Activities Involving Kayaks Touring Touring, or expedition kayaking, involves taking extended journeys in a kayak, often around coastlines or down the length of a river. Kayak touring is a fantastic way to experience beautiful scenery that is usually hidden from view. Fishing With the use of a specialised fishing kayak, combining fishing with kayaking is … Read more Activities Involving Kayaks
Design Principles of Kayaks Displacemet The displacement of a kayak can refer to one of two things: its overall water displacement or, in the case of whitewater kayaks, the shape of its hull. The Design Water Line (DWL) determines the total amount of weight the kayak was designed to carry. The combined weight of the … Read more Design Principles of Kayaks
As mentioned earlier, the kayak was originally invented by the Inuit and Aleut tribes of Arctic North America over 5,000 years ago for use in hunting. The Greenlandic word qajaq actually translates to “hunter’s boat.” Early kayaks were made from whatever materials were available for construction, including whalebone, driftwood, seal skins, and animal hides. They … Read more A Brief History Of Kayaking
Kayak hatches are useful for kayaking if you need space to store equipment. Some cases that come to mind are fishing kayaks with fishing gear or multi day tour kayakers who are storing camping gear. Kayak Hatches Types of Kayak Hatches There are several different types of hatches to choose from. When looking for kayak … Read more Understanding Kayak Hatches
What are Kayak Bulkheads? Bulkheads are sealed barriers on the interior of the kayak that provide separated compartments within a kayak. They are typically found in sea kayaks and can be made from a variety of materials including foam, plastic, or a composite material. In contrast to an integrated kayak, a bulkhead kayak will be … Read more Understanding Kayak Bulkheads
If you’re going to go kayaking in any conditions, a throw rope is an essential piece of safety equipment. Knowing what it is and how to use it may even save your life, so it’s important to know what a throw rope is, and how to use it. In fact, it’s a good idea to … Read more Using a throw rope
Learning how to empty water out of a kayak is a good skill to have if you plan on kayaking in rough waters. If you are planning on kayaking alone then it is a must to know how to empty the water in your kayak. Solo Draining Emptying a kayak full of water while you … Read more How to Empty Water out of The Kayak
Before you start kayaking, cost is one thing that you will probably be concerned with. The one question that you are probably asking yourself is, “Is kayaking expensive?” Although kayaking may seem like the type of activity that would cost a lot of money to start, it can be relatively affordable if you do your … Read more Is Kayaking Expensive?
While there are a lot of different techniques to get people back in their kayaks should they capsize while they’re out kayaking, these techniques are not all foolproof. It is always possible that no matter what you try, there is no way you can possibly get all of the water out of the kayak. If … Read more How to Tow Another Kayak
From southern Florida to the Great Lakes, from the long, thin Finger Lakes to the rugged Utah landscape, there’s something dangerous lurking in the water. It’s not piranhas, sharks, or alligators, but rather something far more insidious. Harmful algal blooms (HABs)—different in origin but similar in risk—are wrecking paddle sports, ruining summer vacations, and spoiling fishing season. For … Read more Red Tides are Sweeping the Southern Coast, and Northern Lakes are ravaged by Algal Blooms. How Does this Affect Kayakers?
When we think about the risks of a long paddle in the ocean, we worry about things like dropping gear overboard and bad weather. Watching your expensive phone slide into 40 feet of water is heart-stopping, and having been caught out in an unexpected storm, I can tell you that whitecaps, heavy wind, and furious … Read more Flesh-Eating Bacteria: How to Stay Safe
Kayaking and camping go together like cheese and wine, allowing you to take in the full vista of a winding coastline or river course without the need to have a car on standby or having to worry about where you’ll be sleeping for the night. The only downside to kayak camping is that, much like … Read more How to Pack Your Kayak for a Camping Trip
Owning your own kayak is the goal of most kayakers because it gives you the freedom to get out on the water whenever the need strikes you. If you prefer a specific type of kayaking that requires a certain style of kayak, like whitewater kayaking or kayak touring, then buying your own might be the … Read more A Guide for Buying a Used Kayak: What to Look Out For
The first time I heard of an inflatable kayak, what came to mind was more of a pool toy than an actual watercraft. Surely they couldn’t stand up to actual kayaks … were they even safe enough to take out on the water? A lot of people have similar concerns and assumptions. Inflatable kayaks don’t … Read more Are Inflatable Kayaks Safe?
Low-head dams are often referred to as “drowning machines”, a nickname they have very much earned. Easily the most dangerous type of dam, the low-head is a significant hazard to nearly any water-going craft, but is especially perilous to kayakers. Between 1960 and 2016, there were 377 fatal accidents on low-head dams in the US, … Read more What Should You Do If Approaching a Low-Head Dam in a Kayak?
When buying a kayak, its weight is not normally the first thing you think of. While it does have an effect on its performance, a kayak’s weight isn’t as important as other measurements, such as its volume, waterline, rocker, or even how much storage it has. It’s when the kayak is out of the water … Read more How Much Does a Kayak Weigh?
People have a lot of misconceptions about kayaking when it comes to issues of safety. Some people put no thought into the risks involved in paddlesports, while others freak out about perceived dangers that aren’t real threats. Is kayaking dangerous? To answer that, there are a lot of things we need to consider. But first, … Read more Is Kayaking Dangerous? – A Guide to the Dangers of Kayaking and How to Avoid Them
When it comes to paddlesports, there are a lot of options. But two of the most widely used and popular forms of watercraft are canoes and kayaks. If you’re not much of a paddler, you might think, “Aren’t they the same thing?” While they do share a lot of similarities, the two types of boats … Read more Kayak vs. Canoe
Paddleboards vs. kayaks … which is better? You’ll hear paddlers fighting adamantly for one side or the other in this ongoing debate. Paddleboarding activates your whole body, but kayaking works your arms and your core … is one really better than the other? Or are they just completely separate sports? Maybe you should do them … Read more Stand Up Paddleboard vs Kayak
Whitewater kayaking is one of the most exhilarating parts of the sport of kayaking. Navigating fast-moving water, often filled with obstacles and drops, is not for the faint-hearted. The key to staying safe when tackling whitewater runs is to understand what you’re facing and know your own limits. To help you get an idea of … Read more Guide To The Classification Of Rapids
The best thing about kayaking is that it’s a sport you can enjoy all year round. Just because the winter months are here does not mean you have to hang up your ‘yak. That being said, no one likes being cold, and getting wet is very much part of the kayaking experience. Avoiding the cold … Read more Wetsuit vs Drysuit for Kayaking
Getting into and out of a kayak is something that every paddler has to master but, particularly for beginners, it’s one of the more daunting parts of the sport. It requires correct technique, physical effort, and, if done incorrectly, has the potential to be embarrassing or even dangerous. The good news is, practice makes perfect. Every … Read more How to Get in and out of a Kayak
Learning to lift and carry a kayak correctly is fundamental to removing it from a car rack, transporting it to the water’s edge, portaging it, and even storing it correctly. Many kayaks, especially touring and sea kayaks, can be both long and heavy, so using the correct technique is vital when lifting and carrying a … Read more How to Lift and Carry a Kayak the Right Way
If you’re just starting out in the world of kayaking, it’s normal to find yourself intimidated by the lingo. Say you’re searching for the best kayak spray skirts and you stumble upon an article talking about the size of the kayak coaming. You don’t even know what that is! How are you supposed to learn … Read more A Beginners Guide to Kayak Terminology
One of the best things about kayaking is the vast range of activities that open up for you—from the adrenaline rush of running whitewater rapids to the placid serenity of a day out fishing on a lake. Each activity has its own specific design of kayak to go with it, from the short and wide play … Read more Types of Kayaks: What are the Differences?
Does wearing the right clothing when kayaking make that much of a difference? Should I be dressing to suit the weather conditions? Yes, it does make a real difference, and yes, you absolutely you should. Dressing appropriately can make or break your kayaking experience, either allowing you to have a great time out on your ‘yak … Read more What to Wear Kayaking? a Guide to Paddling in All Weather Conditions
Do you want to invest in a kayak? Maybe you’ve recently bought a kayak or are doing some research. Whatever the case, you’ll want to learn as much as you can about the boat before you’re ready to take it out on the water. Before you learn the correct paddling strokes, safety procedures, and perfect … Read more Anatomy of a Kayak: Parts of a Kayak Explained
If you’re looking for an activity that combines cardio and strength conditioning with the beautiful and peaceful serenity of the outdoors, kayaking just might be the activity for you. A sport that is rapidly gaining in popularity throughout the country, kayaking is a fun, healthy and relatively safe pursuit that affords hours of water-based enjoyment. … Read more What is Kayaking?
Kayaking has grown in popularity by leaps and bounds in recent years. In 2012 alone, recreational kayaking grew by a whopping 27 percent. Part of its popularity is how easy it is to get started. With the right gear and a few kayaking trips, practically anyone can enjoy this exciting sport. It’s also a great way to … Read more The Best Kayaking Tips for Beginners
Maneuvering through exciting waterways on a kayak is a thrill. Whether you’re paddling through a winding river, a still lake, or a sea filled with waves, there’s so much natural beauty and wildlife to experience along with your route as you take in the fresh air. Other than being a fun leisurely activity, kayaking is … Read more Which is Best: Hardshell vs. Inflatable Kayak?
First Things First. You can probably agree that storing and transporting inflatable kayaks is easy, however, there are many false beliefs about inflatable kayaks. A lot of these beliefs are introduced by the faulty performance of a cheap inflatable bought from a department store. If you do your research when looking to purchase an inflatable … Read more Top 6 Myths About Inflatable Kayaks
Kayaking is the ultimate way to experience the water. You’ll get your heart pumping, strengthen muscles throughout your entire body, and soak up vitamin D in the sunshine, all while cruising alongside beautiful scenery and wildlife. Not only is kayaking good exercise for those looking for a moderate to vigorous workout, but it is a … Read more Health Benefits of Kayaking
Kayaking with kids can be fun for the whole family. You can teach your children new skills and confidence and provide them with experiences that will last a lifetime. Once you understand the how-tos and are properly prepared with the best kayak for your kids, you can look forward to a great outing! This guide will … Read more How to Kayak with Kids
To someone first entering the sport of kayaking, choosing a single kayak from among the many different brands, types, purposes and, constructions can be a bit overwhelming! So, how does a new paddler determine which kayak best suites their individual needs and intended purpose? Well, the first step is to be aware that kayaks are … Read more Sit On Top vs. Sit In Kayak
So, you and your fury best friend are inseparable and you’re wondering how you can introduce them to your other love, better known as kayaking. Good news is, you came to the right place – this is our indispensable guide to kayaking with your dog. Need some reassurance? Know that your pooch is never going … Read more How to Kayak with Your Dog