[Closed] sea kayaking - advice please

Sea and Surf section of [url= http://www.ukriversguidebook.co.uk/forum/ ]http://www.ukriversguidebook.co.uk/forum/[/url]

Have a look round for clubs in the area, they will probably have some gear you can borrow and run some beginners groups. This way you can test the water before you commit to buying expensive gear.

As far as tandem with an 8yr old, should be no problem.
Enjoy it

Thanks fellas - that's led to loads of useful info.
Looks expensive.........

Where are you based? I can suggest some good coaches for an intro day for you...

matt - keswick

Clubs are best bet, as above. But it doesnt have to be expensive & certainly no more expensive than biking.

Also work out what you want to do it for - pottering with the kids, day trips along the shore, open water. Each step raises the kit and experience requirements so make sure you borrow as much as you can until you know exactly what you want.

Looks expensive.........

No where near as expensive as biking. It pays to buy good kit, but it lasts for years and doesn't (generally) wear out or get broken. I bought both my sea kayaks and alot of kit on ebay, its the sort of thing that people buy, then don't use and sell on. Apart from checking the bottom of the boats for deep scrapes there is little that can go wrong (stay away from fibre glass unless you really get into it).

Enjoy, it is an amazing, relaxing and fun way to travel and see a whole load of wildlife from a totally different perspective 🙂

(Ok - the boring bit - the sea currents and tides can be incredibly powerfull, never underestimate them, always check the wind and swell forcasts and know which direction the tide is heading. If you are thinking of longer trips in rougher weather, go on some type of kayak / sea navigation course first 🙄 )

I did a week long introduction course with a company in Oban a couple of years ago, really enjoyed it, and a very nice area to start out in. Shame that living 500km from the nearest coast I haven't done any more since. Really fancy trips to Croatia and Norway.

Keswick - speak to Tom http://www.canoecoaching.co.uk/ he is Scottish and lakes based. Despite site looking canoe focussed, he has a trailer of sea kayaks and does a fair old bit. Tom is the Jedi of canoe world IMO. 😉
[url= http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6038/6326081809_8fb0ccbea4.jp g" target="_blank">http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6038/6326081809_8fb0ccbea4.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/matt_outandabout/6326081809/ ]Tom Sibbald[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/matt_outandabout/ ]matt_outandabout[/url], on Flickr