Kayaking for Beginners: A Disclaimer and Reminder of Safety
First thing first, folks – Kayaking can be a hazardous activity. If you fall into the water and cannot swim, you could drown as a result.
You must wear the proper Personal Protective Equipment when enjoying a kayaking adventure. Make sure you put safety first, and always tell someone where you’re going before you go kayaking.
The purpose of this article is for education and entertainment only. Kayaking is at your own risk and decision.
Why Try Out Kayaking?
There are many benefits to kayaking and why you might want to try it out.
For starters, kayaking is healthy. It works your upper body out. Your arms gain strength as well as your core as you’re using it to control the direction of how your kayak moves. The more you kayak, the stronger you will get.
As a hiker and a cyclist who just works out my lower body for the most part, kayaking has been a great way for me to balance my fitness out more.
Kayaking is also good for your mind and mental health. It allows you to use logical thinking to keep yourself afloat and safe. It allows you to disconnect with technology and the grind and focus on nature which is good for your mind, body, and soul.
In many cases, kayaking allows you to visit areas that you normally wouldn’t be able to visit without a kayak. There are all kinds of those areas where I’m from around the Shawnee National Forest.
My kayak allows me to get to everything.
Kayaking for beginners is a great thing, too, because it’s easy to get the hang of. You’ll become a professional at it in no time as long as you’re willing to learn from your experience.
And lastly, kayaking is an adventure, and it’s fun. That alone makes you want to try it yourself, doesn’t it? Who can pass up a fun adventure?
Before and After You Buy a Kayak
There are some important things to know and do before you go out and buy a kayak.
There are many different types of kayaks. The two common ones are sit-in kayaks and sit-on-top kayaks. Sit-in is where you’re inside the kayak in a depression. Sit-on-top is when you sit directory on the kayak without an inner cockpit. Larger-framed people typically enjoy sit-on-top kayaks more because they’re easier to get on.
I am 6’5″ tall. I have a 14-foot sit-on-top kayak to account for my height and weight. It fits me perfectly. I find sit-in kayaks to be uncomfortable to get in and out of. Sit-on-top kayaks are also typically recommended for new kayakers.
But you should try both types to see which would be best for you.
There are many other types of kayaks to choose from. Some include touring, inflatable, tandem, and whitewater kayaks.
The best way to kayak and decide which type of kayak you want to use is to use someone else’s kayak first. This will also give you an idea of whether kayaking is even your thing.
If any kayaking rental companies are in your area, rent one from them and try it out. This will typically allow you to try both sit-in and sit-on-top kayaks to determine which would be best for you.
It’s best to hire a guide or kayak with a tour group if you have no one else to go with you. You should never kayak alone for the first time. Consider signing up for a kayaking class if it’s offered in your area. They can teach you important lessons like how to roll a kayak if you have capsized. If there are kayaking clubs in your area, consider joining one.
If there isn’t a rental service, try to borrow one from a friend if you can. A kayaking club might be able to let you use one of theirs to see if you like it.
If you’re ready to buy a kayak, you can practically get them everywhere. They tend to hold their value but can be a litter cheaper when you buy them used. Make sure you inspect the kayak well before making your purchase. You can buy them new from most sporting goods stores.