Kayaking is a sport in which a kayak is used for moving across water. It is usually compared to canoeing for its similarities although it is distinguished by the sitting position of the individual paddling and the number of blades on the paddle. Make sure to check out guide and reviews.
Getting involved with a new hobby can be unnerving, particularly a water-based sport. Kayaking is a considerably simple activity to learn, even if you have no previous experience. If you are looking to start kayaking and you are a complete beginner you must ensure you are making the right choices by developing your knowledge on what to expect and what may be required from you before getting in the water.
1) Get a Lesson
The very first tip is to get a kayaking lesson from an expert. Although kayaking may be substantially easy to learn, there are few things a coach may be able to teach you. For example, how to paddle properly whilst preserving as much physical energy as possible and how to properly grab your paddle and sit in the kayak; so that you can grasp the requirements of the sport and be able to start it on your own rapidly and enjoyably. These lessons do not have to be expensive and they will only benefit you in the long run.
2) Safety First
Depending on the location where you decide to kayak, this could present a lot of risks to kayakers. Even if you think the location is very public and not risky, you should always develop a safety plan before getting into the water. To start with, any kayaker, beginner or experienced, is required to wear a buoyancy aid. This is similar to lifejackets but allows for more movement of the arms and neck, which is vital for kayaking.
Even experienced paddlers may find themselves in a precarious situation, therefore knowing how to rescue yourself as well others should be a priority. Albeit you may not deem this as necessary if you choose a location where the water is calm and flat, it is best to always be prepared.
3) Don’t Kayak Alone
Another tip before you start kayaking, is that you should not do it alone, even if you are an experienced kayaker. You should always go with a partner on an inflatable two person kayak, and in case anything happens, at least you will have someone there to support you.
Travelling in a group may also be a choice, and if this is your scenario, you should ensure that everyone stays in contact with one another and within view of each other so that people do not get lost.
4) Appropriate Clothing
Your clothing choice should be suitable for the activity, not so much for the weather. Sunny and warm weather may tempt you to wear something like shorts and a T-shirt, although bear in mind that the water temperature may be a lot lower than air temperature, and if you fall in the water you will be pleased you wore a waterproof suit rather than your usual summer clothes. Having this in mind, you should consider always bringing a change of clothes in case you do end up falling in the water.
5) Protect Your Belongings
Having appropriate storage, when kayaking is a must. You should invest in waterproof storage cases, especially if you plan to bring your smartphone, other necessary technical appliances or even your wallet that may contain important documents, with you during your experience. These can easily damage if coming in contact with water, therefore investing in its storage is ideal. You want to enjoy this experience to the fullest, without having to worry about a damaged smartphone or the loss of important documents.
6) Stretch it Out
Although an extremely fun and enjoyable experience, like any other sport, kayaking does require a lot of physical effort and may cause a lot of strain to your muscles, particularly your arms, shoulders and neck. Not only you will most likely be sitting in an odd position you may also be paddling for a long period of time. To avoid cramps and aches and minor injuries to muscles you should incorporate a light warm-up routine prior to kayaking as well as after, and this routine should include a few minutes of stretching.
Kayaking can be a very pleasant experience with numerous benefits. Not only you may be socializing with others, but you can also learn new skills, develop your physical abilities, and thoroughly enjoy the wonderful scenery of nature. As long as you take your time to prepare yourself, you will be able to make the most of this experience.
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