There's always a first time for everything including kayaking. If this is your first time then remember the time you first climbed onto a boat or even a raft. You may have felt a little uneasy at the start but once you are seated firmly, it would have felt like a piece of cake. Learning about the basics of kayaking and then about the type of inflatable kayak you can use depending on your terrain are important. Some of the kayaks maybe tippy or crampy but Coleman Kayaks are neither. At Coleman’s you will get some of the best quality inflatable kayaks whether you are looking for a 1 person ride or a 2 person ride.
Let us take a look at some of the basic principles of kayaking which can save your from over-turning and at the same time let you get the maximum thrill.
Always Keep Your Weight in the Center
This is a fundamental rule but there many people who often flout this rule. It is easier for slim paddlers to fit into a kayak. If you are a heavily set person then you will face a lot of problems. The design of the kayak also plays an important role and it can be a 1 person or . If it has a large cockpit then it will give you enough room to maneuver. Kayaks having tight or small cockpits need more accuracy and slim people to ride them. As a beginner, most trainers will advise you to keep off the rapids and try to paddle on the gentle sea waves.
The Flying Bridge
This is another method for making your kayaking experience fun and easy. You need to rest your paddle shaft on the bow deck, in front of the cockpit. Then slowly bend forward, and grip the paddle shaft and coaming with one hand and place the other hand towards the shore. Now you need to poke one foot under the deck and slowly bring the other alongside it. Last but not the least, if you don’t keep your weight as low as possible then you may end up being hurt.
Squat and Scoot
This is a method that you need to practice only in easy conditions. This method will help you and your kayak out of sticky situations such as getting stuck between a rock and a jagged shore. When you are stuck, you won’t have the time to build bridges. You will just have enough time to get yourself out without damaging your inflatable kayak or hurting yourself. You have to first park your paddle securely. Before you do anything watch out for any big waves if you are sea kayaking. Turn and face the shore, drop into a half squat, and then push your kayak out between your legs with the stern going out first. The rear part of the cockpit coaming will be between your calves and at this point you need to grab the forward peak of the coaming and give the kayak an outward shove.
