Want to Try Kayaking? Here's How to Get Started
Kayaking is an amazing way to experience nature and the outdoors, spend time with friends, and get some exercise, or relieve stress by spending some time with just you and the water. In order to ensure that you maximize your experience while out on your kayak, there are several things that you will want to consider, especially for beginners that are new to being out on the water. Here are a few tips on how to get started.
The Basics With Lessons, Guides, And Tutorials
It is important that when you first begin learning how to kayak, that you take lessons or go with experienced paddlers to help show you the waters. There are different aspects that you need to learn as a beginner, from the basics of getting into your kayak and how to properly grip and use your paddle, to the techniques of kayaking and how to navigate. It is important that you consider taking a class or lessons, apart from simply reading tutorials or watching guides, as you cannot substitute actual learning to go over the basics. There are a variety of different strokes that can help you move forward, backward, sideways, as well as steering that you need to learn before venturing out on your own.
Choosing The Right Kayak For You
When choosing the ideal kayak for you, there are several questions or points of interest you need to consider. You need to determine the type of paddling you are going to be doing, your budget for the kayak, and factors of speed and stability. There are different kinds of kayaks to consider, so it is key that you do your research with well-informed sources. The information from watersportswhiz.com/best-inflatable-kayak/ highlights the options you have when choosing kayaks, providing a significant amount of detail regarding each type. The benefits of inflatable kayaks is their portability and being lightweight, perfect for those with storage concerns, and traveling significant distances to their kayaking destinations.
Hard shell kayaks often provide more durability, and have sleeker designs more suitable for mobility, making them ideal for rapids and harsher conditions. Be mindful of the different factors for your needs when choosing your kayak to find the best option for you.
A Boat With No Paddle
Kayaking is a sport that requires a significant amount of gear, not just the kayak itself, but other pieces of equipment. However, once you purchase your gear, that should have you set for years to come. Some of the gear that you need includes your paddle. The two most important factors to consider with a paddle include the length of the paddle, and the size of the blade at its end. A common practice or rule to go by when you are getting and using a paddle is that larger kayakers should use a longer paddle with a larger blade while smaller paddlers should use a shorter paddle with shorter blades. This allows for the most efficient utilization of that person’s body.
Other factors to consider different paddle blades, as they come in different shapes, are their purpose. Longer and sleeker paddle blades are more for enduring longer days on the water, while larger and wider blades that catch more water are ideal for stronger and more aggressive conditions. Taking these factors into consideration with your budget, it is best to get the best paddle within your price range, as they provide different qualities while out on the water.
A Life Jacket
This is the most crucial part of your gear when you are preparing to kayak. You need to consider getting life jackets that are specifically designed for kayaking, as they are made in a way that will not restrict your movements while you are paddling. You will also want to factor in the color and brightness of your jacket, ideally choosing something that is vibrant to ensure that you are able to be seen in the water if you fall overboard and need to be located quickly.
Remember To Dress For The Conditions
The majority of kayaking experiences will be in ideal weather conditions, especially when it comes to casual and beginner kayakers. However, there are multiple settings in which you might want to take your kayak out that can also include cold weather kayaking. It is important that you always prepare for the conditions by dressing appropriately. During warmer or hotter conditions, dress lightly to ensure that you are prepared for the heat, as you want to ensure your body temperature does not overheat and cause dehydration. Kayaking is an intensive exercise, and it can be easy to suffer from heat exhaustion. In colder weather situations, you want to ensure that you not only dress warm, but also have the proper gear that is waterproof to keep dry.
Ready For Emergencies
If you are just starting out kayaking, you probably will have someone with you that is more experienced to worry about preparing for emergencies, but it is always a good idea to keep these in mind. Be prepared for a variety of different situations and carry certain gear to keep you safe. Have a cell phone or waterproof communication device handy in case you need to call for help, and a way to signal for help such as a flare, lights, and whistles. Having a first aid kit is also important to help address injuries, especially in rougher waters. A bilge pump helps get water out of your kayak to prevent it from sinking, while a towline can be used in case one of your kayaks in the party needs to be pulled out of trouble.
Kayaking is a great activity to take part in. It is perfect for anyone looking to get some exercise, especially those that enjoy the outdoors. For beginners and newcomers, there are a few things that you need to learn or remember when getting started, so be sure to do your preparation and research to ensure you are ready to get out on the water.
My name is Wojtek and I am very happy that you came to my healthy lifestyle blog. In human life, health is probably the most important factor needed for happiness, so I thought I will make a contribution to this and try to promote healthy eating and sport.
If you liked this article, be sure to leave a comment and read some more!
