Author: Arthur

Kayaking accidents, particularly fatal ones, often seem preventable, but they happen more frequently than most would expect. Drowning stands out as the leading cause of death, accounting for over 70% of kayaking fatalities, according to multiple studies on water sports safety. Each year, the U.S. Coast Guard releases statistics about recreational boating accidents, and kayaking consistently ranks high on the list of water activities with deadly outcomes. Drowning Data According to a recent report by the U.S. Coast Guard, out of the 658 fatalities in recreational boating in the year 2022, nearly 75% of them involved drowning. And among those…

Kayaking is a thrilling way to experience the open water. You paddle along, feeling the rhythm of the ocean or lake beneath you. Sometimes, though, a thought creeps into your mind. What if a shark is lurking nearby? Many wonder if they’re in real danger while kayaking. Let’s break it down in simple terms, looking at facts, stories, and advice from experts. Sharks: A Real Threat or Just Fear? The fear of sharks is natural. Movies, media, and urban legends have often painted them as these monstrous predators waiting to strike at any moment. But in reality? It’s a lot…

Kayakers throwing their paddles—it might seem strange at first, right? You see it happen and you think, “Why would they do that?” But turns out, there’s actually several good reasons for it. From keeping their balance, to rescuing someone, or even just avoiding injury, letting go of the paddle can sometimes be the smart move. Keeping Balance in Rapids In whitewater rapids, things get pretty wild. Water crashing everywhere, pushing the kayak around. Sometimes, a kayaker will toss their paddle to keep their balance. Sounds weird, right? But when you’re about to tip over, having the paddle stuck in an…

The 50-90 rule in kayaking is a guideline that helps paddlers make decisions based on wind, water conditions, and their own endurance. It’s rooted in practical experience, offering advice that can keep you safer out on the water. Here’s what it boils down to: when you’re out kayaking, if you’ve traveled 50% of the total distance of your trip and used 90% of your energy, it’s time to reassess. This rule is about ensuring that you have enough stamina to return safely, especially if conditions change unexpectedly. Paddling is more than just moving a kayak across a body of water.…

Kayaking, right? Fun, peaceful, sometimes adrenaline-pumping, often a way to connect with nature. But then comes Lilo Kayak, and you’re left thinking, what’s this all about? Well, let’s break it down. A Lilo kayak isn’t your traditional kayak made of plastic or fiberglass. It’s a relatively new concept, and in simple terms, it’s a fusion between a kayak and an inflatable lilo. If you’re familiar with a lilo, you already know it’s usually a simple inflatable mat used for floating on water. But, in recent times, adventurous spirits have started using lilo-like inflatables for exploring rivers, lakes, and streams. What’s…

A ducky kayak is a type of inflatable kayak, known for being lightweight and easy to transport. Unlike the hard-shell kayaks, these are inflatable, so you can just deflate them and pack them away when you’re done. Super convenient. It’s named “ducky” because of its wide, round shape which kinda makes it look like a duck on the water. A Bit of Background Ducky kayaks originally came from military inflatable boats used in World War II because soldiers needed to move fast across water. By the 60s, people started using these inflatables for fun, and they quickly became popular for…

A Danish-style kayak? It’s a boat design that’s been around for hundreds of years, but somehow still feels like a hidden gem. These kayaks trace their roots to Greenland, originally developed by the Inuit people. However, when the Danes got their hands on the design, they made a few tweaks. If you’ve ever wondered what separates a Danish kayak from the rest, you’re about to find out. Speed and Maneuverability Danish kayaks tend to focus on maneuverability and speed, particularly in coastal waters. One thing that sticks out immediately is how the boats are typically shorter and lighter than the…

Ever tried squeezing a bulky kayak into a small car? With drop-stitch kayaks, that’s a problem of the past. These innovative inflatable kayaks use drop-stitch technology, allowing them to be inflated to high pressures and become rigid like hard-shell kayaks. So, what’s the secret sauce? It’s all about thousands of tiny threads connecting the top and bottom layers of the kayak. When you inflate it, these threads pull tight, creating a firm structure that doesn’t bend or wobble on the water. You’ll notice the difference immediately. The kayak feels sturdy beneath you, offering better performance and handling. According to the…

Sea kayaking can be a relaxing, peaceful paddle on a gloriously sunny day, observing the myriad of coastal wildlife around our shores. For me however, sea kayaking is an extreme sport which at best takes place in a tidal race. A tidal race occurs when huge quantities of sea water move with the rising or falling tide through a constriction. This narrowing can occur between two landmasses such as islands or large rocks. It can just as easily arise from beneath, as a shelf or reef on the sea bed pushes water upwards. If a large volume of water is…

Kayakers take a lot of pride in their boats. This holds doubly true for paddlers of fiberglass, Kevlar, carbon fiber, and other composite kayaks. They are light, glide through the water, look super cool, and, of course, expensive. It is, therefore, absolutely essential that these water vehicles are stored properly so that no damage befalls them when they aren’t even in use. Here are some tips on how to store your composite kayak and protect your baby and investment. 01. Store Your Composite Kayak Indoors Composite kayaks are no little matter. That is they are rather long. This means that unless you…