A Beginner’s Guide
A Serene and Extreme Activity
Some people have a calm nature while others are adventurous. Sea kayaking, like most water activities, suits both personality types. However, as you paddle into the ocean for the first time, do remember the instructions passed on by experts.
And the very first tip when going for kayaking is not to go into the ocean unless you have picked up the fundamentals, such as keeping a light grip on the paddle, paddling swiftly in deep forward movements, and keeping your sweep strokes wider than your forward and reversed strokes etc.
Once you have learned the moves, the next step is to practice them. As a beginner, you don’t even have to start in the water. Do some basic strokes a couple of times when you are on the land, and then proceed to calm and shallow waters for further practice.
Being comfortable is of the essence here. As you are working on your strokes, it is recommended that you find a pace and range that works for you. This will allow you to make relaxed, smooth movements inside the water. The bottom line is that you should only venture into open and deeper waters once you are comfortable moving your boat in shallow water.
Finally, it is important that before you start paddling, check the weather and scan your route to be acquainted with the area you will be kayaking in. Since you are a beginner, you should ideally look for sheltered areas, such as bays. The reason is that these areas are protected from stronger waves and winds. And regardless of what the weather forecast says, you should always expect some winds and waves. In any case, never go kayaking in a fog.
So there you go, you know know some kayaking basics. Once you get the hang of it, you’ll enjoy it more than ever.
Fatima M.
Freelance Blogger
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