Moving across a body of water under your own power is a wonderful feeling. Combining the motion of swimming with the speed and glide of a boat/board is what prone paddling is all about. But why lay down and use your hands when you can sit, stand or kneel and use a paddle? Read on.
While we often post images of paddling whitewater and exploring the aquatic world face first, the Bellyak is a phenomenal craft for the lake. Anyone who has paddled a kayak or a SUP knows that getting a heavy craft from the car or boat into the water, and then trying to get in or get on is quite a challenge.
The Bellyak is perfect when you want to swim around with your friends, have fun and get some exercise on the side.
Easy to carry, easy to get on, lightweight, and super fun.
A perfect platform for snorkeling, or just getting in to cool off.
Floating lounge chair, aquatic tanning platform
Durable EVA pad and rotomolded construction designed for the rigors of whitewater holds up to dog claws.
In a car, on a car, on top of the pontoon, Bellyak’s lightweight portability makes getting them to the water a snap.
By Adam Masters,
Let’s face it, the places we get to go are awesome. Meeting water lovers around the country and seeing all the places people play is a great perk of owing a watersports company. This year, Bellyak was a title sponsor of the National Aquatic Conference in Islamorada Florida at the National Sea Scout Base, which brought together over 100 Aquatic Directors from around the country to discuss best practices, the future of scouting and to see the newest gear in watersports.
This Sea Base runs multi-day sailing trips, teaches Scuba, and allows scouts from all over the world to experience the beauty and adventure of the Florida Keys. I took an early flight to Miami, rented a sweet Toyota minivan, drove to the Southeastern Shipping Terminal where I picked up two Bellyak Frequencys, easily loaded them in the back of the van, and headed south. I arrived and it was go time, where we all took turns paddling the bellyaks and discussing applications for scout camps. After dinner we saw a presentation about the future of scouting and how to get more families outdoors to teach them the love of camping together. This is something we’ve always known with paddlesports: it’s more fun when you share it with people you love!
Do you have a a scout camp or summer camp that would benefit from bellyaks? Contact us today, we’ll send you our camp pricing!
For more info, check out our Camp Games blog: BELLYAKS AND SUMMER CAMP: FUN WITH A PURPOSE
“I like using the bellyak at Camp PossAbility because I get to be in the water without having to rely on someone for help. I get to be out of my wheelchair and can still move around! Being paralyzed, I was cautious at first about getting on the bellyak, but soon realized they were very stable. The bellyak gave me a good workout maneuvering around on the water. [It] was like I was floating on clouds and I didn’t want to get off.”
The worst part about summer camp is that it often creates a lifelong obsession with the outdoors. I have always loved to swim and after learning to kayak at a summer camp in Vermont, I’ve based most of my major life decisions around access to lakes and rivers. From playing kayak games on the lake to running rivers around the country, summer camp planted the seed. Who knows how my life could have turned out had it not of been for summer camp!
You don’t need a river or a wave to have fun on a bellyak. Like to swim and be in the water? Then the bellyak will enhance your aquatic experience by helping you become one with the water. Are you a resort owner looking to add another activity for your guests? Do you have an adventure center that is looking for something that is new, easy to do yet challenging?
Perfect for kids of all ages, guaranteed to make you smile!
Don’t you want to be this happy?
Lightweight and Portable, easy to take to wherever the water is!
As always, Designed and Made in the USA for the World!
Helmet – Shred Ready Standard Half Cut
PFD – Astral Buoyancy
Hand Paddles – NRS Propulsion Gloves
Shoes are optional…but we like NRS Kicker Wetshoe
Depending on the water temp and time of year, you may also consider –
Because you are exposed to water more than in a regular kayak, a wetsuit offers the best combination of warmth and flexibility for being in the water, without extra resistance from extra fabric of, for example, a drysuit. In the heat of summer, shorts and/or bathing suit and a rashguard are usually enough, unless it’s really cold water (ie: the Nantahala). Be sure to sunscreen the back of your legs–that’s not a fun sunburn! Also, a lifejacket and a helmet are essentials. So far, the PFD’s by Astral work best. Many kayaking vests are made with extra thick padding in the abdomen area and/or pockets which, unfortunately, can be somewhat uncomfortable to lay on. The Astral vests“Norge” or “Abba” with Kapok foam seem to be best, as they conform well to the body while laying down. NRS Propulsion Gloves are used for speed and direction. We are also developing an area on the boat for storing a dry bag. As of now, there is a sizeable hatch in the bow. We love Watershed Dry Bags in general for toting gear.
