Kayak advice please.
Discussion
O.K. I think I would like a Kayak in an attempt to have a bit of fun and get a bit fitter.
What would be a good spec for a beginner, it would be used on canals, lakes and maybe a bit of fun on the sea, close(ish) in so would see a bit of surf, it needs to be easy to transport, on top of the car?
Thanks in avance
Alex
What would be a good spec for a beginner, it would be used on canals, lakes and maybe a bit of fun on the sea, close(ish) in so would see a bit of surf, it needs to be easy to transport, on top of the car?
Thanks in avance
Alex
Thats abit like saying I've seen some cars and i'd quite like one that goes fast, can cruise up the motorway and....you get the idea sorry. The boat you want will depend on how big you are, just as much as you want to do with it
The best would be to find a local canoe club- i don't know where you are but the bcu has a full list of clubs all over the counrty if you can find it on their website. Alternatively try the UK rivers guide book website (UKRGB) which is probably the main canoe/kayak forum in this country and try again there.
If you get the chance find a club which has a large range of boats- there are a huge range of them. Some clubs get to be a bit specialised- the south tends (from what i've seen) to go for a more flat water endurance type boating clubs, midlands towards slalom and i dont have much experience with other regions. Though surprisingly you get a lot of sea kayakers and surf boaters near the coast. ALmost all clubs will have a social fun group so go along and give it shot...just dont expect to stay dry- and when you get wet at least the waters warm at this time of year.
The best would be to find a local canoe club- i don't know where you are but the bcu has a full list of clubs all over the counrty if you can find it on their website. Alternatively try the UK rivers guide book website (UKRGB) which is probably the main canoe/kayak forum in this country and try again there.
If you get the chance find a club which has a large range of boats- there are a huge range of them. Some clubs get to be a bit specialised- the south tends (from what i've seen) to go for a more flat water endurance type boating clubs, midlands towards slalom and i dont have much experience with other regions. Though surprisingly you get a lot of sea kayakers and surf boaters near the coast. ALmost all clubs will have a social fun group so go along and give it shot...just dont expect to stay dry- and when you get wet at least the waters warm at this time of year.
Exactly the same advice as above, try as many boats as you can and then try them again, decide what kind of paddling you want to do and then decide on a boat.
At the same time you can get a few lessons from the club's coach so you can avoid picking up bad habits too early.
Happy paddling,
Dave
At the same time you can get a few lessons from the club's coach so you can avoid picking up bad habits too early.
Happy paddling,
Dave
not very helpful I know
but the ONLY time I "drove" a kayak I ended up with terrible back ache trying to keep myself vertical as well as horizontal
But this was in a plstic shell at an "outer limits - team training" sort of gig, wearing the clothes I needed to drive home in and bobbing around on a Midlands canal
It was amazing fun though but there wasn't even a spray deck to help give me confidence and keep my trousers dryish
:P
maybe I could try again but better informed about what to wear/take with me...
'cos yes I'd do it again
but the ONLY time I "drove" a kayak I ended up with terrible back ache trying to keep myself vertical as well as horizontal
But this was in a plstic shell at an "outer limits - team training" sort of gig, wearing the clothes I needed to drive home in and bobbing around on a Midlands canal
It was amazing fun though but there wasn't even a spray deck to help give me confidence and keep my trousers dryish
:P
maybe I could try again but better informed about what to wear/take with me...
'cos yes I'd do it again
Its easy really...just so long as you dont spend money straight off. I took a family paddling on monday (granted they'd all done some padling before) and we sent the mum who was blind down a canal weir so its must be easy. Granted we had the advantage of picking from around 60 boats (student club in the summer) so we could get everyone a useful boat but go for it! Just do take a change of clothes...and a towel.
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