Staying Balanced in a Kayak

Because of his varied professional background, Florida's Bill Oliver has experience in industries as diverse as microbiology and mechanical engineering. The former resident of Charleston, South Carolina, now works in medical sales. In his free time, Bill Oliver enjoys kayaking in Florida.

While the narrow design of kayaks helps them move smoothly through the water, the shape also makes them prone to wobbling and flipping over. For this reason, kayakers must constantly maintain good balance by keeping the upper body upright and straight. This requires the use of the core muscles.

As the body is kept upright, the lower back and legs must be kept loose. This lets kayakers move freely and smoothly with the kayak. Jerking a kayak in any direction increases the risk that the craft will overturn.

Good balance in a kayak also relies upon the direction the kayaker is looking. Kayakers should keep their eyes on the horizon at all times and avoid looking at the bow of the boat.

Choosing between the South and North Rims of the Grand Canyon

Former South Carolina resident Bill Oliver studied and worked in the cities of Columbia and Charleston before he moved to Florida to pursue a career in medical sales. In his free time, Bill Oliver enjoys travel. One of his favorite travel experiences outside of Florida was visiting the Grand Canyon.

A 277-mile gorge, the Grand Canyon reaches depths of more than a mile in places. Over five million visitors travel to Arizona to hike, photograph, and otherwise experience the canyon each year. When visiting the Grand Canyon, tourists have the option of visiting the North Rim or the South Rim. 

The vast majority of tourists visit the South Rim of the canyon, which is much more accessible and has numerous shops, restaurants, and hotels. The South Rim can get very crowded, especially during the summer. 

The North Rim appeals to tourists who like the road less traveled. At a height of 8,000 feet above sea level, this wilder, less-developed side of the Grand Canyon is open to the public between May 15 and October 15. Though fewer than 10 percent of Grand Canyon visitors make it to the North Rim, those who want to visit should plan ahead since hotels are scarce and are often booked more than a year in advance.