakes, bays, and the ocean. Sea kayaks are seaworthy small boats with a covered deck and the ability to incorporate a spraydeck. They trade off the maneuverability of whitewater kayaks for cargo capacity, ease of straight-line paddling, and comfort for long journeys.

Sea kayaks are used around the world for marine (sea) journeys from a few hours to many weeks, as they can accommodate one to three paddlers together with room for camping gear, food, water, and other supplies. A Sea Kayak usually ranges anywhere from 10-18 feet for solo craft, and up to 26 feet for tandem craft. Width may be as little as 21", and may be up to 36".