insideKENT Magazine Issue 38 - May 2015 | Page 138
SPORTS
THE BEAUTY OF
KAYAKING
BY LISAMARIE LAMB
If messing about on the river sounds like your ideal day away from the trials and tribulations of everyday
life, and yet you also need the thrills and spills of something that pushes your adrenalin level to full capacity,
then kayaking may well be the perfect sport for you. The beauty of kayaking is that you can take it at your
own pace – white water rapids may be the pinnacle of fun for some, yet peacefully floating around a calm,
dappled lake may be the ultimate in fulfilment for others. Want to do both? Once you have the skills you
need to go kayaking, the world – or at least its waterways – is your oyster.
Kayaking is not canoeing – that’s the first thing
that anyone who is keen to get out on the water
and experience this thrill ride (or tranquil journey)
must know. When choosing to kayak, you are
choosing to sit on a low seat with your legs out
in front of you, stretched out within the vessel
(when canoeing, you would either be kneeling in
the canoe or sitting on a specially raised seat),
and use a double bladed oar (canoeing uses a
single bladed oar).
Kayaking is a superb sport for beginners and
those who love a challenge, and it doesn’t take
long to build up the confidence required once
out on the water to go further – literally and
figuratively – than you ever thought possible.
Depending on your level of expertise, and how
comfortable you feel, kayaks can be used pretty
much anywhere – rivers, lakes, and the sea are
all extremely popular places to go kayaking. Even
the infamous white water rafting has been given
the kayaking treatment, and entails traversing
your specially designed vessel through the epic
swirls and squalls of fast-moving rough waters.
It is versatile too, so it can be combined with
camping, for example, or fishing, or hiking, or
cycling. Because there are so many kayaking
companies around today, it is possible to simply
hire a kayak and enjoy it for as long as you need
before handing it back and continuing your
journey. It’s a wonderful way to get some different
views of the landscape, a great way to get some
fresh air, and an excellent way to keep fit.
SO WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES OF
TAKING UP KAYAKING?
• Paddling involves core strength and twisting
muscles that might otherwise be forgotten
about. Although at first this will cause aches
and pains, soon enough you’ll be feeling
healthier and fitter, with a flatter stomach. Some
studies suggest than an hour of kayaking can
burn up to 500 calories!
• Your arms, shoulders, and chest will get a
workout too, even in the calmest of water. It’s
all about water resistance, and what that can
do for you.
• Research has been carried out that shows
kayaking reduces stress hugely. Whether it’s
the movement, the peace an d quiet, the
excitement, or the exercise we don’t yet know,
but something about kayaking is calming.
• Using a kayak, you can explore places you
would never otherwise have found, or been
able to reach. This method of travelling gives
you a completely different view of the world
around you, which is always something special.
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WHERE IN KENT?
If you think that you would like to try kayaking,
why not get in touch with one of the following
Kent-based companies?
Bewl Water // www.bewlwater.org
For a one-day taster or a longer, more intensive
course, Bewl Water has everything you need.
Here you will gain an introduction to the basic
skills of kayaking, and, once you feel confident,
you can move on to learning more about control
and those more challenging water courses.
Leybourne Lake Watersports Centre //
www.leybournelakewatersports.co.uk
Here you can gain an insight into kayaking with
short or long courses, and once you know what’
s
what, you can work towards gaining awards and
qualifications. Bespoke lessons can be tailored
to your needs on a one-to-one basis.
White Water Action //
www.whitewateraction.co.uk
Once you’ve learned what you need to know,
you might want to join a club or group like this
one to meet people with the same adventurous
tastes in watersports. You’ll learn a lot this way,
and you’ll get to experience a real sense of fun
and freedom.