Some Advice for Planning a Sea Kayaking Adventure

There are certain times during the year that we are afforded much needed breaks from the daily grind; days which we have all to ourselves to enjoy with whatever activities we see fit. Some prefer to kick back and relax, while others take advantage of the opportunity by getting outside and enjoying the bountiful experiences that our planet has to offer. For lovers of the water, one of the most simultaneously exciting and calming activities that one can conceive of participating in is a sea kayaking adventure. The oldest kayaks to have been discovered by archeologists are over four thousand years old, and seem to have generally been used for utilitarian purposes such as transportation and catching food. Back then, creation of such a vessel took a great deal of time and effort, presumably limiting their viability for recreational usage. Of course, with today’s modern technology of automation many more people are able to enjoy kayak vacations with a comparably small initial investment of capital. As recently as the 1980s, major advancements in the production process of these boats has reduced their cost and led to more advanced product designs. The example which stands out the most is the molded plastic version of this design. Not only are rigidity and impermeability increased, but complex shapes can be created with relative ease.

There are many different bodies of water which serve as excellent settings for kayaking holidays, and you may decide to choose one over another for any number of different reasons. Some people may be pressed for time, and for this reason decide to enjoy kayaking holidays close to home; in this situation, a local river or lake is a likely setting. If the participants are seasoned veterans of the typical experience to be had on the water they may hunger for a more challenging scenario, seeking out fast moving rapids as their fare. Families may find that the beach is the best place to enjoy their sea kayaking adventure simply due to the large number of activities available for members with different tastes. While one person is enjoying soaking up the sun, another could be practicing surfing and still others may venture out far beyond the shoreline into the calm, undulating sea. Some of the best spots for enjoying a sea kayaking adventure can be found on the mainland and just off the coast of New Zealand, Chile, and western Canada.

Since your experience with kayaking holidays is very much dependent on the location that is chosen, it is important to take the time to research the properties of the site you are considering visiting. Even something as simple as the change of the seasons can have unforeseen impacts on the characteristics of a given body of water. To illustrate this point clearly, some climates vary sharply in the amount of wind they receive from spring to summer which can seriously impact the characteristics of the ocean surface in the area. In times of little wind, the surface of the ocean may have gentle waves or even dead calm in some areas, but when the wind picks up the sea can turn so rough as to make the adventure dangerous. What one might have considered to be a leisurely spot for a sea kayaking adventure may become nearly unnavigable under specific circumstances.  The point is, to avoid unexpected circumstances and maximize enjoyment, it is wise to educate one’s self on the dynamics of the location at which the sea kayaking adventure is taking place.

If you are still unsure, here is another article regarding your sea kayaking adventure.

If you would like some help planning and preparing for your sea kayaking adventure we have a lot of experience in Patagonia (Chile), New Zealand and Canada.  Please don’t hesitate to contact us.

Tags: Kayaking in Canada, Kayaking in Chile, Kayaking in New Zealand, Kayaking in Patagonia