What is the best clothing for kayaking? What can you do to calm your nerves? And if you want to do the route with small children, what should you take into account? Don’t be left with doubts, at beezra we solve all of these and many more adventure breaks.
And there is no better way to do this than with our 10 essential tips for your first kayaking experience. After many years and paddling outings, these recommendations will make you love this fantastic active tourism activity as much as we do.
- Protect yourself from the sun
Being an outdoor activity, and being exposed without any shade, many of the participants can end up getting burned by sunlight. Arms, legs, face and ears are usually the main sites, so using an appropriate sunscreen is more than recommended.
In addition, wearing a cap or hat will help prevent burns to the face , as well as improving visibility. Together with suitable sunglasses, you will prevent burns from ruining your night. Of course, remember to put a cord on them for safety.
- Wear rock-appropriate footwear
Despite being an aquatic activity, flip flops are not the most appropriate footwear for kayak routes . And during the journey there are stops in rock coves that can be slippery, can be lost due to strong waves and simply do not facilitate the process of getting on or off the kayak.
Our recommendation is to purchase booties for water sports , which allow better support for the foot and offer a special sole that will prevent slipping on wet rocks. Being made of a light material, they will not accumulate water and dry quickly.
- Wear a non-cotton t-shirt
Yes, it’s summer, it’s hot, you want to get tanned and such, but going with a bikini or bare chested in a kayak is not the most ideal either. This is why we always recommend wearing a t-shirt . Ideally, it should not be made of cotton , as it absorbs a lot of water and ends up bothering you.
Sports t-shirts ( synthetic), the same ones that prevent sweat accumulation, are the most suitable. They will help protect from the sun, avoiding burns in the chest and back area, as well as rubbing against the safety vest.
- Equip yourself with gloves to avoid calluses and chafing
During some kayak routes you have to paddle a lot, make a lot of effort and that can cause friction from the paddles on your hands, especially in the palm or between the index finger and thumb. An annoyance that can become an annoying pain and make the great adventure a little bitter.
If you are prone to calluses and chafing on your hands, tight-fitting neoprene gloves are the best solution. They will protect you from friction while their material will help you have a more effective grip on the oars themselves.
- Be prepared if you are prone to motion sickness
Between the waves, the changes in direction and the fact that it is a totally new experience, it is not the first time that we have found people who get dizzy during the kayak itinerary. If it usually happens to you when you travel by car, it is interesting that you take timely preventive measures.
You can also adapt the type of navigation with the kayak, making straighter and smoother routes that avoid this unpleasant sensation. You can also schedule more stops to stretch your legs and help alleviate this problem.
- Acquire a waterproof boat for your belongings
It is more than clear that you will want to take photos of this entire experience, so having your cell phone well protected is essential. But what happens if you fall into the water? Where can you safely carry all your belongings without fear of losing them?
With a watertight boat , a container that no water can enter, you will be able to protect it and prevent it from being damaged by an involuntary dip. It also allows you to bring more things to liven up the excursion, such as water and food.
- If you are nervous, pay attention to the initial briefing
Like an activity you have never done, there are always those initial nerves and doubts that can take your mind. What if I don’t know how to row? What if I fall? What if the waves take me away? And if…?
At beezra we carry out an initial briefing explaining everything you need to know, as well as how to act in some of these circumstances. Our guides will explain the maneuvers to solve all these situations, and you can even do tests on the shore of the beach to gain confidence.
- It is advisable to know how to swim
Being surrounded by water, knowing how to swim is always insurance so that an involuntary fall from the kayak does not give you a bad time. It is not essential, but it always helps to enjoy the experience more.
For those brave people who do not know, or barely have any notion, we will carry out a test with the life jacket to prove that it will not sink, that it will always float on the surface.
- Recommendations with young children
Because a kayak trip can be as fun an activity with adults as it is with children. We understand that parents may have certain doubts, but experience with hundreds of little adventurers has shown us that they can be entertainingly unpredictable: some laugh and others cry.
Our family kayaks, with space for two adults and one or two children, will help calm them down in the middle of the route. And, in any case, the itinerary that is carried out will be along the beaches, so there is always an exit to land if necessary.
- Just let yourself go
You have come to enjoy, have a good time and disconnect from your daily routine. A kayak excursion is not something you do often, so take advantage of this unique moment and let yourself go, forgetting about unnecessary worries.
It doesn’t matter if you have a hard time rowing, it doesn’t matter if you get nervous, it doesn’t matter if you’re afraid of falling into the water. Together with your friends, family, couples and other participants in this magnificent activity, the good atmosphere and laughter will immediately make you tremendously happy.