Nestled comfortably into the cockpit of a sleek sea kayak, a paddler dips a double-bladed paddle rhythmically into the water and glides forward across a bay or along an ocean coast. A spray skirt, fitted around the rim of the cockpit, keeps water out and warmth in. There's storage room for food, water and overnight supplies, so an outing can last a few hours or a few days.
Benefits:
• Burns calories
• Helps tone upper body
• With proper technique, kayaking helps develop core strength, says Doug Alderson, author of Savvy Paddler and chairman of the Sea Kayak Program Committee for Paddle Canada. Paddling power comes from your torso, while your arms position the paddles. "You'll get fit doing it," says Alderson.
• Anyone can learn to kayak, and he or she will enjoy noticeable improvements.
• Make new friends and enjoy being part of a community of kayakers. •Convenience – you can tie a kayak to the top of your car and launch from just about anywhere.
• Beauty, peace and discovery. "When I slip that spray skirt over my head," says Sue Scott, a 46-year-old speech language pathologist in Victoria, "it's like going through a portal…I leave behind the worries of normal life and enter a magical world where it's just me and nature."
What you need:
• Lessons – safety knowledge and skills are essential, says Alderson.
• A kayak and a personal flotation device.
• A level of comfort in the water. Initial training includes getting out of a capsized boat.
• Comfortable, climate-appropriate clothing such as a dry suit for cool or cold water.
• Alderson also a recommends waterproof communication device, such as a mobile phone.
Where/how to get started: Courses are offered by paddle sports companies such as Coast Mountain Expeditions on Vancouver Island. It charges $145 for a one-day Paddle Canada learn-to-kayak course (equipment provided). Paddle sports companies also rent equipment (Coast Mountain rents kayaks equipped with paddles, spray skirt, life jacket and other safety equipment for $50 per day). If you find you love the sport, investing in a kayak and safety gear can set you back several thousand dollars, but the equipment will last for years.
Cross-training options: Improve core strength by taking yoga or Pilates.
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