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Kayaking

Best thing I worked out for myself for kayaking, mostly on River Cam in Cambridge, but also other rivers and canals in East Anglia, West Midlands and Caledonian Canal (Fort William to Inverness) was to have a lifejacket with pockets for snacks and meter in plastic bags, so they're more easily accessible than in shorts or trouser pockets or a plastic tub under spray deck.
 
I'm not that keen on traditional lifejackets for kayaking. I prefer a wetsuit and a manually inflated co2 harness, so have no pockets, but there is a fish hatch just below my knees which is OK. i keep the radio clipped to my harness, my paddle is on a tether that is attached to the kayak and the knee straps keep me very connected to the kayak.

a friend and I both did a day of exercises with the local inshore rescue boat a couple of years ago, basically paddled out about half a mile then deliberately capsized the kayak (not my own) so they could practice picking up casualties. Got a total boll*cking the first time because I had forgotten to wear a lifejacket of any description, and was bobbing up and down quite happily with just my westsuit on - very peaceful it was too, the biggest danger really was me dozing off and drifting down to Dover with the tide.


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I find I don't sink, even in a shorty wetsuit.
Having said that, I still have my buoyancy aid from 30 years ago, which I now fit back into. Ribbed vest type, so it doesn't get in the way.
 
Only caveat I have is that if you are kayaking in surf, or where there is some other risk of injury such as white water, a wetsuit will not necessarily keep you floating on your back with face out of water if you are unconcious or otherwise disabled, which modern lifejackets have to do to be certified. The other thing to consider is that a crotchstrap is pretty essential for an effective lifejacket.

The old bouyancy aids are not much better than the wetsuits really so I prefer my modern slimline harness which when inflated is a full lifejacket, and I also used the same one when sailing or out in the Rib so its multi purpose.


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If your co2 harness goes missing...it isnt :-D
*jealous cause l want one n they cost to much*

l often take my LJ off never had much respect for h & s
 
You can get reasonable co2 harnesses for about £45 if you shop around, I wouldnt want to do a circumnavigation with one but perfectly OK for normal use. You must have them serviced every year though.


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If you are buying an automatic one you need to make sure how they are triggered, some of the cheaper ones will go off as soon as they are immersed which is no good if you are kayaking, they just have a bit of cardboard that dissolves quickly and releases they trigger so even a big splash will do it - that why I use a manual one.


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Another thing worth doing if you are going to try kayaking is to join the British Canoe Union, you get insurance both for the kayak and liability insurance from them and their info and advice is excellent.


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l am way ahead there been a member since bought inflatable done their rescue and 1 and think 2* courses (lost track) & doing white water in couple of months.
To go on all canals and most inland waters need their membership
 
Mud Island Dweller said:
l am way ahead there been a member since bought inflatable done their rescue and 1 and think 2* courses (lost track) & doing white water in couple of months.
To go on all canals and most inland waters need their membership
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You might find you get a discount in some kayak stores then, I got 10% off on two new kayaks by showing my BCU card and then another 10% off my new wetsuit and safety gear for my crew card!


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Yup l know some do 10% l got that off when we bought our 2 hardshells and lot of bits at the moment lot to go out and have to pay for white water course and 2 helmets so will put it on hold but bookmarked
 
copepod said:
It's more comfy to sit on a traditional life jacket for meal break during day tours and evening / breakfast as well during multi day tours. Wouldn't be comfy for my bottom, nor good for lifejacket to sit on a CO jacket
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My kayak has a detachable soft seat so not a problem for my bottom!


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Our Rogues have soft seats and you can blow air into them via a long tube...looks kinky if someone glances over and.... well lets say should blow the seat before get in and l always forget!
changing subject before l sink....we can pull the back pad tight and comfy
 

kayaking become very difficult in cold weather i have canoe hobies cat 16 this is similar to kayak but little different so i don't like canoeing in cold weather because boating require normal weather for batter enjoyment I the winter season little injury pain like big injury of normal season because blood circulation
i am new and you have experience of kayaking in cold water so can you explain that what safety arrangements need for kayaking in cold weather.....?
cold water also may cause of pneumonia am i right....?
 
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