Summer is the golden season for water sports in Canada. In addition to swimming, fishing, motorboating and sailing, there is also a small, portable, chic and flexible treasure of a sport that is widely loved by people. It is the kayak.
1. Learn about the Kayak
The kayak is an Eskimo boat that is pointed on the front and back end and is propelled by double-bladed propellers. Early kayaks were made of animal skins, hence the name.
Compared to the Eskimo's animal skin kayak, the modern kayak comprises synthetic plastic, fibreglass, carbon, etc., making them much lighter than wooden canoes. Because of its agile maneuverability, it can be used in different waters such as rivers, lakes, rapids and oceans. As a result, it is very popular in European and American countries.
Two Person Kayak
The kayak uses a long oar to paddle, allowing you to turn left and right. The rower's seat is surrounded by a waterproof leather or rubber membrane connected to the rower's jacket to prevent water from entering the boat. There are footrests inside the boat, allowing rowers to straighten their legs for comfort and leverage.
One Person Kayak
The difference between the canoe and the kayak:
Fast Speed: The kayak is much faster than the canoe. Canoeing is like riding a tricycle, while kayaking is like riding a bicycle. The kayak is not only fast, but it is also very light;
Balance and coordination: Kayaking requires you to be balanced at all times. On the canoe, however, you can lie on it and sunbathe if you are tired;
Light movement: The kayak is very light and small, and coordination of rowing movements is very important. It emphasizes the combination of movement and skill and does not require vigorous exercise. It's more efficient to use cleverness rather than brute force.
Comparison between kayak and canoe:
2. Different Classifications
Seat Category
The kayak is more professionally divided into two types: sit-on-top kayak and sit-in kayak. The main difference lies in where your legs are supposed to be placed. Sitting on the top is, quite literally, a person sitting on a kayak, Similar to driftwood, there aren't any restrictions on the legs. After the boat capsizes, it is easy to get out of the boat. The sit-in style is where people sit in a kayak, similar to a boat in the traditional sense, with a deep dip and stable base. The characteristics of the two are different, and each has its own advantages and disadvantages.
2. Main categories
(1) Sit on top Kayak
Suitable for: teenagers, fishing enthusiasts
The hull is open, and people sit directly on the kayak. This kayak sits comfortably and is safest when the hull is overturned. It's good to just roll over and enter the water without getting stuck in the boat. Suitable for fishing, the open space is convenient for operating fishing tackle. When fighting with big fish, the footrests can move to help balance the hull.
Sit-on kayak for fishing
(2) Whitewater Kayak Suitable for: Professional Kayakers Whitewater refers to rafting in a section of rapids with clear water. Whitewater kayaks are usually short and easy to maneuver. People sitting in them use waterproof clothing to keep out the water. Because they often shuttle between boulders and whirlpools, kayakers need professional training experience and adequate preparation beforehand.
White water kayak for white-water rafting
(3) Recreational/Touring Kayak
Suitable for: leisure, exercise
The leisure kayak is shorter than the cruising kayak. This type of kayak has a simple structure, generally does not have a rudder, is lighter, and is easy to transport. It is most suitable for drifting in calm lakes and rivers.
Recreational/Touring Kayak for still-water rafting
(4) Sea Kayak
Suitable for: exercise, sea fishing
Sea kayaks are usually slender and have a tail rudder controlled by feet, which have better maneuverability than the previous ones. With a strong loading capacity, you can take a variety of outdoor camping equipment for long trips and enjoy life far away from the world.
Sea kayak for sea fishing
3. Related Equipment
Life jacket: essential equipment
Sunscreen: apply sunscreen and skincare products to your whole body
Sun hat: can be fixed to a rope so it is not easy to be blown away
Sunglasses: eye protection and UV protection
Quick-drying clothing: easy to dry when you get wet
Waterproof sandals: easy to wear, easy to dry
Waterproof pockets or backpacks: store mobile phones and other items
Oars: a good boat is equipped with a good oar, the general length of an oar is 190CM-220CM
4. How to Kayak
(1) Get the paddle right
The paddle has two sides. The side that is concave inward is called the power face, and the concave part of the paddle faces itself; the other side is called the back face. The center of the paddle is roughly at the nose (sitting in the kayak). Hold the paddle with both hands symmetrically from this center. The recommended distance between the two hands to hold the paddle is roughly the same as the distance between the two elbows, or slightly smaller.
(2) Safely enter the kayak
After putting on the life jacket, hold the boat with one hand, grab a stable object on the shore with the other hand, step one foot into the kayak, then slowly move your center of gravity to maintain balance, and put your body into the cockpit. Note that when you need to put your entire body weight on the kayak, it must be added to the center of the kayak, otherwise the boat will easily capsize.
(3) Moving forward
When you want to move forward, the right oar extends to the front right and enters the water, pulls back along the hull until it is pulled out of the water about behind the hips, and then extend the left oar to the front left and enters the water, and pull back along the hull. Repeatedly stroke the water bilaterally.
(4) Moving back
Insert the right oar into the water, approximately at the hip, and push it back along the hull until it is pulled out of the water at the knee. While the right oar is pulled out of the water, insert the left oar into the water, approximately at the hip, and push it back along the hull until it is pulled out of the water surface at the knee, and repeat the stroke on both sides.
(5) Making a turn
When you want to go to the right, you need to paddle the left oar backward to turn the boat right; when you want to go to the left, you need to paddle the right oar backward to force the boat to the left.
(6) Stopping
When you want to stop or stay somewhere, insert the paddle vertically into the water and stop the boat with the pulling force of the oars. (7) Getting off the kayak
Slowly paddle the kayak into a comfortable position. After stopping, set the oars down first, then bend your knees, keep your center of gravity and balance, and get up slowly. Grasp a fixed object on the shore with one hand, place one foot on the centerline of the kayak, step on the shore with the other foot, and move your center of gravity slowly to get ashore. You can also grab a fixed object on the shore with one hand, sit down on the pier, then move the foot out and land safely.
5. How to choose a kayak
1. Skill Level Aspect
(1) Beginners: used for daily leisure and entertainment, sit-on-top kayak or recreational/touring kayak is more suitable. The material can be hardshell or inflatable, The quality of hardshell boards is slightly better, but it is not as easy to transport and store. Inflatable kayaks are more free and flexible, but not necessarily safe. It is suitable for calm waters. It is not easy to get on the boat if there is wind and the waves are strong. It is more suitable for fishing and family entertainment.
(2) Professionals: Suitable for sea kayaks and whitewater kayaks, which can challenges rapids and can also be used for leisure at sea. 2. Material Aspect The materials of different kayaks from heavy to light are: rotomolded kayaks, fibreglass kayaks, carbon fibre kayaks, and special fibre kayaks.
(1) Rotomolded kayaks: The advantage is that it is cheap, the impact resistance is strong, and the disadvantage is that it is too bulky and not easy to carry.
(2) Fiberglass kayaks: a relatively common marine kayak, with a wide range of adaptability. (3) Carbon fibre kayaks: fast and light.
(4) Special fibre kayaks: for pursuing ultimate speed.
3. Kayak Types
(1) Playboats: stubby shape, suitable for whitewater rapids. (2) Sea kayaks: The ship is slender and streamlined, with a cockpit and luggage compartment, suitable for long-distance travel, suitable for still waters and moderate wind and waves. (3) Surf kayaks: suitable for racing and surfing (4) Tandem kayaks: generally rotomolded, very stable and heavy (5) Folding kayaks: The inflatable folding boat with keel is very easy to use, and the speed is equivalent to that of a carbon fibre sea kayak, which is convenient to carry.
4. Number of people
There are single kayaks and double kayaks. Single kayaks sit one person, while double kayaks can seat two people. Similar boats with more than three seats are generally not kayaks, but canoes.
To summarize the characteristics of each type of kayak, the purchase recommendations are as follows:
Beginners: consider the fibreglass or carbon fibre sea kayaks, the price is decent, the boating experience is comfortable, and it allows you to feel the pleasure of this sport;
Professionals: consider whitewater kayaks or playboats to satisfy the thrilling experience of adventure and racing;
Those who often go kayaking: I strongly recommend folding boats, which are lightweight, easy to store, and easy to carry.
The above kayaking-related information is only an introduction. If you are interested, I recommend these folding kayaks. Contact us for purchase information.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gh6A2g8_ACM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8h0boGB8d5I
Imagine a beautiful summer with your own kayak, drifting in the beautiful lakes and rivers of Canada, and feeling the hearty summer passion...
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