As you can see, canoeing/kayaking offers a multitude of possibilities, discoveries, experiences and a feeling of well-being. Welcome, hop on board, you will be quickly won over by this water sport that is accessible to all!
When starting out, it is best to paddle a stable, flat-bottomed boat on a calm body of water. For easy transportation, you can choose an inflatable kayak. This type of boat fits in a large backpack that can easily fit in the boot of the car. For your safety, all inflatable kayaks comply with the ISO 6185-1 standard, which guarantees that they will continue to float so that you can get back to shore if one of the three tubes is punctured.
For your first sessions, you can use a double paddle with an aluminium shaft and a plastic blade. These paddles are easy to use and not too powerful so as not to overtax the shoulders. The detachable versions in two or four parts easily fit in the boot of the car or in the inflatable kayak's bag. The more "high-end" models are typically made of carbon fibre to be more responsive and lighter, with blades that are hollower for (power) and asymmetrical for (performance). They may also feature an angle between the two blades so that the blade in the air does not cause resistance while the other is in the water.
It is strongly recommended to wear a 50 Newton buoyancy aid when you go kayaking. If you fall in the water, it will enable you to float effortlessly to get back to your craft and easily lift yourself back into it.
For a kayaking trip of more than two hours up to two miles from land, take the following with you:
If you plan to stay within 300 metres from land, as a minimum you need to have: a buoyancy aid, first aid kit and mobile phone. a life vest, first aid kit and mobile phone. If you're going further than this, check out the traffic rules and guides.
Place the above items in a Waterproof container or a dry bag with a capacity of 25 to 30 litres, a good size to store your accessories without it getting in your way on board. A bag is easy to carry and fits under the elastics or in the kayak.
Kayaking is often thought of as a summer activity. But summer isn't necessarily the best season for getting started! That's because the sea is often crowded with holiday-makers: boats and jet skis criss-cross the waters, and can be an additional source of stress for beginner kayak tourers. Instead, choose a beautiful spring or autumn day, when it is sunny or even a little cloudy and, most importantly, without wind. To avoid the latter, it is best to set out in the morning: the time of day when the weather and sea conditions are calm. The water is often perfectly calm at 8 in the morning. That said you should always check the weather and tides before leaving, because water that's calm at 8 can become choppy by 10!
So now you are fully equipped and informed: all that's left is for you to find an experienced adventure buddy to show you some suitable spots and the basic navigation rules!
