Do you fancy gliding down the river with minimal effort? You probably need a Kayak. Kayaks are undoubtedly easy to paddle; you can navigate mild waves or white waters without a high-level experience. Except for radical designs, kayaks have a low centre of gravity that makes them exceptionally stable.
If you are just getting started, you might be pondering about the type of kayaking to do. Based on your kayaking needs, you need to start your kayaking journey by choosing a kayak. For starters, here are some common types of Kayaks.
Recreational Kayaks
As their name suggests, these kayaks are designed for casual use on ponds and bays. These kayaks are usually a bit wide and short to allow for easy turning. They are not the best for straight-line travel.
Touring Kayaks
Touring kayaks are designed for lengthy trips. They are longer than recreational kayaks and thinner. This means that they can track reasonably well and fall short when it comes to manoeuvrability.
Downriver Kayaks
These kayaks are designed for quick travels in water. Their ability to move faster makes them ideal for watersports enthusiasts. Downriver kayaks are quite long and narrow. Unlike recreational kayaks, they might be tippy, thus not suitable for novice paddlers.
Whitewater Kayaks
Whitewater kayaks offer exceptional manoeuvrability to cope with rapids. Some of the standout design features that make them ideal for these environments include short length, rounded bottoms, and rockers. They are not the best for touring, as they require relatively more effort to paddle in a straight line.
The variety of Kayak designs these days can be overwhelming. However, you can choose with relative ease if you have a clear goal and are aware of specific design features such a length, width, volume, and symmetry. If you are not so sure, it is advisable to ride several kayaks to get a better perspective of what you want.
