Kayaking is a sport that many people enjoy, but it’s not always for beginners.
Kayaking can be done on any body of water with calm or slow-moving currents. It requires balance and strength, as well as the ability to paddle against the current without tiring too quickly.
The term kayak refers to a type of boat made from an animal skin stretched over a frame of wood or other material. The word “kayak” comes from the Inuit language meaning “hunter.” Kayaks are typically propelled by paddles, rather than oars which are used in rowing boats.
So is kayaking safe for beginners?
Yes, kayaking is safe for beginners with low agility in flat water (e.g. lakes) using a life jacket and operating a sit on top kayak. It’s also safe for beginners in slow moving water (class 1) without rapids using a sit in kayak if they have basic athletic skills (e.g. can play tennis) and have been trained to avoid water hazards and exiting the kayak safely if you flip.
Who should kayak?
Kayaking is safe for people who are healthy, have no history of medical problems and do not have high blood pressure.
It’s important to think about the kayak itself and what type would be best suited to you. For example, a sit-on top kayak will be more stable than a sit-inside kayak because it’s easier to keep your balance. Plus if you flip they are easier to flip back and get on them while in the water.
Sit-on top kayaks also self drain so if you flip they won’t get water logged.
Who should not kayak?
Kayaking is not recommended for individuals with serious heart conditions, seizures, lower back problems, have poor balance, are overweight or are very tall.
It’s also important to think about whether you are fit enough to kayak in terms of endurance and being able to properly paddle against the current. This will determine how long you can go in a kayak before getting tired and what type of kayak you can use.
Being overweight isn’t a deal killer by itself. It just changes your center of balance and you may be more likely to flip while kayaking.
If you are overweight and you are still athletic and play fast moving sports (e.g. tennis) then kayaking shouldn’t be a problem for you. Just spend some time finding the right size kayak for you.
Very tall beginners have a disadvantage as well since again their center of gravity is high above the water line making them more likely to flip.
In addition, it can be hard to find a long enough kayak and you may get cramps.
Story time – I went kayaking with my sister’s friend who is very tall and he had to turn around in the first 15 minutes. He was even in a sit on top kayak but he got bad lower back cramps and couldn’t get comfortable.
What skills does kayaking require?
Kayaking requires good upper body strength to paddle against the current if the water is slow-moving.
It also requires you to have some athletic skills. For example, being able to play tennis is a good start. It means you can move quickly and have good balance.
You also need endurance though. If you jog, run, bike, or hike for miles at a time you should have the basic endurance needed for multi-mile kayaking adventures.
How long does it take to learn basic kayaking skills?
It depends on how often you kayak and what type of kayaking (e.g. flat or whitewater).
If you’ve never kayaked before and don’t have much athletic ability, expect to spend at least a full day practicing until you can balance in the boat, understand how to paddle properly and learn good safety skills.
Most intro kayaking courses that cover basic strokes and balancing take a full day (9 am – 4 PM).
How much do basic kayaking lessons cost?
Full-day kayaking courses for beginners that cover basic strokes, balancing, and bracing to prevent flipping will cost $140 – $200. Half day courses at gear shops like REI cost $79 and up.
You can also pay for basic instruction by how long it takes. For example, a shorter intro course costs $30-$50/hr which usually includes 2-4 hours of instruction.
You can also find combo courses that teach many types of kayaking including how to roll your kayak, whitewater kayaking, surf kayaking, downriver kayaking and sea touring. These specialized courses also take place over a full day and cost from $110 to $200 for each skill set (e.g. focus on rolling).
The best place to find deals is to check your local gear shop. In the end they want you to buy a kayak and the intro course is just to get you excited.
Beginner’s mistakes when kayaking
The biggest mistake beginners make is getting a kayak with too much stability, thinking it’s easier to use.
In fact that type of kayak is harder to control since it doesn’t track as well and you have less maneuverability which means it takes more energy to paddle against the current.
Towards the end that can tire a beginner out making the paddle home less safe.
Other beginner mistakes include:
- Not practicing flipping and getting out of your kayak in a safe environment
- Failure to learn basic strokes
- Not practicing balance before a long paddle
- Not learning to brace to prevent flipping before going into moving water with rapids
- Not understanding common water hazards (e.g. dam safety, wildlife, rapids, flipping, and foot entrapment)
- Bringing the wrong gear for the weather
- Getting tired and hungry and not having snacks
- Not bringing enough water
- Having no one to ask for help
- Damaging your phone
Safety precautions for beginners in flat water
The best way to prevent drowning is to stay in the boat.
If you get tired or overwhelmed it’s important to stop and rest or head back for shore.
A good rule of thumb is if you’re ever feeling uncomfortable, take a break since kayaking should be fun and relaxing.
Dress for the weather. If it’s cold wear warm things that can get wet like fleece or wool.
Bring lots of water and some snacks. Water being more important.
Learn basic strokes and balance skills before you go.
Go with a guide on your first trip.
Safety precautions for beginners in whitewater
The first thing to remember is that kayaking fast water is dangerous especially for beginners.
So if you want to play in the waves, learn how to roll before taking on whitewater rapids. Also never attempt to practice rolling by yourself since it’s very dangerous and should only be done with a professional instructor.
Take lessons before you go. A “beginner” in whitewater is someone that has mastered the following:
- Basic kayak strokes
- Bracing to prevent flipping
- How to safely exit your kayak if you flip
- Identifying water hazards and how to avoid them
- How to rest in an eddy
Also, scout the section you plan to do in advance using google earth and go with a guide or someone that has run that section before.
Additional resources on the sport of Kayaking (e.g., videos)
Watch these videos before your first trip.
