Don’t ever let someone tell you that you can’t take part in some adventure sports like Kayaking just because you have grown old. Remember age is only a number and aging should not stop you from squeezing the last bit of happiness from life. It is all about gut, grit and determination. If you have a passion for kayaking, there is nothing in the world that can stop you from enjoying the thrill and excitement of paddling on open water.
Of course, there are few facts and factors that you need to pay heed to while kayaking in your prime age –
Top 4 kayaks for Senior Citizens
1. Vibe Sit On Top Fishing Kayak
If you are one those people in their prime age who love to go out and spend some time fishing, this Kayak is the one that you might have been looking for long. Senior citizens should not face any trouble getting in out of this Vibe Kayaks Sit On Top Fishing Kayak as this kayak is extremely stable. You can kneel on it, move around your body without titling it.
Some of the amazing features of this Vibe Kayaks Sit On Top Fishing Kayak are –
- Stable and portable.
- 4 carry handles attached to move the kayak around.
- The design is compact and the seat is cozy.
- Rod holders are attached and thus making it ideal for fishing and related excursions.
2. Intex Challenger K1 Inflatable Kayak
Intex Challenger K1 Inflatable Kayak is ideal for paddling in a still lake or slow-moving water bodies. Made from extremely durable materials, Intex Challenger K1 Inflatable Kayak is known for offering superior level of performance and extreme stability even in the face of extreme odds. Intex Challenger K1 Inflatable Kayak is worth every penny spent on it. Its cockpit is extremely comfortable making it ideal for senior citizens. This kayak is making full use of the Dura-Beam Technology that gives this kayak an amazing level of stability and comfort. high-strength polyester fibers are used for making this kayak and these fibers add to its extreme strength.
Features –
- Made from extremely durable materials that add to its strength and agility.
- Manual hand pump and 84-inch aluminum oar are included.
- Maximum capacity of the kayak is 220 pound which is more than enough for most senior citizens.
- Comfortable seat with backrest
3. Advanced Frame Ultralite Inflatable Kayak
This kayak is ideal for those people how can’t lift heavy things. Extremely lightweight, this Advanced Frame Ultralite Inflatable Kayak can be inflated or deflated easily and effortlessly. It tracks perfectly on water and the paddlers will hardly feel that they are actually paddling an inflated kayak. It feels like a hardbody kayak and its performance is definitely at par with a hard-shell kayak.
4. Unique features of an Advanced Frame Ultralite Inflatable Kayak
- This kayak has got three layers to offer protection against the puncture.
- No need to buy a roof rack because this kayak can be deflated easily and therefore you can carry it around in remote locations.
- Built-in aluminium rib.
4. Tuff Stinger Inflatable One-Person Kayak
You love spending quality time outdoor right? Of course, you do and which is why you need to choose the Outdoor Inflatable One-Person Kayak available online. This kayak is extremely lightweight and durable at the same time. By using the foot pump, this kayak can be inflated within just a few minutes thanks to the presence of reinforced air chambers. This kayak is made from durable triple-layered PVC. This material makes is puncture resistant. Its paddles are lightweight and can be rotated easily and effortless which is plus for senior citizens.
Features of Outdoor Inflatable One-Person Kayak
- 87-inch rotatable paddle is included.
- 1-year Manufacturer’s warranty.
- It weighs only 25-pounds
Are you really that passionate?
Some people want to kayak at an old age just because they have read some articles somewhere on the web that kayaking is good for the overall wellbeing. While it is true, we should not ignore the obvious red flags.
Kayaking on lake or river does involve some level of risk even for young people and therefore, as a senior citizen, you need to be extra careful. Now, if you are an old person with disability, things can get even more complicated.
So, you need to ask yourself first –
- Am I really passionate about kayaking?
- Am I willing to take some risks which are part and parcel of all adventure sports to explore the nature up-close?
If you really want to develop a close connection with the nature and want to relish the thrills of kayaking, only then you can go ahead and purchase a kayak that suits your needs. Otherwise you need to stop right there.
Choosing A Kayak for Elderly People
Kayaking is a physically intensive and sometimes physically exhausting activity and therefore, you need to choose a kayak that fits your requirements otherwise; you will start losing your interest in Kayaking soon.
1. Back Support
A good number of elderly people tend to suffer from back pain and therefore, they are unable to kayak for long unless the seating position is extremely comfortable. While purchasing a kayak for seniors, we need to ensure that the kayak has a good support system in place so that you don’t end up harming your lower back. Try to avoid the L position because this position puts too much pressure on your lower back. Here are few factors that you need to check while purchasing a kayak to keep your back in good shape –
- The kayak needs to have some sort of provision for foot rest. When paddling in choppy water, it is the foot rest that helps you keep your back out of harm’s way. Foot rest also helps you cushion the impact of waves while paddling.
- Find a kayak with seat that can be adjusted easily. The seat should offer adjustable lumbar support otherwise you will have a hard time kayaking. By adjusting the position of the lumber, you can easily make yourself feel comfortable.
- High back kayak seats are ideal for senior kayakers. You also need to make sure that the seat is made from high quality material so that it does not stretch over use.
2. Comfort
Since you will be kayaking for long, you definitely don’t want to choose kayaks that are designed for high speed. These types of kayaks are designed to offer maximum maneuverability and the manufacturers rarely give attention to make them more comfortable. So, you need to look for a kayak that has padded seat and a cushioned floor so that you don’t end up hurting yourself while paddling in rough water.
3. Easy to Paddle
You should not judge a kayak by its look altogether. A kayak may seems to offer ample supports for your bad back or seem to have features that are designed with senior citizen in mind but that should not be the only criteria while making a selection. You should not choose a kayak based on the level of comfort it is offering. You also need to make sure that the kayak is easy to paddle. If you struggle to keep it steady on water, there is no point in buying it.
4. Lightweight
We can’t stress enough on it. You would definitely not like to ideal to carry a 40kg kayak around. You could end up hurting your back even more. Since you are going to paddle for a few hours and that is also on Stillwater mostly, there is no point in buying a heavy kayak with loads of accessories included. It defies conventional wisdom.
Manufacturers have finally realized the importance of reducing the weight of kayaks to make their kayaks more appealing to their growing number of senior citizen customers. Kayak made from carbon fiberglass seems to be extremely lightweight yet they offer consistent level of performance. Wooden Kayaks can also a good choice for elder kayakers. Whatever kayak you choose at the end, you just need to make sure that it weighs less than 35 lbs.
5. Stability
There is no way you can make any kind of compromise on the stability. An unstable kayak is a perfect recipe for a disaster. A stable kayak does not require constant paddling and that means, you would not have to make use of your muscle power all the time. Look for a kayak that has a flat hull as it adds to the stability of the kayak.
Benefits of Kayaking
There are numerous benefits of kayaking. Don’t treat it as just another form of recreational activity because it is way more than that. The best thing about kayaking is that it is extremely easy to learn and it is intellectually motivating. You will get to connect with other people of your age.
Here are some of the main benefits of kayaking –
1. Keep Stress Under Check
Kayaking helps us to keep our mind off from the stressful events of our lives. Since we have to keep our focus solely on the kayak and its course, it makes us feel invigorated and better. Moreover, spending few hours under the blue sky and on blue water make us feel relaxed. Kayaking is overall an extremely enjoyable activity and this is the reason why so many elderly people are getting involved in it.
2. Get Vitamin D Directly from Sun
Are you are aware of the fact that it is almost impossible to get Vitamin D from food? Well, surprising is not it? The only way your body can vitamin D is from the sunlight. All you have to do is to spend few hours under the sun. Rather than sitting ideally on a sofa, while soaking in the sunlight; why not take a few steps further and start paddling in open water. You will have the best of the both worlds – Vitamin D and exercise.
3. Keep Your Heart in Good Condition
Kayaking is a good exercise. It does not involve too much exertion and helps improve cardiovascular fitness level.
4. Build Confidence
Even when we start aging gracefully, we start losing confidence in our abilities. As soon as we hit 60, we start getting apprehensive of our abilities. We start thinking twice before heading for a short tour. But once you start learning kayaking, all your inhibitions and hesitations will go away and you will start regaining your lost confidence level. So, kayaking is a great morale booster.
Kayaking Accessories for Senior Citizen
Easy to learn, Kayaking is gaining ground among senior citizens around the world. But there are some safety concerns associated with it. Therefore, before you go out in the wild kayaking alone, you need to inform a friend or family member of the proposed route, the plan and also the time of return.
You also need to carry some other accessories that might save you day in case of some emergencies –
1. Wetsuit
Wetsuit is a must if you are planning to kayak in cold water. You simply can’t ignore the obvious danger of hypothermia. Wetsuit will help your body retain the body heat in case the boat gets capsized.
2. Cell Phone
In case, you get into some sort of trouble, you need to use your phone to call for some assistance. Therefore, you need to buy a basic phone with good battery backup. It would be great if you can purchase a waterproof cell phone.
3. Hullavator
Hullavator can be a real life saver if you have to load and unload a kayak all of your own. It is basically a mobile rack that enables us to load a kayak on the top of a car.
4. Kayak cart
Kayak carts allow for easy transportation of kayaks. It is basically a two-wheeled device that makes it super easily for people to move their kayaks and related accessories in one go. If you don’t want to drag a heavy kayak for a mile or two, kayak Cart can be your ultimate savior. Without kayak Cart, it will be virtually impossible for senior citizens to go on a kayaking trip.