Guide to Ocean Kayaking

Ocean kayaking is one of the most adventurous and leisure forms of aquatic explorations that caters to tourists, adventurists, and thrill-seekers. Ocean Kayaking or Open sea kayaking is done by using the propulsion of a rider’s paddling. Kayaking is observed to take place in lakes, oceans, open sea surfaces, or even wild streams of water bodies such as the breathtaking maneuvers into a river flowing rapidly from sloped terrain.

An Introduction of Ocean Kayaking

Ocean Kayaking, or popularly known as open sea kayaking, has attracted and been enjoyed by people from different backgrounds. Kayaking is performed by a trained boatsman with a thin banana-shaped boat known as a Sea Kayak. The specialized boat itself is designed to handle the sport of paddling through different water bodies with varying forms of currents.

You’ve probably seen them from time to time, the yellow or orange boats paddled by a single pilot or two persons. If you want to learn and experience the positive and thrilling effects of the activity, checking out these top ocean kayaking options can be a welcoming form of activity during your next group outing or if it is just a solo-form of self-searching adventure. Kayaking is also a recreational tool to do while observing the wildlife scenery of a particular location.

Today, sea kayaks have traced their origins from the boats used by natives of Greenland, Northern Canada, and Alaska. Historically, Eskimo hunters from these regions invented the first version of the kayak boat, which they use to hunt down walrus and seals in cold northern waters with floating ice barriers. Their kayak boats are thin enough to navigate and give them speed and agility through ice platforms of different dimensions and take down their prey.

Kayaking was then adopted into the advancements of western culture. It evolved into a recreational sport for kayak enthusiasts, water sports, and paddling. Kayaking is also used for expedition trips, surf kayaking, or to serve its primary purpose: to hunt sea life or fishing. Another version of the kayak is the sailing kayak, the leisure variant with an attached sail that cancels out the need for its riders to paddle.

The Basics of Ocean Kayaking

Several people, including tourists, kayak enthusiasts, and extreme sports affiliated individuals, have done kayaking as either a challenging or pleasurable form of activity. It can also be used for transportation and hunting purposes throughout vast areas of water or locations of water with different forms of natural obstacles. An individual who wants to go kayaking with their next trip is recommended to learn about the basics of kayaking before really performing using a kayak boat for their objectives.

• Learn the Basics:

A person new to the water sport needs to learn or master basic kayaking strokes in stagnant or calmer waters. This priming method is advised before an individual attempt to face the ocean. Learning how to use the body to skillfully move your kayak in every direction while testing the strength and limits of an enthusiast may help them in the long run. Once the person is competent and comfortable with the operation of a kayak, it is recommended to test it first with the ocean waves.

• Preparation:

An adventurous person who wants to go kayaking should first learn the basic rules of water safety and how to perform essential first aid techniques. If a person is initiated by knowing how to rescue themselves or another person in calm and shallow waters, they will become more confident in other forms of water locations. Their initial practices and training can prepare them to face the more extreme conditions of the sea.

• Equipment:

Gathering the right equipment and gear for ocean kayaking is recommended before heading out into the open sea with several unknown factors awaiting. The proper equipment to have is:

• Personal flotation device
• Durable waterproof bag for personal storage
• Radio
• Food
• Drinkable water
• Right paddle (with a spare).

• First-Aid and Emergency Safety Utilities:

Things recommended to be taken along for an ocean kayaking trip or expedition:

• First aid kit
• Backrest
• Safety whistle
• Navigation materials for longer trips
  • Map
  • Compass
  • GPS
• Sunscreen
• Headgear
  • Hat
  • Sunglasses

• Choose your Paddle

• European Paddle

The paddle is iconic for its two spoon-like blades at both ends of the holding shaft. This paddle is designed for acceleration and quick maneuvering in whitewater kayaking and sports.

• Greenland Paddle

These paddles exhibit the features of narrow blades that are rounded and full near the loom and blade roots and becoming oval near the blade tips. Some paddles feature a “shoulder,” or abrupt transition between the loom and blade roots. Greenland paddles are also known as Storm paddles and are correctly used with the sliding stroke.

• Wing

The blades of the Wing paddle are shaped with a profile like a wing. When used with a particular stroke, the blade produces lift as it moves through the water, enabling the kayaker to produce more forward motion than with any other kind of paddle. It is the paddle mostly used for water sports and racing.

Conclusion

Ocean kayaking or Open Sea kayaking is a type of activity for water sports, tourist destinations, wildlife observance, sea transport, or hunting expeditions. A person with next to zero experience when starting kayaking is advised to train in still waters alongside regiments of first aid and proper operations of the kayak boat.