KINNERET—Israeli Doron Haubenshtok tries out one of Dan Florea’s inflatable expedition kayaks on the Kinneret. At left is a street in the old city of Jerusalem; Florea also plans to talk about how to shop in Israeli shuks during his Nov. 19 talk

OOPS hosts Kayak Israel talk Nov. 19

By DEBORAH MOON

article created on: 2008-11-15T00:00:00

Dan Florea will share his international sea kayaking experiences Nov. 19 with special emphasis on kayaking trips he offers as a different way to see Israel.

Florea, a member of Congregation Shir Tikvah and a founding member of the Oregon Ocean Paddling Society, addresses the monthly OOPS meeting, 6:30 p.m., Nov. 19 at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 7810 SE 15th Ave.

Florea said he got the idea for a kayaking business in Israel while kayaking there after he and his wife Berni Pilip spent September 2007 kayaking around Europe. The couple took their inflatable kayaks (each of which fits in an standard-sized airline-approved bag) and kayaked down the Danube and Little Danube, through Venice and around the Croatian Island of Viss.

When his wife headed home from Budapest, Florea took his kayak on to Israel, which he tries to visit about every 18 months. He said he maintains a painting studio in Mattula and also volunteers to go out with the Border Service unit stationed in that northern city.

While he was kayaking around the Sea of Galilee and the Jordan River, he said he was surprised by how interested the Israelis were in his kayak. He said he realized kayak trips might be a good way to let Israelis find a bit of solitude in a nation where that can be hard to come by.

He also realized that Americans could get a different view of Israel from the water. Florea is used to seeing a different side of Israel than most tourists. About 10 years ago he spent weeks hiking across the country.

So he bought 11 more Advanced Element Inflatable Expedition kayaks, which he sells online through Florea Marine, and had them shipped from Denmark to Israel five months ago. He also trained an Israeli guide and began organizing kayak trips.

He said people can rent a kayak for as little as four hours for an afternoon on the Kinneret or join a several-day trip in various parts of Israel. Currently, Florea offers trips on the Kinneret, the Jordan River, the Dead Sea, Israel’s northern coast on the Mediteranean, along the Tel Aviv coastline and in the Red Sea. In some areas, kayaking can be combined with fishing or snorkeling.

Florea said his guide also offers Jewish and secular historic trips.

Florea said the Advanced Element kayaks stay warm in cold water, move very quietly and are more stable than most hard-shell kayaks.

To schedule a kayaking trip in Israel or for more information on the Advanced Element Kayaks, contact Florea at 503-572-8892 or visit www.KayakAroundTheWorld.com.