Korean Job Discussion Forums

[robot]

Anyone been? Where can I rent either a canoe or a pair of kayaks?

Ideally I'd like to buy a kayak here, since I plan to stick around for a little while longer. Not sure where I'd pick one up, though.

I've also heard it's illegal to paddle on the rivers here. Is there any truth to this ludicrous rumor?

[shifty]

Hi Robot

Yes, I heard that rumor enough times, that it is disallowed, to believe that it is true.

In my stints in Korea, there were always great rivers, apart from Daegu. It always amazed me that here is this great river being unused, whilst citizens on both sides scurry up and down making money. Talk about messed up priorities.

Then, wait for it............ In Ulsan there was this great month long regatta with skulls on the one section, K1s and K2s on the other. They came from all over the country out of the blue. I had had no idea that they even existed. I took a keen interest and was often to be seen taking the coaches to task for poor techniques. Their English didn't allow much to sink in, but seriously their standard was pretty good. Great imported equipment. Nokas and Vadjas and the best in paddles.

It occured to me that they were all uni types, under age 23.

In Taiwan, if the paddler committed to training, which was twice a day plus weights, then all equipment of the best was laid on, free. I think the system in K is similar, though I could find noone to confirm this.

I thought, I wouldn't mind teaching at such an institution, bearing in mind, that the boats are all sprint types and very narrow, as in toothpick. Not big fun types as in my native South Africa, with overhang rudders.

If you are a teacher on a one year contract, generally it is too expensive to import a kayak and paddle. In winter it's too cold to paddle, in summer a bit hot and there is nowhere to park it.

Then how to dispose of it later when homeward bound.

I would be a lot more content in Korea if it were possible to get the story right.

[Underwaterbob]

I'm not sure about Canoes or Kayaks but some Korean rowing tournament or some such is taking place in Chungju this year. I've also been white water rafting once just outside of Danyang. Danyang seems to be in general surrounded by watersports. This is pretty much the geographical center of S. Korea and I think has more fresh water than many other parts of the country.

and yes it is illegal to paddle in many rivers because they feed water supplies.

[shifty]

Yes, I think that tournament probably rotates from place to place. It was so big that Ulsan couldn't possibly hog it alone year after year. Very ephemeral.

One has to be in the know, but just try asking Koreans for info.

DanYang, you say, must make a note for future.

[riverboy]

There is a company that makes inflatable kayak's and canoes in Incheon. Gyeang gu.

I found it for my friend after a long extensive search. I can't recall the name, but the produce a nice product. You should do a search.

[riverboy]

Try looking for manufacturers od SEA EAGLE.

[shifty]

I'm unsure whether the OP is interested in racing kayaks or just the full of storage compartments very stable type used for exploring.

Whatever, it'll look exceedingly strange to see the waygukin in all his glory silhouetted alone on the river.

[robot]

Thanks for the info.

I'm more interested in a kayak or canoe for day tripping.

I live in Anyang, so I'm wondering if the river here would be off-limits. And what about the Han? I'd paddle all the way to the ocean from my house.

[kimchikowboy]

There is a fishing show in Seoul next month:
http://www.fishingkorea.or.kr/eng/index.php
I went last year and there were a couple of vendors of kayaks and maybe canoes.