Sea kayaking is a very popular sport and the recent increase in kayak fishing is seeing the sport taking off to previously unseen heights; it's a fun and energetic sport that can be enjoyed by people of any age, shape and size but you should always take your safety very seriously when you jump into your sea kayak for a quick paddle. Weather conditions can turn quickly and with very little warning and there are quite a number of sea kayak related deaths each year mostly caused by kayakers not taking their safety seriously.
Make sure it floats.
I'm not just talking about your sea kayak; I'm talking about any essential equipment on board your boat. Paying $30 for a bilge pump could be the best money you've ever spent but if you roll and your pump doesn't float you may as well have left it at home. This goes for any equipment that you may need in an emergency; if it doesn't float by design put it in a container that will float. This is especially important if it's not waterproof but needs to stay dry because even the waterproof areas of your kayak will let water in when you roll.
The most essential piece of equipment ? the PFD.
A PFD is a personal floating device and if you ever consider going out in your sea kayak without taking a PFD you shouldn't be going out at all. It's very simple, buy one and wear it. Some parts of the world don't demand that you wear it but you should carry it, in my opinion this isn't good enough. You can buy excellent PFDs that not only look good and feel comfortable but have storage pockets for holding your vital equipment. There really is no excuse for not wearing one and if you only take one piece of this article inn I hope it's this one. Wear a PFD at all times when you are in your sea kayak.
Never paddle alone.
Weather conditions can change in an instant with little or no warning and it is essential that you have at least one other person with you to help if things get too much or if the unexpected happens. A kayaking partner really can save your life.
Other equipment.
Carry a compass, map, food, water, matches (in a water tight container), flare gun, cell phone and anything else you think you might need. It will all fit into one small bag or even into the storage pockets of the PFD you should be wearing. Also, a pump is a necessity because if your kayak is full of water after rolling or capsizing you are either going to get hypothermia or you aren't going to be able to make it back to shore but please make sure it floats because if you roll the first thing you won't be thinking of is catching your pump.
Sea kayak encourages the sport of paddling on open waters of lakes, bays and oceans. They are stable and seaworthy with a covered deck and ability to incorporate a spray deck if needed. One of the advantages of these kayaks is that they are extremely maneuverable and versatile and can be used for straight line paddling, comfortable long journeys and for carrying cargos. Sea kayaks has a hot market as it is used in trips which can last for few hours to many weeks, accommodating two to three paddlers along with camping gear, food, water and other supplies.
Sea kayaks are available in a wide array of material, designs and size to meet the needs of different types of paddlers. Most of the modern kayaks carry the contemporary traditional designs but some recent innovation includes: recreational kayaks, small sea kayaks with wide beam, sit-on-tops kayaks, inflatable kayaks and surf skis. Following are some of the important things to note about these kayaks:
Size: Most of these kayaks are between 12 feet to 24feet in length. The width is 18 inches to 28 inches. Specialized kayaks such as surf skis are narrower.
Materials: Many kayaks are made from fiberglass, rot molded polythene and Kevlar. Others are made of carbon fiber and royalex.
Used for trips: Modern sea kayaks are used for carrying large amount of equipments needed for long expedition from tropics to the artic.
Safety: Safety of the kayaks depends only on the paddlers, unless the weather conditions become a hurdle. A well practiced Eskimo roll is essential to safe open water kayaking.
Sea kayaks are present in the market in large amounts, so choosing the one to fit you and your needs has to be carefully done, keeping in mind some important issues as:
1. Suggested paddlers weight range is different for each kayak design.
2. There should be an ideal loading on the kayak.. Never select a kayak by its maximum capacity as many times it is tempting but the total truth is not stated.
3. Front height of the cockpit is important as higher the cockpit entry an exit becomes easy and also less water fills in your lap and inside the kayak.
4. Rear gear of the cockpit needs to be higher and should have solid back rest for comfortable cruising and long kayaking trips.
Sea kayaking is environmentally friendly and appeals to all ages as most us enjoy the beautiful nature, open spaces and fresh air. It offers special kind of freedom and is a natural progression from flat water kayaking to exploring the great oceans.
Both Peter Lenkefi & Rajesh Karavadia are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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