Things You'll Need:
- Kayak
- Appropriate clothing (ranging from swimwear in the summer to wetsuits in the winter)
- Water-resistant pack or backpack
- Water-resistant camera (optional)
- 2 bottles of water
- 3 to 4 granola bars (for half-day trips)
-
Step 1
Wear clothing that gives you a wide range of mobility. Pack another set of clothes, along with a jacket and if possible a towel in a water-resistant pack. Wear shoes that you don't mind getting wet.
-
Step 2
Rent a kayak near a very calm body of water such as a lake. First-timers will want to get the feel for the water and the kayak in a still environment.
-
Step 3
Pick up the paddle and practice maneuvering it before you get in the water.
-
Step 4
Get situated inside the kayak and if possible have someone from the rental agency push you offshore. If no one is around, get your stuff situated, push off gently from the sand and get in the kayak before the water is above you knees.
-
Step 5
Try navigating the kayak in the direction you would like to head with the padddle. This can be done by either lightly paddling the kayak or by sticking it in the ground and pushing yourself in the right direction.
-
Step 6
Paddle out to a safe distance that's away from swimmers and watercraft and begin heading out on the lake. Stay relatively close to the shore, if possible, so that you can dock your kayak and explore any trails or beaches that might peak your interest.
-
Step 7
Paddle down the lake by rotating the left and right fins of the paddle. If the boat begins turning, place the paddle's fin in the water and hold it steady until the kayak levels out again. You can also overcompensate your paddling on the left if the kayak is turning right and vice versa.
-
Step 8
Try to get a good rhythm and pace going with the paddles. Once you do this your movement will become more fluid.
