Kayaks – The Most Important Kayaking Equipment

By Author: john fostar
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Kayaking is a sport that offers adventure, fun, thrill, excitement, challenges and solitude all rolled into one. It is also one the best forms for exercise. Be it a beginner or an experienced person, it is important to have appropriate kayaking equipment to enjoy the sport in the true spirit.

Types of kayaks

The popularity of kayaking as a sport is spreading fast and an increasing number of people are taking to it. When starting out with the kayak gear list the first item on the list will always be the kayak. Kayaks come in a variety of types and therefore it is important to understand which one suits your purpose.

• Recreational kayak: Many sporting activities are taken up merely for the sake of recreation. Being involved in a sport helps relieve stress and provides the much needed break from daily work. The recreational kayak is suited for such light kayaking experience to be undertaken in ponds and lakes. These types of kayaks are somewhere between 10-12 feet long and provide better stability in calm conditions. They are usually not suited for open water activities.

• Touring ...
... kayaks: This type of kayak is more suitable for those planning to go on long expeditions in larger water bodies like the ocean. They can be anywhere between 12-24 feet long and have larger storage capacity for kayaking equipment and needful items. The bulkhead with sealed hatches grants the advantage of dry storage space and at the same time, offers greater safety.

Depending upon the requirement, one can go for either of the two sub-types of touring kayaks – day touring kayaks and multiday touring kayaks.

• Sit-on-top kayak: As the name goes, these types of kayaks require the passenger to sit on top of the kayak. It is highly suitable for beginners and children as it offers great ease in boarding and alighting. The seats of these kayaks are relatively higher than the traditional ones and have a much wider base. Capsizing a sit-on-top kayak is rather difficult. Even if does turn turtle it can easily be flipped back into its proper position.

• White water paddling kayak: For those looking for great adventure and thrill, this is just the kayak to go for. White water adventures are quite challenging and when clubbed with kayaking, the excitement increases manifold. These kayaks have a shorter length with a rounded base.

When finalizing on the kayaking equipment to be purchased, it is important to consider the purpose of using it. If recreation is the sole purpose, it will make no sense in getting white water paddling kayak.

When taking up a new activity like kayaking, it is important to have all kayaking equipment ready and in one place. Once in the water, it will not be possible to go back for any kayak gear.

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