Kayaking? Some advice please.....?

Question

We got 2 kayaks last fall. We have never kayaked before. Can you just learn as you go? Should we take lessons?

Thanks

Answer 1

I would take some lessons, you'd be surprise how much there is to learn.  You can learn water safety (most important), eskimo rolls, wet exit, efficient paddling, map reading, route planning, equipment needed, etc.

I am currently taking lessons and I do go out on my own - I go to the lake and "hug the shoreline", I haven't ventured out in the ocean on my own yet, just once with the class.  The better informed you are the better kayaker you'll be.  Enjoy kayaking!

websites to read:

http://www.kayaking.com/

http://www.canoekayak.com/

Answer 2

You can do either, depending on the type of water you'll be kayaking on.  If you don't take the lessons, learn on slow-moving water and work your way up.  Definitely get some tips from experienced kayakers, and be accompanied on more adventurous trips.

My best tip:  Put a change of clothes in a zip-lock bag on all trips!  And add a few food items.  That way, you can get dry and eat!

Answer 3

i have two, two person kayaks and it is very easy to pick up so easy my 10 year old daughter got it down first time out

GOOD LUCK

Answer 4

ooooooo I don't know but try to STAY IN THE BOAT!!!!!

= ) and please be careful....sounds like fun!!!

Answer 5

Depending on the type of kayaks and the type of water, you might want to take some lessons for safety sake.

Sit on top kayaks are pretty safe. If they flip, you just swim. If you have a spray skirt, you need to know how to wet exit and it can be tough the first time. If you are attempting whitewater, you really need to take a lesson.

Answer 6

You certainly can get started without lessons. Find some like minded people and paddle with them.

Lessons are good for two reasons:

- Safety: there are situations that you need to be able to recognize and to respond to. They range from bad weather moving in to falling in in cold water (hypothermia is a serious killer).

- Health: learning a good paddle stroke not only helps being able to paddle farther, it also helps avoiding injury. In this it is no different to say tennis or golf.

A third, but not immediately obvious reason is that you will experience less frustration and be more confident, which means you'll be able to enjoy it more.

Get a kayaking mag and find a local operator who provides an intro lesson. Some kayak clubs offer free training which is a fantastic value for the club membership