How to Kayak 101. A beginner’s guide + FAQs

Updated: April 9, 2024

Kayaking for the first time can be intimidating. There are so many factors to consider (where, how, when, equipment, etc.) before taking off on your first adventure. Kayaking is an awesome activity for people of almost any age and physical level.

The amazing thing about kayaking is the diversity. You can make it as easy as you need, or as challenging as you want. Here is your guide on How to Kayak.

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How to Kayak Step 1: Where

Where do you kayak? Depending on your location, options include ponds, lakes, rivers, oceans, or any body of water. Beginners should start on ponds or small lakes when learning how to kayak.

Once you get the feel for the kayak, graduate to easy rivers to learn how to handle a kayak in moving water.

Don’t choose BIG or BUSY water for your first kayaking experience. Stick to small, slow bodies of water when you are learning how to kayak.

There is a classification system for bodies of water. A new kayaker should start at Class A and graduate to Class I when they feel comfortable and confident in Class A water.

• Class A – Still water with no perceptible movement such as ponds and lakes.
• Class I – Easy. Smooth water with light riffles, clear passages, and gentle curves. The most difficult problem you might incur is paddling around bridges and other obvious obstructions such as fallen trees.
• Class II – Moderate. Medium-quick water with rapids and regular waves. There are clear and open passages between rocks and ledges. There is maneuvering required and is best handled by intermediates who can read the water and maneuver kayaks.
• Class III – Moderately difficult. Many high and irregular waves with rocks and eddies. The passages are clear but narrow and require experience to maneuver. Visual inspection of the route is required if rapids are unknown. These rapids are best left to kayakers with expert skills.
• Class IV – Difficult. Long and powerful rapids, standing waves, and boiling eddies. Powerful and precise maneuvering is required. Visual inspection is mandatory. Advance preparations for possible rescue work are important.
• Class V – Extremely difficult. Long and violent rapids that follow each other almost without interruption. The river is filled with obstructions, big drops, and violent currents. Rescue preparations are mandatory. Can be run only by top experts in specially equipped whitewater kayaks.
• Class VI – Extraordinarily difficult. Paddlers face constant threat of death because of extreme danger. Navigable only when water levels and conditions are favorable. Every safety precaution must be taken.

How to Kayak Step 2: When

Ponds and lakes take less thought when deciding when to kayak. Check the weather to ensure there will not be any storms or dangerous weather.

Learn about the lake you intend to kayak. Larger lakes that have high winds, large open areas, or allow motorboats will be more difficult to navigate.

Any time of the day with adequate lighting will work well. As you become more confident in your abilities, you can experiment with earlier and later kayaking hours (sunrise and sunset) when the lighting is less than optimal for unloading and loading your kayak.

How to Kayak Step 3: How

Getting in a kayak

Arguably, the most difficult part of learning how to kayak is entering and exiting the kayak. If you are lucky, you can find a lake with a kayak loading dock on it.

This takes most of the difficulty out of getting in and out of the kayak. The kayak is stabilized for you while you get in and out. And then you use the rails to pull your kayak into the water.

If you don’t have access to a kayak dock, but you have a partner, ask them to steady the kayak while you first set your bottom on the seat, and then bring both feet into the kayak.

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If you are alone and need to enter and exit, place the kayak parallel to the short, steady yourself with at least one hand on the kayak, step one foot into the center of the kayak, set your bottom down, and then bring the other foot into the kayak.

Always keep your center of gravity as low as possible. And be ready to fall into the water a time or 2 when you are learning for the first time!

There are many ways to enter and exit a kayak. Finding the best method will vary depending on your physical ability, the type of kayak you have, and the location you are using to enter and exit the kayak.

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Paddling

You could research paddle strokes and their fancy names all day long. Or better, you can just get in the water and experiment to see how your kayak responds with different movements. Starting on Class A waters is the perfect opportunity to play with long strokes, short strokes, turning, stopping, speeding up, slowing down, or maneuvering around obstacles.

Class A waters require more propelling since the water is still. Class I waters will require more steering since the flowing water will do the propelling.

How to Kayak Step 4: Equipment

Kayaking equipment can be expensive. Many people want to ‘try before they buy’. You may have a friend who is willing to let you borrow a kayak when you are learning how to kayak, or even go along with you for some coaching. If not, check with local parks, lakes, and state parks for equipment rental options.

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How to Kayak FAQs

Is kayaking hard for beginners?

No. If you do your research, pick the proper location, and take safety precautions then you likely will not have issues.

Paddling the kayak on still waters is not hard. Getting in and out of the kayak tends to be the most challenging obstacle. For more information-

Is Kayaking Hard? What you need to know + how to make it happen

How long should you kayak for the first time?

A 2-3 hour kayaking session is a good length for the first time on the water. It’s long enough to get the feel for the kayak and explore a pond or lake, but not so long that you will be worn out.

Just take your time and enjoy your surroundings as you paddle around the river at a leisurely pace.

Is it safe to kayak with no experience?

Yes. Every single person who has ever kayaked had to start with zero experience. Everyone has to learn How to Kayak.

Kayaking on Class A waters carries little safety risk. You might even get away with hitting a Class I river on your first trip (in the company of experienced kayakers).

But don’t go beyond that on your first trip. You want the trip to be enjoyable with the least amount of stress possible.

Can you kayak if you don’t know how to swim?

The answers to this question vary. Personally, I would say no. Some people would answer yes (with the use of a PFD of course).

However, I consider it a safety risk to do any activity on the water if you don’t know how to swim. I would advise to make learning to swim a goal before learning to kayak.

Do kayaks tip over easily?

It depends on you, the type of kayak you are using, and the types of water you are floating.

My parents both have the same kind of kayak and I’ve watched my mom tip on just about every float we have ever done, while my dad has tipped once in 2 years of kayaking.

My first kayak was a $300 kayak (Sun Dolphin). It did well but was a little unsteady with entering and exiting. I tipped it once in 2 years of kayaking (in a small class 1 current when I was swept sideways into a small tree branch).

I now have a Jackson Bite Recreational kayak (a pricier upgrade), that is rock solid steady (bigger and wider), and I cannot image tipping it if I tried.

I once got stuck sideways on a large rock in a Class 2 rapid (maybe a Class 3 at this area) and was able to rock myself off the boulder without tipping. I was shocked, impressed, and relieved that I did not tip in that situation.

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What do you wear to kayak?

It depends on the season.

Winter kayaking will require gear that will keep you from becoming hypothermic if end up in the water. I don’t own this gear yet, so I haven’t kayaked in winter.

For fall and spring kayaking, wear comfortable clothes that move and breathe easily. Take layers along to accommodate weather changes (cool mornings and evenings with warm middays).

My choice of footwear for this time of year are the classic Crocs and socks! Socks keep the feet warm, but can easily be removed to wear the Crocs in the water (for loading and unloading the kayaks).

For summer kayaking I always wear a swimsuit, quick-dry shorts, and Teva sandals.

Shoes that are secured to the foot are best to avoid losing footwear that floats off down the river. I like to take a very light long-sleeve shirt along in case I need extra sun protection.

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What do you do if the kayak flips?

Your personal safety is number one. Always wear a personal floatation device (PFD).

If you visit a kayak supplier, they are often knowledgeable and can help you find the best-fitted and most functional PFD for you.

Kayaking PDFs are slightly different than regular PFDs because they allow more arm motion for paddling and a more comfortable back for sitting in a seat.

If you flip while on the river, first ensure that you are safe (don’t worry about your belongings yet). If you are safe and can catch your kayak, then do so.

If you are with other kayakers, get out of the way and let them catch your belongings. If neither of those things can happen, you’ll eventually find your belongings downstream.

But always prioritize your personal safety first.

It’s good practice, and a rule on most rivers, to always have all of your belongings secured to the kayak.

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Is kayaking easier than canoeing?

It depends on what you mean by “easy.” A kayak is easier to maneuver since it is smaller and more agile. Canoes are heavier, slower, and more laid back.

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