2003-11-29 Belize Zoo 2003-11-30 Rafting the Caves Branch 2003-12-01 Jungle Biking and Cave Tubing 2003-12-02 Rafting the Macal 2003-12-03 Kayaking the Sibun 2003-12-04 Island Day 1 2003-12-05 Island Day 2 2003-12-06 Island Day 3 2003-12-07 Lamanai Ruins

Day 8 (Friday, 12/5/2003)

Friday would be our first and only full day of island activities.  The morning was overcast, the wind had picked up from the east, and the waves were breaking perfectly on the north side of the island.  Several of us thus decided to try our hand at surf kayaking.  Surf kayaking involves the use of very short, wide, and lightweight sit-on-top kayaks to catch the waves in much the same way that a surfboard would.  The kayaker paddles out to just beyond where the waves are breaking, orients the kayak perpendicular to the breakers, and waits for the big cahuna.  Once a big wave approaches, the kayaker begins paddling like there's no tomorrow, and if the timing is just right, the wave will carry the kayak along on its crest all the way into shore.  The kayak paddle is used only to keep the boat perpendicular to the wave, but if the kayaker biffs the steering, a most spectacular spill will almost certainly result.

That afternoon, Pamela and I took a beginner sea kayaking course, where we learned how to mount and dismount the kayak in the open ocean and how to perform a "T-rescue", which involves using one's upright kayak to rescue another kayaker that has tipped over.  Slickrock requires this course before they will allow you to sea kayak without a guide.

That evening's after-dinner competition was hermit crab racing, which I won't even begin to describe.