Easy Kayaks Guide to Basic Kayaking Equipment

Easy Kayaks Luxury Seats

There isn’t a lot of equipment required for sit-on-top kayaking. A kayak, paddle, and life jacket, are the recommended basics.  Provided with all Easy Kayaks craft are luxury seats that can be clipped onto each kayak.  These seats provide more comfort and support for your lower back.

Easy Kayaks sit-on-top kayaks offer an opportunity to try out  “cross-water” kayaking on lakes, rivers, and surf.  Most kayaking beginners will find the Easy Kayaks range of sit-on-top kayaks to be stable enough to shift their body weight around without fear of capsizing.  Any water that does enter the open top can easily be drained by briefly removing the fitted drain plugs situated in several places on the kayaks. However, even with the open top full of water, our kayaks will not sink as the hull is hollow and air tight.

Body size may be a factor in some commercial kayaks on the market; however, our Easy Kayaks sit-on-top kayaks are designed to hold up to 120 kilos without compromising any buoyancy or maneuverability.  The size and shape of each kayak is based on the maximum height, weight, and the type of water the kayak will be used in.  Easy Kayaks stock rental and demonstration kayaks available for test paddling.  This allows customers the opportunity to try before they buy.

Easy Kayaks Paddle

Finding the right paddle involves getting the length, weight, material and blade shape into consideration, along with the user’s height, torso size and paddling style. Tall people, those with long torsos and paddlers who like a slow ride will require longer paddles. Shorter people or those with short torsos and paddlers who like to paddle fast and get the job done will benefit from shorter paddles.  However, Easy Kayaks have standardised the length of paddle to suit all sizes and provide them in an aluminium shaft with plastic blades that can be personally adjusted to suit the kayakers’ paddling angle style. The aluminium shaft paddles are a good choice for beginners and more experienced paddlers alike.

Easy Kayaks sit-on-top kayaks are manufactured using a material called Polyethylene.  This is a robust thermoplastic polymer that will stand up to many a knock and scrape through constant use and transportation.

Many kayakers are already into other water sports and own a life jacket, also known as a personal flotation device (PFD) . These can be purchased at many discount stores, sporting goods stores and boating equipment stores in addition to online stores and auctions.  Easy Kayaks provide specialised kayaking PFDs for our rental kayaks and although we do not currently (as of this post date) stock PFDs for resale, we will be stocking them in the near future.  In South Australia, PFDs are required by law. Choose a PFD rated for the type of kayaking involved. Type III PFD’s tend to be the most comfortable for paddling.

Kayaking helmets are entirely optional and consideration should be made to the type of kayaking activity and terrain.  They should be of good quality and fit well. Like other sporting gear, helmets have evolved and now are as much about fashion as function. Users can shop for functional, protective head gear or for functional and fashionable helmets in a wide variety of designs, colours and styles.  However, for recreational kayaking on calm rivers, lakes, and surf, the use of helmets are entirely up to the individual.

Optional kayaking gear includes a dry bag, a dry top and a spray jacket. The small dry bag is good for protecting and storing snacks and other small items.  Easy Kayaks sit-on-top kayaks also provide spacious storage compartments on each kayak to store smaller items such as mobile phones, keys, wallets, purses, and other small items.

A dry top is a water proof jacket good for cold water paddling. Spray jackets are waterproof and available in long or short sleeve styles. Kayaking gives boaters an opportunity to explore waterways for fun and for relaxation. The size and light weight of kayaks make maneuvering them easy for individuals. Kayaking doesn’t require a lot of equipment and doesn’t have to be expensive. Most beginners can quickly master the basics but kayaking is a continual learning experience.