What about bugs and Mosquitoes?

As almost anywhere in the USA, we have mosquitos. They are not a problem at all once we are on the water. Nobody has complained of any insect problems on the water. We may put spray or repellant on the launch sites, but that is only because of the lights and grass on the shore. The bottom line is that I don’t think about it at all during the day.

Are there Alligators?

The saying in Louisiana is if there is water, there are alligators. The difference is that in Louisiana, they are hunted each year during a legal hunting season. Like most animals, alligators have learned to fear, or at least respect, humans for this reason. Late in the year, November, when our workshop is, alligators slow down considerably as the water temperature drops, and they prepare for their “hibernation” period. If you see an alligator in the distance, it will slink underwater and disappear, never to be seen again. If you ran into an alligator’s back in shallow water resting on the bottom, they would immediately swim away. It may cause you to have a moment of excitement, but again, there is no threat to you. During our workshop, I will take you to one lake with alligators that are a bit more used to human presence, and we can generally get nice photos of them on logs sunning themselves. But that is a rarity.

What about snakes?

In the fall, snakes head to deeper cover as the temperatures cool off and slow down and prepare for winter. In all the years I have been leading these workshops, I have only seen one snake, a harmless, non-venomous species. This is not to say that they are not there, but it is improbable that we would see one on the open water.

I’ve never paddled a kayak; can I do it?

Paddling in our kayaks, designed to be ultra stable, is very easy; if you have mobility in your upper body at all, you can do this. We keep the distances short so that you won’t be paddling far. We provide powered boats to take you to the locations further into the basin if needed, so you don’t have long paddles. We have a training class before you ever go on the water and assign you a kayak that will be yours for the duration of the workshop so you get comfortable with the seating and foot pads. You will be given a lightweight, self-inflating, high-tech life jacket to use, which will be custom-fitted. We use lightweight paddles and assign everyone a paddle for the duration of the workshop. The bottom line is that you can do this if you have reasonable upper body mobility. Bring the passion for life and exploration with you!

Can the kayaks tip over?

We use Native Ulitmate Kayaks Exclusively. https://tinyurl.com/bdcpnpch They are a double-hulled very stable kayak, I can literally stand up in the kayak. (Not recommended). But this does show you how stable it is. You would really have to work at flipping one. The seats have webbed backs and seats with adjustable back positions, so they are remarkably comfy as well.

Do I need to go out every day?

Some guests get exhausted, with the schedule we keep. We want to maximize everyone's time on the water so we push pretty hard. However, we understand if you would like to take it a little easier and not go out on an outing. The Inn is very comfortable, and you may find yourself just wanting to relax at times. All I can say is that we cater to you; just let us know.

Bathroom facilities?

Our outings are approximately three hours long, with limited bathroom availability other than the great outdoors. If you have special needs in this regard, talk to Doug, to see what can be worked out. We do have portable devices that can help.

How long are we on the water?

Our outings are three hours at a time.

Medical Emergencies?

Doug is a past-Level Four Paramedic with extensive medical knowledge and experience and carries a trauma bag and general medications for your comfort, including over-the-counter pain meds and anti-inflammatories.

What about bad weather days?

The weather is changeable, and the guides will not make a decision as to the outing location until the very last minute, taking into account all conditions. Wind direction, precipitation, sun and moon locations, tidal changes, temperature and humidity. Light rain will not deter us and bring rain clothing, but heavy winds at times will put us off the water or heavy rains. There are times when the weather is deemed inappropriate to head out. We then will have a post-production editing class inside, or visit many of the local attractions in the area.

Do I have to Kayak?

NO, we use support boats that are fully equipped to handle passengers; you can opt to stay on a support boat for the entire workshop if you wish.

Other attractions?

We may decide with heavy winds to stay ashore and visit many of the local attractions that the region is known for, including:

The Tabsico factory - http://www.tabasco.com/visit-avery-island/tabasco-tour/

Rip Van Winkle Gardens - https://ripvanwinklegardens.com/

Bayou Teche National Wildlife Refuge

Grevemburg house mansion - http://grevemberghouse.com/

Avery Island

Vermillionville Historic Village - https://bayouvermiliondistrict.org/vermilionville/

Acadiana Park Nature Station - http://naturestation.org/