What good is a hobby if you can’t bring your best buddies along?
Fortunately for David Bahnson, a retired orthopedic surgeon from Vermont, he’s discovered the ideal way to share his favorite sport with his pets: he’s built a kayak specifically for them. Any experience on the water can now be enhanced by the presence of his happy pets.
Bahnson told The Dodo, “They appear to enjoy it.” “When we pull out the kayaks and they see that we’re going, they become enthusiastic.”
Susie, Bahnson’s first puppy, fit comfortably within the cargo compartment of his kayak, which he made from a Pygmy boat kit. As they maneuvered the vessel across the water on their expeditions, they added a ring, or “coaming,” around the aperture to keep her warm and dry.
Ginger, another canine family member, joined Bahnson, his wife, and Susie not long after. He built yet another modification to the boat to accommodate the new puppy during their kayaking trips.
“When we got Ginger, I just dug a new hole,” Bahnson explained. “It’s similar to a triple kayak, but there’s not enough room for the paddlers’ feet – but it’s excellent for a dog.”
When it’s time to get in the kayak, those adorable first mates never need much encouragement to settle into their seats. Bahnson rarely paddles out too far from land, but the dogs appear to know how to be safe on their trips.
“They’ve been taught to get into the kayak on their own. They take a seat, and we’re off. They’ll stay seated until I tell them it’s okay to get out when we reach ashore. They never jumped into the water “He went on to say that the dogs are all strong swimmers.
“Other individuals have been spotted kayaking with their dogs, although they are normally in the cockpit. That was a little weird, therefore this worked out better “he stated, “They each have their little place where they sit and enjoy the ride.”
Susie and Ginger have now passed away after lives full of adventure with Bahnson aboard the special boat he built for them, but the family’s newest pets are carrying on the tradition. While seeing dogs out for a day of kayaking draws a lot of attention and more than a few happy glances from spectators, no one is happier than the riders.
“My dogs are my best friends. I enjoy the company of training them. We’ve paddled for miles and miles with our dogs “Bahnson stated. “They just love going on adventures.”