OEX La Jolla Mentioned in SignonSanDiego.com

Whale of a Workout

Kayaking puts you up close and personal with nature’s wonders

UNION-TRIBUNE February 27, 2007

Anyone who has ever spent a winter afternoon on a whale-watching boat scanning the horizon for fins can attest to the fact that the activity is not very, well, active. Opt for a different mode of transport, however, and it’s easy to turn the sea-creature search into an entirely different sport altogether.

MICHAEL FRANKLIN / Union-Tribune A kayaker paddled near La Jolla searching for signs of gray whales migrating south to Mexico. While you might not catch sight of a whale, kayaking is still good exercise.

Whale watching from the top of a kayak provides the opportunity to experience nature’s beauty, get the heart pumping and burn calories at the same time. In San Diego, the window for catching a glimpse of the gray whales migrating south closes in early March, so there is still time to set your sights offshore with a whale-watching kayak tour. “The most satisfying aspect of kayaking, especially in winter, is the possibility of interacting with local marine life,” explains John Metzger, owner of OEX Dive and Kayak Center in La Jolla, which offers 21/2-hour daily whale-watching kayak tours at noon through March 4. “It is common to commune with dolphins, sea lions and even whales. Kayaks are inherently stealthy, so it’s possible to get closer to marine life than is possible on a motorized vessel.”

While the actual spotting of a whale can never be guaranteed, an outdoor workout amid spectacular surroundings is always a sure thing in San Diego. And that’s a whale of a good time in itself.

– CHRISTINA ORLOVSKY

Where to go: OEX, 2158 Avenida de la Playa, La Jolla. Tours are also offered through March by Hike Bike Kayak San Diego, 2246 Avenida de la Playa, La Jolla.

What it benefits: Your upper body and your inner spirit. “The health benefits that kayaking provides are both mental and physical,” Metzger says. “A person can get a workout without even realizing it while kayaking, and the serene nature of the activity and the upper body workout combine to provide an incredible experience on the water.” Plus, the calorie expenditure can add up: A one-hour kayaking excursion can burn about 350 calories for a 155-pound person.

Who can participate: Anyone with an interest in sitting atop the water. “Kayakers have the luxury of paddling at their own pace,” Metzger says, so the sport can be as high-intensity or low-intensity as the kayaker wants it to be. Plus, “sit-on-top kayaks have the benefit of being extremely buoyant, so beginning kayakers need not worry about stability issues.” Metzger adds that there are very few physical limitations. “Even those who cannot move their arms can sit on a tandem kayak and have their partner do the paddling.”

What to bring: Not much. “Anything brought on the kayak will either get lost or wet, so plan accordingly,” Metzger advises. In the winter, water shoes or booties will keep the feet warm in cold water. Sunglasses should be worn with a cord to prevent them from falling into the water. A disposable, waterproof camera can supply memorable shots of close encounters with sea creatures.

What it costs: $60 for a single kayak and $110 for a double kayak, including transportation of your kayak to and from the beach; kayak rental; guided tour; life vest; backrest; paddle; and a wet suit.

For more information, call OEX at (858) 454-6195 or visit www.oeexpress.com.

Original Article: http://legacy.signonsandiego.com/news/health/fitness/20070227-9999-lz1c27options.html