So you have decided to go on a kayaking trip but have yet to determine what kayaks to buy? This can be a confusing decision for kayaking beginners since there is such a broad range of kayak types to choose from. To make the correct selection of kayak, you need to consider various factors. In this blog, we will help you decide the kayak type you should buy to make your kayak trip exciting and truly memorable.
Where Do You Plan On Kayaking?
Buying a kayak for a trip is similar to selecting a pair of shoes. Just as you need to know about the terrain, you will be walking on for a trip. Similarly, you must also know what type of waterway you will paddle your kayak in.
Of course, selecting the right kayak type is slightly more complicated. But the concept is the same. Kayak types are specially built considering the type and intensity of water currents they can handle. Broadly speaking, the power of water currents can be classified according to two kinds of water environments. The inland water environment mainly consists of rivers, lakes, bays, canals, ponds, and open water environments like oceans, seas, and fast-flowing large rivers. Each water environment has a unique experience to offer when it comes to kayaking.
Ponds and Lakes For A Calming Experience
For a relaxing, soothing trip that takes your mind off the stress of daily life, kayaking in a pond or lake is an excellent choice. The serene environment of the pond can offer you some quiet time away from the hustle and bustle of daily life. You can go on a solo trip and enjoy the natural beauty. Or you can take fishing equipment and enjoy fishing in the calm waters. You will not need a robustly built kayak when navigating the waters of a quiet lake or pond.
Rivers And Canals for A More Adventurous Journey
The waterways of rivers and canals are more fast flowing and can be large or small. Kayaking in a Gentle flowing stream or channel can delight the senses as you paddle quickly. But in the case of a larger river, the flow speed can be unpredictable, and things can get risky.
The Skeena River, located in British Columbia, is one such river where you can experience a gentle paddling trip and a more adventurous Kayak expedition in the fast-flowing portions of the river route. Skeena River is 580 km long, so there is plenty of options for choosing a delicate part of the river route for a more relaxing trip or swift-flowing currents for an intense and thrilling experience. A more robust and solidly built inflatable kaya called Skeena kayak is suitable for navigating this kind of river. It can instantly turn in different directions and is flexible enough to maneuver along the bends and turns.
Oceans and Seas for Extreme Adrenaline-Filled Expedition
Rivers, oceans, and seas can be calm one day and violent the next. However, as you move further from the coastline, the sea can become more risky to paddle in, especially when the tide is high, and it is windy. For the open water, you should select kayaks made from durable materials with additional equipment to steer in the rough water, like a fixed tracking fin that you can dip in water that acts as a rudder to guide the kayak in shifting water.
A Broad Classification of Kayak Types
How you intend to use the kayak also plays a crucial role in kayak selection. Some kayaks are designed for speed and are ideal for kayak racing across the river. Others are adequate for hobby kayakers who like paddling in ponds, and then there are kayaks for expert-level kayakers to navigate the rapids. You need to have an accurate idea about your kayaking trip. Does it involve fishing? Or do you want to go on a long-range journey along the river route? Or you are more interested in a paddling race with your friends.
There are variable kayak designs catering to each of these types of trips. The diverse kayak designs can be classified broadly into sit-on-top and sit-in kayaks.
Sit-on-Top Kayaks
These kayaks feature a seat on the kayak's surface, ensuring the paddler is seated above the water. There are several benefits of sit-on-top kayaks.
Self-bailing
While paddling on the water, water can get into the sitting area of the kayak and drench your clothes. To prevent this, sit-on-top kayaks incorporate scupper holes in their design that allow the water to drain.
Better Movement
Sit-on-top kayaks make it easier to move your arms while paddling, as there is more room for movement. Sit-in kayak cockpits make getting in and out of water difficult due to less space.
Extra Cargo Space
If you are going on a fishing trip or intend to paddle along a long distance, you would need space to store fishing gear or snacks to keep up your energy or an extra pair of tops to survive a lower temperature. In a sit-on-top kayak, you have space on the deck and inside the hull to keep your belongings. Some models also have a facility for rod holders for keeping your fishing rods.
Increase Weight
For steering in rough waters, it is better to select a heavier kayak as it makes the kayak more stable against faster currents. Sit-on-top kayaks have this edge over sit-in kayaks.
Sit-in Kayaks
In contrast to sit-on-top kayaks, sit-in kayaks have a cockpit embedded in the boat design, and the paddler sits below the water's surface. There are several advantages of sit-in kayaks,
Effective Handling
Although both kayaks are stable, a sit-in kayak gives the kayaker more control in handling due to the sitting position. The kayaker has the knees and feet touching the kayak, which makes him able to steer more effectively and perform sharper turns during navigation.
UV protection and Cozy Sitting Position
In a sit-on-top kayak, the whole body of the kayaker sits above the water. This means that the legs can get wet with splashes of water. This is not a problem in a sit-in kayak, as the body's lower half is under the deck and completely covered. This ensures that your body stays primarily dry, even if the water is choppy. Moreover, as your body is enclosed with the kayak, you stay warm and comfortable in cooler temperatures.
Which kayaks are most suitable for beginners? When considering sit-in kayaks versus sit-on-top kayaks, our suggestion for your initial kayak would be a sit-on-top. Sit-on-top kayaks are generally more beginner-friendly compared to sit-ins. This kayak provides greater ease of getting in and out of it, which is highly beneficial in emergencies. With a sit-on-top kayak, you can quickly exit without the need to learn the wet exit technique required for sit-in kayaks.
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