Sea kayaking has grown substantially in the last few years; people looking to escape the daily grind and explore the world beyond the beach, see new lesser seen sights and absorb the isolation of distant places. Sea Kayaking gives people the key to freedom post Covid-19.
Most of this growth of interest has come through retailers offering cheap offers on inflatable craft such as Inflatable kayaks (IK’s) or Paddleboards (iSups) which people use on the water in their local area as a great away to explore beaches, lakes and rivers they have never explored before.
For some this purchase is used a few times then relegated to the shed or garage as it was either difficult to use, poorly designed or simply ticked the box needed for that passing phase; however for others this small, inexpensive inflatable sparked an interest in something new.
These new enthusiasts took real joy in working out the best tidal times to paddle, seeking advice on social media or watching YouTube. They enjoyed the freedom and flexibility of the craft and the sense of adventure it grew in them. Little did they know that growing seed of excitement could lead to such a wide world of contradiction and complexity.
The mosh pit of social media
Jump on any local paddlesports forum and their are trolls eagerly waiting for the novice to poke their head up and ask about the sport. Simple requests for advice are met sharply with sarcasm and criticism – either of the novice or those seeking to advise them – Who knew kayakers were such an argumentative bunch!
Knowing what to get to start in this sport is a minefield – made even more confusing by the enticing but often flawed deals on second hand sites which more often than not end up putting new paddlers off rather than giving them the best experience. Knowing what to buy and when is invaluable.
Buy right or buy twice
Visiting a local kayak shop is our first and most important bits of advice, however do your homework! We suggest people take their tentative first steps in Sea Kayaking with a club which will often have large selections of boats for you to try and beginner sessions to teach you the basics.
Inflatable and sit on tops are often very different than rigid ‘sit in’ sea kayaks and with that not all sea kayaks are the same. Some bargain boats on the second hand market are indeed old designs which are made around experienced paddlers who can handle their tricky dimensions.
Clubs will often have roto moulded (plastic) boats designed for the beginner with a profile that is responsive enough to move but forgiving enough not to make the paddler uncomfortable. These are often the best start. The likes of the SKUK Romany Sport is a perfect boat usually in a clubs fleet for medium to large paddlers who are looking for stability that makes learning easy.
At the time of writing, Covid-19 in the UK had reduced enough so clubs could start allowing limited new members – in usual times this wouldn’t be such a problem.
If you cannot find a club that actively sea kayaks (particularly the problem around inland areas) or if the thought of club politics makes you squirm, then we suggest taking a course with a centre or a provider like ourselves. We can usually provide demo boats that would be suitable and the basic gear you need to learn. Whether in small groups or in one 2 one coaching session – you might pay more, but your skill level will improve very quickly for the investment.
Once you’ve got some basic skills down and have perhaps found others who are like minded, then small local paddles are a good plan. Simple launches simple weather conditions in safe areas of water. We always suggest you stay in groups of 3 as a minimum and follow British Canoeing and RNLI advice around water safety.
Splashing out
Its been my experience that people generally throw their money behind a boat purchase and get the rest on the cheap meaning they get cold and miserable and often leave the sport that way because their personal gear was lacking.
Our advice is to invest in your paddle wear first. Purchasing a good semi dry cag like a Palm Chinook or PeakUK Adventure will mean you stay dry and warm in wet and windy conditions. Couple this with a set of neoprene long Johns like the PeakUK Neoskin Long Johns or Semi Dry trousers like the Palm Vector trousers and you have a set up ready to get wet. Spray decks are important but need some skill. We would advise adjustable decks like the Palm Derwent which will fit most kayaks.
The last two items are important and worth good expenditure. A good Bouyancy aid (PFD) like a Palm Kakiakora, PeakUK Ocean Wrap or NRS Quest all of which have plenty of versatility, safety features and reliable designs are perfect investments. These literally save your life in an emergency so it is worth spending on PFD’s that fit well and float your body weight.
Finally a paddle. Paddles like the Werner Tybee or VE Explorer are good starting blades. Made of plastic they are a great start, but investments in fibreglass blades like the Werner Shuna or the Kober Sunset are a great investment. Paddles are your most vital tool and the right paddle can make you comfortable and confident in any boat.
Boats
When it comes to buying a boat, it is important to try out as many as you can. It can be tempting to buy online without demoing, but this often leads to people giving up the sport in frustration because the boat isn’t right for them; selling it on market places for a fraction of what they paid.
To avoid this, try a number of boats. Most shops or providers have a demo fleet you can usually try which will allow you to make an informed decision. Sea kayaks are usually more unstable than other boat types, they can take some getting used to. Remember, if you didn’t get on with the boat first time, don’t be disheartened; it might be that you need some time in the boat first.
A common boat to invest in is the SKUK Romany Sport. It is a perfect boat for medium to large paddlers who are looking for that stability. Other great boats include the NorthShore Atlantic, P&H Scorpio Mk2 and the Valley Aquanaut. These boats are all plastic and are designed to give you a stable and forgiving platform to learn the skills needed to be comfortable in a variety of environments.
We advise people to make use of local kayak shops. They are few and far between, bit often a visit will mean you walk away with the right gear for you after trying it out or at least a better idea of what’s right for you. Supporting these industries is so important. In a time of Amazon and the boom in cheap imported goods – we say support your local suppliers and manufacturers.
And the rest?
Other kit investments we suggest would be things that facilitate rescue. Things like Paddle Floats, deck pumps, tow lines, safety knives and lights are a good shout. LED flares and waterproof phone pouches are a great investment. Always have a way to summon help and a way to attract attention when it gets there. If you’re in the water, your head is usually the most visible bit of you – rescue teams have to play “spot the ball” competition on the ocean surface while looking for you so having something flashing and bright can really help, even in day times.
Keep learning
Lastly, and unsurprisingly we recommend paddling with those more experienced than you. Seek guided trips and expeditions – be honest about your skills and seek advice from coaches.
Often money spent on skill development pays off dividends in the future as you start to explore more complex water. Have a look at some of the great array of courses available with British Canoeing such as Coastal Navigation and Tidal Planning (CNTP), Sea Kayak Award and Progressive Sea Kayak Award. These are awesome opportunities to develop your skills and receive feedback from those in the know.
For advice on paddling or starting your paddling journey with Rogan Coaching and Guiding – feel free to drop us an email to discuss your individual pathway.
