How to Get Into Kayaking

April-May 2003

This is an article from WaveLength Magazine, available in print in North America and globally on the web.
To download a pdf copy of the magazine click here: > DOWNLOAD

by Nancy Kanu

Wavelength photo

So, you've seen some people kayaking on local lakes and rivers. You've read a few cool kayaking articles in a magazine or you've picked up a kayaking video and now you're interested in possibly giving kayaking a try. Wonderful! Here are a few suggestions on how to get started.

CALL A KAYAK SCHOOL

Call a kayak school and enroll for an introductory day paddle or tour. Most kayak schools and outfitters offer an easy outing for first-time paddlers. Go out on the water for a couple of hours. You'll get the feel for paddling. You'll experience the joy of gliding effortlessly across the water and you'll meet and chat with other folks having the same experience. Your guides will provide a kayak, personal paddling gear, basic instruction, fit you to your boat and gear, and answer your questions. You'll have a great time on the water.

TAKE A KAYAK COURSE

This is great fun! Your local kayak school teaches the basics of kayaking, including how to get into and out of your kayak, how to use your paddle efficiently, how to steer and navigate your kayak, and how to rescue yourself and others in emergency situations. You'll get good and wet, meet another group of people, and enjoy a fun frolic on (and in) the water. Once you've completed 'basic training' you'll be able to rent a kayak and start going out as often as you can.

GO ON SOCIAL PADDLES

Check your local paddling clubs and events calendars for social paddles on weeknights and weekends. Moonlight Paddles are one paddling event many schools and outfitters offer. You'll meet more good folks, improve your paddling technique by watching experienced paddlers and you'll gain strength (endurance) and more confidence the more you paddle. Start exchanging names, phone numbers and email addresses to build a list of future boating buddies.

JOIN A LOCAL PADDLING CLUB

Paddling clubs and networking groups organize a variety of paddling events, fromevening social paddles to killer training work-outs, Moonlight Paddles, touring trips to wonderful paddling destinations. You'll find a good resource for advice, meet many friends, while learning more kayaking tips, tricks and techniques from experienced paddlers. GO ON A TRIP Nothing beats the fun of a kayak adventure to an exotic paddling destination. Local paddling clubs, outfitters and kayaking schools can help you with trips to the wild Pacific Northwest coast in summer or aquamarine southern waters in the winter - there's a trip for everyone!

VISIT YOUR LOCAL RETAILER

Get to know your local paddlesport retailers. They're a good source of information about local places to paddle, and paddling clubs... and they know a lot about the boats they sell and rent.

BUY A KAYAK & GEAR

Buy a kayak and gear after you've had some paddling experience and you know what you really want. Kayaking is a very social sport. The folks who have started businesses in kayaking have done so because they love to paddle and would love to share this with you. Join the fun - come paddle with us!

© Nancy Kanu runs Canyons & Coastlines Kayak School in Arizona. 602-258-4142.

E-mail: discoverarizona@mail.com. Web: www.canyonsandcoastlines.com