Lake Michigan diving

[FreediveWI]

I bought my first dive kayak about 10 years ago after trying them out on many different dive trips. When I was going through my instructor training in California they almost seemd like required gear by most serious divers. It was the best way to hit the kelp beds just offshore.

It is one of the most useful pieces of gear that I ever bought. It is tough, light weight, can be carried into any area, holds a ton of gear and can handle white caps on Lake Michigan and Lake Superior. 8)

I used to take it out to ride the surf at Bradford Beach during the November storms when I lived in Milwaukee. I also took it out inbetween the iceflows in the winter time. Now I use them to paddle the four lakes around Madison.

There are many nice inland lakes with very limited access that make them perfect for kayak diving.

A kayak also cuts through the water so nice that it is actually easier to tow through the water than a dive flag- at least the plastic and fiberglass kayaks are. Stay away form inflatables as they get blown around too much and are nowhere near as rugged as a rotomolded plastic one.

I just attach a dive real onto the bow of my kayak and tow it behind me while diving. When I surface I have my ride waiting for me. ;D

The Ocean Kayaks and Cobra Kayaks can even be taken down class II rapids! I bought a fiberglass surfski for freediving that is very fast, but not meant for rapids.

SInce I bought the divekakyak I have actually enjoyed some regular kayking trips in addition to my dive trips. I have kayaked the mangroves in Bonaire and Curacao which allowed me to get right next to baby barracudas and upside down jellyfish. When I was paddeling in Vancouver I had seals following me so close that you'd have thought that they were on a leash!I have taken them through the surf in Cabo San Lucas, on trips to the flat waters of La Paz, camping in the Apostle Islands of Superior and on many different lakes in rivers in Wisconsin.

They are essential tool for anyone who doesn't have the cash for charter boats fees all of the time. They don't need to be gassed up and, at this point in time, don't need to be registered with the state. They strap onto the top of any car adn the launch fees are a fraction of what a regular boat's cost.

Jon