Ocean Kayaks - Fun on the Open Water!
My lens dedicated to ocean kayaks and the world of kayaking
There's nothing quite like getting out on the open water of an ocean in a kayak, losing all of the usual problems of life and becoming one with nature.
Grabbing your ocean kayaks to explore the big blue is not only good for the soul, but also a great way to keep fit and to see parts of the world from a different prospective. Of course, like any sport, kayaking can be good for team building and spending quality time with friends and family. So what are you waiting for? Grab your oars and let's get paddling!
Kayak - "a small, relatively narrow, human-powered boat primarily designed to be manually propelled by means of a double blade paddle..." Wikipedia
Different types of Kayak
What makes ocean kayaks different to any other?
While all kayaks are relatively basic and mostly share the same form factor attributes - there are slightly different designs that are taylored for different types of water.
These are broken down into recreational, sea, surf, whitewater, racing and hybrid kayaks.
The difference in ocean kayaks is that they often trade in the maneuverability and light weight of other kayaks for sturdiness, stability and increased cargo capacity.
I think we need a bigger boat! - ...and yes, this is a real photo - not photo-shopped...
Ocean Kayaks for Sales on eBay
Ebay is a great place to pick up a used kayak, although, I would recommend picking it up in person as opposed to shipping one.
Some ocean kayaks have movable rudders or skegs (fixed) and can have up to three paddlers.
Did you know...
...that the first kayaks ever used have been traced back to sub-Arctic regions of northeastern Asia, North America and Greenland?
These kayaks were used by the native Ainu, Aleut and Eskimo hunters in those areas.
Sea kayaks range in length anywhere between 3.5m to 6.7m, however a minimum of 4 metres is recommended as this length provides superior handling as well as better tracking control.
Don't forget your life jacket!
Not only can it save your life, it will also keep you warm...
Books about Kayaking
Reading about the sport of kayaking is a great way to learn more. Books will provide you with tips and tricks as well as a run down of all the equipment you will need.
Humour - How not to get back in your kayak...
Practice makes perfect! I feel for this poor soul as I've been there.
Relaxing or thrill-seeking
What type of kayaking do you do?
Ocean kayaks often have a longer waterline than other types of kayak. They are also designed with bigger below-deck storage.
Water Launching a Sea Kayak - More video tips...
Be safe, keep warm -
Did you know that immersion in water below 8°C can provoke hypothermia in minutes? If the water is below 5°C it can pose a major threat to
life.