Posted by Kayaking is a wonderful sport. Before you go out kayaking, you need to know these important skills. Prior to you putting your yak in the waters, you really should know these great skills. It will help you have a more enjoyable experience on the water.How basic kayaking works
Do these questions come to mind?
- How do I carry my kayak to the water?
- Once I get to the water how to I put my kayak in the water and get in the kayak?
- How do you sit in the kaya without flipping over?
- Do you have a new or older kayak?
Don’t answer these questions yet. First you will need to know some vital information that could save you difficulties later on.
The manufactures of kayaks have a responsibility to tape details of hulls and title holders of canoes and kayaks. (Examine under the guideline kayak and owner safety).
Another valuable tip is the pre-launching evaluations. Each time you take your kayak to the waters, before you put your kayak in the water do a pre inspection and examine your kayak for any holes or leaks. This way there is no surprises out on the water. This really should be done before you leave home.
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Getting the kayak from my car to the water?
If you have a light-weight kayak such as ones that are used in a race, can actually be carried by yourself. To do this grab the side of the kayak and then place the kayak on your hip. This also helps you to be able to place the kayak in the water. If you are kayaking by yourself, then when you lower the kayak keep a hold on it and carefully step into the kayak one leg in and the other still on the ground to help you push off.
When kayaking with a partner, you will have help bringing your kayak from the car to the water. Each of you can either take a side or you can do a front and a back. This makes carrying the kayak very easy. Once you get to the water one person will hold the kayak and the other gets in. The person holding the kayak will then push off and get in as soon as possible.
Another valuable tip:
It has been noted that some whitewater kayakers like the back paddle and spoon shaped paddle blade.
How to Launch
If you are by yourself make sure that you have your kayak line attached and one end attached to the dock. This way your kayak wont float away and escape from you when you try and step in it. A suggestion would be to put the stern in first, it will help you make an easier time on the launch.
Solo kayakers need to put one foot first into the kayak making sure their foot is in the center of the kayak. Then hold both sides as you lower your body then move carefully to the kayak aiming for the middle of your yak.
For kayaking in pairs when the first kayaker is seated, the second kayaker needs keep a good grip on the kayak then lift the bow of the yak and take a seat. They are responsible for keeping the kayak steady. The second person is also responsible for the push off.
As for the last question on new vs. older kayak. There is a law that has stipulations to obey the Hull Registration. This is vital so that you can keep your kayak safe in whitewater. And even though we are talking about kayaking the rules and codes are the same as the rules on canoeing.
Conclusion:
Once you master the carrying of your kayak from the car to the water your next big challenge will be launching. You may get wet trying to launch but the big tip is to take your time, and this will help you get in the water smoothly.
