By Beth Geiger
The calm, glassy water is textured with delicate ripples, and tiny whirlpools spin from your paddle. Urban noise gives way to the sound of seabirds swirling overhead. You sense the rush of being hundreds of yards offshore in a tiny, narrow boat.
Sea kayaking has exploded in popularity in the last decade, and when you consider the benefits of the sport, it's no wonder: It offers exercise, serenity and open space, an easy escape into nature, and the fundamentals aren't hard to learn. Your experience can be tailored to anything from an afternoon on a placid pond to a more extreme ocean or wilderness expedition.
Whether you're already a paddler or are just dipping in for the first time, follow these practical tips for a perfect day on the water:
1. Kayak Ins and Outs. The trickiest part of kayaking is getting in and out of the boat. Transferring your weight cleanly to the center of the boat is key! To avoid public embarrassment, not to mention a dunking, do the following: Sit or squat on the shore next to the kayak, facing forward toward the bow of the boat. Use the paddle to make a “bridge” between the back of the cockpit and the dock behind you. Wrap one hand around both the paddle shaft and the cockpit rim. Use the other hand to weight the dock end of the paddle. Now, in one motion, step one foot and your backside up, over and into the center of the kayak seat. Now the other leg. Voila! To get out, reverse the process.
2. Secrets of Stability. “I'd like a stable kayak,” announces the typical novice. But if you are used to balancing on skates, skis or a bicycle, you'll be frustrated with the bathtub-like agility of the most stable sea kayaks. Ask for a sleeker one; they really aren't that unstable and can actually be easier to paddle. As you paddle, keep your hands at shoulder height or lower, take wide strokes and push your knees against the inside of the boat. You'll be fine. Just don't lunge for that pretty starfish 10 feet under water.
3. Weather or Not? Kayak safety starts with planning: Rain is OK, gale force winds are not. For saltwater paddles, find out when slack tide (the tidal maximum or minimum between ebb and flood tides) is and what the tidal exchange will be. The greater the exchange, the more current. A knowledgeable, safety-conscious guide will factor weather and tides into trip planning for you. A reminder: Always wear your life jacket!
4. Strings Attached. Water is deep. Sunglasses sink fast. Use a retainer!
5. Straight Ahead. Paddling in a straight line isn't as easy as it looks. Often, the culprit is an uneven or badly spaced hand position. To find the right position, rest the paddle on top of your head, then slide your hands along the shaft until your elbows are at a 90 degree bend. Your hands are now in the “sweet” spot. As you paddle, try to keep them there (you'll be amazed at how quickly your hands will migrate to the wrong place). Finally, keep your hips relaxed and lean naturally with the boat, which also bolsters stability and steering ability.
6. Stroke Technique 101. You want to be efficient and powerful, right? Listen up: Pull the paddle blades through the water by rotating your shoulders, not by “rowing” with your elbows. You'll be faster, more efficient, and have far more endurance. Racers spend years perfecting their stroke because they know how much difference technique makes.
7. Silence is Golden. For at least 20 minutes of your excursion, paddle in total silence and just listen. Hear the whoosh of a bird's wings overhead. Listen to the echo of a foghorn. Note the sweet gurgle of paddle hitting water. These are the reasons you're out there. Don't miss them!
Getting StartedFirst-time paddler?
• Choose protected waters, such as a bay or lake, for your first experience. That way you can tune in to the rhythm of paddling, the environment and your technique without distractions like wakes or big waves.
• To speed your learning curve opt for a guided trip or class. Your local outdoor shop or community recreation center should be able to direct you to classes and outfitters near you. You can find resources online through the American Canoe Association (www.acanet.org), Canoe & Kayak Magazine (www.canoekayak.com), or Sea Kayaker Magazine (http://www.seakayakermag.com/).
• Immerse yourself! Treat yourself to a guided, no-experience-necessary wilderness adventure to a place like Canada's Johnstone Strait, where orcas play and a constellation of uninhabited islands await your exploration.
Gearing UpGuides or rental outfitters provide the basics: a sea kayak, paddle, spray skirt and life jacket (also called a personal floatation device or PFD). But for the little things—the ones that can make a big difference—the ball is in your court:
• What to wear. An unavoidable fact: Your butt will get wet. Wear nylon shorts or fleece under nylon pants. For your upper body, always bring a windproof or waterproof layer. Remember that air temperatures are often lower just a few feet just above the water.
• Don't forget about your feet. Wear water sandals or old sneakers that will stay on in mud and protect your feet from sharp rocks. For cold weather, try rubber or neoprene boots (Chota makes an excellent version called the Mukluk). Booties should have sturdy soles.
• Protect your goods. Drybags have a roll-down seal and come in all sizes and colors. They're tough, affordable and water tight. Drybags can also double as a prop for keeping your knees in a comfortable position.
• Bring padding. A small square of dense foam triples as a kneeling pad for packing your boat, a seat pad in the kayak and a soft spot for lunching on rocky shores.
• Stay hydrated. Tall bike water bottles (hour-glass shape) can be secured easily under the bungee cords on the kayak deck.
• Protect yourself. Always bring sunglasses and a hat; water reflects even on an overcast day.
• Travel light. Leave dry clothes (including underwear), shoes and a towel waiting in the car.
Reprinted with permission by Her Sports magazine, Wet Dog Media, 2004.