I discovered kayaking far too late. Don’t make the same mistake because kayaking is one of the best ways to stay fit and zen at the same time as well as explore secluded parts of this world. I fell in love with it and soon enough kayaking became one of the main activities in my life. Not long ago, I opened my adventure agency in Croatia (where I live) and kayaking tours were the core of all our outdoor activities. Kayaking can make your life better and there are numerous other benefits of kayaking we are going to explore through this article.
Kayaks were created by Inuit tribes thousands of years ago and the name kayak translates to “hunter’s boat”. It was mainly used for fishing and even nowadays many fishermen favor kayak more than other means of moving through water. Few kayak designs were developed during the time and different versions were used according to various needs.
Kayaking is more than just a recreational activity, it’s a journey into nature, a workout for your body, and a retreat for your mind. No matter where you are paddling or what kind of water body you have near the place where you live – a serene lake, river, or sea, kayaking offers numerous physical, mental, and emotional benefits. This guide explores the advantages of kayaking and why we believe kayaking should become a part of your lifestyle (if already isn’t).
Types of Kayaks
In modern times kayaking is recognized as a sport and other various activities were made possible by redesigning kayaks, for example, white water kayaking in which smaller and wider kayak is used as opposed to sea kayaking where the long and narrow kayak is a much better fit.
According to a cockpit style, there are sit-in kayaks in which a person sits and the usage of the spray deck makes the kayak a completely closed system. Another type is on top kayak in which a person is not closed and can jump out of the kayak at any given moment. The benefits of kayaking encompass all of these kayaking styles.
Let’s see what other types of kayaks exist and what type of kayaking is each good for:
- Recreational Kayaks:
- Ideal for calm waters like lakes and gentle rivers.
- Wide and stable, making them perfect for beginners.
- Touring Kayaks:
- Designed for longer distances and open waters.
- Narrower and faster, suitable for experienced paddlers.
- Whitewater Kayaks:
- Built for navigating rapids and turbulent waters.
- Shorter and more maneuverable.
- Sit-on-Top Kayaks:
- Open-top design, great for warm climates and easy entry/exit.
- Popular for recreational use and fishing.
- Inflatable Kayaks:
- Lightweight and portable, convenient for travelers.
- Suitable for calm waters.
- Fishing Kayaks:
- Equipped with features like rod holders and extra storage.
- Designed for stability and comfort during long fishing trips.
Our list of the best kayaking equipment you need to start
- Life vest for kayaking: A must-have safety device that provides buoyancy and ensures flotation in case of capsizing. Designed for comfort and unrestricted movement while paddling.
- Dry bag: A waterproof bag that keeps your essentials like clothes, food, and electronics dry and protected from splashes and water exposure.
- Kayak neoprene suit: A thermal wetsuit made of neoprene material that keeps you warm in cold water by retaining body heat and providing flexibility for paddling.
- Neoprene shoes: Water-resistant footwear designed to keep your feet warm, provide grip on slippery surfaces, and protect against sharp objects in the water.
- Anorak: A waterproof, windproof paddling jacket that shields against rain, splashes, and cold winds, ensuring comfort in various weather conditions.
- Spray skirt: A flexible, waterproof cover worn around the waist and attached to the kayak’s cockpit to prevent water from entering while paddling or rolling.
- Kayak helmet: A durable, impact-resistant helmet that protects your head from rocks, branches, and accidental collisions, especially in whitewater kayaking.
- Kayak cover: A protective cover that shields the cockpit from rain, dirt, and debris when the kayak is stored or transported.
- Kayak car rack: A secure mounting system for transporting your kayak on a vehicle’s roof, making it easy and safe to travel with your gear.
- Waterproof phone case: A sealed, transparent case that protects your phone from water damage while allowing touchscreen use for navigation or photography.
- Polarised sunglasses: Specially designed sunglasses that reduce glare from the water’s surface, enhancing visibility and protecting your eyes from harmful UV rays.
Actual Benefits of Kayaking
So what’s so good about kayaking? A lot of things, after all this time and all the activities I have tried in my life, I still find kayaking as the best one. Maybe it’s because it’s versatile, you can go kayaking alone and have a great time. Or you can go with your friends and have an even better time. There’s something for everyone.
Here are some benefits of kayaking and why it is great for both your body and mind.
You Are in Nature: Far Away from Stress and Problems
It’s the 21st century and we all have some kind of troubles. Whether it’s our job, family relations, or maybe the news, it’s out there and we feel the pressure of all of it. It’s important more than ever to have some hobby that will act as a valve to release all this stress out of you.
When you are in the kayak, you don’t have time to look at the bad news in the media. You don’t think much about your problems. At the same time, you’re doing an exercise so your happiness hormones are pumped into your bloodstream and you feel good.
Kayaking allows you to immerse yourself in nature, far from the hustle and bustle of daily life. Surrounded by water, greenery, and wildlife, you’ll feel a sense of calm and rejuvenation.
- Stress Reduction: Studies show that spending time in nature lowers cortisol levels and reduces anxiety.
- Connection with Nature: Spotting birds, fish, and other wildlife adds a sense of wonder and mindfulness to your adventure.
It’s Exercise and Meditation at the Same Time
Yes, you have read it well. When you are paddling in a kayak you enter a deeper state of mind. If you let yourself go. You are making a repetitive movement with your body and the sound your paddles make when they hit the water is mesmerizing.
You’re exercising both your mind and body. This is much more expressed when the sea (or any other body of water) is totally calm and reflective. It almost seems that you are paddling in the sky because of the reflection. You can even close your eyes and just follow the rhythm. But make sure you open your eyes occasionally.
Kayaking engages your body and mind simultaneously. The rhythmic motion of paddling acts as a form of meditation, helping you focus and clear your thoughts.
- Mindfulness: Concentrating on each stroke keeps you present and away from distractions.
- Stress Relief: The gentle sound of water and the natural surroundings create a tranquil environment.
Strengthening Your Core and Upper Body Muscles
Moving into the realm of visible body changes. Kayaking is one of the best exercises for the upper body and core strengthening. If done correctly, you can see the changes very soon. Correct paddling movement is done through the rotation of your upper body rather than just using your biceps as many beginners do.
It might be a bit problematic if you are using wider sit-on-top kayaks, but it’s achievable and you should always strive toward good paddling technique. But even if you are not paddling correctly at the start of your kayaking journey, you’ll still see some benefits of kayaking in the form of stronger arms and upper body.
Each paddle stroke engages your core, shoulders, arms, and back muscles, making kayaking an excellent full-body workout.
- Core Activation: Stabilizing the kayak requires constant engagement of your abdominal muscles.
- Upper Body Strength: Paddling tones your shoulders, biceps, and triceps.
Burning Calories
Everybody loves this. If you have problems with obesity or you would like to lose a few kilos, kayaking is the perfect activity for you. When it comes to calories burned, you can go as high as 500 calories burned per hour.
A lot of it depends on weather conditions, you’ll burn more if you are paddling against the current or in big waves. A good thing is that once you go for a kayaking session, you often kayak for a few hours, and with that, you burn even more calories.
- Calories Burned:
- Leisurely paddling: 250-350 calories per hour.
- Intense kayaking: Up to 500 calories per hour.
- Weight Management: Regular kayaking sessions help in maintaining a healthy weight.
Your Heart Will Love It
And it’s not just because you’ll fall in love with kayaking. The benefits of kayaking include improved heart health because it’s an aerobic exercise. Your heart will go all crazy and pump blood with happiness hormones even to the furthest cell in your body.
As a cardiovascular exercise, kayaking improves heart health and boosts endurance.
- Benefits:
- Strengthens your heart muscles.
- Improves blood circulation and oxygen delivery.
- Reduces the risk of heart disease.
Strengthening Your Legs
Although kayaking is predominantly an upper-body workout, your legs play a crucial role in stabilizing the kayak and maintaining balance. Yes, it might seem strange, but legs also work when kayaking. Just watch a few videos of professional kayakers and you’ll see the rhythmic work of their legs. Your legs on a sit-on-top kayak might not have the same movement, but you still use them to balance your body and push into the kayak. So your legs still work and you’re developing their muscles.
- Engagement: Pressing against the foot braces helps activate your leg muscles.
- Balance and Coordination: Improved through consistent use of lower body muscles.
Hormones: Good Hormones
As you are doing any exercise, your happiness hormones are released in your bloodstream and your overall mood is getting better and better. It’s much more expressed when kayaking because you’re spending your time in nature rather than in the gym. So our best advice for your next blue day would be to jump in your kayak and start paddling. You’ll start feeling better in no time.
- Benefits:
- Boosts mood and reduces feelings of depression.
- Enhances overall well-being and energy levels.
Some Additional Benefits of Kayaking
Our main benefits of kayaking lists are done, but let’s explore a few more, let’s call them the advantages of kayaking now.
No Media, No Stress
You can’t kayak and scroll on your mobile phone at the same time. When you are kayaking, nature is your screen, nothing else. In the modern world, the media wants to show everything in a bad light. You can easily see that bad news is prevailing and you might easily think that this world is becoming worse with each passing day.
It’s how media works and it doesn’t mean that it’s the truth. Still, we often get in a bad mood because of the media and the news they present to us. Next time this happens to you, the kayak is your answer. Among the numerous benefits of kayaking, no media exposure is one of our favorites.
Kayaking is a digital detox. Leaving your devices behind lets you escape the constant buzz of notifications and social media.
- Mental Clarity: Disconnecting improves focus and mental health.
- Deeper Connections: Use the time to bond with your kayaking partner or enjoy solitude.
Exploring the Secluded Parts of the Coastline
It’s funny how just the exploration of hidden parts of the world can make you feel good. So start exploring. Kayaking is perfect for that. You can reach many hidden places just by using your strength. You might find yourself a new favorite spot, maybe a secluded beach you didn’t know even existed. This kind of exploration is good both for your body and mind.
- Adventure: Discovering untouched spots adds a sense of exploration and excitement.
- Privacy: Enjoy peaceful moments away from crowded tourist areas.
Aerial view of group of kayakers swimming at secluded beach near Drvenik in Dalmatia, Croatia.
Sun and Fresh Air
Combination of rejuvenation. Your body needs both and kayaking provides both. You get your daily dose of vitamin D through being in the sun while kayaking. On the other hand, fresh and salty sea air will make your nose and lungs clear of any bacteria.
- Vitamin D: Boosts immunity, mood, and bone health.
- Fresh Air: Increases oxygen levels and promotes better sleep.
Time Just for You
We are ending the benefits of the kayaking list with this entry. Sometimes you just need some time for yourself, far from the others. Maybe you need to think about something and you need a clear mind. When you go kayaking, you might think of a solution to a problem that’s been bothering you for some time. We mentioned earlier how kayaking clears your mind and puts you in a meditative state which is good for reflection and problem-solving.
It’s always good to have some time for yourself.
- Self-Care: Use this time to prioritize your well-being.
- Relaxation: The soothing rhythm of paddling helps release tension.
Additional Tips for a Great Kayaking Experience
Here are a few more tips before you embark on your first kayaking adventure.
- Wear Proper Gear: Invest in a comfortable life jacket and weather-appropriate clothing.
- Hydrate: Bring plenty of water, especially during long sessions.
- Learn the Basics: Take a beginner’s course to understand paddling techniques and safety measures.
- Choose the Right Location: Start with calm waters before progressing to more challenging environments.
- Go with a Partner: Kayaking with someone enhances safety and makes the experience more enjoyable.
My kayaking beginnings
The first time I got a chance to try this awesome activity was back in 2006. I was a member of a local adventure club called “Osmica” (figure 8 knot in rock climbing). Me and my best friend (the same one as in the Biokovski vuk story) decided to participate in the hardest adventure race in Croatia at that time – the Cetina adventure race. I knew nothing about kayaking and the benefits of kayaking back then.
Part of the challenge was kayaking on a Peruča lake for a total distance of 22 kilometers. We never tried kayaking so we took one from a club, DAG Tribal it was, went to nearby Baćina lakes, and…paddled in circles for about one hour. That was my first ever touch with kayaking. “Sh*%&” – we thought, we will never prepare for the race in time, we can surely paddle for 22 kilometers but we’ll reach nowhere.
But that was not the case. In about an hour or so, we managed to control the boat and from that time onward kayaking was fun. We went to the race and did a kayaking part with no problems as well as other parts of the race which covered more than 100 kilometers in total.
I saw what was to become my first kayak on the very first day I came to Zrmanja River. It was a DAG sea kayak Miwok and it was the only DAG kayak among the Prijon flotilla. Prijons were newer and Miwok was last in line, abandoned. I asked the boss if I could buy it at the end of the summer and he agreed.
There is something meditative in repeated paddle strokes that propel you through the water. I was training kayaking for about a year and then I had to stop because of other obligations I had at that time.
My first sea kayak
Later that year, just a few months before the summer I saw an ad in which the largest Croatian adventure travel agency was looking for adventure guides with kayaking being one of the activities. I applied, got in, ended 2 months of education, and spent the whole summer kayaking on the Zrmanja River as well as some other places too. Awesome summer, kayaking down the rapids every day with nothing but nature around you. “I could do this forever” – I thought.
And that’s how Life and Ventures adventure tours started. Kayaking is part of some of our most popular adventure tours in Croatia such as Baćina lakes kayaking and Makarska Riviera sunset sea kayaking. One of the main goals of Life and Ventures is to promote the benefits of kayaking.
And that’s how I got my first kayak ever which I still use today and wouldn’t exchange for anything. Later that summer I bought 2 more DAG kayaks – Biwoks which are 2 seated versions of Miwok. Spent almost everything I earned that summer on kayaks. But it felt nice, it was part of a larger scheme, part of a dream.
Later on, I went to university in Zagreb. It was far from the sea so I didn’t even think about kayaking for a while. Until the last years of my university education when I decided to join the kayaking club in Zagreb. And so I was paddling every second day on a Jarun lake. Not even the winter could stop me, nothing, I would grab a kayak from a warehouse, sit in it, and just enter the zen-paddling state. If you tried kayaking you’ll probably know what I’m talking about, if you haven’t you might not believe me until you try. And that’s when I started to feel the benefits of kayaking.
Exploring the Croatian coastline
As time went by I got into kayaking more and more. I love the sole feeling of paddling, I like how fast you can go, and how you can struggle with high waves and other bad weather conditions. Every type of kayaking has its beauty. Calm water will make you enjoy the reflections around you while sea waves will make you go up and down like in a roller coaster (sometimes you’ll just run through the waves with water splashing all around you). And the benefits of kayaking I was feeling were overwhelming.
Being in a sit-in kayak makes you almost invincible, you are like a submarine and you cut through the waves easily. This, of course, does not mean that you should get out in the sea in really bad weather. Know your limits.
There are many kinds of kayaks as well. If you seek fast kayaks for longer tours you’ll probably choose composite ones. If ease of transportation is your main goal then you’ll go for inflatable kayaks. There is also kayak surfing as an activity in which you must use special narrow kayaks. Never tried it but from the videos I’ve watched, it seems like great fun. I found that sea kayaking and plastic touring kayaks are the best fit for me. Sometimes I like to paddle for hours and just get lost in the process.
You can go kayaking in pretty much any weather conditions (with proper equipment) and that’s nice too. There is nothing better than kayaking in summer rain or fighting with the southern wind waves. Of course, severe weather is better for a cup of coffee near the window. Be smart. Don’t underestimate the power of nature and overestimate yours.
As we are born and living in Croatia which is a country with a beautiful coastline and many islands we have a chance for a lifetime of kayaking exploration. Croatia is simply perfect for sea kayaking. As well as Greenland with all those iceberg kayaking routes. But we are nowhere near Greenland so we spend most of our kayaking time finding secluded beaches and swimming far from everyone.
So to conclude, if you ever find yourself on a vacation and you get a chance to try kayaking, try it. You’ll have a great time and possibly fall in love with this activity. On the other hand, if you live near the sea (or rivers and lakes) and you want some hobby or activity to keep you active, consider buying yourself a kayak.
Enjoy your kayaking adventures and reap all the benefits of kayaking!