{"id":464,"date":"2024-03-31T00:06:32","date_gmt":"2024-03-31T00:06:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.happinesswithout.com\/?p=464"},"modified":"2024-03-31T00:06:34","modified_gmt":"2024-03-31T00:06:34","slug":"how-to-kayak","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.happinesswithout.com\/how-to-kayak\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Kayak – Full Guide for Beginners"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Although kayaks have been used for more than 4000 years by the Inuit and other peoples, I’m sure you have come here to learn how to kayak for recreational purposes, and not to hunt in icy waters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fortunately, this will make kayaking much easier to learn, as well as more enjoyable. That said, I still recommend you take kayaking lessons before going out on a paddling trip on your own.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If for any reason this is not possible, this kayaking guide for beginners will cover everything you need to know for a smooth first experience. Most of all, I want to prepare you for any hardships and dangers that might arise from a lack of preparedness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After all, we want this to be your best day ever, not the scare of your life!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Physical and Mental Preparation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Before engaging in any outdoor activity, it\u2019s very important to be prepared so you can enjoy your day and avoid potential hardships.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before you even consider to start kayaking, you will need to 1) overcome your fears, 2) know how to swim and 3) get in shape; as explained below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Overcome your fears<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you start panicking as soon as your feet stop touching the ground, you should not<\/strong> go kayaking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You will need to take lessons first to overcome your aquaphobia and any other fears you might have. You will find countless kayaking clubs near you, so feel free to go and check them out before making a decision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Know how to swim<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You could kayak without knowing how to swim, but what will you do in case of an emergency?<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"A<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

You know the saying, it\u2019s always better to be safe than sorry. Besides, swimming is a really fun activity and one you will most definitely enjoy all your life. This will also help you overcome your fear of water, if any.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Get in OK shape<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Kayaking is not hard, but you should at least have some balance and body strength to enter and exit your kayak safely, as well as paddle with minimum effort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A good rule of thumb is that if you can\u2019t walk for 30 minutes at a decent pace without being exhausted, you shouldn\u2019t go kayaking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You should also be very careful if you have stiff shoulders, arms or torso. You will need some flexibility to kayak, so try to practice the movements at home and see how you feel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Planning Your Day<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Now that you\u2019re physically and mentally ready to start kayaking, let\u2019s find where and when to go have some fun kayaking!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Where To Go<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You should choose a small, calm body of water for your first kayaking trips.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lakes are better than rivers because there are no currents, which means you will have more control over your kayak and you will paddle more easily. Avoid the open ocean if it’s your first time kayaking, even if you have the best kayak money can buy<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If available, a gently sloping sandy beach is preferable to launch your kayak effortlessly. You should at least have a big enough area at knee-depth to be able to get in your kayak easily. Getting in your kayak from a dock is also possible, but slightly more technical.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When to go<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Try to go on a sunny, windless day during spring or summer to fully enjoy your day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You should go to enjoy, not to compete. This means you should aim for less than 2 hours for your first kayaking sessions to make the most out of your day without excess fatigue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to be safe at all times<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Apart from the tips below, I strongly recommend you to take lessons before your first kayaking trip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are many kayaking clubs all over the country, and learning in person is always better and safer than reading a blog post or watching videos.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Never go alone<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You should never go kayaking alone. Always go with another experienced kayaker, at the very least.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you do not know any experienced kayaker, you can find kayaking groups on Meetup or similar websites.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Make sure your kayaking partner stays with you at all times, as you need to be able to help each other in case of an emergency. If they feel like racing today, then nothing stops them from going back and forth, so that they\u2019re always near you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Know your limits<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

First of all, you should always stay within swimming distance of the shore during your first kayaking sessions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Second, you should follow the previous section, \u201cPlanning Your Day\u201d, so that you are aware of any potential hazards and hardships, such as currents, tides, weather, wild animals and specific laws. This also includes wearing a wetsuit if the water temperature is below 65\u00b0F.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Make sure to wear and adjust your PFD (Personal Flotation Device, aka life vest) before entering your kayak. If you are too hot and need to take your vest off, you should go back to shore to take off your PFD. Do not take off your PFD while on the water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tools and techniques<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You should always bring a whistle with you. The universal distress signal is three long blasts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Additionally, you should know how to rescue yourself and others. This includes learning how to tow another kayak<\/a> as well as how to wet exit and reenter your kayak (more on that later).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Parts of a kayak<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Knowing the names of the different parts of a kayak will come in handy to avoid confusion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here\u2019s a visual guide with the different parts you need to know.<\/p>\n

\"image<\/p>\n

Image source: Boat-ed.com<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Equipment<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There\u2019s truly nothing worse than having bad equipment on your first kayaking trip, and I\u2019m talking from experience here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you don\u2019t want to paddle like crazy to go as fast as a sloth, and most of all, to be safe in case everything doesn\u2019t go as planned, you should always bring the best equipment to your paddling day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kayak<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you have never kayaked before, you should not buy a kayak right away. Instead, go to a rental shop and talk to the owner or seller so that they can help you rent the right kayak for your first trip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you absolutely need to buy a kayak or if the rental shop staff is not very helpful, here\u2019s a detailed guide on how to choose a kayak<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kayaking Essentials<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you rent your kayak, you should also be provided with the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n