Inflatable Kayaking Tips for Beginners

One of the greatest senses of freedom paddling down a river is in your kayak.

This article will cover a number of the lesser touched upon inflatable kayaking tips for beginners which will facilitate your benefit and revel in the foremost from this excellent sport.

Preparation & Packing for Kayaking

Wear a life jacket

Wearing a life jacket or personal floatation device (PFD) when on the water in a kayak is strongly advised. Most will insist that children under a specific age must wear a life vest or PFD, usually 13 years old.

Learning how to get in-out of a kayak

There are a variety of basic techniques on a way to get in and out of your inflatable kayak. It’s worth spending it slow learning these techniques on solid ground before embarking on your first paddle.

We recommend you attend a kayaking course.

Once you have got a basic understanding of the techniques, find an acceptable area on the shore of a river and practice.

Inflate the kayak

Use a pump with a pressure gauge to inflate your kayak. Always be careful of the correct air pressure.

Adjust the seating and footrest on dry land before starting your first kayaking too.

Carry Food and Water

Take food and water according to the time you’ll stay on water. We recommend you for putting a small bottle of water and some energy bars in your dry bag before starting off.

Kayakinguses a lot of calories to paddle distance.

Efficiency and performance

After completing the kayaking course and gathering all necessary preparation and packings, its the time now to Choose the right kayak and hit the water.

Adjust Kayak settings

Making proper seating arrangements for traveling a long distance can give you efficient paddling.

Check whether your inflatable kayak model comes with a 2 or 3 seating arrangement. Adjust the seating position according to your height using the footrests or footpegs.

Some kayaks include foot straps instead of footrests can also be used for adjusting your seating.

Start kayaking

Stroke forward to start paddling by using your arms and torso. Make sure that your kayak and paddle stay together using a paddle leash

Few kayaks model include the skeg that is used to make your travel path straight. Commonly used while traveling into the crosswind.

Remember- keep your accessories like a camera, cellphone, GPS, and more other accessories in a waterproof bag.

Safety and experience

Don’t try to go far from the land before you’re fully confident with your techniques of paddling, and stability.

Choose a partner who is experienced in kayaking.

Exposure to the sun for a long period of time can cause sunburn. Mosquito and bugs can make your journey miserable. For avoiding these, you can carry bug repellent and sunscreen lotion with you.

Carry waterproof bandaids for cuts, owies, and blisters. Waterproof matches can help you start a fire if needed.

Keep a kayak repair kit that came with your inflatable kayak. Also, keep a blige pump to get excess water out of your vehicle if needed.

Take some of the water purifying tablets available at any store and it is easy to use.

Wear kayak paddling gloves

You will surely thank me for this recommendation. The skin between your thumb and index will start to chafe and blister, if your padding length lasts a little long.

There’s a tonne of paddling gloves to settle on from and wearing a pair of kayak paddling gloves will ensure it slow on the water is more enjoyable.

Do’s and Don’ts of Inflatable kayaking

Do’s

●     Inform where you’re going and the approximate time of returning to someone.

●     Always keep less weight in the front and more weight at the back.

●     Make sure that all of your essential kits are put in a waterproof bag.

●     Inflate your kayak to its full capacity. It could be sluggish if not blown fully with air.

●     As you’re going to start as a beginner, keep the shoreline well in your sight and don’t go far in the ocean or lake.

●     Also, pack extra warm cloth in your bag that can avoid any unexpected situation.

Don’ts

●     Do not bring alcohol with you when you go to kayaking. It plays the leading role in kayaking-related deaths.

●     Do not drink the ocean or lake water. Use water purifying tablets in emergency situations.

●     When exploring wildlife in a natural environment, do not harm or disturb any animal.

●     Do not drag your vehicle over rocks and gravel. Lift it over your shoulder in this type of route.

●     Don’t collide the head with any sharp object.

Hopefully we’ve discussed the inflatable tips for the beginners step by step.

Although a number of the following pointers don't seem to be essential to follow, they'll make sure that your first paddle in an inflatable kayak may be a more enjoyable one.

Stay safe and happy paddling!