A Guide to Kayaks: The Whitewater Kayak and More

Sailing and surfboarding and going out on a noisy, bulky motorboat is very overdone. If you want to have fun in the water, why not try something new and exciting? Instead of taking to the ocean in a clunky machine of a boat or exploring the waves in conventional ways, why not try kayaking for a change?

Kayaking is a sport that has grown in popularity over the past 20 years and there’s good reason for this. A kayak is suitable for every body of water — oceans, lakes, there are no limits! Because kayaks are so versatile, they can be used for an enormous variety of water sports, from fishing to riding whitewater rapids.

But if you’re looking join the fun on the water, then you must first learn what kinds of kayaks there are. If you’re in the market for a whitewater kayak, you’ll want to steer clear of a cheap fishing kayak. Even though kayaks are generally suitable for anything, there are still specific kayaks built for special activities. This is why it’s important to know your stuff!

So what is a whitewater kayak? If you’re not interested in just a simple, relaxing tour of the lake or a fishing trip, then you might be in the market for a whitewater kayak. A whitewater kayak is designed for the thrill-seekers on the water! If you plan on surfing the waves and riding some exciting whitewater rapids, then a whitewater kayak is right up your alley!

There are three basic kayaks — rigid kayaks, folding kayaks, and inflatable kayaks. Rigid kayaks are the most expensive but they are also the heaviest and the most difficult to control. Still, they are typically made of wood, fiberglass, and/or plastic and thus can endure all sorts of adversity and last a long time. If you get a whitewater kayak, it will be a rigid one. If you’re interested in a calmer time out on the water, however, you may want to consider an inflatable kayak instead. Inflatable kayaks are the cheapest and easiest to use so they are very popular. But they are not nearly as durable as a whitewater kayak and thus have some limitations.

But what else is unique about a whitewater kayak? First of all, they are commonly shorter than others (about 5 to 10 feet). Longer boats are a new trend though lately, as it allows kayakers to soar to new heights above the waves! While some kayaks are faster than a whitewater kayak, a whitewater kayak is one of the easiest to maneuver around — especially for a rigid kayak!

A whitewater kayak is a lot like a surf kayak, which is not surprising as the two kayaks are both used for similar sports! Inflatable kayaks are ideal for fishing but again, they can be used for a variety of activities, while a whitewater kayak is more specialized.

So, if you’re bored of typical outdoor recreation, give kayaking a try. And if you’re looking for a little excitement, consider tackling those whitewater rapids with a whitewater kayak! But if you’re now convinced of the appeal of kayaking, what should be your next move? If you want to save a buck or two, you can invest in reasonably priced or gently used kayaks. It’s important to compare products and prices online and with the vast world of the Internet, that is an easy thing to do, so there’s no reason not to. You can take it from there and be better prepared when you go to your local water sport retailer. So what’s stopping you? You’re getting so close to getting on those open waves.

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