Questions to Ask Before Taking a Kayak Tour

Taking a kayak tour is a great way to explore the water and the environment around you. Kayaking provides you with a unique experience and perspective of nature and its inhabitants. There are many places to go kayaking including swamp areas, natural lakes and rivers, bays, and even oceans. There is no better way to experience nature than by being out on the water, and kayaking offers an up-close way to do this. There are essential questions to consider before taking a kayak tour, like all activities. Whether you're a beginner or advanced kayaker, every experience is different. Exercising precaution and staying knowledgeable on safety elements will keep your kayak tour fun without jeopardizing your safety. Read further to learn five informative questions you should ask before going on kayak tours.

Do I Need Experience Kayaking?

The short answer is NO! You do not need to be an experienced kayaker before taking a kayak tour. An adequately guided kayak tour is safe for beginners and gives instructions before setting out on the water. Kayaking is a very safe activity with safety equipment such as lifejackets. There are preventative measures every kayaker must learn regardless of skill level to prevent instances like flipping. The method of kayaking involves sitting upright in a long plastic boat big enough for 1-2 people. You will have a long stick in hand known as an orb that will help maneuver you through the water in a gliding fashion. The critical element to kayaking is to remain calm and understand how to use your oar to push you in whatever direction you wish to go in. Kayaking is an activity anyone can enjoy, regardless of experience or skill level.

Do Kayaks Have a Weight Limit?

Before taking a kayak tour, you have to consider weight restrictions and whether your current weight will permit you to take this type of adventure. Every kayak company is different, but the general maximum weight for kayaking is around 400 pounds. The best way to distribute the weight between lighter and heavier persons is to sit the more prominent person in the back of the kayak for easy navigation. Both parties will have oars to facilitate movement. Generally, the person in the back of the kayak will have more control over the kayak and the bulk of the steering power. Practice using the oar to guide you if you are sitting in a two-person kayak. One person will hold the oar to the left while the other will have the oar to the right. This alternating motion will guide you through the water with ease. If you need to turn your kayak around, both people will hold the oar on the same side, moving the oar in the same direction to enable a turning motion.

Do I Need to Know How to Swim?

Many kayak tours provide life jackets before the time begins. A properly fixated life jacket will help keep you afloat if an emergency happens like falling out of your kayak or flipping it over. Because of the life jacket and safety instructions provided before your tour, you do not need to be an advanced swimmer to go kayaking. Although the life jacket can keep you afloat, it is essential to understand the basic principles of swimming and keeping yourself afloat in the water. Flipping a kayak is very rare, but it can happen in any situation. If your kayak does flip, there are helpful methods to try and turn it over. Kayaks are light and naturally float, so don't worry about sinking. If you need a minute to process your strategy, you can also use your flipped kayak as a flotation device. Quickly flip back your kayak as soon as possible. From there, you can pull the kayak toward you and use your knees situated on the side of the kayak to pull yourself in. Your instructor will be with you every step of the way to ensure you have a safe kayak tour the entire time.

Can I Bring My Camera?

What's the fun of kayaking without having photos to look back on and reminisce? There are many beautiful sites above and below the water you can capture with a GoPro device or waterproof camera. With any tour, generally, the companies and instructors do not claim liability for any lost, damaged, or stolen property during the kayak tour. You can bring your mobile device at your own risk and enjoy the beauty of your nature adventure. Using waterproof or water-resistant equipment like a phone case, containers for electronics, or a zip case with a string for placing around your neck all work to protect your devices so you can use them worry-free.

What Should I Bring?

There are different things to consider before your tour. Your kayaking attire will depend on the year's season and other contributing factors. For clothing options, a swimsuit or activewear will suffice in the summer. Remember to bring materials you don't mind getting wet on your tour, as you will get very wet! For the spring or fall, raincoats, rain jackets, or dri-fit long sleeves are suitable options. A change of clothes helps prevent you from walking around in wet attire all day after your tour ends. Bring closed-toe water shoes or removable footwear like flip flops or sandals on your kayak tour. Shoes are generally not allowed in kayaks, but you should have them in hand when walking to different locations. Bring a towel to dry yourself off if you want to feel more comfortable after the tour. Leave your towel either in the car or a locked area provided by your kayaking company.

Kayaking is loads of fun for all to enjoy. Age restrictions will depend on company policies, so check in with your intended kayaking organization to get more information about kayaking with a minor. Now that you know more about kayak tours, go ahead and book your adventure.