Some purchases are carefully planned, others happen unexpectedly – but from the heart. Our kayak story definitely belongs to the latter.
My spouse and I were visiting a sports store to buy some new running gear – we’ve both been into recreational fitness for years, and our daily running routine called for a bit of a wardrobe refresh. While walking through the massive store, something completely different caught our eye – a double-seat kayak.
We stopped. I quietly said, “You know, kayaking has always been a dream of mine.” My partner smiled and replied, “I’ve been thinking the same… How amazing would it be to explore Estonia’s small islands – there are 2,355 of them!”
We stood in silence, looking at the kayak. And that silence said it all – we both knew this wasn’t just a nice idea, it was a real desire. A few minutes later, we were already talking to a salesperson. A few moments more, and the kayak was ours. Our wallet was 200 euros lighter, but our hearts were full.
We loaded the kayak into the car and headed home. Just 1.5 hours later, we were already trying out our new purchase on Maidla Lake, not far from where we live.
How did it feel? Amazing. We were thrilled! The kayak was incredibly stable, and we worked together seamlessly while paddling – as if we’d been doing it for years. That moment on the water confirmed it: this wasn’t just a new piece of equipment, it was the beginning of a new adventure.
Now we still need to buy proper safety equipment – life vests are a must. Safety first, always. Before we head out to the sea and start exploring the islands, we’ll do some practice runs on Estonia’s rivers and lakes.
Take a look at the photos and see for yourself – our new hobby has officially begun!