A Beginner’s Guide to Kayaking

A Beginner’s Guide to Kayaking

 

Years ago, traveling down rivers and streams on kayak was commonplace and sensible. Nowadays, we have motorized vehicles and large ships to use for travel instead, which has made kayaking a leisure activity.

What’s the different between a canoe and a kayak?

In general, canoes are better for narrow channels of water like rivers and small lakes. Canoes are a two person job, with one sitting at each end of the canoe and paddling with a single-bladed paddle. The person at the back of the canoe is primarily responsible for steering.

Kayaks are better for areas such as the ocean and large lakes. They’re better at handling large waves and strong wind. The operator of a kayak will sit on the hull with his or her legs covered by the deck. Kayaks are paddled using a double-bladed paddle and are steered by the pushing of pedals that move a rudder in the underside of the kayak.

What benefits does kayaking have?

Participating in kayak trips has its advantages- most of which are health benefits. These benefits include but aren’t limited to:

• Resistance and strength training: Paddling a kayak is a great way to increase and then maintain upper and core body strength. When you paddle a kayak, you’re actively engaging your arm and core muscles, which, in turn, will help you to be less tired and paddle more effectively.
• Isometric exercise: The pressure that needs to be applied to a kayak’s paddles that helps to maintain the kayak’s balance and helps it to turn also helps the muscles in your legs to tighten. This makes kayaking a great isometric exercise for your legs.
• Cardiovascular health: Kayaking has health benefits for your heart. The brisk movements that it involves gets your heart rate to speed up and blood to pump faster throughout the body.
• Weight loss: When you paddle a kayak at 5mph for one hour, you can burn up to 400 calories from the combination of various exercises that paddling requires you to do. Because kayaking usually lasts more than an hour, a day of kayaking can mean that you burn more calories kayaking than you would taking a 5-mile jog.
• Socialization: Kayaking is a great activity to do with friends or family. A day kayaking can help strengthen emotional bonds and repair damaged relationships.

 

What do new kayakers need to know?

If you’re considering taking kayaking on as a new hobby, there are things you should know and remember before you start.

Dress for the water

Appropriate kayak clothing depends somewhat on location, however, when you’re choosing what o wear for a day on the water, be more mindful of water temperature and less focused on air temperature. If your kayak is tipped and you aren’t wearing the proper clothing, you’ll get a quick lesson on how important it is to dress for cold water rather than cold air. Thin layers of quick dry clothing is ideal for kayaking, and shoes that can stay securely on your feet in case of a spill (like sandals or water shoes) are good options for foot wear.

Learn how to rescue yourself and others

It’s easy to think that nothing can go wrong on an afternoon kayaking. This assumption, however is no good reason not to know how to rescue yourself and anyone else who may be joining you. Try to find a class that will teach you what to do in case your kayak capsizes and what emergency supplies you should bring on every kayaking trip and how to use them.

 

Be size aware

You didn’t start riding a bicycle on a large, adult sized bike if you were a child when you started learning. This is the same idea for kayaking- be sure to choose a kayak size that is appropriate for your age, body type, and the number of riders that will be in the kayak. If you start learning to kayak on too big of a kayak, you might get frustrated and turn against the idea of kayaking altogether.

 

Should I rent or buy a kayak?

If you’re just learning to kayak or haven’t had much experience with the sport, it might be best to rent a kayak. Renting could also be your best option if you are only an occasional kayaker and not a serious kayaking enthusiast. Buying a kayak is a big commitment that is both a big decision and quite costly.

 

 

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source https://www.lasvegasjetskiandboatrentals.com/beginners-guide-kayaking/