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Make Your Next Kayak Trip A Great One
Kayaking is a tremendously rewarding activity. It is an amazing way to enjoy the great outdoors and it is also beneficial for your health. With these points in mind, it is worth taking a look at these 10 kayaking tips that will get you the most out of your kayaking experience. These are 10 kayaking tips that everyone should know about.
Tip 1. How To Select the Right Kayak
What Are The Main Type Of Kayaks?
- Recreational Kayak
- Fishing Kayak
- Inflatable Kayak
- Whitewater Kayak
- Touring Kayak
- Sit-in or Sit-On-Top
Selecting the right kayak can have a big impact on the enjoyment that you get out of the sport. The various available options include recreational, whitewater, inflatable, touring, and sit-on-top kayaks. So which one will be best for you? Check out these kayak tips to help you make a good decision.
For a beginner its best to start off with the basics. Once you have some experience kayaking and have tried a few different locations and been in different weather conditions you can upgrade if you wish. A general recreational kayak will give you a change to learn the ins and outs of kayaking without spending too much money. These are usually built to be stable on the water so there is less chance to flip. Kayaks don’t usually come with a paddle so you will need to factor that into your purchase.
If you are a fisher-person and want to go from shore or boat fishing to a kayak, then you will definitely want to purchase a fishing kayak. This sort of kayak will have accessories built in to make it easier to fish and hold your gear. Look for a kayak that has at least 2 rod holders and hatches or space for lure boxes and other fishing items. If you have the budget, getting a peddle kayak can be a great way to go. Having your hands free to cast and do other fishing chores can be a big help. When fishing with a paddle kayak your often have to put down your rod and pick up your paddle to adjust your direction or paddle forward or backward to keep moving or get into a particular position. This can really cut down on your fishing time and can be a pain.
An inflatable kayak is awesome if you have limited space to store it or don’t have racks or a trailer to transport it with. Modern inflatable kayaks usually come with a powerful pump that can inflate it in just a few minutes. The material your kayak is made of and the quality of the craftsman ship will make a big difference in the life expectancy of your purchase. Pay close attention to the warranty and the reviews of your potential purchase. Because inflatable kayaks often use glue and stitching in the manufacturing process they usually have a shorter life expectancy than a one piece plastic type kayak. The benefits of portability and limited storage requirements may outweigh the life span consideration.
A touring kayak is made for people who like to travel longer distances. Recreational and fishing kayaks are often made for comfort and stability. This usually is occomplished by having a wider kayak. Although a wider kayak can be good for many situations it can make forward movement a little harder to achieve. Because it displaces more water it can be harder to paddle. If you want to go out for an hour or so and travel one or two miles this is not usually a problem. If on the other hand your goal is to kayak 4-8-10 or more miles, you want a sleek design that minimizes water displacement and cuts though water and swells with ease. This is what the touring kayak is designed for. They will be slimmer and longer than the average kayak making it easier to paddle. The downside to this design is that the kayak can be less stable and flip easier than a wider model.
A whitewater kayak is more of a specialty kayak. If you plan on kayaking in fast moving water or rapids this will be the kayak for you. Whitewater kayaks are usually shorter in length than a standard or touring kayak. Most kayaks of this type are sit-in, meaning you sit inside the hull of the kayak and often times have a skirt around the opening to keep water out in case of splashing and ‘rolling’ of the kayak. These are usually lighter than most other kayak types and are very maneuverable.
Whether to get a sit-in kayak or a sit-on-top kayak is mostly a personal preference. A sit in kayak gives you a lower center of gravity making the kayak more stable. You are also sheltered from wind and waves more than other kayak types. This can make for a drier and warmer ride. The big draw back in a sit-in kayak is the fact that it can fill with water and sink. Similar to a canoe, you don’t want much water getting into your vessel and if you flip, righting your kayak and bailing out the water so you can continue on can be difficult. A sit-on-top kayak is just that, you are not inside the hull but more or less on top. The big advantage of this kind of kayak is that is is almost unsinkable. If water splashes over the top of the kayak it simply drains out through the ‘scupper’ holes strategically placed throughout the kayak. If the kayak turns over you generally don’t have to worry about it sinking. Most models will just float as the water can not get inside the kayak to sink it. Many fishing kayaks do have hatches for allowing access to the inner hull area. These are usually somewhat water tight but if exposed to a lot of water passing over the top or if the kayak is left upside down in the water too long, water can begin to dribble in.
Tip 2. Get a Quality Comfortable Kayak Seat
Sitting for any length of time can be problematic. Depending on our size, health, position and length of time sitting, we will likely have two types of outcomes. Either we sit comfortably enjoying our activity or we have a myriad of pain points and experience numbness and other various discomforts. The biggest factor that will determine that outcome when paddling in a kayak is the type of seat we have. There are a dizzying array of kayak seats on the market today. They go from bare bones and very affordable seats to the ultra comfortable and ultra expensive models. These tips on kayak seats should help you decide.
A basic seat in the $40-50 range will often have only a thin layer of cushion on the bottom and little support for the back. Often the back support is only for the lower back and none for your upper back. This can made for and awkward sitting position and makes it difficult to paddle effectively. For short kayaking intervals this can be an acceptable configuration.
If you plan to kayak for more than a half hour or so, you probably want to consider investing in a more expensive seat. These range from $80 and up. Look for one with at least 1.5 inches of closed cell or gel seat padding. Also you want to have a ‘high back’ seat that will support both your lower and upper back. This will give the best support and lessen fatigue and soreness. Its also good if there is some type of lumbar support although this seems to be a hard to find feature in most kayak seats.
Other options are also available on kayak seats. Some seats come with a ‘fanny pack’ on the back of the seat. This allows you to store simple items like a wallet or snacks. This can be a very convenient storage location for someone in the back of a tandem kayak, as the items will be right in front of you. Getting to the storage area on the back of your own seat can be tricky to get to. Some seats have only two points of attachment to the kayak. This can make the seat slip back and forth when you are seated in it. Its best to have a seat that has 4 points of attachment. This will make for good back support and keep your seat bottom in place. The width of the seat can also make a difference in your support and comfort. A kayak seat with a wide back provides more support making longer trips more enjoyable.
Tip 3. Learn How to Paddle Your Kayak Correctly
Learning how to paddle correctly is a kayak tip that will help you enjoy your outing even more. It may seem obvious to just jump in and start paddling but there is more to it than that. Before heading out on the water for your first kayaking experience, you should know how to hold the paddle, orient it, and maintain the paddler’s box. You also need to understand the basic strokes and basic turns. Learning proper paddling techniques can allow you to stay out on the water longer by avoiding fatigue, back aches and other issues.
Paddling you kayak can be an exhausting task if you do it the wrong way. The key to reducing your effort and having less fatigue is in how you hold your paddle. Another important thing to check is the length of your paddle. The paddle should have two or three sizes to choose from if it is from a good manufacture. If you’re not sure what size check with the manufacturer to be sure or use these sizes for reference
Paddler Hight Paddle Length
Under 5’2″ 192 cm
5’2″ – 5’7″ 194 cm
5’8″ – 5’11” 196 cm
6’0″ – 6’3″ 198 cm
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Kayak Paddling Techniques
- Knowing what type of paddle blades you have
- Orienting the blades properly
- Adjusting where you grip the shaft
Know Your Paddle Blades
- Some paddles are created with the blades either parallel with each other or some are at a slight angle to one another. As a beginner its best to start with blades that are exactly the same angle on both sides. If you look at the middle of the shaft, is there a set of holes with a button to push. If so, you can adjust the angle at which your blades sit.
- Are the blades asymmetrical? The answer is “yes” if one side of each blade is a little shorter than the other. This shape gives slightly different results on your stroke as you pull it through the water. If you see a uniform oval instead, then you have “symmetrical” blades. Either blade will work fine its just good to know what you have and what the terms are to describe them.
- A common mistake is to paddle with the blades facing backwards. If the blade is flat either way is fine. If the blade is slightly concave you will want the concave side to face backward when you grip the shaft. This curved shape lets you “grab” more water for a more powerful paddle.
Orient Your Paddle Blades
To correctly orient your paddle do this: Hold your paddle with both hands in front of you.
- Have your knuckles pointed up and the paddle blades perpendicular to the water.
- If you have non symmetrical paddle blades, have the shorter side of each blade on the bottom. If you have symmetrical blades it doesn’t matter as both sides are the same.
- Make sure blades with concave sides are facing you. If your blades are flat it dose not matter.
Hold the Shaft So You Get The Most Power
- Balance the shaft on your head so that each blade is on the right and the left of you.
- Now readjust your grip along the shaft so that your elbows are at a 90-degree angle.
As you lower the paddle down in front of you, you will form “the paddler’s box,” a shape created by your arms, paddle and chest. Maintaining this configuration as you paddle helps you move your torso correctly, another key to minimizing fatigue and keeping good form.
Tip 4. Always Wear a Life Jacket
Neglecting to wear a life jacket when you head out on the water is simply an unnecessary risk. Its also breaking the law. As with any activity that takes place on a body of water, there is always a risk of drowning. Wearing a life jacket that is designed for kayaking helps to reduce this risk significantly. Remember if you are under 13 you must have a life jacket on. If you are over 13, for each individual, you must have a life jacket in your vessel (your state law may vary).
When on a kayak the need to wear a life jacket increases as the likelihood of flipping your kayak is greater than that happening to a boat. Are you a good swimmer? If not, you are recommended to never be in your kayak without a lifejacket on.
Be sure your life jacket fits well and is secure and snug. Accidents don’t happen in slow motion. If something goes wrong, you will not have time to adjust and tighten your life vest. If not fitting properly you may find yourself slipping out of it when floating in the water or it may slide up your body and choke you because it is not on tight enough.
Tip 5. Learn How to Perform a Self-Rescue
Taking the time to learn how to perform a self-rescue should be considered an essential skill when you are using a kayak. You should always be prepared for the possibility of capsizing when you are out on the water. Be sure to practice getting back into your kayak while in deep water. This can save your life. You can do this in a pool or go down to the lake at do a couple of practice runs.
What if you can not get back into your kayak after trying a couple of times? Will you be traveling further from the launch than you would be able to swim back to if you fell out? If you can’t swim back what is your alternative? If you are by yourself, there probably isn’t one. Is your life worth the risk? At the vary least you should have a UHF radio by which you can call for help to the Coast Guard if kayaking in coastal waters or local police or others near by that could mount a rescue.
Tip 6. Always Bring the Right Gear and Safety Equipment
When heading out on a kayaking trip, it is important to double-check that you have brought along all required gear and safety equipment. You do not want to out on the water and suddenly realize you need something that you failed to bring along. I strongly suggest to create a document listing all required and optional equipment that you can print out and check off before each outing.
A Few Ideas On What Bring When Kayaking
- Hat
- Sun Screen
- Sun Glasses
- Phone
- GPS
- Jacket
- Water
- VHF Radio
- Spare Paddle
- Water Proof Case For Phone
- First Aid Kit
Tip 7. Consider Purchasing a Good Paddle
It might cost a little bit of extra money, but purchasing a good quality paddle can make a big difference on how much you enjoy your trip. Trudging around with a heavy, inefficient paddle can be a drag, literally. You will want to choose a light weight paddle if you plan on being out on the water for long periods of time. Be sure it is of the correct length for your body height. Having a short paddle can cause you to lean forward to reach the water properly and can accelerate fatigue. The last thing you want is to be far from the launch and your paddle break because it was of poor quality.
Tip 8. Make Sure You Tell Someone That You Are Going Out on the Water
You should always inform someone whenever you are going out on the water in your kayak. This includes letting them know where you are going and how long you will be gone. What would happen if you were stranded or lost and you did not inform someone of your outing? How long might it be before anyone would notice you were not back? And if no one knows where you went, then your really up the creek…
Tip 9. Don’t Go Out on the Water Alone
Going out on the water in a kayak alone is a questionable risk. It’s best to kayak with a friend so you can look out for one another. If you are in an area where other kayakers will be within shouting distance this may not be as important of a consideration. If you do go alone, be sure to have all your safety equipment especially a waterproof, floating VHF radio so you can call for help.
Tip 10. Consider Joining a Kayak Club
Joining a kayak club can enhance your enjoyment of this great sport. You are sure to make new friends and learn important kayaking skills. Its also a great way to learn about new places to kayak in your area.
