Hello, I have a dumb question. I always see advice to take a kayak tour or trip. Just how hard is it to kayak.

My cousin and I are are turning 40 next year and taking a trip to Maine. I've seen advice to kayak. Is it possible for the two of us to kayak? We aren't that athletic, probably not athletic at all. But it might be something we could talk about for years and years and years.

What do ya'll think?

Melissa

My husband and I just kayaked this past weekend for the first time - we are in our early 40's. We were on the Eastern shore of Maryland and rented a double kayak for 2 hours. We found the kayaking relatively easy. The bay was calm and the trip was very peaceful - we loved it! We are in pretty good shape - but not overly athletic. I would definitely do it again without hesitation. My advice is to give it a try but definitely let the marina know that you are first timers and get some instructions and advice. Have fun!

Cool, it sounds like fun. I'm just a bit skittish. If you flip over do you come out or does someone have to flip you back over? These may seem like dumb questions, but a big concern for me. LOL

We were in the bay - which was very calm and in ocean kayaks (they are supposed to be more stable). I did have visions of us flipping over (like you see on TV) but in the bay, there was no chance of that. Maybe someone who has done more kayaking can be more helpful. Also, will you be in the ocean or on the bay? That could make a big difference as the ocean could be rough.

I have seen both ocean and lake kayaking. We would need to do the easier one. lol

Even on calm waters and lakes, most kayak rental places will give you an ocean kayak -- meaning you sit on top rather than having your legs tucked inside. If you fall off, which is difficult to do, you'll have to haul yourself back on the boat. But ocean kayaks are also VERY stable. Even in rough waters, I've never felt like I was about to flip.

P.S. My mother is not athletic, can't swim a stroke, and LOVES kayaking. It's just a lot of fun

Thanks karameli, I think we will check into kayaking. Now I just have to convince my cousin.

I can't wait

Very easy. A lot of fun.
Do it!

My kids love to kayak and so therefore my dh and I have done it a bit also. We are far from being in shape and 45 yo. but we can do without a lot of strain.

As far as falling out, if you have a closed in kayak (which I think is likely in Maine based on the outfitters I've seen) you have to learn to drop out of the kayak if you tip over. It's easy to do. Not sure if an outfitter would make you learn it. But its just a matter of tucking your knees up to your chest and pushing away from the boat and up to the surface. Don't hesitate to go. Its a great way of seeing the coast of Maine.

I think kayaking is great - just went with a group of women in Oregon on a beautiful lake - snow capped mountains in the background. It took a little practice to learn some paddle techniques but we had a great time and are ready to go again. We are all "over 60" and one lady doesnt even swim but we all did fine,

We had some of our own kayaks and rented some at the marina - all the ones we used were we not "sit on tops"- ours had a large open cockpit - I think the hardest part was getting in and out.

One piece of advice - wear gloves -
some people got blisters -

MOst places will rent you a double kayak, which is more stable. You just need to learn to paddle together. The paddle stroke is very easy--keep your shoulders relaxed (down) and use the upper arm to push away as much as you use the other to pull in. You'll still have sore arms the next day, but it's worth it!

Ocean kayaks (sit-on-tops) are very stable but also very "klunky"---they don't track well, and are heavy and harder to paddle. I'd opt for the regular sleeker closed type if you have a choice.

OMG, I'm getting so excited about this. When my husband and I went to Alaska we saw many kayaking adventures. We were to scared to try.

I think I'm going to definetly try to talk my cousin into it.

Thanks all

I'v been sea kayaking a number of times. I suspect that you will not be using a plastic kayak where you sit on top, instead you will use a fiberglass kayak with your lower half of your body totally enclosed and a spray skirt around your waster and atached to the kayak to keep out water. The spray skirt holds you in place and if you tip over you cannot escape unless you pull the emergency cord to release the spray skirt, otherwise you will drown. Do not venture out into the ocean without a guide and/or training. Kayaking is not inherently dangerous but if you have no experience, kayaking in cold ocean water can be fatal.

My family just went kayaking for the first time on Monterey Bay. I am out of shape, just passed the half century mark, and my family thought I'd chicken out for sure, but I did it and had a great time. I wasn't even as sore as I thought I'd be the next day and will go again. We were in a double kayak and didn't seem to come close to ever tipping over. I did wear a life jacket, just in case. Go for it!

You MUST wear life jackets. MUST. I would get advice about whether you need some sort of wetsuit-top protection. Anywhere in Maine, the water will be very cold and just getting splashed can make you susceptible to hypothermia. Can you both swim? Swim well? Well enough to swim across choppy water? If you can't swim, you shouldn't do this.

Yes, you should certainly wear life jackets. However, I would be astonished if you managed to get hypothermia by being splashed. My sea kayaking "experience" -- 3 times -- has all been at home in Newfoundland, which is considerably north of Maine. On one trip (windy/choppy day) my arms were soaked in a few minutes, but no one had any ill effects. Of course, that was a mild September day. I wouldn't recommend it in November.

Here in Newfoundland, many of the rental places have an option of going out with a guide/instructor in another kayak. They provide instruction, and also show you good routes, coves to visit, etc. That would be my recommendation for anyone who doesn't have canoe/kayaking experience. If you're not a confident swimmer, I would advise it. It won't be fun if you're nervous every minute.

BTW, I'm not athletic, was 45 the first time I tried this, it is fun & it's NOT difficult. I've never tried the "on-top", only the enclosed kind.

Kayaking is EASY - at least it is in calm water.

Contrary to what some people think, a single kayak is MUCH easier than a double and a heck of a lot more fun. You do not get lonely - you can paddle right next to the other person. The advantage is that you can go at your own pace, and the paddling and steering is much easier.

My 78 year old mother goes kayaking with me! My 5 year old nephew kayaks!

And most rental places will let you try out a few to find one that feels the most stable for you.

Hmmm... I was feeling ok about going, then I see the word drown. WOW!!

It is not hard at all. I'm the world's worst. Went kayaking in Mexico (lagoon) and I beached the thing twice and hit the broad side of a bridge (only on a message board would I admit this). It was hysterical. I got the hang of it in about 10 minutes (was just my hubby and me out goofing off rather than a tour where someone could tell me how to do it).

Also isn't anything that really requires any athletic ability or great stamina. That's the beauty of it. We enjoyed it so much, now, a couple of years later, we own our own kayak. Go! You'll be so glad that you did. I also agree, get your own kayak rather than trying to use one for two.

Definitely get your own kayak. My husband and I will occasionally rent a double, and then we spend the enitre time smacking each other's oars and swearing we'll never rent a double again. In a single, you can go at your own pace and you'll feel more balanced because the kayak is responding only to your motions, not someone else's.

Kayak companies will ALWAYS provide life jackets, and wearing them in a no-brainer. I'm a strong swimmer and would never kayak without a vest...just because I don't feel like treading water with tired arms!

The kayak outfitter will provide you with anything you need for the trip in the way of wetsuits, etc. If you tell them you're a beginner, they will make sure you choose an excursion and a kayak that fits your experience level. No one wants to get sued!