Inflatable kayaks are a great way to check out whitewater and to get out on the river. They tend to be very stable and reliable in terms of navigating rapids, but they can be a bit sluggish and unresponsive for manuevering. Some people prefer these if they have claustrophobia and do not wish to be inside or 'trapped' inside of a hardshell kayak. Ultimately, it is about being outside and on the river, and inflatable kayaks are good, forgiving boats for exploring rivers at a beginner level.

Dunbar

www.dunbarhardy.com

I have to admit that I am not familiar with any waterproof digital cameras out there. It doesn't mean they don't exist; I just am still using traditional 35mm SLR. I would steer you more towards a higher end digital camera, and then purchase a compatible waterproof housing that will accomodate this body. You can check out www.aquatech.com.au - makers of high-quality waterproof housings to find out which models they have available. Good luck with it.

A major expedition as you mentioned is a very worthwhile project. It is important to get clear why you are trying to undertake an expedition like this - to get sponsored and publicity or do you want to do a cool trip no matter what? You have to approach sponsorship as if you will be doing this regardless of someone or some company supporting you. These companies all want to know what they will get out of their offer to support you. Sponsorship is all about marketing, so what can you provide for them that will help them sell their product? It is also important to have some sort of angle on your expedition, not just 'I'm going here to do this cool thing and give me stuff.' Think about the populations of people you will encounter and what is occurring that is affecting their quality of life; also, is there an environmental issue or threat to the area you will be travelling. your expedition can be a great way to raise awareness about these issues and a company may then see that you have a cause you are seeking and will be responsible for reporting on, rather than just having fun outside. Think about what you can offer them, not what you can get. Good luck with it.

Here it is -
First off, sounds like an awesome mission - I wish you success. Trips like this really are once in a lifetime kind of experiences. Trying something new, going cheap or thinking 'I can get away without that' are things that I have regretted on some of my travels. I would go with what you know, and spend more money on film, because in reality film is cheap but the images you will capture are priceless. I personally have been satisfied and use exclusively Fujichrome film either Velvia or Provia primarily. The lowest price I have found is by ordering from one of the shops in New York. Good luck with your trip, shots lots, and don't regret spending a bit more one lots of higher quality film.

Dunbar
www.dunbarhardy.com

Glad to hear your interest in getting out on the river! Inflatable kayaks are indeed a great way to have a stable and enjoyable boat for paddling. First off I would suggest a tandem model that can act as a boat for you and your wife (tandem) or is not too big for you alone (solo). Next I would look for a self-bailing model, which means that the boat drains itself when filled up with water from rapids or waves.

A reliable company for inflatables is Aire ( www.aire.com), as all of their new boats have a 10-year tube to tube full warranty. They make one or two inflatable tandem self bailing models that are worth looking at. From there you might be able to hunt down a used one somewhere. I help this information helps. Good paddling out there.