Kayaking is an extremely enjoyable activity, yet many people are intimidated by it. Granted, the idea of strapping into a tiny vessel might seem frightening for claustrophobic people. When one considers the prospect of flipping upside down and being trapped underwater while still strapped into their kayak, the activity suddenly appears even more daunting. However, the vast majority of concerns about this sport are based on unsubstantiated fallacies. This brief guide will serve as a beginner’s lesson to getting on the water and embracing your inner Inuit.
I kayaked every summer for nine years at a summer camp, and the summer after my freshman year of college I returned to work at this camp. I spent two days receiving special certification to teach the kayak class.
The first thing you need to do is find a suitable location to begin your kayak adventures. All of my kayaking experience has been on lakes, but any body of water will do. Having said that, still water is important for beginners. Research what bodies of water are in your area, based on how far you are willing to travel.
Here are some essential kayaking materials you will need for your expedition. A spray skirt, lifejacket, paddle, and a kayak are needed before you get on water. These can all be purchased from sporting goods stores, and many states have stores that offer rentals for kayaks and the required accessories. Some intrepid online research can help you find the right kayak for you, either to lease or own.
Before you get into your kayak, it is important to familiarize yourself with the paddle. The ends of the paddles are offset; that is, if the handle is held flat so that one blade is perpendicular to the ground, the other blade will be facing the ground at an angle. In order to maneuver and travel in a straight line, it is important that you hold the paddle tight in your right hand but keep a less firm grip with your left hand.
After you bring the paddle down and cut the water on your right side, you will raise up the right side naturally to cut with the left side. As you do that, if your left hand is holding the shaft but not gripping it tightly, the blade will naturally hit the water facing the right direction to propel you forward. The mechanics of your paddle motion should involve you holding the shaft tight in your right hand and loosely in your left, and naturally rotating as you alternate strokes. This sounds like it may be confusing, but it is actually intuitive and well-designed.
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