Join Alisha Nissenfeld and survivalist, Ali Williams, on an unforgettable adventure along North Carolina’s breathtaking coast. We’ll depart from Harker’s Island and delve into the allure of untouched islands. We’ll be graced by the wild ponies of Shackleford Island, and explore the historic Cape Lookout Lighthouse and its keeper’s quarters on South Core Banks. We’ll travel across the waters in sleek 14-foot touring kayaks, equipped with spray skirts for added comfort. Each morning Alisha will guide you through a meditation, pranayama, and asana practice.

Ali brings extensive experience to our sea kayaking trip, having accumulated around 1,500 miles of guiding and leading trips over the past six summers. Her background includes directing expedition programs, designing and delivering staff training, and managing expedition teams. Ali has also managed the REI Outdoor School and conducted kayak staff training for their programs. She is certified in Wilderness First Aid and has held Wilderness First Responder certification for 15 years. For safety, Ali will carry a medical kit and our emergency contacts will be the Harkers Island Fire Department and/or the Coast Guard. Additionally, we will have cell signal throughout the entire trip.

Meeting location:
We'll be meeting either at Shell Point on Harker's Island or at the NC Wildlife Boat Ramp on Taylor's creek in Beaufort, weather dependent. We will be in touch the day before with a final meeting location. Please arrive no later than 11am.

Once everyone has arrived, we will teach you how to pack your gear into your kayak and then help everyone pack after distributing group gear. Once kayaks are packed, we will review padding techniques, how to stay upright and have a safety briefing.

Kayaking - NEED TO KNOW:
Sea kayaking is not like backpacking. You may find you cannot stop and rest when you want to. We will encounter wind, tidal currents and waves. You will likely have to keep paddling even when you may want to stop to rest or drink water. Please realize that we will take breaks as often as the landscape allows. We design the route to keep us out of the wind and currents, but travel across water demands some exposure to these elements.

We will be paddling touring kayaks that are 14 feet long and will be wearing spray skirts. This encloses us in the kayak and keeps the kayak from swamping with water. They are very stable and have rudders.

You are welcome to bring your own kayak and equipment, but please talk to Ali to ensure your kayak and equipment is suitable for the environment we will be kayaking in.

Physical Considerations
-You will be sitting in the same position for as long as three hours without being able to get up and walk around. We try to take a break every hour, but sometimes the wind and tide will not let us break this often.
-Sea kayaking requires a decent amount of upper body strength and endurance and control of the core to balance the kayak in waves. Swimming and rowing are great ways to prepare for your trip.
-You MUST be able to get out of a pool in the deep end unassisted without a ladder. This strength is critical for you to be able to re-enter your kayak if you flip over.
-Our kayaks are Tsunami 145 kayaks by Wilderness systems. They have a weight limit of 200lbs and are 25” wide. 

Packing List:

How we pack gear: If you have the gear to go backpacking, you have what you need for sea kayaking. Everything except for tents will go in dry bags and then inside our hatches. Hatches are not waterproof, just water resistant, and only keep the kayak from completely flooding with water. Dry bags are also *mostly* waterproof. After prolonged submersion, the contents will eventually get wet

Ideally, we pack our stuff in several dry bags and ‘Tetris’ them into our kayaks. Feel free to bring your own dry bags if you have them, but keep in mind that one giant dry bag with everything in it will not fit into the hatch of your kayak. 

You will also need space for group gear and water. Each kayak has an average of 70-80 liters of space. Each person will carry between two and three gallons of water depending on our itinerary. 

Clothes: You should have at least two sets of clothes, one to stay dry and one to kayak in. Pack as if you were going backpacking on a rainy weekend. Please be aware that if it is chilly and you paddle in warm clothes and you get wet, you will need warm dry clothes to change into. 

• two long sleeve fast drying shirts (sun hoodie’s or fishing shirts work well)

• two pairs quick drying pants

• 1 to 2 pairs of quick dry shorts

• a fleece jacket

• A synthetic puffy jacket (please do not bring down)

• A pair of fleece pants

• Synthetic or wool base layers

• Rain jacket

• Rain pants

• Two pairs of wool socks

• Shoes you will get wet (please don’t bring crocs)

• Shoes to keep dry to wear on land

• Sun hat

• Bandanna or buff

• Warm hat

• Sunglasses

• Paddling gloves (optional)

• Warm gloves (optional)

*Please prep a bag with a change of clothes to leave in your car to change into when we land on Sunday. 

Personal Gear:

• reef-safe sunscreen

• Lip balm with SPF

• Headlamp

• Biodegradable baby wipes

• DEET free or less than 30% deet bug spray

• Travel size baby powder

• Two water bottles that are at least 32oz each

• Backpacking style sleeping pad 

• 20-30 degree backpacking sleeping bag, synthetic preferred and compression sack for it

• Small backpacking pillow (or use your fleece jacket)

• Backpacking tent with sand stakes (please contact Ali if you need to rent one)

• Optional: journal, book, camera, etc

• Toiletries (please bring travel size)

• Bowl, mug, spoon and fork

Food

In order to accommodate the wide variety of dietary needs, we are requesting people bring their own meals and stove. Again, pack like you would for backpacking. Lunches need to be on-the-go and should not need to be cooked. 

If you aren’t sure how or what to pack, we can offer planning assistance. We also have several stoves available for rent, and will have wind screens to share.

A waiver will be sent upon request or completion of registration and payment. There are 6 spots available for this trip. Please register below to secure your spot. Once the trip is fully booked, I will create a waiting list. If there is sufficient demand, additional trips may be scheduled. Feel free to email me with your request.

Cost $450 venmo @alisha-nissenfeld or zelle 9176584939