Friday, July 1, 2011

Whitewater Kayaking Gear

By David Blake


Beginner's Strategies Whitewater Kayaking Gear

Whitewater kayaking is the sport of paddling on moving bodies of water, normally rivers. The experience can range from your fun float trips to adrenalin charged challenges. Whitewater kayaking requires the same basic gear employed by all kayakers. Gear specifics vary as a result of conditions and also other variables associated with whitewater kayaking.

Kayaks developed for whitewater kayaking, often called playboats, are frequently manufactured from durable and flexible plastic. Lengths vary from about 6 ft to as long as 12 ft ., maybe longer. More recent designs are inclined to run around 6 ft to 7 feet in length. Personal kayak size and shape are based on the user's height, weight, type of water the kayak is going to be used in and primary kayak use.

Whitewater kayaks for fun float trips do not require the options that kayaks used on dangerous river rapids must have. New kayaks cost from around $600 to thousands of dollars.

Paddles for whitewater kayaking are usually around 6 feet long. Lengthier paddles are fantastic for fun whitewater trips on creeks or rivers while shorter paddles work better where swift movement is necessary.

Playboaters can get optimum power from bigger blades while medium blades are fine for creeks and general rivers. Spoon shaped paddles supply power for playboating. Wing blades were designed to obtain optimum power and need a special paddling technique.

Whitewater kayaking paddles are available in a variety of materials such as fiber composites, fiberglass, carbon, plastic, wood and laminated wood. Just about every material has its own weaknesses and strengths. Boater size and paddling style will change choice of paddle.

Type III Personal floatation devices (PFDs) include models that are specifically for kayaking. The best PFD is one which might be adjusted to fit neatly whether the user is wearing a tee shirt or a wet suit. A lot of knowledgeable whitewater kayakers recommend buying the best whitewater kayaking helmet that the budget permits. Function as well as protection are essential considerations, before style. For serious whitewater kayaking, you will discover helmets that seem to be almost like those found in football. They feature face guards and provide far more coverage and protection than standard kayaking helmets.

Resistant Neoprene is the best whitewater kayaking spray skirt material. UV rays, abrasions and stretching will affect the wear and life-span of the spray skirt. Spray skirts must be simple to remove swiftly in case of emergency.




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