Kayaking/Canoeing - Any experience?
Discussion
I'm looking into kayaking/canoeing, and would love some real life experiences and advice.
I'm right at the start of looking into this, and really think it's something I'd enjoy. I'd be looking to explore local canals and maybe take it down to the beach sometimes - likely somewhere like Durdle Door/Lulworth Cove.
Can anyone give some starter advice? I am completely new to this (bar having a go at it when I was younger), so would look to get experienced somewhere first. Also, I need to explore the options for type of kayak/canoe, as to what might suit me best. Then from there, where to buy my kit, and what I should be looking for.
Anyone out there with experience?
I'm right at the start of looking into this, and really think it's something I'd enjoy. I'd be looking to explore local canals and maybe take it down to the beach sometimes - likely somewhere like Durdle Door/Lulworth Cove.
Can anyone give some starter advice? I am completely new to this (bar having a go at it when I was younger), so would look to get experienced somewhere first. Also, I need to explore the options for type of kayak/canoe, as to what might suit me best. Then from there, where to buy my kit, and what I should be looking for.
Anyone out there with experience?
Pulse said:
I'm looking into kayaking/canoeing, and would love some real life experiences and advice.
I'm right at the start of looking into this, and really think it's something I'd enjoy. I'd be looking to explore local canals and maybe take it down to the beach sometimes - likely somewhere like Durdle Door/Lulworth Cove.
Can anyone give some starter advice? I am completely new to this (bar having a go at it when I was younger), so would look to get experienced somewhere first. Also, I need to explore the options for type of kayak/canoe, as to what might suit me best. Then from there, where to buy my kit, and what I should be looking for.
Anyone out there with experience?
Ok, happy to be corrected here but my personal belief is a canoe is an open boat, a kayak is a closed boat. You use a double paddle in a kayak and a single in a canoe.I'm right at the start of looking into this, and really think it's something I'd enjoy. I'd be looking to explore local canals and maybe take it down to the beach sometimes - likely somewhere like Durdle Door/Lulworth Cove.
Can anyone give some starter advice? I am completely new to this (bar having a go at it when I was younger), so would look to get experienced somewhere first. Also, I need to explore the options for type of kayak/canoe, as to what might suit me best. Then from there, where to buy my kit, and what I should be looking for.
Anyone out there with experience?
Canoe
Kayak (albeit without the spray deck)
So I am assuming you are referring to kayaks!
Get along to a taster day like this as you will need to be sure you are still confident in the water, the sea is a lot different to lakes and canals as tidal waters are seriously hard work and your upper body will take a pounding. Once past the breakers though, its pretty easy and very rewarding.Budget around £1500 for some kit, that gets a good stable kayak and enough for a dry suit, floatation aid, some dry bags and a roof rack etc.
There is a debate about skegs and rudders, which is more suitable and better for beginners, in essence both are used to counter the effects of the wind and control your heading and the methods are well explained in the link. I've only ever used skegs in open water but controlling the direction is simply a case of learning as you go.
Alternatively, you can look at sit on top kayaks like this but you are more exposed and will be limited to distance as they are a bit slower through the water due to their width and weight.
www.paddlepoints.net is useful for launch sites etc when you get going.
We have an inflatable 2 man Sevylor touring kayak now which is horrid in open water and I'd only ever recommend one for canals and small lakes but it serves us well though given its easy to transport but it does catch the smallest breeze.
There are always good boats for sale on ebay, people dont get out as much as they would like and sell kit on so you can save a bit of cash there.
The best kit for learning is different to the best kit for sea or best kit for canals. I'd be looking for something cheap and middle ground, and then as you work out what you really enjoy spend a bit more. Or if you go on the sea, you really need to need doing it with a group so for the first few times see if anyone in the group has got spare kit.
I'd be looking to start in somthing 3ish to 4ish m long with a bit of volume, ie not slicy ends designed to go vertical. Something like a dancer or magic bat which you can probably pick up for £50. Then £100 for paddle, deck, bouyancy aid. You'll need a helmet for the sea, less important for canals. A couple of us used a Dagger RPM, Pyranha Acrobat, and Pyranha Magic bat for year on canals, white water, short distance sea touring, and surfing.
Join a club, and learn to roll as quickly as you can! We seem to regard rolling as an advanced skill in the UK training programme, but IMHO it gives you the ability to learn quickly because you're not getting cold, wet and tired every time you make a mistake and capsize. It's also a vital skill if you're going out on the sea, as well as practicing deep water rescues just in case you fluff it up in anger...
Happy paddling!
I'd be looking to start in somthing 3ish to 4ish m long with a bit of volume, ie not slicy ends designed to go vertical. Something like a dancer or magic bat which you can probably pick up for £50. Then £100 for paddle, deck, bouyancy aid. You'll need a helmet for the sea, less important for canals. A couple of us used a Dagger RPM, Pyranha Acrobat, and Pyranha Magic bat for year on canals, white water, short distance sea touring, and surfing.
Join a club, and learn to roll as quickly as you can! We seem to regard rolling as an advanced skill in the UK training programme, but IMHO it gives you the ability to learn quickly because you're not getting cold, wet and tired every time you make a mistake and capsize. It's also a vital skill if you're going out on the sea, as well as practicing deep water rescues just in case you fluff it up in anger...
Happy paddling!
Slight necro-post here. OP did you end up going for it?
I'm in a similar position having been training for an endurance row in a couple of weeks and wanting to continue doing something in the water once the event is completed. Kayaking seems like a great way to continue without getting overly competitive and doing club rowing!
My local Kayak club (Hampton COurt) seems to be a nice leisurely adventure / touring club which will suit me a to a T to start with. Almost pre-requisite of a 1 star BCU qualification which I'm ok with as it's been well over 15 years since I did any kayaking and even that was just casual.
I'm dead excited about taking it up although worry that it's yet another fairly expensive sport to continue with. Thankfully the local club can provide all the boats and life-jackets so no need to splurge until I'm really into it
I'm in a similar position having been training for an endurance row in a couple of weeks and wanting to continue doing something in the water once the event is completed. Kayaking seems like a great way to continue without getting overly competitive and doing club rowing!
My local Kayak club (Hampton COurt) seems to be a nice leisurely adventure / touring club which will suit me a to a T to start with. Almost pre-requisite of a 1 star BCU qualification which I'm ok with as it's been well over 15 years since I did any kayaking and even that was just casual.
I'm dead excited about taking it up although worry that it's yet another fairly expensive sport to continue with. Thankfully the local club can provide all the boats and life-jackets so no need to splurge until I'm really into it
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