Since Drew and I met we have had something of a battle of the paddles. I was a member of my junior high canoe club, and he’s had a dream of circumnavigating Nova Scotia by kayak. I prefer sitting up high in an open canoe, while he likes to be enclosed right down on the water.
Finally Drew pulled both the birthday card and the “for the good of the blog” card on me and off we went to East Coast Outfitters (@ECOKayak) in Lower Prospect, 30 minutes from downtown Halifax.
The morning of Drew’s birthday was blanketed in fog and threatening rain. While some people might decide to hold out for sunny skies, we soon learned that we had ideal conditions for a paddle. There was little to no wind, the water was calm, the fog parted to reveal one treasure after another and the light sprinkle of rain we did get was a welcome way to cool off.
We gave ourselves some extra time before meeting our guide to take a little tour around Lower Prospect.
You will also find the interpretive centre for the shipwreck of the SS Atlantic, as well as this remarkable model of a quintessential Nova Scotian fishing community.
We met our guide Adam around 10am. He gave us a detailed summary of the day’s weather expectations (East Coast Outfitters guides are trained in understanding weather patterns). Then he took us through a description of our gear, including our kayaks, as well as the extra safety gear he brought with him and what each piece was for. After 30 minutes, my nerves were sufficiently calmed and we were ready to get on the water.
Adam took us out for a two hour guided tour between some of the nearby islands. Rowing was easier than I expected, as he taught us to push as well as pull. In fact, we found paddling in the fog to be very peaceful, and when we weren’t enjoying friendly conversation with Adam, we were each enjoying the tranquility of being away from the rat race.
Over the radio we heard that another group had seen a seal, and although we missed it, we did see many species of sea birds, live mussels and a deer inukshuk. Our guide was very knowledgeable on just about everything we encountered, from birds to the weather patterns to plant life to local history. He even took us to Hearn Beach, a popular spot for locals that can only be reached by the water. 
True to its acronym, our guide was extra mindful of our watery environment, keeping an eye out for (rare) rouge bottles, providing tips on why the resident mussels should be left in the water (they are a natural filter) and giving space to our feathered friends to make sure they feel right at home.
We spent the rest of the day talking about how much we had enjoyed ourselves, and my only fear now is that I’ve become a kayaking convert. East Coast Outfitters offers weekly skills clinics, daily specials, cookouts and concerts on their dock so there are plenty of reasons for us to return!
There are a few options for this deal including a Kayak Rental for one or two people, or a guided tour for one.
Location:
East Coast Outfitters Sea Kayaking
2017 Lower Prospect Road
Lower Prospect, NS
Website: http://www.eastcoastoutfitters.com/
Season: May – November
Follow our adventures live:
@GillianWesleyNS
@DrewMooreNS
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