Kayaking growing in popularity across the Flathead

By JORDAN DAWSON / Bigfork Eagle

Last Wednesday was a sunny and fairly calm day in Somers Bay and Nancy Teufel took full advantage of the conditions to go kayaking. She's been paddling for two years, but this time she decided to try something different: She took a lesson.

"I figured I ought to learn to do it right and to do it safely," Teufel, 57, said.

She said she usually kayaks near her home just outside of New York City and had always thought about taking a lesson there, but never took the time to do so. During her lesson on Flathead Lake with Silver Moon Kayak Company she learned new ways to get back into the boat, safety tips, how to handle rough water, improved her stroke, and learned some new ways to paddle.

"I wish I had taken lessons sooner," Teufel said. "Based on my experience, I would like to take more lessons. I think a person can always learn more."

Josh Cole, 34, has taught kayaking lessons for 12 years, including this year, his first at Silver Moon.

"I am seeing a lot of people that have owned boats for a while, but have never had proper instruction and people that have never been in a kayak," Cole said.

Prior to instructing this year in Montana, Cole taught the sport in Nashville, Tenn. and Jackson. Wyo.

"It's so much more popular here than in other places I've worked because there are so many lakes and rivers around here," Cole said.

Cole said he has seen substantial growth in kayaking over the years.

"It used to be that the only people that were exposed to kayaking were people that were into extreme sports, but now it has become much more mainstream," Cole said.

Many people who work in the kayak industry attribute the growth in the sport to the larger variety in types of boats available, which in turn has attracted a variety of people to the sport.

"It's a very layered sport and I think that's why it appeals to such a variety of people," said Susan Conrad, co-owner of Silver Moon. "It is a user friendly sport that is easy for people to pick up. There are also so many options that appeal to all age groups and types of people."

The sport peaked in the early part of the decade and has been evolving and growing steadily since.

Conrad said the store is selling more kayaks and other paddle crafts than past seasons. Their multi-day trips have increased in popularity as well.

The sport is becoming increasingly popular among women specifically, which Conrad said makes up at least half of the kayaking population she sees. She attributes this to kayaking being a gender neutral activity that doesn't require a lot of strength, just finesse and balance.

Rocky Mountain Outfitters started selling kayaks in 1992, and owner Don Scharfe said it was a slow process at first. He has seen the sport grow immensely since then, especially from 1996 to 2006. Scharfe remembers whitewater kayaking in particular being extremely popular in the mid-90s. In 2001 he said there were approximately 120 kayakers entered in to the Whitewater Festival in Bigfork, and this year there were about 40. Even though that type of kayaking has decreased in popularity, it doesn't mean the sport in general has. Touring kayaks have taken their place as the paddle boat of choice. The demographic is a little different, though, than whitewater kayaking.

"The customers are a little older," Scharfe said. "It's not as scary, and it's easy to learn and to get into."

No matter what type of kayaking is popular, there is no denying that it is an increasingly enjoyed sport, especially in the Flathead area.

"I love the peace and serenity it brings me," Teufel said. "I live in the city, and work in sales. I spend a lot of time around lots of people in high pressure situations. So I love getting out and enjoying nature by myself. And this area is a wonderful place to kayak."