Kayaking
From Trail-Finder -- Dedicated to getting you outside
Contents |
Overview
Kayaking involves using a one-person boat to travel on any type of water. With a very shallow draft, kayaks can generally be used in as little as six inches of water, although paddling is easier with a foot or more.
Types of Kayaking
Sea Kayaking
Sea kayaking uses a sea kayak to cover long distances over open water. Sea kayaks can also be used on rivers and streams, although their length makes them unsuited for handling most serious rapids.
Sea kayakers also have the ability to carry a large amount of gear, much more than you could carry in a backpack. This allows for multi-day trips with backcountry camping.
Sea kayaking in open water may require the use of kayak navigation skills. These involve not only map reading and compass use, but also the ability to take into consideration waves, current, and wind.
Whitewater Kayaking
Whitewater kayaking picks up where sea kayaking leaves off. Whitewater kayaks are shorter and wider, making them much better suited for the tight navigation required for whitewater kayaking. Unfortunately, this makes them slower and clumsier for open water kayaking. Whitewater kayaking allows you to handle almost any rapids, with enough skill and practice. Adrenaline junkies love it.
Surf Kayaking
Why stand on a surfboard when you can sit in a surf kayak. Shorter even than a whitewater kayak, these boats allows you to play in the waves like a surfer, but with the added stability of a kayak, and the ability to perform an eskimo roll to return to an upright position if you roll over, you can handle more wave with less practice.
Kayaking skills
Kayaking doesn't require a lot of skills to start, however there are a lot of skills you can add to make your kayaking more efficient, faster, and easier. See kayak skills for more info.
Kayak Carrying
Kayaks don't carry themselves, which is unfortunately, since they can get fairly heavy. Fortunately, they do usually come equipped with a handle at both ends for two people to easily carry them. If you're carrying a kayak alone, you need to grab inside the cockpit then lift the boat in a single motion so your shoulder is inside the cockpit, with the weight of the boat resting on one shoulder. Some people carry a small piece of foam to make their boats more comfortable to carry.
For transporting on roads, you can usually fit whitewater and surf kayaks in the back of a large pickup securely enough for short trips. For longer trips, or to transport sea kayaks, you will either need a trailer or a car rack. Car racks are the most common.
Car racks are made by both Yakima and Thule. Both make good, solid racks which will hold anything from kayaks to bikes to skis, and serious outdoorspersons usually wind up buying one or the other. They are sold in pieces to allow a customized, secure fit to your vehicle.
See car rack for more information on components and use of car racks for all outdoor activities.
