How to Do Beginner Kayaking

Kayaking and canoeing are fun and relaxing recreational sports. You get exercise, have fun and spend time enjoying nature. These sports go back hundreds of years to the Native Americans and are still widely practiced today. It is important to learn proper ways of kayaking as a beginner.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Kayak
• Life jacket
• Paddle

1. Launch your kayak. Climb in the kayak on land if you are on a sandy beach. If you are on rocks or have obstacles in the way, climb in the kayak while it is in the water. This can be tricky, especially if the water is rough.

2. Find a good posture while sitting in the kayak. This makes paddling much more effective and uses your energy most efficiently while paddling. Sit all the way back in the kayak, and have your knees slightly bent.

3. Paddle forward while in your kayak. If you are in a single-person kayak, the paddle is double-sided. Keep the paddle close to the kayak, and push the blade deep into the water for the most effective paddling.

4. Grip the paddle correctly, with hands no wider than the distance between your elbows. Keep hands relaxed while gripping the paddle.

5. Alternate sides while paddling. If you are in a single-person kayak, switch back and forth between paddle ends. If you are in a double-person, the back person should paddle on the opposite side of the kayak as the front person.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't go kayaking alone.
• Never kayak without a life jacket.
• Kayak in calm, shallow water before going whitewater kayaking.

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