I find it difficult to provide a specific motivation that has drawn me to sea kayaking. My first memory of learning of a kayak was in a junior high school class watching an anthropological documentary, by the name of Nanook of the North.
I began kayaking (paddling) the summer of 1995 in the lower Cape Fear region of North Carolina, specifically the greater Wilmington area. My first kayak was a Wilderness Systems Pamlico.
This boat is considered a recreational kayak, meaning that it is designed to leisurely adventure in relatively protected waters. This particular kayak offers versatility in sitting arrangements, and can accommodate 1 or 2 people with a large cockpit. It serves as a stable platform for wildlife viewing, fishing and photography.

In my first months of paddling I read several books and magazines and was eager to enjoy my newfound passion and put what I had read into practice. The first long trip that I undertook happened after I was able to persuade my college roommate and life-long friend to come along. We decided to take a trip down Burnt Mill Creek and follow it to the larger Smith Creek which all serve as tributaries to the Cape Fear River. The Cape Fear region has significant historical importance in the areas of commerce, agriculture and culture. Wilmington is also famous for the hurricanes that have visited the area over the years.

The initial leg of the trip on Burnt Mill Creek began in the interior of Wilmington, at this time we experienced no impact of the tide. Through this trip we had an opportunity to view our hometown from a vantage point few have likely experienced to this day. As my friend and I had lived in Wilmington most of our lives, we had driven over the waterways we traversed that day many times by car, but had never experienced this by boat. I had not imagined that I would be left with a lasting and ever increasing love for the water and the passion to travel over it.

The Burnt Mill leg of this trip as indicated earlier began in the middle of Wilmington and as a result was and is to this day a largely unhealthy body of water that is plagued with excessive deposits of trash and debris. As we paddled our way to the larger Smith Creek we approached an area that required a portage (need to remove the boat from the water to cross the obstacle). This portage served as a filter point for the creeks.

The difference in the two creeks was immediate. Burnt Mill Creek was cluttered with trash, but Smith Creek seemed relatively cleaner and served as an example of a mostly healthy waterway.

On this leg of the trip we began to encounter the first signs of the rising tide, and paddling against it remained a constant challenge the rest of the trip. We began to see decreasing signs of human impact and increasing signs of wildlife. We observed osprey, sea gulls, herons, fish jumping out of the water, and fiddler As we continually we began to wonder if we would see an alligator. During later trips in this area I have seen alligators in the water basking in the sun on the riverbanks. However, we did not on this trip; this was good, as inexperience was a significant disadvantage. As we paddled away from Wilmington I felt as if we were approaching a wildlife area that was an overlooked asset of the city.

As we wound our way toward the Cape Fear River the landscape transitioned from tree lined banks to marshlands, the creek and river widened only to become more subject to the rising tide. Upon entry to the Cape Fear River we experienced the full force of paddling against the tide. However, we continued to remain determined and focused on the goal of reaching downtown Wilmington.

Paddling on, a construction barge appeared in the distance and became our short-term goal, as it offered a respite from the sun and tide. We rested and planned the third and final leg of the trip. Our next destination was the closest bridge, the Isabella Holmes Draw Bridge, spanning the northeast Cape Fear River. We paddled towards the bridge and entered the channel. At this point we struggled to paddle against a rushing tide that felt as it had gone into overdrive, and at times we lost headway. As we passed under the bridge I looked up from time to time and saw the underside of a bridge from a boat for the first time. On the other side of the bridge we came upon a shipping terminal then, Cape Fear Community College and the Hilton Hotel.

We had planned to take the boat out at the downtown Wilmington boat ramp, at the foot of the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge. However, after struggling against the current for the past 3 1/2 hours we decided to take it out at the public boat dock at the end of Market Street.

Due to our inexperience, this trip offered many difficulties that were unforeseen, which led to significantly longer time on the water. However, I like to think any time on the water is worth it. As I look back on that trip I believe the worst mistake was not considering the direction of the tide. Since then, I have made short work of this trip in a differently designed boat, and with much more skill. I have learned to navigate the waters that were once challenging, while experiencing my hometown from the prospective of a boat…more significantly, a boat powered by paddles.

My advice to anyone considering kayaking in any form is the following: (1) develop your swimming skills (2) always wear a PFD (3) read books and magazines that are specific to the sport (4) learn the basic techniques of water navigation (5) purchase a used boat and (6) network with other paddlers. And the most significant advice is to simply get out and try. As your skills grow so will your confidence. While developing, you will find that you can explore less protected waters and move from basic boats to more advanced kayaks that are designed for extended trips in all conditions that nature can provide or your skill level will allow.

I have owned several kayaks and worked in the construction of boats and kayaks from 9 to 55 feet. I spent 1 1/2 years building boats for the company that built the first kayak I ever owned. I have paddled throughout North Carolina, Maine, Virginia and Washington State. To me, each trip on the water no matter how long or short has served as an ongoing learning experience that has led to confidence in skills and most importantly, respect for all bodies of water.

About Bernard Miles:

Bernard Miles is a friend of BOM and avid kayaker. He resides in Raleigh, NC and is a father of 2 children. Miles owns several water craft including canoes and sailboats. Miles has been able to merge kayaking with sailing and hopes to one day travel extensively by sailboat while kayaking visited destinations.