she explores

Kayaking San Francisco » She Explores & Oru Kayaks by Vivian Chen

Yesterday, I was invited by Gale Straub of She Explores, a women's focused outdoor blog and podcast to spend my happy hour with her and the ladies of Oru Kayak. The sun was out and the weather was unusually pleasant for the generally summer fog covered San Francisco. A wonderful evening for kayaking!

Happy hour kayaking in Aquatic Park, San Francisco

Happy hour kayaking in Aquatic Park, San Francisco

Having never used an Oru Kayak before, I wasn't sure what to expect. These lightweight kayaks unfold like origami magic from their rectangular travel pack. In under 10 minutes, all the parts clip together and you have a sea-worthy kayak.

Unfolding and assembling our kayaks.

Unfolding and assembling our kayaks.

Introductions and safety guidelines before setting off.

Introductions and safety guidelines before setting off.

Once we were out on the water, I was surprised at how comfortable the seats were and how easily they maneuvered across the bay. We floated along exploring the pier, watching swimmers exercising and sea lions lounging about. A few even swam right up to us, inspecting our kayaks! 

You can check out the video below (formatted for Instagram Stories) to see the kayaks in action including putting them together and disassembling them afterwards. Thank you Oru Kayaks for lovely way to explore San Francisco!