Has the sunny weather got you in the mood for messing about in boats? Richard Harpham, paddle sport addict and founder of the Big 5 Kayak Challenge tells us how to get started and what keeps him coming back to the water…
Why do you think so many people enjoy paddle sports?
Kayaking and canoeing are amazing pastimes, whether you do it as competitive sport or as a recreational activity. Like many pastimes it is about having fun, enjoying competition and a health lifestyle and making new friendships. In fact, every day on the water I feel privileged, get a real buzz and leave with a smile on my face. It is interesting to reflect that when paddling on rivers I usually see two reactions from people on the banks, either “I used to do that” or “I really want to give that a go”. I never witness people disliking the sport which leads me to believe that more people would like to get involved and give it a go.
The benefit of different disciplines is the variety, there is the adrenalin kick of many of the white water elements, whether its making the drop off a waterfall or in huge surf. There is the buzz and tension of competitive sport in marathon, slalom and sprint. Often people enjoy different aspects of the sport at different times of their lives. A common occupational hazard for paddlers is to find a garage full of different canoes and kayaks – caution: don’t let them just gather dust!
So what’s the difference between canoeing and kayaking?
Kayaking uses a paddle with two blades whereas canoeing uses a paddle with one blade. A variety of paddling disciplines use kayaks and canoes, including slalom, play boats and racing types to name a few. However traditionally we think of canoeing as the open canoes used by the first nation people of North America and Canada, and their kayaks or qayaqs which were used by the Inuit people of the Arctic to hunt seals and whales on the sea.
Open canoes are great for touring and travelling on rivers and lakes. In Britain there are so many lakes, reservoirs and rivers which are brilliant for getting into the great outdoors. Plastic kayaks sit-on-tops and canoes have become mainstream boats for general recreational paddling because they are durable and maintenance free. Boats for competitive disciplines such as Slalom, flat water racing (both Olympic disciplines), canoe polo and kayak surfing are usually fiberglass or sometimes a kevlar composite to save weight.
How long will it take me to learn the basics?
There is an old adage in sport about taking a few days to progress but a lifetime to master, and kayaking and canoeing are no exception. The speed of learning process depends on the specific discipline, the local environment and conditions. Many novice paddlers learn by attending an introductory session or accredited course at their local club or activity centre. From there usually it takes a few sessions to build confidence and basic skills.
What should I wear?
On the water, the clothing and accessories depend on the specific discipline and of course the weather. In whitewater disciplines, the key personal equipment are items such as footwear, helmets, a buoyancy aid and a spraydeck. Paddlers take different approaches to layers and the waterproof kit they use. Some prefer a dry suit option; others prefer wetsuits while many hardy paddlers will wear board shorts and layers. This of course depends on the weather conditions and climate. If you attend a ‘come and try it’ at your local club of centre then the kit should be provided. Off the water it is important to remember a change of clothes if you expect to get wet.
What happens if I capsize?
Capsizing is a pretty straight forward thing to get used to. Obviously if it is cold then it might take your breath away or be a little unnerving at first. It is a learnt drill and skill to ‘wet exit’ a kayak or canoe. In the case of the kayak then typically we pull the spraydeck loop, and use our hands on the boat by our hips to push ourselves out. Usually in more modern boats with a larger cockpit then gravity takes over and we fall out. In a traditional canoe a capsize results in us just falling into the water.
As we progress then we learn other skills to keep us from capsizing such as support strokes. We can also learn skills such as the ‘Eskimo Rescue’, where one of your buddies rescues you using their boat as an aid to right you. If we do exit and swim then our buddy can help us empty the kayak over their boat and then help us regain entry.
One of the most popular skills to learn is the Eskimo Roll where the paddler uses their paddle on the surface of the water to roll their kayak back up. It can be learnt quite quickly with the right instruction. Some disciplines such as sprint and marathon racing, and touring generally avoid capsizing altogether. When racing for example, a capsize, can be the difference between winning and losing.
What’s the quickest way to get on the water?
In simple terms, you can just head down to the river, waterway or coast. However it is important to paddle on water suitable for your experience and skills. Joining a club or through a centre can be the best way to develop paddling experience. There are some risks involved with paddle sports, so it is important that you learn the skills to keep you safe and be able to assess the conditions and risks on the day.
As paddlers we should take a responsible attitude to the environment when we paddle, like the country code on the water. It is important not to leave litter or trespass, be mindful of other users with our activities and noise. One of our sayings is to ‘leave only ripples and take only pictures’. That way our sport can grow with the support of others who use the rivers, sea and countryside.
Many people might not know that currently we are only allowed to paddle, wade or swim in 3% of rivers in England and Wales due to access restrictions. In my opinion this is mad and outdated legislation that people can own the water! There is a campaign to change this called the River Access Campaign.
What should I consider before buying my own kit?
There are plenty of places to pick up new kit, via a reputable local kayak store, via a number of online retailers and also there are plenty available on the second hand market. A key piece of advice is particularly when starting out is to try before you buy. Try different boats by different manufacturers to see what best suits your needs. Many good stores offer a demo fleet for this. Often if you are buying a boat and accessories at the same time then you might be able to strike a better deal. If you are buying second hand it can help to take someone with you who knows what they looking at. Clubs are a good source of second hand boats and of course people who can offer some advice.
Hope to see you on the water!
Richard Harpham is the founder of the Big 5 Kayak challenge and has completed over 4600 miles of kayaking, canoeing and cycling in 10 expeditions in 2 years. He also runs a canoe trail and coaching business, called Canoe Trails
Richard and the Big 5 Kayak Challenge team are proudly sponsored by Paramo clothing, Whitby Knives, Olympus Cameras, Alpackarafts, Sanyo, Typhoon Drysuits, Canadian Affair airlines, BOOST (Delivering a London 2012 Legacy in Bedfordshire), Prokayak, Bamboo clothing, Prijon kayaks, Buff Headwear, Vango Tents, Trangia Stoves. We test this kit to its limit on expedition.
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Hi and welcome. I'm a freelance travel and lifestyle copywriter and editor, with a passion for the great outdoors. This is my personal blog all about getting out in the fresh air and reconnecting with our green spaces and countryside.
