Looking to spend more time on the water? It’s one of the best ways to spend time, as paddling comes loaded with physical and mental health benefits.
Not only that, but it’s downright fun and can provide the opportunity to explore your local area in a new way, or give you the desire to travel the country and the world in search of new waters. But if you are just getting started in the wonderful world of paddling, you’ll notice there are different types of kayaks to choose from.
Wondering how to choose the perfect kayak for your paddling needs? Keep reading to discover the different types of kayaks and find out which are the best kayaks for your paddling goals.
Recreational Kayaks
Recreational kayaks are those used for general paddling. These are perfect for new paddlers, as they will be easy to balance in and paddle. They do well in flat water such as small to medium-sized lakes or slow-moving rivers.
Whitewater Kayaks
Whitewater kayaks are for adventure junkies. These can handle rapids in quick-moving rivers. Rapids are rated from class one to class five, depending on the difficulty and risk associated with navigating them. Be sure to choose a kayak designed to handle the type of rapids you plan to paddle.
Fishing Kayaks
While you can use any kayak for fishing, dedicated anglers should opt for a fishing kayak. These have many conveniences that make a long day on the water more comfortable. Plus, there are plenty of places to store multiple rods, increasing your chance of catching fish.
Sea Kayaks
Sea kayaks are much longer and more narrow than normal kayaks. This allows them to glide further with each stroke of the paddle. When paddling in the ocean or across large bodies of water, sea kayaks are necessary, but require practice to learn how to use them.
Choosing the Right Types of Kayaks
With many different types of kayaks available, it’s important to choose the right one for your needs. Not having the proper kayak can not only be uncomfortable, but dangerous.
For example, you should never paddle across large, open water without a sea kayak. They are going to allow you to travel across the surface more effectively, preserving energy. Plus, they can better handle choppy water that can often result from wind at sea.
Most beginners should plan on buying kayaks that are designed for recreational use, that will serve their general purpose needs. These can be used on lakes and slow-moving rivers. They can generally handle class one and two rapids as well. Any rapids more extreme than this should be navigated with a whitewater kayak only.
But if you want to be able to access more remote waters, select an inflatable kayak, that can easily carry miles from your car to the water. See what’s for sale today.
Find Your Paddling Style
As you can see, there are many different types of kayaks available for different types of paddlers. It can help to rent a kayak a few times before buying, to see which type of paddling you most enjoy. Then you’ll be able to buy the perfect one.
Looking for other tips like this? You can browse the rest of our blog today to keep reading.
