Getting Started

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Getting Started

Ok so you have just bought a brand new kayak or are thinking about buying a kayak or sit on top. What now?

Most people at this stage are not really sure if they are going to like it, how well they will do or what to do if they capsize. This is quite normal as it is an unknown, which is why most people when they first start out set very low goals and think it might be better to buy a sit-on top, just to see what it is like. The difference between a cheap sit on top and a sea kayak is impossible to describe. Cheap sit-on tops are more of a toy to be played on while you are down the beach. If that is what you want then you have purchased the right craft. A sea kayak is an ocean going kayak that offers speed, comfort, performance and safety. A sea kayak is for people who want a sport, to see the coast of WA or a recreational pursuit that can develop to offer a range of opportunities. With sea kayaking you can go out in storms for an adrenalin rush, surf , play in rock gardens and reef, exercise the whole of your body, relax on calm days and discover a world of your own or paddle on a balmy summer evening marveling at the lights with the only sound being the dip of your paddle. Sea kayaking can offer a lot of different things and is suitable for all ages and fitness levels, providing you know what you are doing.

If you have not purchased a boat yet it is worth while coming to a training session and learning about kayaks and talking to people who own boats to make sure you make the right choice first time. I see many people who buy the wrong boat first off then find it was an expensive mistake.

If you have already bought a boat, you need to get some knowledge and skill that will take you out of the very high risk bracket and bring you down to a low risk paddler. This can be done with some basic skills and knowledge, combined with some additional equipment. Our basic skills day will equip you to start down that road. If this is not what you want, I have detailed some equipment and skills you need.

Novice paddlers when they first start out have very modest ambitions as they do not know what their kayak is capable of. I have paddled 128 km out to sea to the Montibellow Islands, crossed Bass Straight and paddled from Israelite Bay to Broome. Now most people would not contemplate these paddles but it gives you some idea of what a good sea kayak is capable of. With the right training and equipment you can explore this wonderful coast and see some amazing things. Our training club can do all this for you.

Some of the things you should be aware of.

Off shore winds If there is an offshore wind forecast you will not see how strong that wind is until you start to get off shore. Then it will get rougher, harder to turn and handle the seas. For novice paddlers, off shore winds are by far the most dangerous conditions you can paddle in because the danger is not evident until it is too late.

Capsize. You must be able to get back into or onto you boat in the conditions you have capsized in. Don't think "it won't happen to me" or "I will just swim in". Capsize drills are the first thing you should master.

Sea Sickness, injury or fatigue. Having a way of communicating with the shore, paddling with a competent paddler who has the skill, strength and equipment to get you back to safety is a must as one day you will need it.

Kayak strike On the shore or in the water you must always be on the ocean side of your boat. A 10 cm wave can accelerate you boat to 10 to 12 km per hour in a distance of 20 cm. 25 to 30 kg hitting you can damage or break legs, stun you if it hits you in the head or sprain ankles and knees. All these things have happened and do happen regularly to new paddlers. To imagine the forces at play think of two people holding your kayak at head hight and you run into it a full pace. Yes that's the type of forces that a boat can hit you with in very small waves.

Skill, knowledge and equipment solve all of these and many, many more of the risks of ocean kayaking.

Equipment
Following is some basic equipment you will need and the mandatory equipment required by law for Western Australia is in red.

PFD type 2 and spray deck This is your primary safety device and should be worn every time you paddle. Type 2 PFD's are designed for you to paddle in and can hold important safety equipment in the pockets.

PFD Type 1. PFD 1 in you boat is required by law if you are more than 400m from the shore. The square $15.00 ones make good seats when you are having lunch.

Bailer or sponge. If you have a sit in kayak you will need a bailer or sponge.

Tow Rope You should have a 15m set up tow rope and practice using it. Even 100m can be a long way in an offshore wind if you don't have a towing capability.

Dry box Most people carry keys etc that can't get wet. Dry boxes are the only thing I recommend for expensive items. Dry bags are just not reliable enough.

Paddle park When you ocean kayaking you often want to let go your paddle so a paddle park is an important piece of kit.

Water system You will need a water system that can handle rough water. A water bottle under the deck line is not good enough. I have fetched hundreds of the damn things out of surf when people loose them and water is a very important item. I don't like putting 2 kg of water in the back of a PFD that has 6 kg of lift. In an emergency you need all the buoyancy you can get.

Flairs Over 400m from the beach you are required to carry flairs.

EPIRB and VHF Radio As with all other boats you are required to carry an EPIRB and VHF radio once you start to get off shore.

Anchor Don't laugh, as per all boats you need to carry an anchor if you are more than 400m from the beach. A $100 fine for a $12 item makes it is worthwhile looking at one.

First aid kit, dry clothes, split paddles, paddle floats, repair kit, helmet, booties, dry bags are all additional pieces of gear that you may require. As you can see, to paddle safely there is a range of gear you will need. Talk to an instructor regarding mandatory gear and essential gear for safety.

You are quite welcome to ring me on 041 9900 715 for info on gear. Then you have to know how to use it!

Skills
Listed are the skills you will need to paddle safely. If you do not have these skills then you need to paddle with someone who does.

Forward Paddling Forward paddling does not require a lot of arm movement. Paddling incorrectly can put a lot of strain on joints and small muscles. Paddling correctly gives you a safe whole of body work out.

Reverse Padding Reverse paddling is usually the stroke that will get you out of trouble. It is not the same as forward paddling.

Sweep Stroke Sweep strokes turn your boat and there is a difference between stationary sweep and moving sweep.

Reverse Sweep This stroke helps you turn on the spot or turn backwards.

Stern Rudder, Stern Pry and Stern Draw. These are the strokes that turn or hold the back of the kayak.

Bow Draw and Hanging Bow Draw These strokes turn the front of your kayak.

Draw Stroke, Sculling Draw and Hanging Draw Stroke These strokes move your kayak sideways.

Lean Turn and Edge Turn. These are turns using the hull's shape to turn your kayak and are the most efficient way of turning your kayak.

Back Face Support and Power face Support These are support strokes designed to keep you balanced and in your kayak in rough water.

Emergency Stop. Very important to stop you hitting people or objects.

Rolling We teach 9 different kayak rolls.

Capsize and Rescue drills Everyone capsizes at some point, so you should have a least 3 different ways of getting back in.

Towing This is the way we control emergency situations.

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