Words:
Andrea B. Kammermann

Photos:
Andrea &
Mike Kammermann

Bio

Andrea is a professional photographer and writer telling stories from the world’s most remote corners. Find out more on www.4-xtremes.ch, IG @4xtremes or FB @4extremes

Andrea B. Kammermann

Kayaking access to new adventures

We have been overlanding full-time in our 4×4 expedition truck for four years. For a few months, we have had a Gumotex Rush II kayak, which has given us a whole new perspective on the places we visit. We see most of the landscapes from the truck’s driver’s cab; we go on hikes a lot and have mountain bikes to go further, but a kayak gives us access to new places, and we wish we had had one from the beginning of our travels. 

We are constantly on the move, never know what the next place looks like or how easy the access is. So, the fact that we can easily carry our kayak to the shore is worth a lot. It quickly stores away, and its weight and format are manageable for both of us. We spent over a month north off the coast of Scotland, on the Orkney and Shetland Islands. We explored the coastlines on foot and, of course, with our kayak.

Thanks to millennia of wild weather and seas crashing ashore, much of Orkney’s unique geology can be found in plain sight. Being on the water, we can paddle right past it and admire the many layers of the pink, yellow and red stone. We did bring a camera with us in a dry bag, but the water was so choppy we didn’t dare to take it out on most days. Apart from the interesting geology, there are several shipwrecks near the coast which are easy to explore with a kayak.

On calm days, when the waves are small, it’s easy to set the kayak in the water in the sandy bays and paddle out to the rusting wrecks. Because the water in the Atlantic is so clear, you can inspect much of them from the surface without having to get in the cold water. We enjoyed kayaking on the shore of the Orkney Islands; apart from the Caribbean-like beaches and the interesting sights, you might also encounter curious seals swimming around you and popping their head out of the water to say hello.

The islands help you slow down and connect with your surroundings, the unique nature, and its wildlife.