A Beginner’s Guide to Kayaking
A kayak is a small boat type that a limited number of people use to move on water. Most times, kayaks are designed to carry one person. Kayaking involves paddling a small, single-person craft (kayak) on the surface of the water in a lake, a river, or even the ocean. If you are new to kayaking, you need a few tips to help you get started.
First, do not buy a kayak outright; rent one or borrow one from a friend to get a feel for the sport and discover the kayaking experience for yourself before you make such an investment. Someone at the kayak rental facility or a friend who is an enthusiast can teach you some of the basics.
Before going on a kayaking trip, do not dress for the weather but the water. Kayakers dress for getting wet. Avoid wearing loose clothing. A wetsuit or a well-fitting swimsuit should suffice.
Ideally, while kayaking, you should leave items that water can harm at the shore to avoid ruining your adventure. However, if you insist on carrying such items with you, you can use press-and-seal containers to store food and things like your wallet. For electronics, such as a cell phone or camera, use something waterproof and airtight.
A well-balanced kayak is essential for stability and comfort. Before you head to the water, properly balance your craft by relying on three focal points. First, snug your bottom tightly against the seatback. This would help you navigate through the water properly. Second, put your legs on the footpegs within the kayak to comfortably bend your knees to maintain firm control of the kayak. Third, make sure your legs are on the two sides of the cockpit. Proper leg placement helps you control the sometimes bumpy motion of your kayak.
Kayaking involves working most of your muscles, so every 15–20 minutes, make sure you drink water to stay hydrated. It helps prevent lightheadedness or any other factor that can affect your performance. Most newbie kayakers have no idea how loud rivers can become. If it’s your first time, you will be surprised how the water’s turbulence can easily limit your ability to communicate with other kayakers.
As a new kayaker, you likely will go out in a group and must stay in contact with everyone in it. Kayakers use a series of hand signs to communicate on the water. Learn them from your group before you start kayaking, or better still, sign up for a kayaking class to pick them up. If you plan to take kayaking seriously, an introductory class is better than a kayaking tour because it provides a more in-depth teaching experience. However, if you plan on kayaking on the open sea, you would do well to sign up for more advanced training.
Lastly, you can check with a park or recreation area visitor center to see if they have any maps or guidebooks for the kayaking area you want to explore or print the information from an online source.
