If you are looking for a clean, fun and exciting way to spend your day at sea, lake or river, then kayaking is definitely one of the top options.
Kayaking has many benefits, like exploring the wonders of nature while exercising your body, mind, heart and soul. It offers you a way to explore the coastline like no other form of transportation. You can come closer to places many boats can’t go near, take a peek in tight places under and inside the cliffs, find a perfect place of solitude for sunbathing and/or snorkeling. Fishing is also something that can be done by kayak.
And all that is just the top of the list 😉
What is kayaking?
People often use the name Canoe for a Kayak. There are similarities between the two, as they are both small types of boats that can be used on still and whitewaters. Although there are differences in the shapes of the boats, the easiest way to distinguish the two is in the shape of the paddles. If there is a blade on only one side of the paddle, that is a Canoe. If the paddles have blades on both sides, that is a Kayak.
There are many different types of kayaks too. They can be single, double, family, sit-on-top, sit-in, fishing, sea, river etc. We’ll leave that topic for the future, as it’s long.
Health benefits of kayaking
Kayaking is very good for your physical health. The health benefits of kayaking include:
- Improved aerobic and cardiovascular fitness and endurance
- Increased upper body muscle strength (arms, shoulders, chest)
- Increased abdomen and lower back strength from the rotation when you paddle
- Increased leg strength as you are applying pressure with your legs for balancing and steering
- Paddling is a low impact activity so it goes easy on your joints.
Other benefits of kayaking
Health is not just about the physical part, mental health plays a big role in our everyday life. Kayaking can help us with that too, as:
- Outdoor activities reduce stress
- It is peaceful and meditative, especially if you are far away from cities and other vessels
- Lets you spend more time alone with your friends and family
- Makes you happy
- Doesn’t pollute the environment
- Burns fat.
It’s not all just fun and games…
Kayaking certainly has many benefits, but also it has some safety issues to consider. If you are a beginner, make sure you get some “how to” instructions before you start. Check the weather forecast and ask around with the locals about potential dangers that you might face along the way (winds, currents, tides, underwater rocks, restricted areas etc.). Make sure you have plenty of food and water, charged phone, first aid kit and sun protection. Be visible to other boats and crafts, don’t go alone, and always, always have your personal flotation vest ON! When you’ve got that covered, it is just fun ahead 🙂 Enjoy!