Photographer Credit: Daniel Deemer

I recently wrote an article for GearJunkie – Kayaking for Beginners: An Essential Checklist. Since their website focuses on gear, the piece was limited. However, there is additional important information for any beginner kayaker to be properly prepared. Since I already wrote the content, I wanted to at least supply it here on my own website. You can view this as the follow-up article to the piece linked above.

How to Pack Your Boat:
When packing your boat, the lower down your items, the better. Anything above the top of the boat will get grabbed by the wind, and cause drag, and affect your steering and balance. If you have a stow compartment, that is best especially for heavier items. Also, keep in mind the balance on your boat. Pack everything as close to the center as possible. Anything off center will affect the balance and steering, and should be evenly weighed on both sides.

Safest Bodies of Water to Kayak:
In regards to safety, you should stick to smaller, warmer, protected/calmer lakes. Ocean waves can be incredibly rough launching from, and returning to. Even the calmer sections of rivers can be dangerous because it is challenging to be sure you will not run into rapids, even with significant research. Storms and the changing tides throughout the day significantly affect the waves of the ocean. Spring melt, rocks, and cliffs can make rivers life threatening.

Besides using an app to find where to paddle, starting looking around. Pay attention to where you see others unloading kayaks. If you see someone Stand-Up Paddle Boarding, that is even a safer bet because they typically are even more affected by the wind and rough waters. Ask around to people in your community. Join a social media group focused on kayaking still water in your area.

Safest Part of the Water to Kayak:
If you do paddle on a larger or colder lake, stick to the shoreline. This is where you get to see the best views anyway. Also, you will be more protected from the wind. Most importantly, in a worse case scenario where you do tip over, and the water is either cold enough for hypothermia risk, or you are unable to get back in your boat, you can simply swim to shore. This also allows you to dock, and take a break safely and securely.

How to Paddle Through Wind:
If you do need to cross a windy channel or decide to go across the lake, focus the tip of your kayak at a 45 degree angle to the waves. This allows for the smoothest, straightest, less wind resistant, and least amount of water to land inside your kayak from waves splashing.

When paddling out, it may take twice as long, or longer, to paddle back, due to wind, and exhaustion. Trust me, if it feels like you are paddling against the wind on the way out, and you think, “great the wind will be at my back for the return paddle,” you are wrong. The winds change. I have thought this exact sentence of excitement countless times, and I have never been correct. Just assume that you will be paddling against the wind on your return trip.

Tell a Friend Where You Are Going:
As with any outdoor adventure, if you are adventuring solo, be sure to tell someone where you are parked, where you are paddling, and when you plan to return, and then tell the same person when you have safely arrived back to your vehicle. If you forget to tell someone and you do not have cell phone reception at the parking lot, leave a written note on the inside windshield of your vehicle with your name, when you plan to return, and an “in case of emergency” phone number.