How to choose a kayak for beginners

Want to get into kayaking, but not sure how to choose a kayak for beginners? Just look for these key features and you will have years of fun!

Easy To Paddle Straight

You might think all kayaks are designed to go straight, but believe me, that’s not the case! Some kayaks are specifically designed to turn easily, such as whitewater kayaks, and this makes them no good at going in a straight line. Some kayaks are just poorly designed and spin in circles with each stroke and it is VERY annoying, even for an experienced paddler.

Stable

It takes time and practice to balance on a narrow beam kayak. It’s best to start out with a stable kayak so you can relax and enjoy the experience without falling in the water.

Comfortable

Kayaking for beginners can be a bit of a shock to the system, physically speaking. When you first start out, you are going to be waking up some muscles that have been sleeping for a while. It is important to take lots of breaks. A nice cushy seat with a supportive back will allow you to relax properly during your breaks. You can sit back and take in the beauty of your surroundings.

Durable

As a beginner, you won’t necessarily have total control over your kayak, so you need something durable enough to withstand a few bumps. Look for a good brand with a long warranty, like Advanced Elements.

Versatile

So what is your favourite type of paddling? Lakes? Mild rivers? Estuaries? Coastal bays? Kayak Fishing? Open ocean? You probably don’t know yet, do you? A versatile kayak will be suitable for a wide variety of paddling experiences so you can try them all!

Quick And Easy To Get Going

As a beginner, it’s a good idea to start out with some short trips until you know what you are capable of. In that case, you don’t want a kayak that is a lot of hassle to get out on the water. If you are only going to be paddling for 30 minutes you want to be out on the water with 5 minutes set up time.

Inexpensive

You won’t know if kayaking is going to be your next passion. So why spend thousands of dollars on an expensive kayak (plus roof racks) when you don’t have to?