Kayaking can look peacefully to individuals who stand on the shore and watch individuals kayaking. Individuals who stand on the shore might see the kayak gliding across the water and the kayaker who is relaxing and in control of the kayak. However, when individuals gets into a kayak and start to paddle on the water themselves, they will encounter the truth of kayaking.
The serenity of kayaking come with a long list of potential problems that can occur while on the water, some of which might be literal problem. Many of the problems with kayaking are relatively benign. Many of the problems starts as small annoyances to those on the kayak that ruin there day.
However, if the kayakers ignores those small annoyances, those small annoyances can develop into problems. Each of the common problems with kayaks have a cause, as well as a fix for those problems. With these issues recognized and understood by kayakers, individuals will spend less time dealing with problems and more time kayaking.
Common Problems Every Kayaker Should Know
1. Leaks in Kayak Seams
The first of the common problems is the issue of leaks. Kayakers often experience a feeling of surprise when they first begin to kayak, as they may experience a sensation of cold water pooling around their backside while on the kayak. Manufacturers manufacture these moddern kayaks with seams in their kayaks that can allow water to enter on the kayak.
These seams can develop hairline cracks from collisions with rocks, as well as develop without notice. However, water will find a means of entering the kayak. The fix for these leaks is to simply use a hose to wet the kayak hull while it is turned upside down; water will pool at the spot where the leaks are occurring.
A tube of marine sealant can fix these leaks.
2. Inefficient Paddling Technique
Second, an issue with kayaks is inefficient paddling; an issue that both begins for beginners, yet continues to affect even the most most experienced kayakers. Many individuals find themselves paddling hard at the kayak, yet their kayak does not track well in the water.
The cause of inefficient kayaking is poor technique and incorrect blade angles. Many individuals tend to use high angles with their kayaking paddle strokes while their conditions call for lower, more relaxed strokes with the paddle. Other kayakers may purchase an expensive paddle that is developed for those with limited shoulder mobility, yet they fail to make any adjustment with the feather angle.
These issues can cause individuals to feel exhaustion and soreness in their shoulders. A simple video of the kayakers paddling strokes might reveal such inefficient technique; correcting a few aspect to kayaking technique can greatly improve the paddlers experience on the water.
3. Strong Wind Conditions
Wind is another problem that can occur for kayakers. Strong breezes can develop on the water while kayakers are on the water, and these strong breezes can turn a pleasant kayaking experience into an ordeal. Strong winds can catch the bow of the kayak, and the kayak will begin to turn broadside of the direction of the wind. Kayakers will have to exert more effort with their paddling to maintain their position on the water.
The height of kayaks above the water allows for the increased effect of the wind on the kayak. The fix for the problem of strong winds on the water is to learn how to anticipate the winds, and to adjust their body and paddling technique accordingly. For instance, kayakers should attempt to maintain their weight in the middle of the kayak, use shorter paddling strokes on the paddling side that is exposed to the wind, and angle the bow of the kayak into the wind rather than against it.
4. Transport Damage
Damage that occur to the kayak during transport is another problem with kayaking. Most individuals who purchase kayaks will experience this problem. They will purchase a lightweight kayak, they will strap it to the roof of their car, and they will drive at high speeds to their destinations.
This flexing of the kayak while being transported often leads to stress fractures in the kayak that will not be noticed until the next time the kayak is transported on its owners shoulder. Even worse are collisions of the kayak with various object. For instance, most individuals will collide their kayaks with the side of their garage or with gravel during transport.
Plastic kayaks can take some abuse, but repeated abuse will dramatically shorten the lifespan of those plastic kayaks. Preventative measures include the use of foam blocks, cam straps, and rinsing of the kayak after transport.
5. Seat Discomfort
Discomfort while on the kayak is a problem that many individuals encounter. While an individual may have boarded the kayak for a two-hour kayaking experience, after thirty minutes they may have a tailbone that is screaming in discomfort. The stock seat that is provided with many kayaks is thin plastic with no padding. Individuals may develop numbness in their legs, their back may begin to round, and the kayaking experience may become unpleasant after only a short time.
The solution involves the purchase of a high-density foam pad that is cut to shape for the kayak, adjustment of the backrest angle, and the use of hip brace. Some individuals go a step further with the creation of a custom kayak seat that uses closed-cell foam that is glued into the kayak.
6. Storage and Organization
Storage issues for kayakers is another problem. An individual might wish to bring food and other items into the kayak. However, kayaks has limited space for such items. Individuals may use dry bag to store items, and they may store them on the kayak deck until they become full.
If an individual does not secure the dry bags properly on the kayak, those items will shift when the kayak turns. Instead of simply using the kayaks available storage area, individuals can learn to store items in three separate zones on the kayak. For instance, a small hatch is located behind the kayak cockpit that the kayakers can use for items that are needed and accessible; a large compartment is located on the kayaks rear portion; and bungee cords can be used on the kayaks deck to store items while kayaking.
Learning how to tie a few basic knots will allow kayakers to store items on the kayak and keep the kayak looking neat and organized.
An issue that develops between those who kayak on calm lakes versus rivers and coastal waters is the issue of tracking. An individual may line up their kayak with a current that they wish to cross, yet the kayak gets swept downstream; or, when a river or coastal area is crossed by the kayak, small wave can hit the kayak; the kayak will become broached and the kayaker will have to correct their position.
Issues with tracking are often the result of the kayaks that are manufactured with insufficient rudders and skegs to allow the kayak to track in a straight line; even the best rudders and skegs will not provide tracking for a kayak with poor design. For instance, individuals can learn to engage their core muscle to allow for more control over the kayak; the kayak can be slightly tilted to allow it to track in the direction that the kayaker desires. These techniques develop with experience on increasingly rough water.
7. Equipment Failure
Most common among kayaking problems is the issue of equipment failure at the worst possible time. For instance, a bungee cord that is used to secure a spare paddle may snap; a bilge pump might fall out of the kayak while the kayaker is paddling; or the drain plug that is used to allow water to leave the kayak may become loose while on the water. These types of issues seem avoidable, yet they continuously arise.
The cause of these types of issues is that the kayak owner assumes that the small piece of the kayak will behave as they always have before. A pre-trip checklist, however, will reduce these instances of equipment failure. Items that should be inspected while on land include all straps on the kayak, the bilge pump to be sure it will function, and that the spare paddle is within easy reach of the kayaker.
One of the more difficult problems to fix for kayakers is the issue of overconfidance. After a few trips on calm water, kayakers begin to overconfide in their abilities to handle the kayak. Therefore, they head out into more challenging locations without checking the weather, without practicing self-rescue technique.
This problem is the hardest to fix because the issue exist between the kayakers ears. However, there are ways to fix this problem. One of the solutions is for the kayaker to schedule trip with increasing challenges for the kayak.
For instance, the kayaker can take a class on rolling techniques on flat water before attempting to race against other kayakers on more challenging waters. Kayaking with others who are slightly better skilled on the water will increase ones confidence in the kayak. The water has a way of humbling those that stop learning new techniques on their favorite watercraft.
Each of these common problems with kayaks has the potential to ruin a promising day for individual kayakers. However, none of these problems are mysterious to kayakers who have encounter these problems several times. The key to having smooth days on the water is to recognize these common problems.
By learning of each problem, its cause, and how to avoid it or fix it, the kayaker will have a much better experience on the water. The kayak itself rarely causes these issues. More often, the kayaker simply does not pay attention to the details necessary for having a smooth kayaking experience.
If the kayakers pay attention to these details, the kayaking experience will be as smooth and peaceful as the image that those kayakers saw while standing on the shore line.