Is rafting easier than kayaking?

Water rafting is a much safer way to float down the river compared to kayaking: the boat is bigger and inflatable, and it also doesn’t move as fast. This makes water rafting perfect for a larger group of people as well as a great family activity.

What kind of kayak do you need for white water rafting?

Creek Boats (Creekers) Creek Boats are the most forgiving kayaks and are often designed to make hard rapids feel easier. Large volume and softer edges make creek boats perfect for running the steepest, toughest rapids.

How hard is whitewater kayaking?

Whitewater kayaking is an intense sport – and it often feels like you’re tricking the Universe by taking on this immense force of nature in a small plastic boat. Getting into whitewater kayaking can be overwhelming – and, without proper knowledge, skills, and control, can be dangerous, too.

Can white water kayaks be used on lakes?

Short answer: it will work fine (if it’s a suitable size) if you’ve no other options but there are other types of kayak which better suit your needs. Specifically: this is a slalom kayak, it’s a racing boat that’s designed to be fast and manoeuvrable on moving water.

Can you white water raft in a kayak?

Whenever you hear of paddlers throwing themselves off waterfalls, they’re always kayaking. That’s because whitewater kayaks have a few special properties that make them able to do whitewater than other boats cannot.

Should you know how do you swim to kayak?

Absolutely not. As you might understand now, the essential skill for kayaking is not about swimming is more about getting familiar with water. The kayak itself is the alternative to swimming. It is one of the most efficient, safe and easy ways to travel on a river or lake without getting wet.

How do I choose my first kayak?

Generally, the longer and narrower the kayak, the faster and straighter it will go. A kayak is more stable and easier to turn if it’s wider and shorter, but it may sacrifice speed. If you are new to kayaking, then a wider kayak can be a good beginner’s choice as you grow accustomed to being on the water.

What type of gear do you need kayaking?

Kayak Gear

• Kayak.
• Paddle (1 per paddler), plus spare.
• Personal flotation device (1 per paddler)
• Bilge pump.
• Spray skirt (for cold weather/water)
• Dry bag for personal items.
• Headlamp/light with extra batteries (in case you’re out after dusk)
• Signaling whistle.

How do I get better at White Water Kayaking?

Reaching forward toward your toes and bow (and the ‘catch’ of your paddle in the water) is the key to getting the most power from your back and avoiding short strokes. Next time you paddle make sure to check if your hands always stay in front of your body when you forward paddle.

Is white water kayaking safe?

Using widely available public data we can compare whitewater paddling against a number of familiar activities. Its accident rate ranked well below those reported for recreational swimming (2.6) and for bicycling (1.6) Whitewater kayaking had a higher fatality rate, 2.9 per 100,000.

What kind of kayak is best for a lake?

Recreational kayaks can be a good choice for lake paddling because these tend to be designed primarily for flatwater. Lakes are often flatwater environments, which can make them ideal for beginners.

What is the difference between a lake kayak and a river kayak?

River kayaks can also be pretty wide because of the same reason lake kayaks need extra width. Stability is supremely important when you’re dealing with rapids and river currents, so these kayaks tend to be just as wide (if not sometimes wider) as lake kayaks.