Kayaking is known watersport activity involving paddling with the use of a double-bladed oar and a small boat called kayak. Kayaks come in different types and sizes and most have enclosed decks covering the legs. The first kayaks were built in North America by the Inuits which were used to hunt. 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. Kayaks are usually used for recreational purposes and they have different types depending on the materials which include surf kayaks, whitewater kayaks, racing kayaks, touring or sea kayaks, and hybrids. The make and material dictates the performance of a kayak such as whitewater kayaks are usually made of high-impact and high-quality plastic that can bounce off the rocks for lesser damage, while sea kayaks are made with longer bodies for covering longer distance. 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. Wider blades provide more acceleration but with more resistance, whereas narrower blades require lesser effort but more strokes.
For your safety while kayaking it is best to invest in superior quality life vest or personal flotation device even though you’re certain that the waters are calm. The best life vest used for kayaking used are U.S. Coast Guard Type III because they are comfortable and lightweight. 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. You can also use dry bags to keep your personal belongings dry and safe most especially if you’ll be bringings a camera with you. For learning safety techniques and basic paddling, you must be taught by a certified kayaking instructor.