Sea kayaking is a type of paddling which involves multi-day voyages over open water, requiring advanced paddling skills as well as knowledge of marine navigation and survival techniques.
On the open ocean, you may encounter rough waters and fluctuating tides which are much harder to negotiate than their counterparts on lakes.
1. Know Your Kayak
Before purchasing any kayak, determine what its intended use will be. Though kayaks don’t tend to be organized according to water type, understanding where and when you plan on paddling will help narrow down your choices – for instance lakes may require only recreational sit-on-top models while open water or ocean environments will necessitate boats specifically built for them. Plus, kayak shapes and sizes may alter maneuverability, cargo capacity and handling capabilities depending on where you plan on paddling in.
Before getting on the water, practice exiting and returning to your kayak on dry land first. To exit your kayak safely and smoothly, position it near shore in shallow water, swing out your legs from it, grab onto land to stabilize yourself before swinging your legs back in and repeating paddling strokes that were used when moving forward. When returning to your kayak use a similar process but this time reverse the strokes used forwards – hold the paddle in hand and use forward strokes that were previously used forwards – in reverse to return it as you used when leaving it first time around!
Understanding how to read the water is also essential. Paddling creates ripples of tranquil water behind you. Beware of holes, rocks or other obstructions which might cause your kayak to spin; instead try relaxing and allow it to adapt naturally as water speed and direction change.
If you find yourself on rough waters, always come prepared. Be sure to have a personal locator beacon, extra clothing and food supplies, waterproof storage container or dry bag as well as wearing a helmet while selecting calm bays without waves as your destination.
2. Know Your Gear
Sea kayaking allows paddlers to experience water from an intimate perspective. As a sport that enables all five senses to come into play – hearing, smells and tastes alike – sea kayakers often try to become immersed in the moment so that they may witness nature or see something new about places they visit.
Kayaking gear is essential to staying safe and comfortable while paddling a kayak, such as an appropriately fitting PFD (personal flotation device), spray skirt and neoprene bootie. A waterproof bag for personal items should also be kept handy to protect them from becoming waterlogged during their kayak adventure.
An essential kayaking accessory is a whistle, which can help signal and attract assistance in case of an emergency. Whistles produce louder noise than your voice and travel farther distances, making them easier for rescuers to hear. A whistle should always be accessible while kayaking – attach it securely to your PFD so it remains within easy reach at all times!
First aid kits designed specifically for kayaking are essential, and compact options such as those from Outdoor Essentials make this easy. A tow line can also help support other paddlers if they become tired or experience boat problems.
Additional essential kayaking gear includes a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen and other protective accessories such as a compass; tent, sleeping bag and cooking equipment may also be needed depending on where you plan on kayak camping. GPS technology is especially useful for more experienced paddlers looking to explore remote areas while kayaking.
3. Know Yourself
Sea kayaking can be mesmerizing and exciting, with steep cliffs, secret bays, thick seaweed patches and seals that come out to say hi – yet can also be challenging when faced with changing weather conditions, choppy waters and powerful currents that you might come across out there. To avoid getting yourself into an awkward situation it is crucial that you have an excellent understanding of what awaits you when embarking on this endeavor.
Learn the ropes on calm water first before venturing out into open ocean waters. When you have mastered basic paddling strokes and assisted and self-rescue maneuvers, move onto learning more advanced techniques for use in rougher waters.
Beyond these essential kayaking basics, it is also crucial to focus on maintaining good body fitness and employing proper kayaking technique. This means maintaining good posture and engaging your core muscles; beginners often mistakenly assume they require strong arms in order to paddle effectively forward strokes when in reality it relies more heavily on rotating the torso than arm strength alone.
Take it slow when paddling, as paddling rapidly requires much energy and can exhaust you much faster. Take some time to enjoy the beautiful surroundings around you (just forget that game of poker online on sites platforms listed on https://centiment.io for a while) and stop occasionally to rest in an eddy.
Keep a few high-energy snacks like trail mix or cereal with milk in your kayak to sustain your energy throughout your voyage. Eating regularly can also help maintain energy levels throughout the expedition, keeping up with you as you paddle. And don’t forget a waterproof bag to secure all of your possessions; anything not attached securely could end up floating off into the depths or worse, wet and damaged.
4. Know the Weather
Experienced kayakers know the weather is one of the most crucial components to having fun and staying safe while kayaking. There are various factors which could impact a paddler’s journey from wind and waves to ocean currents that must all be considered when making this decision.
Wind: Because wind has such an enormous influence on sea kayaking, learning how to read and interpret marine weather forecasts is crucial. Wind speeds are reported in knots per hour which corresponds to 1 nautical mile (1 nautical mile is slightly longer than 1 statute mile). Beginners may find wind speeds above 10 knots challenging. Wind direction also plays an integral part in paddling success: while paddling with headwind can become exhausting quickly while paddling against tailwind makes paddling much simpler.
Sun: While sunny days make for great paddle trips, be mindful of their impact on your skin by wearing a hat and sunscreen with SPF protection. Water reflects sunlight easily, making it easy to burn without realizing it.
Air Temperature: A good kayaking guideline is to stay out in the water only when air temperatures are above 50 degrees, as temperatures below this mark risk cold shock, which could potentially have serious repercussions if in the water for extended periods.
Wave Height and Intervals: Because large waves can be dangerous for novice paddlers, it is wise to steer clear of ocean waters when forecasts indicate high waves with extended intervals.
NOAA’s marine forecast app is an invaluable way to monitor conditions on any body of water, providing access to both land and marine weather forecasts, plus tide information for your location.
5. Know Your Destination
Your kit should include more than sunscreen, sunhat and sunglasses: waterproof storage containers and dry bags are essential in keeping belongings dry, from your phone to paddles. In the heat of summer days it may also be wise to add thermal clothing or wetsuit.
Choose the ideal kayak route and destination is essential for beginners. Consult local guides, maps and websites for routes that suit your capabilities; furthermore it is wise to familiarise yourself with water currents and tides prior to going solo – rising or falling tides will alter both speed and direction of travel, thus it is crucial that you know when it’s best to plan your adventure accordingly.
Sea kayaking offers endless adventure, from the rugged coasts of Scotland’s west Highlands to Iceland’s East Fjords and their remote bays and rugged cliffs. If you want an extra challenge, make your way through Scotland’s Gulf of Corryvreckan where underwater rock formations create powerful whirlpools with fast-flowing waters.
Antarctica offers unparalleled kayaking adventures. Paddle through its glittering icebergs and wildlife spectacles for an experience like no other! This remote continent will truly leave an impressionful legacy behind.
Kayak your way around Haida Gwaii, an otherworldly archipelago off the coast of British Columbia with dense forest terrain and centuries-old totem poles dotting its landscape. Sail past whales, seals and seabirds to discover its rich First Nations history.