Thinking about kayaking in this cold weather?

Planning on kayaking in the water for the very first time? Here is everything you need to know before you take the leap.

Kayaking is an excellent sport for people who enjoy water sports. It’s easy, fun, refreshing and gives you a complete new perspective of the marine life.

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It’s more like riding a bike. Within a few hours, once you paddle, you will have complete control over your speed and your vessel while you are enjoying watching nature up close.

There are various types of kayaking such as white water kayaking, flat-water kayaking and sea kayaking. It is up to the user that which kind of sport he enjoys the most.

However, there are a few things you need to know when kayaking in winter. It could be dangerous if you’re a beginner and don’t have control over your speed and the vessel you’re paddling. So, we have enlisted all the factors you need to keep in perspective down below.

Read: some best kayaks you may need

Things you need to know when kayaking in winter!

Take lessons

The very first thing that we would like you to consider is getting professional training for kayaking. You’re probably thinking that you don’t really need a kayaking lesson. We mean come one, how hard could it be to paddle a vessel?

But trust us when we say you need it. If you don’t have proper coaching for this sport, you’re going to find yourself paddling in circles for the first few hours. But with a lesson, you won’t have to waste a lot of time and you will paddle like a pro as soon as you’re in the water.

Dress for water and not weather!

Many people, when going kayaking, make this mistake of dressing up for the weather and not the water. It could be a hot sunny day so you will feel it is okay to kayak in your shorts, but you also need to keep in mind that there is a great chance the water is icy cold.

We suggest you wear a wetsuit which in case you fall in the water and there is a great chance you will, you will have lesser chances of catching a cold.

Always opt for the right boat

When shopping for kayaks, you will find a ton of options that include narrow boats, long boats, wide kayaks and so much more.

Your kayak choice depends on the experience you want to have. Suppose you’re going for whitewater kayaking then you need something with more precision and speed. Long and narrow boats will work here.

However, if you just want to enjoy a leisurely day on water, then a wide boat will work just fine.

Don’t forget wearing buoyancy aid

Doesn’t matter if you’re a beginner or an expert, wearing a buoyancy aid is essential to your safety.

Buoyancy aids are more like lifejackets, but they allow better movements for paddling and give you room enough to move your hands and knees conveniently.

This is a very necessary kit that every kayaker needs to wear. Even if you’re an efficient swimmer, we still suggest that you wear it because it’s water that you’re going into and things can get dangerous any second without you even realizing it.

Always sit efficiently

We know this might have seemed silly, but it’s true. Many people don’t know how to sit properly in a kayak and because they don’t, they can never seem to kayak properly.

Your kayak might come with ergonomic back, but we suggest that you don’t slouch. Sit straight up while travelling and make sure your buttocks are aligned with your back at 90-degrees. There are also foot pegs on each side of the kayak to rest your feet.

When you’re yakking, stay active and sit appropriately to have better control over the vessel.

Hold the paddle correctly

This is going to seem obvious, but many people don’t even know that they are holding the paddle incorrectly, which is why we had to mention it.

You need to hold the paddle with both your hands and make sure the concave side of the blade is facing you. Once you dip the paddle in the water, the concave side should seep through the water and your knuckles should be aligned with it.

Bring extra clothes always

This is a very simple thing to do, but often people forget about it. Always bring an extra pair of clothes, especially if you’re going to be kayaking for hours.

Nobody wants to stay in clothes for too long and in case you are camping at the other side of the river, having extra clothes and essentials will become even more important.

Learn how to rescue yourself and the others

Another very important thing to consider is to know how you are going to rescue yourself if something goes wrong. You’re probably not going to capsize on your very first kayaking excursion if the water is flat and calm, but it’s good to be prepared for the worst.

There are various capsizing drills being taught at kayaking schools. It is vital that you take those lessons.

So, these are all the things you need to know when kayaking in winter. We hope we could shed some insight on all the essential aspects of yakking. If you have any other suggestions in this regard, do let us know through your feedback below.