Kayak paddling is exciting and enjoying thing during traveling on vacation on the sea, river, or canal. Kayak paddling also needed in practical life. To make our kayaking more enjoyable and safe, we all have to know how to paddle a kayak. However, kayak paddling is easy but to make it perfectly safe, we also should know the proper way of kayak paddling.
There are several ways to paddle a kayak correctly. Still, its best system is different from one man to another, and it depends on physical ability, experience, and some other conditions. You should maintain a conventional attitude for everything you do on water. Here are some tips on kayak paddling. Choose the best suggestion for you.
1. CHECK OUT THE WEATHER:
First, it is essential to check situations such as weather and tides before going out in your kayak. If you are going on a multi-day tour or just paddling for an afternoon, being conscious of current conditions can support you in planning a safer and efficient trip. A superb way to monitor sea conditions is to use the national marine forecast, local television, or radio broadcast. If environmental conditions are deteriorating, then plan an escape route, an alternative place to get off the water. Abiding by these systems will help to make your kayak secured and fun.
2. WEAR A LIFE JACKET: In most case of kayak fatalities, the reason in kayaker doesn’t wear any life jacket. You should remember that, it reduces the risk of getting injured by half while kayaking. If life jacket is not comfortable to you for paddling, then you can go for specific life jackets for kayaking. These jackets designed explicitly for less restricting. You will get a vast range of movement wearing this.
3. DRESS ACCORDING TO THE WEATHER CONDITIONS: It's always better to prepare. Check the water temperature before setting on kayaking. If you are kayaking in cooler weather, then you should utilize wet or dry suit. These can keep you warm all the time, even, if you fall into water. You should wear long sleeve and hat when you are kayaking in a hot and sunny day. If you wear these, your skin won’t burn in the sun. And, if there has any chance of rain, you should carry a rain jacket of wool or thermal base layers of synthetic to keep yourself warm.
4. WEARING HELMET: A helmet can save your head if you fall into a rough place. You should wear a helmet when you are kayaking on rougher water like slopes or fast-flowing rivers. Keeping your head safe during kayaking is the most common priority. In some places, you won't be allowed to boat without wearing a helmet.
5. NEVER DRINK BEFORE KAYAKING: Don’t mix three items together: alcohol, mental awareness and physical exercise. If you try to do these together, it won’t bring a good result for you. Any type of alcohol or drugs is forbidden when you are on the water. It's best to stop drinking before you set for kayaking ultimately.
6. PICK A SUITABLE LOCATION: Picking a suitable location is very crucial to consider before going to kayaking. It may vary depending on skill level, abilities and experience of a kayaker. You will find many locations that are perfect for kayaking. As a beginner, you should start kayaking on shallow water, quite lakes or in a calm river. If you gain much experience and skill level, then you can move to less stable water. You should stop being overconfident; It's safer to scale your limits.
7. LEARN ABOUT COLD-WATER SAFETY: Cold-water safety is paramount about kayaking. Cold-water is threatening and critical. It can reduce coordination and you can lose the muscle strength. Moreover, you may get cold-water shock in the 50 to 60 degree water. If you fall into cold water, it may make you paralyzed within few minutes. Always utilize a life jacket, because, it is very hard to swim well in the cooler water. If you are making a plan to enjoy kayaking in colder than 60-degree water, we recommend you to wear a wet-suit and a dry suit.
8. OBEY THE LOCAL BOATING RULES: Every area has its own rule for boating. At first, make sure that you know all the local boating rules. If you're the only person boating, you won't have to pay attention to other watercraft, but you need to keep alert about your surroundings all the time for your safety. But, when you are kayaking with other people, you should follow some matters or rules. You must be noticeable from far and close. For this reason, you should wear brighter clothing, and use reflective tapes on the paddles. You can use a whistle for easy reach.
9. INFORM SOMEONE ABOUT YOUR PLANS: Before heading out, inform some relative or friend about your kayaking plans. Make sure that they know your entire plan including location, itinerary, desired camping spots, and how long you think to go. Inform them also how many people you are going together. Then, it would be best if you stuck to that plan. Also, wear a GPS tracker, it helps others to locate you faster in case you face any accidents and become unable to ask for help.
10. CHECK YOUR EQUIPMENT: Unless your kayak and equipment are brand new, it's wise to check every piece of equipment before you head out. Make sure that everything works, as it should; it will only make your kayaking outing safer. Also, don't forget about your camping equipment as well as your resources such as dry foods, medicines, first aid kit, dry clothes in case you are going out for days, safety measures, maps, etc.
Conclusion: These tips are the best ways to paddle a kayak. Based on physical ability, weather, experience, depth of water, everybody has to select the best advice for their own to make their kayaking safer, more comfortable, and efficient. Learning these tips make yourself an expert. You must realize and are aware of the hazards and risks that come with kayaking. That said, the chances that you'll get hurt during a kayaking outing are pretty low if you abide by rules and avoid dangers with caution..
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