6:30am on a Monday, in the Galapagos Islands.

Loading up the gear for Inspection Day!

The Galakiwi team is loading up all our kayaks, SUPs, PFDs and paddles. It is inspection day, to get our annual operating license renewed and the Ecuadorian Navy needs to make sure all our gear is registered properly and in top condition.

Driving to the Beach for Inspection

Rules and regulations keep things running smoothly here in the Galapagos. They dictate where and when cruise boats can visit islands. For day tours, regulations determine what boat owners get approved to visit sites each day of the week. These rules also control all the licenses to visit different snorkel, kayak or SUP spots near town for land tour operators.

Paddle boards ready for the Navy in the Galapagos

This is all partly done for safety, and partly done to ensure all visitor sites, even around the towns in the Galapagos, are not overcrowded. Protecting wildlife is always at the forefront here.

Today, Galakiwi passes with flying colors. All our water gear is approved and our license is renewed.

Navy Cadets out for a morning run before testing our kayaks and SUPs

The Navy Cadets who helped test our gear might need a few SUP and kayak lessons though! With the Coast Guard and Navy on hand, a few cadets got their first try at paddle boarding. Some were naturals, most were a bit wobbly – and wet!

A sea lion checking out the Navy Cadets

The Coast Guard checking out our Galakiwi kayaks and SUPs

A bit of fun for the navy recruits today, and another year of kayaking and SUP adventures approved for Galakiwi.

Come on down…the water is warm!

First time on a SUP? Some Navy Cadets found paddle boarding a bit of a challenge!

Some first time SUPers

Inspection done and approved. Thanks Navy Cadets!