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Sea kayaking

Photo: Ville Miettinen, CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Sea kayaking is popular around the world anywhere where there are large open bodies of water to be explored: lakes, bays, calm rivers, estuaries or the ocean. Although sea kayaks come in variety of styles, they generally are different from their white water cousins in that they trade off the maneuverability for higher cruising speed, cargo capacity, ease of straight-line paddling and comfort for long journeys. Canoes are an alternative for many of the areas accessible by sea kayak, but less suitable for unsheltered waters.

Sea kayaking is open to people of all skill levels, from renting a kayak to paddle around a small lake, to months long journeys into complex marine conditions. It is often combined with wilderness backpacking for exploring otherwise difficult to access wilderness areas and allows access to fishing areas that might otherwise be inaccessible. Kayaks are also popular to bring along when cruising on small craft, allowing boaters to go ashore or generally give access to areas that larger boats won't fit.

UnderstandContemporary sea kayaks trace their origin to the native boats of Alaska, northern Canada, and Southwest Greenland. Inuit hunters developed a fast seagoing craft to hunt seals and walrus.
PrepareSea kayaks come in several different styles, materials and configurations. They are designed to accommodate one to three paddlers together with room for camping gear, food, water, and other supplies.
Stay safeYou should of course have adequate equipment, including suitable clothing and means of getting help.
DestinationsSea kayaks can get closer to wildlife and maneuver through areas that larger boats can't but be well prepared for cold weather.
See AlsoKayaking safety rules - Safety measurements of paddling if the rough oceans

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