Kayaking is quickly becoming one of the most popular recreational activities. With good reason too. Kayaking has a lot of good aspects going for it, but it does come with its fair share of downsides. We have been kayaking for two years now and have experienced both the good sides and the bad sides. Kayaking can definitely be worth the investment, but you need to know all that comes with this adventurous activity.
Low Barrier to Entry
Getting into kayaking is super easy and can be very affordable. The first thing you have to decide is how you want to use your kayak. Kayaks come in many different styles depending on the activity you plan to do. Most people are just interested in using their kayak for recreational use. So all that is required is a basic sit inside kayak. You can normally pick one up for under 200 dollars new or possibly get an even better deal by finding one used.
Once you have the kayak there is virtually no learning curve. You will probably want to find a good video showing you the proper way to get in and out of it. However, that is not as hard as it may seem, but it is best to see someone else do it first. If you have a friend that can take you out the first time that is even better. Once inside you are ready to go, just start paddling around. Do not to worry about flipping the kayak over. You will be able to rock side to side, but the design oh the hull will stop you from tipis to far. It is still possible to flip over, but it is uncommon if your kayak is the proper size for your weight and you remain calm
You Will Get Wet
This is pretty straightforward, every time you hop in the kayak you will get wet. Through all of my trying, I have not been able to find a way to stay completely dry. Now when I say you will get wet you are not gonna get soaked, just a little damp. As you are paddling water will tend to run down the paddle and drip into your lap to onto the top of your legs. They sell drip rings that slide on to the paddle with the hopes of minimizing dripage. The ones we have still allow water to run down to the paddle.
Often times you will get wet when getting in your kayak. It is possible to get in without stepping in the water, but most of the time it is easier to just get your feet wet. Thankfully getting a little wet is welcomed most days, when you are sitting out in the sun. All in all the water is not awful. By wearing quick-dry clothing you can also minimize the amount of time you stay wet.
Way Better then Fishing from the Bank
Kayak fishing seems to be getting bigger every year. This is due to the fact that almost everyone fishing from the bank wants to know what on the other side of the lake. We all want to fish that spot you cannot access from except by boat. A kayak is the easiest and cheapest way to reach new places on the lake. You don’t have to get a boating license, you don’t have to buy gas, you do not need to tow a trailer, and you do not have to worry about the motor not starting.
Kayak fishing is where you can really start to spend some money. Some guys have kayaks so decked out they cost as much as a boat. Now before you get all “why would anyone do that”, just give it some time. You can easily find yourself saying you know having a fish finder would be pretty nice. Then before you know it you are pining after all the things you once saw as silly. I only know this because I have been there.
Fishing in a kayak can be as easy as taking a fishing rod with you in your sit inside and keeping it laid out in front of you. That is how I started and how LaBre still does it now. You can catch plenty of fish, but you won’t be able to take a ton of gear with you.
The only difficult part of kayak fishing is keeping the kayak where you want it on the water. Often times you will drift into the spot you are trying to fish. Since you can not really paddle and fish it can be a little challenging at times. After some time you will develop methods to cope with this. Large lures will sometime pull the kayak across the water as you reel it in. Even with those few struggles it still beats the bank.
Paddling Can Be Hard Work
It seems like we never fail to have a headwind while on the lake. Some days we even get lucky and have a headwind on the way out and a headwind on the paddle back in! Okay so it is not as bad as I make it sound, but it does happen from time to time and it is definitely worth thinking about as you paddle away from the launch. Paddling into the wind can often make you feel like you are not moving even though you are.
You also need to think about the current. Since many of Tennessee’s lakes are man-made, by damming up the natural rivers, they still have a current. At times the current can be pretty strong, especially if you are close to a dam. If you notice the current is flowing pretty good it is always best to paddle upstream and then allow the current to take you back to your launch. Nothing is worse than drifting far from your vehicle and then having to fight your way back. Most time you can not even stop to take a break because the current will start to push you backward.
Some days you get lucky and the wind is calm and the current is slack. Paddling can be super easy on those days. Remember though you are propelling yourself forward with just your arms. If you go to hard you will definitely feel it the next day. I have felt it a few times and LaBre has definitely had her fair share of sore arms. The good news is kayaking acts as an excellent arm workout. Back when we were hitting the water almost every day we started to notice are arms becoming stronger and more toned.
Other Things to Remember
Always wear your life jacket. You have to keep one in the vessel at all times so you might as well just wear it. We have not had a need for one so far, but it is not worth the risk. Big boats are pretty scary when you are sitting in a little kayak. Many boaters are not courteous to people in kayaks and will fly right past you. Ski boats are definitely the worst due to the large wake they put off. It may feel like the wake is going to tip you over but as long as you stay calm the kayak will handle the waves with no issues.
I know that some of this post makes kayaking sounds bad, but I promise the good outweighs the bad. I highly recommend anyone looking for a way to explore their local body of water to grab a kayak and get going. It is a great way to get out in nature and soak up the sun. We have been able to spend so much more time on the water since we got ours. We used to only go out on the weekends due to how much work it takes to go out on the boat. With the kayaks, we are able to go for just a few hours during the week and it’s been a blast.
Thank you so much for reading!
If you have any questions about kayaks please let us know and we would be happy to help. Don’t forget to check us out on social media! We are on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, and Youtube. For more posts about adventures, click here! Again, thank you for reading! God Bless!
