Kayaking is a type of sport, health or recreational activity. It is technically defined as an extended paddling on a designed watercraft. A kayak can also be used as a small boat for one person to navigate the water. You will have to utilize a single oar called a paddle. The corresponding verb is to kayak. Kayaking has been around since humans started to use boats and ships. Early kayaks were made from animal skin. And they were stretched over sewed planks for hunters in Northern America around 8500 BC. In terms of history, few weapons have been more beautifully crafted than the traditional Aleutian kayaks. They were built using organic materials since the absence of metal in their environment limited their tools.
Kayaking was primarily an activity for hunters to follow herds on land or catch fish at sea. It also served as a means of transportation through waterways. It eventually became an organized sport that had competitive elements. This form of organized kayaking is still popular today. Aside from recreational and competitive events, there are many other types of activities. Fishing and camping can be done using a kayak. However, before getting into any action involving a kayak, it is important to understand its benefits first:
1. The Sport/Activity
Kayaking provides cardiovascular exercise as it is a full-body workout that engages all the major muscle groups. The upper body and arms are used to paddle, while the lower body and legs are used for bracing, turning, and stabilizing manoeuvres.
2. Relaxation
Whether kayaking on a large lake or a calm river, the paddling done is therapeutic as it can reduce stress levels after a long day of work by lavishing you with beautiful sceneries from different viewpoints. Kayaks have been categorized into three types depending on their intended use: touring kayak, fishing kayak, and whitewater kayak. Touring kayaks are made for long-distance paddling over large bodies of water with minimal features useful for getting from point A to point B. They are not the best for fishing since they lack storage space and whitewater kayaks because their design is just for playing in rapids. Whitewater kayaks, on the other hand, are for more playful activities like playing in waves while fishing kayaks provide the perfect balance of storage space and stability for longer trips while still maintaining a decent amount of manoeuvrability.
3. Fitness
Kayaking is a good exercise even if you’re not an expert since you can either paddle faster or slower, depending on your preferences. It also provides extra resistance due to water’s viscosity which improves arm strength. A full day on the water can burn up to 3,500 calories (roughly 500 calories per hour).
4. Fun of Kayaking
Kayaking is one of those sports that can provide an enjoyable experience without competitiveness – you can kayak to relax and enjoy the views. This is perfect for first-timers as it is a sport where beginners can easily pick up new skills before trying out more strenuous activities like surfing or windsurfing.
5. Thrill
Kayakers are often praised for their courage and bravery as they navigate through varying river conditions from rapids, waves, currents, rocks, and boulders, making it a sport not for sissies!
6. Team Building Activity
Aside from exercise and fun, kayaking can also be done with groups to strengthen group dynamics or build friendships between coworkers who have different roles in the workplace. Teamwork is essential for kayaking since safely navigating through rapids requires trust and good communication.
7. Stress Reliever
Kayaking has become a popular attraction for people who need to de-stress from their busy lives. The rhythmic motion of paddling allows you to clear your head and focus on paddling and nothing else. If you’re new, you can always start small by just using a paddleboard or canoe, which doesn’t require much skill at all. Most importantly, it provides an excellent opportunity to get away from our high-tech digital world where we feel constantly attached to devices!
8. Challenge
For some, kayaking may seem easy, but there are many factors that beginners should be aware of. Kayaking can be made more challenging by paddling in rougher waters or on the open sea. It is important to always know the weather conditions of your chosen location, especially during winter time where winds are stronger and unpredictable, making it a very rewarding experience when you’re able to navigate through rapids.
9. Community
Many kayak clubs have developed worldwide, some of which are not just for competitive purposes but also recreational ones. People socialize with one another, enjoy nature, get exercise, learn new skills/techniques from instructors/experts, build camaraderie within members, plan group trips together (for example, kayak camping), etc. These are great opportunities for people who want to form new friendships with people who share the same interests!
10. Nutrition
Did you know that you burn fat even when kayaking? Paddling boats require supporting your body weight, meaning that paddlers engage their core muscles. Engaging these muscles increases metabolism, which means burning more calories, so it is important to eat healthily before kayaking to have sufficient energy for the trip. Protein-rich foods are also beneficial as they provide lasting power for long trips, so it’s a great excuse to indulge in meat/fish dishes!
11. Accessible
Kayak tours are available worldwide and usually only require beginners to spend one day learning how everything works (i.e., different types of boats, paddles, etc.) before going on a kayaking trip. Kayaks can be rented from outdoor shops or even at camping sites – you only have to purchase life jackets and maybe some other accessories depending on your preferred activity location.
12. Different Areas for Kayaking
A nice thing about kayaking is that it doesn’t just have to be done in the open seas but can also be done in rivers, creeks, lakes, ponds, coastal areas, which provide different benefits for each region!
Rivers are more challenging as there are many obstacles that kayakers need to navigate through, such as rocks and boulders. While open waters may offer a better view of the surrounding scenery, weather conditions are bigger since winds tend to be stronger and waves/currents are unpredictable.
Kayaking in a pond or a small lake is perfect for beginners since there are no strong currents, so it’s easier to navigate, and the scenery isn’t blocked by anything. Coastal areas have great ocean views, but kayakers need to be more cautious during rough waves and windier weather conditions such as stormy days, which can add challenge (but also excitement) to the activity.
