A Beginner’s Guide To Sea Kayaking

Swimming in the sea and exploring it on a boat are two very different ways to experience the ocean - but what about a third option that gives you the best of both worlds? Sea kayaking allows you to stay close to the water without being right in it. All the while, you’ll experience its beauty from the safety of your craft and explore at your very own pace.

If you’re interested in giving sea kayaking a shot, you’ve come to the right place. Exploring our extensive waterways in a sea kayak is an exciting and adventurous experience, but if you’re a beginner at sea kayaking or kayaking in general, then there are a few things you need to know before you begin.

What Is Sea Kayaking?

Sea kayaking is a recreational activity and sport that involves paddling a kayak on the open waters of seas, oceans or large lakes. Unlike river kayaking, which typically involves navigating moving water and rapids, sea kayaking is more about exploring coastal or offshore environments. It involves several specific pieces of equipment and safety supplies, and is a popular pastime in both cold and warm weather.

Unlike river kayaking, you won’t be making many sharp or swift turns - rather, sea kayaking involves the need for endurance across long spaces and the ability to keep your seat on potentially rougher or more challenging water.

With the right supplies and a little know-how, sea kayaking is a great hobby for beginners to take up! Let’s find out what you need to take with you when you begin your sea kayaking adventure.

PaddleZone has what you need to start your sea kayaking adventure, including Single Kayaks and Double Kayaks for sale when you want to explore with a friend.

What You Need For Sea Kayaking

Here is a list of essentials when you decide to go sea kayaking for the first time, as well as some optional extras to make the experience more comfortable.

Essentials:

Sea kayak - You may like to rent a sea kayak for the first couple of ventures to see if you like the feel of this sport. Once you love it, make sure to purchase a sea kayak suitable for your size, the gear you may carry and the conditions you plan to paddle in.
Paddle - A strong paddle, ideally with a fibreglass shaft and blade, is recommended as it’s lightweight and very strong. You should also always have a spare paddle stored on your kayak in case of emergency.
Personal Flotation Device (PFD) - Safety when kayaking is vital, so make sure to wear a well-fitting PFD at all times. A firm, comfortable PFD is essential as you may spend many hours paddling. Having accessible pockets is useful as well for snacks and safety gear. We recommend trying on for the correct fitment of any PFD and ensuring compliance with Australian Safety Standards - just check in your local kayak store if you need any clarification.
Clothing - Dressing for the conditions is essential for your safety and comfort. But also prepare for a change, as often happens on the water, so first check the forecast. This means wearing lighter weight clothing in the warmer months and layers of warmer clothing when it’s cooler. Even if it’s not a glaringly sunny day, sun protection out on the water is always a must. A hat, sunglasses, sunscreen and protective clothing will prevent you from being burned, and will protect your eyes from the glare of the water too. Remember to cover the front and back of your neck too.
Beacon/tracker - Ensure you can be found in case of emergency by bringing a personal locator beacon or a flare with you - both are essential as you explore, however we recommend sea kayaking with a minimum of two or three other paddlers as it’s social as well as safer. Always let a third party know your plans as well, ideally where you intend to kayak and what your expected time of return is. A departure and point of return are also handy.
Bilge pump - an essential sea kayaking accessory. It is used to assist in draining any water ingress from the kayak.
Water bottle and snacks - Combine exercise, salty water and the sun and you’ll find you quickly become thirsty while sea kayaking. Bring a sturdy water bottle with you as well as some nutritious snacks for energy, such as muesli bars or trail mix.

Optional and recommended:

Spray Skirt - A spray skirt covering the cockpit will assist in keeping you warm and dry. Available in nylon or neoprene, a spray skirt will keep you and the inside of your kayak dry. Even if you don’t fall in, spray from the sea or a wave over the kayak will soon have water in the cockpit, wetting you and adding to the weight of the boat.
Waterproof storage or dry bags - Are you worried about water damage? Keep your phone, camera, food and other supplies dry inside waterproof bags. Sea kayaks have plenty of storage space for small items, so feel free to bring them if you need to. They can be stored inside the kayak bulkhead or even secured to the deck for easy access.

PaddleZone has a huge range of Kayak Accessories perfect for beginners, including Paddles, Seat Covers and Protective Clothing.

Sea Kayaks vs River Kayaks

Sea kayaks differ from river kayaks in a few key ways, and you shouldn’t try to substitute one for the other. River kayaks may also be known as recreational kayaks, as they are intended for use on calm waters like lakes and rivers.

Sea kayaks:

Are narrower and longer. Their shape facilitates slicing through waves and across long stretches of water.
Are bigger and generally heavier, due to their design and the materials they are made from.
Are fitted with a very comfortable seat for extended periods of paddling, even multi-day trips.
Have multiple storage options both in and on the kayaks with a large weight/carrying capacity.
A sea kayak will have a trailing rudder and/or a skeg, which can flip up or be retracted when entering or exiting the shore.

River kayaks:

Are generally wide and under 3.5m in length. Their shape allows you to turn and manoeuvre swiftly when needed.
Are lightweight, thanks to their length and width and the material they are made from.
Can feel cramped for taller users due to the small sitting area, whether sit in or sit on top.
Are designed for shorter recreational trips that may only last a few hours.

You shouldn’t try to use a river kayak when sea kayaking, as they aren’t designed to handle the waves of the ocean or the long times many sea kayakers like to spend out on the water.

You can find a wide range of kayaks for sale at PaddleZone, including Recreational Kayaks, Touring Kayaks and Lightweight Kayaks designed for smaller people.

Getting Your Kayak To The Sea

Now that you have everything you need for your first sea kayaking trip, how do you get your kayak to the water?

Securing your kayak to your car roof using roof racks is the most popular way to transport it. Here are a few things you need to know about transporting your kayak via car:

Make sure your kayak doesn’t protrude too far out from your car front or back - you may not be legally allowed to transport it this way if it does. Check your state or territory limits or check in your local kayak store.
You may need to use a lifting accessory to get your sea kayak onto your car. These accessories make it much easier for a single person to to lift a kayak onto a car and take it off without damage to either. Some sea kayaks are heavy so a load assist device may be a handy accessory.
Secure your kayak using either a special rack or tie-down straps. Both options need to be strong enough to hold the kayak in place, but not so tight that they damage the hull of your kayak.

You can also transport your sea kayak using a trailer if you have access to one. Use a cart or trolley to wheel your kayak down to the water if you can’t safely carry it.

Make sure to browse PaddleZone’s Kayak Storage range for plenty of roof racks, straps and covers for your kayak, as well as their Trolleys and Carts for transportation.

Basic Sea Kayaking Paddling Techniques

Once you’re in your sea kayak, make sure you are comfortable and sitting with good posture - you’ll be in this position for a while!

Here are two basic paddling techniques for sea kayaking you need to know.

Your forward stroke is the one you will be using the most. Twisting your torso from your hips as the blade enters the water is key, as you can untwist as you bring the blade through the water and then twist again at the end to wind up your next stroke. Pushing with your legs as you stroke can also help, which is referred to as a leg drive. You can reverse this forward stroke if you need to go backward, slow down or completely stop your kayak.
The sweep stroke is a wide stroke you can use to turn your kayak, either when you’re stationary or on the move. Dip the paddle in the water as forward as you can on the opposite side of the way you want the kayak to turn. Smoothly pull the blade in a wide arc towards the back of the kayak, rotating your torso as you do so.

Again, you can reverse this stroke to turn your kayak in the opposite direction.

Twisting your torso is key in both strokes to both getting power and making sure your arms don’t tire too quickly or cause pain in your lower back.

Sea Kayak Safety

Safety is paramount when kayaking in the sea, as any accidents in the open water can be dangerous for a new kayaker. Here are some safety tips you need to adhere to as a beginner:

Carrying a personal locator beacon or phone with tracking enabled will ensure you can always be found should you get into trouble. A beacon should be easy to use, waterproof and have a long battery life, so make sure to choose one you can rely on. Flares are also good for this purpose. Phones will obviously only work within network covered areas, so be aware of your range and coverage
Keep your valuables safe in waterproof dry bags. This will mean your phone is safe to use should you need it, and valuables like car keys and cameras can be kept away from dangerous salt water.
Always check the weather before you leave your home to go sea kayaking. Extreme heat can make sea kayaking uncomfortable, but more importantly, keep an eye out for rain and high winds which may make the ocean unsafe to kayak on, especially for a beginner.
Always wear a PFD when kayaking in the sea.
Make sure you have some sort of bailer or bilge pump to remove any water that makes its way into your kayak.

Safe Transport Victoria has a helpful list of risks you need to consider when sea kayaking, as well as safety gear you’re legally required to have on you.

Get all the gear you need to stay safe on the water in PaddleZone’s Safety Gear category and PDFs and Life Jackets category.

Find Everything You Need For Sea Kayaking At PaddleZone

Excited to start your next sea kayaking journey? You can browse an amazing collection of sea kayaks for sale at PaddleZone, including single kayaks and double kayaks for sale if you want to kayak with a buddy.

Shop online or visit us at our nearest PaddleZone store, where our friendly team will be happy to help you with any questions you may have about your first sea kayaking adventure!