*Before you start any new activity please check the link below and speak with your doc.
My first Kayaking experience was a life changer
I signed up for a three day course with my brother and father to go white water kayaking. The course spent one evening in the pool, one day and morning practicing on a calm river and then a trip down the rapids.
At the time I was the heaviest I had ever been (a number I sit at again now 10 years later) and had not done much athletically for many years ( not that I was ever that athletic in the past). I was terrified but very excited.
The very neat thing about this trip was this: on the third day when I hit the rapids I got tired and scared and thought I wasn't strong enough and wanted to quit. BUT I couldn't.
If I gave up my boat would flip. And I was deep in the wilderness....so it was either keep going or lug me and my boat out the whole way on foot.
I really had no choice but to keep paddling, so I did.
At the time I was the heaviest I had ever been (a number I sit at again now 10 years later) and had not done much athletically for many years ( not that I was ever that athletic in the past). I was terrified but very excited.
The very neat thing about this trip was this: on the third day when I hit the rapids I got tired and scared and thought I wasn't strong enough and wanted to quit. BUT I couldn't.
If I gave up my boat would flip. And I was deep in the wilderness....so it was either keep going or lug me and my boat out the whole way on foot.
I really had no choice but to keep paddling, so I did.
And at that moment I had a paradigm shift that has affected my life greatly since:
I was capable of going so much farther than where I wanted to quit.
I was capable of going so much farther than where I wanted to quit.
|
There I am, proof of the paddle.
Not only did I make it down that part of the river, I paddled back up and did it again. |
My first white water Kayak trip in 2007
|
Suddenly an idea began to take hold in my brain that has led up to this point of creating this website: I did not have to wait to be smaller in order to adventure. I was stronger than I thought. And the entry barrier for sport was much lower than I had anticipated. I was allowed to be athletic.
FAT KAYAKING
Kayaking is an awesome sport that allows people of all skill levels and many different fitness levels participate. For any water sport its ideal you know how to swim well, but you will always wear a life jacket and in the calm versions of kayaking you will likely not be in the water even if you aren't the strongest of swimmers.
If you are afraid of swimming or don't know how at all I would not recommend you take out a boat without a swim lesson or a boat session in a pool.
Basic kayaking is an easily accessible sport anywhere with standing water as there will likely be a plethora of companies that will rent to you. Being heavier take longer kayaks if you can as smaller kayaks have lower weight limits and are just smaller in general (aka uncomfortable.)
Rentals can usually be taken right out but also kayak rental places often organize group paddles and lessons. I don't recommend ever going by yourself without checking with someone before you go and letting them know when you will be back. Many rentals places wont let you go without doing this anyways.
*Bring a water bottle, being out on the water can actually dry you out and you are going to get thirsty.
Kayaking can range from no skill beginner on flat water, to raging rapid white water, to long range sea kayaking and touring. If you want to get specialized you can. Look at local shops and universities for classes to get you into more specialized training. There is more safety gear, safety procedure and skill building to be done before you take to the raging river or open sea on your own.
Rentals are fairly cheap if you just want to try this out. Should you want to get more into the sport the initial costs are a little high but your gear will be good for years and years.
*I go a little gear crazy here ha ha- waterproof watch, dry bags, carabeaners, waterproof stereo, dry bag for my phone and whatever else i can waterproof!
If you are afraid of swimming or don't know how at all I would not recommend you take out a boat without a swim lesson or a boat session in a pool.
Basic kayaking is an easily accessible sport anywhere with standing water as there will likely be a plethora of companies that will rent to you. Being heavier take longer kayaks if you can as smaller kayaks have lower weight limits and are just smaller in general (aka uncomfortable.)
Rentals can usually be taken right out but also kayak rental places often organize group paddles and lessons. I don't recommend ever going by yourself without checking with someone before you go and letting them know when you will be back. Many rentals places wont let you go without doing this anyways.
*Bring a water bottle, being out on the water can actually dry you out and you are going to get thirsty.
Kayaking can range from no skill beginner on flat water, to raging rapid white water, to long range sea kayaking and touring. If you want to get specialized you can. Look at local shops and universities for classes to get you into more specialized training. There is more safety gear, safety procedure and skill building to be done before you take to the raging river or open sea on your own.
Rentals are fairly cheap if you just want to try this out. Should you want to get more into the sport the initial costs are a little high but your gear will be good for years and years.
*I go a little gear crazy here ha ha- waterproof watch, dry bags, carabeaners, waterproof stereo, dry bag for my phone and whatever else i can waterproof!
Special Concerns for Fat Kayakers
Will I fit in the kayak?
Kayaks come in many sizes and varieties and most can hold between 250-600 lbs. The main thing is if you can be honest about your weight they will be able to find a boat for you. If you are over 300 lb then you likely will be going with a sit on top version of a kayak.
Classes of kayaks are river (short with flat bottoms-harder to stear and easy to flip), hybrid (mid range lengths for flat water or moving water), sea (long and meant for the ocean), touring, blow up, tandem (long, meant for two people but have the highest weight capacity)
Also they come in sit in and sit on.
Sit ins can be a little awkward the bigger you get so make sure you find one with a workable amount of space. *remember IF you flip you need to be able to easily slide out of your boat so if you feel stuck that is not good.
If you cant get comfy try a sit on variety of kayak (*though you will get wetter on this version)
This is the boat I use. www.mec.ca/en/product/5046-262/Flex-11-Kayak-w-Skeg and is rated up to 265, I weigh that much and I have never had a problem with this boat, its does sit low in the water though, so if it was choppy and I did not have a skirt then it would more easily flood with water.
Classes of kayaks are river (short with flat bottoms-harder to stear and easy to flip), hybrid (mid range lengths for flat water or moving water), sea (long and meant for the ocean), touring, blow up, tandem (long, meant for two people but have the highest weight capacity)
Also they come in sit in and sit on.
Sit ins can be a little awkward the bigger you get so make sure you find one with a workable amount of space. *remember IF you flip you need to be able to easily slide out of your boat so if you feel stuck that is not good.
If you cant get comfy try a sit on variety of kayak (*though you will get wetter on this version)
This is the boat I use. www.mec.ca/en/product/5046-262/Flex-11-Kayak-w-Skeg and is rated up to 265, I weigh that much and I have never had a problem with this boat, its does sit low in the water though, so if it was choppy and I did not have a skirt then it would more easily flood with water.
and here is a lovely little article I found with links to some higher weight capacity kayaks http://the-crafty-designer.com/how-to-buy-a-kayak-for-a-fat-person/
Life Jackets
Make sure your life jacket is rated to support your weight and fits comfortably. You will be moving your arms a lot to paddle so your jacket should allow for a full range of motions. Also on any life jacket you should carry a whistle and I usually carry a Swiss army knife.
I will likely be getting a new life jacket this year but this is the one I currently have www.mec.ca/en/product/5024-219/MsFit-Tour-PFD
Also here is a helpful article that explains how to choose a life jacket www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/personal-flotation-device.html
I will likely be getting a new life jacket this year but this is the one I currently have www.mec.ca/en/product/5024-219/MsFit-Tour-PFD
Also here is a helpful article that explains how to choose a life jacket www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/personal-flotation-device.html
Kayak Skirts
Kayak skirts go around your waist and then fit around the opening of the kayak. Their purpose is to keep water out of the kayak and keep you in it when you flip (this is specifically around white water kayaking) Skirts can be restrictive and you don't need one at all unless the water is very choppy and will be splashing around and collecting in your boat.
They do offer skirts in adjustable sizing so you can always try some on and see if they fit. You will not have the option of a skirt with a sit on kayak.
They do offer skirts in adjustable sizing so you can always try some on and see if they fit. You will not have the option of a skirt with a sit on kayak.