In whitewater kayaking, there are inherent risks just as in any outdoor activity. Knowing your risks and what to do if you get into trouble is the best way to keep yourself safe and to minimize the risks. Hazards on the Water On-the-water hazards can be anything from rocks to trees and branches. Before hitting a new route for the first time, do a bit of research on the known hazards that are on the route. Always be prepared for new hazards that may come up because of low or high water levels and other changing conditions. Hypothermia The temperature…
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Sea kayaking and touring gives a low platform to the water that turns you into an active participant in the surrounding seas, versus being a passive observer on a large motorboat. Having a whale surface near you in a kayak or watching seals and sea otters on their level gives a new perspective to the ocean environment. Knowing how to select a kayak for your body type, paddling needs and requirements requires a bit of study. Step 1 Look for the hull specifications on the kayaks in which you are interested. These dimensions are typically measured in inches. Look for…
Brisbane, Australia boasts miles of sandy beaches and access to the Indian Ocean. Sea kayaking on the coast is challenging due to the open coast, large ocean swells, marine wildlife and surf launches and landings. Learning how to kayak in the Brisbane area means learning how to navigate these challenges safely and with the proper technique. The region has several companies and instructors geared specifically to teaching these techniques for safe kayaking in the waters around Brisbane. Be aware that in Australia, many times kayaks are referred to as canoes. Step 1 Research the Brisbane area for accredited sea kayak…
The Greenland style of sea kayak paddle is long, lean and has a very narrow set of blades. Greenlandic Inuit use these to paddle their kayaks (spelled qajaq in Greenland) to hunt for walrus, seal and narwhal. The paddles themselves are designed in this narrow style to help cut down on wind resistance when paddling through the high winds of the Greenlandic fjords. The Greenland style paddle was originally sculpted from whatever driftwood the Inuit found. Now, Greenland style paddles are made with hardwoods and modern tools. Instructions Difficulty: Moderately Challenging Things You’ll Need: Step 1 Position the long piece of…
Sea kayaking gets you into places many other crafts can’t go. Dipping your paddles into the water in sea caves or along rocky shores are the advantages to sea kayaking. There are times when having a sponson, or outrigger, for your kayak adds to the stability of the craft. Open water crossings or paddling the open coast often brings large ocean swells, best handled with an outrigger. For adding quick outriggers to your sea kayak, keep some extra gear on your kayak to assemble an on-the-fly outrigger. Instructions Difficulty: Moderate Things You’ll Need: Step 1 Inflate both paddle floats and clip…
There’s nothing more uncomfortable than paddling a high-sided canoe from a low seating position. Not only is a low seating position uncomfortable, but it also reduces the ability to control the canoe and makes it difficult to kneel with your legs under the seat. Many manufacturers mount the seats in their canoes lower for greater stability while sitting. As a canoeist advances in skills, his grasp of stability increases, which reduces the dependence on a low seat. Many advanced paddlers raise their canoe seats well above the factory setting. Step 1 Unbolt, using a wrench, the ¼-inch bolt that holds…
Properly sized whitewater canoe paddle allow you to maintain proper control of a canoe and paddle comfortably across long distances. As a general rule of thumb, whitewater paddles are short with square blades. The shape is designed to allow quick, powerful strokes in aerated, shallow water, according to the paddling.net, a Internet retailer specializing in kayaking and canoeing. Paddlers can choose among paddles made from wood, fiberglass, carbon and Kevlar. Step 1 Kneel on the floor and place your butt on a stool or other object that is 6 inches high–the typical height of a canoe seat. This allows you…
Sea kayak and touring takes you into far-off reaches of the water, shoreline and islands. Many hours may be spent during a typical paddling session, necessitating the need for your seat to be working properly and with a good fit. Back injury and fatigue can take place when the seat is broken or does not fit properly. Repairing kayak seats can be done in the field with basic tools or at home with specialized equipment, making for a more permanent fix. Instructions Difficulty: Moderate Things You’ll Need: Step 1 Inspect the entire seat system. This includes the housing, nylon webbing and…
Streamwood, Illinois, is a bedroom community of metropolitan Chicago. The region is in the Northern Illinois Water Trails area and near Lake Michigan, making it a prime region for kayak touring. Lake Michigan affords kayakers many places to ply their sport. The Kankakee River flows through the region as well, allowing gentle kayak touring along the river. Step 1 Head to one of the beaches at Streamwood’s 26 miles of beachfront. Time your kayak launch from the beach for early morning during summer and fall, as the prevailing winds tend to be at their lightest in the early morning. If…
A composite kayak may be lighter. A molded plastic boat may be more durable. Visually, however, no craft is more stunning than a strip-built wooden kayak. These boats are works of art. Each one is as individual as the builder who creates it and is guaranteed to turn heads on the water. With proper care and occasional re-coating, a strip-built kayak will retain its beauty indefinitely, and can be passed down from generation to generation. Building one of these crafts is by no means an easy task, but if undertaken with time and care, those with basic carpentry skills can…