For those who like outdoor water sports, kayaking would be a great choice as it involves adrenaline pumping activity which many times in dangerous waters which takes the adventure level a notch higher. For beginners, recreational kayaking in calm and stable waters is the best thing to go about before they wade through the whitewater rapids and the sea.

What Does a Recreational Kayaker Need?

Find a Suitable Kayak

Choosing the right kind of kayak is really important so you are able to learn the skills in the right and safe manner. For beginners, it is the safest to use a recreational kayak. These are highly stable and easy to control kayaks that come at an affordable price. A recreational kayak is 9 to 12 feet long and has a wide cockpit which makes it easy for a kayaker to get in and out.

Moreover, you can use a sit-on-top kayak which is similar to a recreational kayak but has shallow impressions in its top instead of a cockpit. This one is among the most basic ones that are safest for the beginners to use.

Select the Right Paddle

You need the right kind of paddle to learn different techniques of paddling in recreational kayaking. An average paddle is 210-220cm long from one end to the other. For those who like to go fast or have heavy-hands, a short paddle would be an appropriate choice.

Paddles that cost less have a straight shaft while the expensive ones have a bent shaft that is designed to put less pressure on the wrist.

High Quality Safety Gear

Safety is the primary thing that should be taken into consideration even before you get into the water with your kayak. The basic Safety gear includes a personal flotation device, float bags, and a bilge pump.

  • Flotation Device: This is a type of life vest that is meant to protect you in case you fall out of the kayak. This gear covers the shoulders and the neck without inhibiting the movement of the arms.
  • Blige Pump: This is a handheld device that is designed to pump out water from the kayak.
  • Float Bags: These are bags filled with air meant to float the boat in water in case it overturns. However, some kayaks have these built into them.

Learning How to Paddle

Once everything is in place including the kayak, the paddle, and safety gear, you should start learning the different paddling techniques. You must start with the basic method that requires you to need to use the upper and lower body together in order to powerfully move the paddle through the water so that kayak is propelled in forward direction.

Use the torso to maintain the power position for each stroke to be consistent. Once you get a hang of it, the chances of you getting injured would be the least.

Finding the Right Place to Kayak

Canals, lakes, sea, rivers, and lochs are the most ideal waters for recreational kayakers. Those who love adventure can go for faster moving water in certain sections of a river or tidal waters. However, it is necessary that you get all the skills perfected before wadding into faster waters.

Keeping all these things into consideration would ensure a safe kayaking experience. Being persistent is the key to becoming a professional which opens you up for greater adventures in much wilder waters.