Enjoy the Experience of Great Kayaking Adventure

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 small boats or kayaks come in various 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 more things to learn aside from paddling such as kayaking techniques and kayaking equipment for a safer and more enjoyable kayaking adventure. Kayaks have different types depending on the material, most can carry one to three paddlers and these include surf kayaks, whitewater kayaks, racing kayaks, touring or sea kayaks, and hybrids which are usually called recreational kayaks. 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 huge distinction between canoeing and kayaking is the paddle, wherein kayaks use two-bladed paddles and it is important to 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. When it comes to the paddle blade, narrower blades require lesser effort but more strokes, whereas wider blades provide more acceleration but with more resistance.

For you to stay safe while kayaking, it is essential to invest in a good quality personal floatation device or life vest even though you’re certain that the waters are calm. It is best to use personal flotation devices with 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 to stay dry, you can use a sprayskirt, which is used in covering the cockpit opening to protect your lower body and belongings from getting wet. 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. To learn the safety techniques and basic paddling, it is best to find a certified kayaking instructor by the American Canoe Association.