Anatomy of the Kayaking Gear

For a beginner, it pays to know as much about kayaking equipment as you can before you actually start jumping into the water with your boat. The essential equipment you need to familiarise yourself with range from basic paddling gear to safety components. Here are a few more things you need to know:

Tips for Buying Your First Kayak

Kayaking is one of Australia’s fastest growing sports, posting a 113% growth between 2005 and 2012. This isn’t surprising, though: not only is it an enjoyable water activity, the paddling can also improve your cardiovascular health.

If you’re one of the many people interested in starting this hobby, then the first thing you have to do is purchase a suitable kayak. As a first-time buyer though, choosing the perfect boat can be more than a bit overwhelming. To help you with the buying process, here are a few tips you should keep in mind:

Sit-inside or Sit-on-Top

Kayaks generally come in two styles: sit-inside and sit-on-top. As the name suggests, sit-inside kayaks have an enclosed cockpit where you slide in your legs. On the other hand, sit-on-tops have a paddler sitting atop the boat. Typically, the former is used more for white-water paddling, and the latter for fishing and diving.

Material

Like other boats, kayaks are also made of different materials. For the most part, though, you have to choose between composites and thermoformed ABS boats. Composites tend to be lighter but they are somewhat more fragile. Thermoformed ABS ones are sturdier, but they are heavier and, thus, harder to lug around.

Size

Next, you have to choose the size of your boat. Shorter boats are a tad slower, but what they lack in speed, they make up for in maneuverability. Longer boats are the opposite, though: they can go faster but controlling them may be a bit more challenging.

Tips on Becoming a Better Paddler

Before kayaking became a sport, it used to simply be a functional way of crossing bodies of water conveniently. Nowadays, it’s better recognized as a popular watersports, especially for people who want a rush of adrenaline as they ride the wild white waters.

Newbies who want to excel in this sport cannot simply buy the best kayaks and paddle randomly. Efficiency and methodology is important for people who want to improve their kayaking skills, and here are some pointers that can help.

Basic Maneuvering Practice

Like any other sport, practicing basic movement while in the water will help kayaking newbies get the hang of it. Familiarising the body with the basic mechanics of paddling will help the paddler discover new ways to increase speed in the water.

Embrace the Fear

Kayaking can be scary mostly because of the intimidating strength and appearance of the rapids. It is important for kayakers who want to get better to constantly face the running water and learn how to get used to them, and paddle through them quickly and safely.

Paddle a Different Kayak

Kayakers usually have their favorite boats, and it would seem like a bad idea to paddle an unfamiliar one. However, paddling a new boat forces a kayaker to review his basic strokes and find a way to make the new boat as fast as his old one.

FAQs about Kayaks

Getting off the bank on a kayak and paddling to wherever you want to go offers a thrill like nothing else. Part of the reason that kayaks are so exciting is because they are fast, manoeuvrable, and fun under a variety of conditions. Below are answers to frequently asked questions about kayaking that you might want to know.

What is the best kayak?

Kayaks are like shoes. Just as there is no one pair of shoes that fits all, there is no one kayak that is right and comfortable enough to manoeuver for all riders. The best thing to do is to consult a professional involved in the sport. If you don’t have anyone you know who’s into kayaking, visit a kayaking website or forum. Provide valuable information such as your height, weight, and what kind of water you plan on paddling, among other things.

Which is better: a longer or shorter kayak?

The longer the kayak, the better it slices through the water, which means less effort is needed to get from one point to another. With that in mind, use a longer kayak for long distance paddling, and use a shorter kayak if you plan on hitting some rapids or smaller lakes.

How do I prevent the kayak from tipping over?

In kayaking, the basic rule is that where your head goes, the body follows. So always keep your head aligned with the centreline of the kayak. You should also learn how to self-rescue, and practice it.