Summer is here and it’s time to get outside and take advantage of the beautiful weather, when we have it! I myself have been trying to do the same because before you know it, fall will be upon us. Now, we can always go for a run, hit the beach, or enjoy a beer on a patio, but why not try something different. Go kayaking! And, YES – that photo above is of me HERE in Vancouver! Amazing view, huh!?

I think kayaking is one of those things that sort of sounds more extreme than it is. River kayaking is of course very different than ocean kayaking, so I thought I’d address that first. Although I found it to be a great upper body workout, it is still very easy for someone to do, as you can go as far or as fast as you want. There’s something to be said for drifting away from land on your own boat when you live in a metropolitan area. It allows you to get back to mother nature, appreciate the peacefulness of the ocean with each stroke of the paddle, and take in the beauty of your city which we all take for granted.

A great place to rent a kayak in Vancouver is Ecomarine Ocean Kayak Centre. They offer rentals, guided tours, and lessons – all at very affordable prices! They even have stand up paddling, which I’m definitely going to try out soon as well! They are very accessible with three locations: Granville Island, English Bay, and Jericho Beach. The staff are very friendly and knowledgeable, making you feel very safe & ready for your venture out into the sea. Reservations are recommended, so check out Ecomarine.com for more details and contact information. Highly recommended. Next up, Stand Up Paddling! I’ll tell you all about it.

Check out the video of my experience kayaking, along with my boyfriend Tyrell.

Video after the jump…

The Pressure is already on to get into or stay in shape.  The necessity to have a great beach body doesn’t subside this summer as Vancouver’s Kitsilano Beach is voted one of the Sexiest in North America by Forbes Traveler Magazine.  (I regret skipping my workout tonight.)

A recent CBC article boasts the following:

“The sexy status may come as no surprise to many Vancouverites, who have known for some time that “Kits Beach,” as the locals call it, is one of the city’s hottest spots for people-watching in summer months.

Now it appears the world is waking up to some of the city’s stunning attractions, and it’s no longer just the stunning views of the local mountains garnering praise from sightseers.

Vancouver’s popular Kit’s Beach on the shores of English Bay heats up on a sunny summer day. (CBC)In its annual listing of North America’s sexiest beaches, the travel magazine praises “the hedonistic frenzy that graces Vancouver’s Kitsilano Beach when the July and August sun heats this intoxicating nexus of sea, forest and mountains.”

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