Touring in Your Sea Kayak

Foot Rests

Most sea kayaks have a bar or pedals for the feet to press against when paddling, although some people prefer using the bulkhead. For pedals, adjust them so that when seated in the kayak, your feet are at the same angle as if you were standing on land. When your knees are bent and touching the underside of the boat, toes should be pointed and touching the pedals.

When you're on the water, keep your feet on the foot rests. As you will see later on, you will need them for balance and boat control.

Skegs/Rudders

A skeg is a fin on the underside of the boat that can be raised or lowered by hand with a cable or rope while underway. In windy conditions, boats usually turn to point into the wind. Dropping the skeg allows the boat to track where you want it to — upwind, straight tracking, or downwind.

Rudders are usually used for the same reason as the skeg. They are cheaper to install, are mounted on top of the stern, and have the disadvantage of being operated with the feet. Unfortunately, if the foot rests move to operate the rudder, you cannot easily use your feet for balance and boat control.

Skegs and rudders are optional.

Paddles

For centuries people in different parts of the arctic used paddles of differing shapes and sizes. Today this vast selection can be broken into three categories: West Greenland, symmetric, and asymmetric blades.

The West Greenland paddle is essentially unmodified from its origins in West Greenland. The blades seem only slightly wider than the shaft (where you put your hands). It performs best when used with the traditional West Greenland boat, which rides very low in the water. This West Greenland equipment demands different paddling techniques and will not be covered in this article.

Symmetric blades include traditional and modern designs. They are usually flat, are the easiest to use, and perform well in a variety of conditions. Both sides of the blade are the same shape, so either side can be used to propel the boat. Instead of being flat, it has a raised ridge down the middle of the blade.

Asymmetric blades were developed for flat-water racing and, therefore, perform well in forward paddling but can be more difficult to use in other strokes and on the open sea. Asymmetric blades come in a wide variety of sizes. The bigger the blades, the farther you'll go with each stroke, but each stroke will be harder than if you had used a smaller blade.

Symmetric and asymmetric paddles can be feathered or unfeathered. When feathered, the blades are set at an angle to one another, usually between 60 and 90 degrees. Practice first with a 90-degree feathered paddle. If you think a smaller angle would be more comfortable, try one with a different angle.

In addition, feathered asymmetric paddles are specifically right- or left-hand controlled. To determine whether a paddle is right- or left-handed, hold the paddle horizontally in front of you (or across your lap) so that the right blade is vertical and the driving face is toward you. If your paddle is right-hand controlled, the left blade will be horizontal, driving face up to the sky. Otherwise, it's a left-handed paddle with the driving face towards the ground.

The vast majority of kayakers use right-hand-controlled paddles, and it has nothing to do with being right- or left-handed. It simply means that during some strokes, your left hand is loose to allow the right hand to rotate the shaft. Because they are more common, using a right-hand-controlled paddle should be your first choice.

Popular lengths for touring paddles fall between 220 and 240 cm. (87 and 94 in.). Try paddles of different lengths to determine what is right for you. Wider boats demand a longer paddle. People who do a lot a surf work or kayak racing prefer a shorter length, which favors acceleration. Other paddlers choose a longer one, which is better for bracing.

Paddle Leashes

A paddle leash is a cord that attaches the paddle to your wrist. With a paddle leash you can keep a more relaxed grip on the shaft without worrying about losing it. You can also use it to stow the paddle during rescues. I prefer the kind that looks like telephone cord with a loose loop on the wrist to come off quickly and a loose loop on the paddle shaft that allows the leash to follow your hands.

Sprayskirts

The sprayskirt (or spraydeck, if you prefer) is worn around your waist. The outer edge (the hem of the skirt) fits around the cockpit combing. The sprayskirt completely covers the cockpit (where you are sitting) so that no water gets into the boat. Nylon skirts are cooler but neoprene is more waterproof.

PFDs

Coast Guard approved personal flotation devices (PFDs) for sea kayaks are usually the vest type. Make sure you can adjust it so that when you're swimming, it doesn't ride up over your face. Always wear your PFD while kayaking. It's like wearing your seat belt in the car — you can't just put it on right before you need it.

Clothes

When first learning to kayak, wear clothing that is suitable for immersion. Ask yourself, "if I capsize in that water, will I be able to assist in my own rescue or will I be incapacitated by the cold water?"

In cold water a dry suit will keep you dry after a capsize and warm if you wear warm clothes underneath, but they are very expensive. Cheaper options include a wet suit or fleece underclothes with waterproof jacket and pants.

In warmer waters, lycra shorts and shirts are okay, although it's still a good idea to wear a long-sleeved shirt for sun protection. Avoid cotton T-shirts, which can make you very cold or hypothermic in wet and windy conditions, even in tropical waters.

Wear shoes or lightweight boots, preferably without laces which can wrap around the foot pegs. Scuba booties or sandals are two popular choices.

Bring a hat for rain, sun, or added warmth.

Try swimming with your proposed clothing (with your PFD on) and see if you are warm enough and unencumbered for a short swim.

Wherever you paddle, carry extra clothes to put on should the weather become cooler or you accidentally capsize.

Emergency Equipment

Some paddlers carry a portable pump for pumping water from the boat. I simply use a sponge.

A paddle float is a device to help you rescue yourself if you capsize and haven't yet learned to eskimo roll.

Flares are portable fireworks that tell people nearby you need help in a life threatening situation. You can buy them in a marine store and get instruction on their use from many service organizations such as the Coast Guard Auxiliary or Power Squadron.

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