Sea Kayaking -- lessons needed? Sit on top or sit inside?

Question

I live right next to the ocean and want to get in to the sport. There's a 2-day course that I could take, but I don't know if it's really necessary. I also have a question about types of kayaks used (sit on top or sit inside). What advice can you give me? THANKS!

Answer 1

I would advise you to go though the 2 day course so you will be more informed on the dangers and the fun of Sea Kayaking. Do not risk your life by doing it on your own. It is also better to have a friend go with you when you go out to sea.

Answer 2

Sit-upons are much easier than sit-ins for getting back into when you flip. But the sit-ins are better constructed and more efficient. It depends on whether you want to spend your time playing in the surf or if you want to go on paddle trips. The sit-upons are a hoot for surfing, but you can't carry anything on them. The sit-ins have compartments where you can store a sleeping back, waffle foam and some food if you want to do overnight trips.

Whichever you get, you'll have fun. Maybe you need to think about an assortment of kayaks? Right now the kayak store near us is clearing out odds and ends -- they call it their 'ugly kayak sale' but they've got some great prices on some really neat little boats. Or you can check with some of the boat rental shops, who usually sell off their stock at the end of the season, and you can get a good deal there as well.

Have fun!

Answer 3

i use sit on top and no lessons. but if you're not the greatest swimmer invest in a life vest. and if you're planning on catching waves with it wear a helmet.

Answer 4

Where do you live?  If you live someplace like, say, near the San Francisco Bay, where tides create huge currents, and there are heavy swells, it's probably a good idea to take a lesson..  If you live someplace where the sea is relatively calm, I wouldn't worry about it too much...

Here's what that two day course will probably cover:

Boat anatomy, types, construction, etc..

Navigation and orienteering on the water (using a compass, crossing current, tides, waves, planning your trip around the tide, etc.)

Paddle strokes.

buddy rescue and self rescue.

Again, the orienteering bit is the only thing that's really critical if the currents and swells are treacherous.  So think about where you live, and decide.

As far as sit-on-top versus a regular sea kayak...  

Sit-on-tops:  

Pros: Far more stable and less likely to tip over.  Easy to handle immediately.  In the event that you DO flip over, the boat can't fill with water, so you just flip it back right side up and climb on (this still takes some practice in open water.)  In general, these boats are very tough and can take a beating.  They surf good, and are loads of fun the the waves.  If you go this route, Ocean Kayak is the best brand in my opinion (cool design)

Cons:  Not as fast as a sit-inside, more squirrely than a sit inside (less efficient in general.)  You're more exposed to wind and cold weather.  Sometimes water comes up through the little drain holes and gets your bum wet.  No rudder (although you only really need a rudder for going long stretches across a side current...  most sea kayakers leave their rudder up almost all the time)  You can't roll a sit on top.  Not as "cool" as a sit inside, most experienced sea kayakers go for the latter.

Sit Inside

Pros:  Very efficient, slices through the water in a straight line.  Your legs, and (if combined with a spray skirt and dry top,) body, stay completely dry and warm.  There are dry storage compartments for camping gear.  Most have rudders, useful for navigating through strong currents.  With practice, you can roll,  turning a potential wet soggy swim into a little head dunk.

Cons:  Much less stable than a sit on top...  if you go into rough water as a beginner, you may flip over.  (not a big deal, just learn to roll)  If you swim, the boat fills with water, and self rescue (or buddy rescue) is significantly more difficult than with a sit on top- although it's not really that hard.  More equipment needed (spray skirt, bilge pump, paddle float (for after you swim,)) ect.  In general, a good sit inside kayak is nearly twice the price of a sit on top.

Anyway I hope that helps.  For beginning, I would just paddle near the shore (but beyond breaking waves) so you can't get yourself lost...  just ask yourself, "if I had to swim to shore from here, would I be ok?"  

One more thing...  At some point, if you get a sit inside kayak, you will want to learn self and buddy rescue...  you don't need a two day course for this...  more like 15 minutes..  but there is a definite technique..  so look for diagrams online..  or a lot of kayak shops sell "rescue kits" with some useful gear and a rescue technique diagram.  Practice this in shallow water for an afternoon, and your confidence will soar,  once you have a good rescue, you will feel like you can handle any situation..

Phew!