Saturday, July 25

How to Buy: Kayak for Beginners

Kayaking is a popular water sport that uses paddling to help you glide across the water.

There are different types of kayaks depending on your intended use. For instance, you will require a specific kayak if you intend to kayak in white water versus if you'd rather fish on a lake.

If you're fairly new to kayaking and looking to own your own boat, the best kayak for beginners is a recreational kayak.


If you're into sightseeing and getting a low-impact workout on calm waters, then a recreational kayak for beginners will suit your needs very well.

As you get more advanced in kayaking, then you can look to upgrade your boat to one used for more challenging purposes, such as open ocean water, racing and multi-day trips.

The only gear you really need for recreational purposes is a paddle and a life jacket. If you're going fishing or doing photography, a dry bag is a good idea to keep your belongings from getting wet.


Kayaks can seat one, two or even three paddlers. You will have to determine how many seats you want your kayak to be. This is a good place to start.

Next, you will want to decide if you prefer a sit-in or sit-on-top type of kayak. The open nature of the latter type of kayak is very popular for adults and children. It's also an easier boat to use for fishing.

There are even specific kayaks for fishing where it would include built-in extras, such as for rods and tackle.

You can also choose the option of getting an inflatable or folding kayak. These are lightweight kayaks which make them easy to transport and store.


The nice thing with getting a new versus used kayak is that you will get a manufacturer's guarantee and post-sales assistance.

If you love kayaking, then the investment in a beginner's recreational kayak will pay itself over many times and year after year.