About Us........

ABOUT Meridian Kayak 

Since beginning operations in Melbourne, Australia, in March 1998,  as an adventure tourism based business, Meridian Kayak has been providing a wide range of SEA KAYAKING services, equipment and experiences.

* Sea kayaks designed for the "recreational" style paddler as well as wood kayak kits for the do-it-yourself enthusiast.

*  Meridian Kayak has a comprehensive instructional program to extend any persons sea kayak skills. 

Meridian Kayak is committed to sustained environmental / ecotourism opportunities. Sea kayaking allows participants to take their memories, their photos and not leave any footprints...

Sea Kayaks.

With a wealth of expertise in paddlers requirements and sea kayak performance, we have put it all together in the design of our own sea kayaks.  The Meridian "Cygnet"  single seakayak is gaining popularity as a sea kayak capable of both estuary / protected waters and extended or advanced paddling conditions.  Its stability, tracking and acceleration have made it a popular choice in term of performance and style.

We believe that in addition to appropriate sea kayaking equipment and accessories, good sea kayak skills and technique are essential to get the most out of sea kayaking. Fitness and strength are no substitute for technique and attitude.
While safety equipment is an essential backup to coping with difficult situations, the correct application of skill will usually prevent the need to resort to its use.  Lets face it, the best safety gear is the gear you never need to use.

Our progressive instructional techniques concentrate on empowering students to develop confidence and good sea judgement above all. Energy efficient sea kayak techniques allow the paddler to relax and enjoy their surroundings without undue stress.   
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Meridian Kayak expeditions are designed and planned to cater to every person's idea of a perfect sea adventure.. From a leisurely couple of hours on tranquil waters enjoying the scents of the sea through moderate overnight camping expeditions to extended sea epics in remote and exotic locations Meridian Kayak will always look after every detail of the expedition.   For the novice, all our expeditions offer a perfect introduction to the intimate relationship that develops between the sea kayaker and the sea. For the experienced sea dogs looking for that something extra, a Meridian Kayak expedition will have it. 
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For Comfort, ease of instruction and the safety of our clients we use a variety of sea kayak designs.  Naturally we are very proud of our own designed and produced sea kayaks which we mostly use.  Our double kayaks are sleek, fast and extremely stable in all conditions. Our singles are stable, easy to paddle and track extremely well.  Fitted with a full range of safety gear including hands-free electric powered pumps they make the ideal touring and instructional kayak for all sea adventures. The paddle jackets (cags) we provide are made from breathable material to keep you warm and dry. We use modern design sea kayak paddles made of fibreglass to keep the weight down and retain strength. PFDs (life jackets) are in safety approved colours with pockets. The range of sizes are fully adjustable for maximum comfort and proper fit. 
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Our instructors are simply the best there are. We do not employ "Gung ho adventurers". Adventurers they are indeed being highly qualified with a sensitivity for the people under their care and a deep regard for the marine environment in which they work.
Our instructors are "Australian Canoe qualified Sea Instructors" or industry equivalent.. The highest professional rating possible.  Committed environmentalists, they will always take the time to share with you their vast outdoor experiences and always endeavour to find ways to bring the magic of the sea to you. 
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Our greatest concern is the safety of our clients. The greater attention to safety the greater the adventure possible. We at Meridian Kayak see adventure NOT as a disregard for safety precautions but as a sense of accomplishment and excitement in a realistic world. Yes, there are potential hazards in sea kayaking and our ongoing risk assessment and management programs are designed to anticipate and minimise the effects of those hazards. 
This same attitude to safety is also reflected in the design of our own Meridian "Cygnet" sea kayaks. 
All our instructors are fully trained in sea rescue techniques, weather prediction, first aid, risk management and use of all safety gear. A full set of safety gear such as radios, EPIRBs, flares is always carried on every Meridian Kayak activity. Where appropriate, fully equipped safety boats are on hand to assist. 
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Very simply, sea kayaking is paddling on coastal and exposed open waters.
Modern sea kayaks are based on the same design that the Inuit people of Greenland and Aluit people of Alaska evolved over thousands of years in Arctic conditions. Being a hunter’s boat their sea kayaks had to be both sea worthy and fast in order to keep pace with their prey in the open sea. No longer made from bone and hides, today’s kayaks are mostly either plastic or composite construction which makes them both light and durable.  
To visit an untrodden wilderness or glide effortlessly over clear and tranquil sea as seals and dolphin dart about and whales come to have a look. Sea kayaking is the perfect vehicle for all this, an escape capsule from the hustle and bustle.
Sea kayaking is one of the fastest growing adventure activities in the world today. It is enjoying spectacular growth as more and more people experience and explore the world’s coastal regions, arguably the only true wilderness left in our crowded outdoors...  
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