Tips Before You Go Kayaking
Kayaking is a sport that requires a person to be outdoors and on water. It’s an activity for most people where it’s best to go with someone who has experienced kayaking before. It can also be done by beginners if they know what they’re doing. Some people are interested in trying a tandem kayak where one person can use a two-person kayak. However, some people also hesitate about it. Below are tips before you go kayaking.
Invest in a Good Paddle
Before you go kayaking, you should consider investing in a paddle first. A good quality paddle is generally made of aluminum instead of fiberglass to make it lighter and easier for you to maneuver. It’s also essential to have an ergonomic design so your hands won’t hurt or feel numb after using one with bad handles. A good paddle can cost anywhere from $50 to $200.
Know the River Hazards
While kayaking, you should also know the common types of hazards that could block your way. They include rocks, shallow water areas where it’s challenging to move around in, and fallen trees or branches. You need to be aware of these to avoid them while out on the river. Many people get stuck on these obstacles and have to be rescued by emergency personnel.
Suppose you’re looking for an adventure, head on over to your local river and give kayaking a shot. It’s not as hard as it looks – the hardest part is just getting in. Once you get used to balancing out of the boat, maneuvering around waves or other obstacles will be easy-breezy. We recommend starting with something like this short article about what gear is needed before you go so that you can pack light and avoid forgetting anything important.
Use a Dry Sack the Right Way
Kayaking requires that you bring along a dry sack for your belongings, such as your phone and wallet. A stiff material is best to avoid water seeping through the bag when it gets wet. It’s also essential that this waterproof sack has an adjustable shoulder or waist strap so if you fall into the water, you can easily remove it from your body.
Find a Good Place to Kayak
To find good places to kayak, you can search on the internet for water trails and access points near your location. Many of these spots will require that you get permits before going out. Make sure you do this first, or else it’s illegal and punishable by law. It would help if you also considered checking the weather when planning to go kayaking.
Practice Basic Paddling Strokes
Before kayaking, you need to know four basic strokes: forward stroke, reverse stroke, sidestroke, and draw stroke. These will help you move your kayak in different directions and make it easier for you to navigate through tight spaces or around obstacles. Knowing the basic paddling strokes in advance will also make it easier for you to kayak with more experienced people.