Wednesday, June 17, 2015

What Tour Guides Want You To Know About Choosing Kayaking Tours

By April Briggs


Kayaks can be a fun way to travel and get exercise at the same time. Many people love the fact that they are easy to maneuver in the water, are quiet enough not to disturb nearby wildlife and versatile enough to handle a variety of different water conditions. If you are considering taking one of the many kayaking tours that are available, you may be wondering how to choose the right one for you. Here are some tips and tricks that you can use to make that choice much easier.

The first thing to do is learn exactly what these boats are and what their advantages are. They are extremely buoyant and are designed so that they can navigate rapids as well as the calm waters of lakes and slow moving rivers. Paddlers use a special paddle that has a blade on each end of a central shaft. It can be used to propel the boat through the water and alter its course so it can be steered in the precise direction the paddler wants it to go.

If you are planning to take a tour, you may first want to consider the amount of paddling experience you have had. Beginner tours may start off with instruction in the basic strokes and techniques such as performing rolls, and entering and exiting the boat from the water and from the land. They are also likely to limit your paddling to water that is calmer and not as fast moving.

You may also want to consider how physically fit you are. If you do not exercise on a regular basis or are a beginning paddler, you may want to look for a shorter trip where you are not expected to cover as much distance each day. Paddling can be hard work and you do not want to end up hurting yourself by taking a tour that is too strenuous.

If you are traveling somewhere on vacation, you may want to look and see if they have tours available. For example, many coastal areas will have sea tours that can be a great way to see marine mammals like whales or dolphins. Others may allow to you explore cave systems or other areas along waterways from a unique perspective.

You need to decide whether you want to use your own boat or if you want to rent one. If you are traveling, you may find it much easier not to pack your own kayak. You should never assume that equipment will be included. If it is not mentioned in the tour description it can be worthwhile to talk to the tour company before booking your excursion.

If you are taking more than just a day trip you may want to find out what other equipment you will need in order to complete a tour. Will you need to pack your own tent and sleeping bag? It can be a good idea to ask what kinds of accommodations there will be while you are on the tour and what, if any equipment will be provided by the touring company.

Tour guides love taking paddlers on these excursions. What can make the entire experience much more fun and enjoyable is to do your research, be honest with yourself about what you are capable of handling, and to make sure you are properly equipped for the conditions you will encounter.




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