Kayaking is a fun and exciting watersport activity primarily involving paddling with the use of a double-bladed oar and a small boat popularly known as kayak. These kayaks come in various sizes and types and most of them have enclosed decks for covering the legs. Kayaks were first built in North America by the Inuits and they were used for hunting. Today, kayaks are made of rotomolded plastic, fiberglass, Kevlar or wood which are primarily designed for recreational purposes to sustain various water environments such as seas, lakes and whitewater rivers.
For beginners, there are a lot of things you need to learn before going on kayaking such as kayaking techniques and equipment for a safer and more enjoyable kayaking adventure. Recreational kayaks have different types such as surf kayaks, whitewater kayaks, racing kayaks, touring or sea kayaks, and hybrids, and they can carry one to three paddlers. Sea kayaks are made with longer bodies for covering longer distance, while whitewater kayaks are usually made of high-impact and high-quality plastic that can bounce off the rocks for lesser damage. A big difference between canoeing and kayaking is the paddle used, wherein a kayak uses two bladed paddles, and you must consider your stature, stroking preferences and the size of the kayak because taller and wider kayaks would need longer paddles. For those people with small stature, they need a shorter and lighter paddle to prevent overexertion. Narrower blades require lesser effort but more strokes, while wider blades provide more acceleration but with more resistance.
It is essential to invest in superior quality life vest or personal flotation device for your safety even though you’re certain that you’ll be kayaking in calm waters. Because they are comfortable and lightweight, it is best to use personal flotation devices with U.S. Coast Guard Type III. The arm openings of this type of personal floatation device are large for wider arm rotations and it has shorter waist length for added comfort. Kayaking experts highly recommend bringing maps with your such as Delaware Water Gap Map in digital and in print to avoid being lost, and they also recommend reading reviews about kayaking routes, white water rafting tours, and canoe rentals.
In any watersports activity, your safety is very important and it should be prioritized, so don’t forget to wear a helmet especially if you will be kayaking in rocky waters. If you want yourself and your belongings to stay dry, you can use a sprayskirt, which is used in covering the cockpit opening. To protect your smartphone, camera and other belonging, you can use a dry bag to also keep them safe. To learn the safety techniques and basic paddling, it is best to find a certified kayaking instructor by the American Canoe Association.