I'm looking to start doing a bit of Kayaking, probably on rivers in the UK, maybe on some big lakes too.
I've been sea kayaking before, the kayaks had a rudder so were easy to control!
So, can someone give me a crash course in what I need to buy / do / not do? 😀
Oh yes, approximate costs too would be nice if possible!
Get in touch with a local club would be my advice.
I've been sea kayaking before, the kayaks had a rudder so were easy to control!
Shame that you used Sea Kayaks with rudders as you would have learned edge control if they were rudderless.
I'd also say get in tuoch with a local club. This can be done through the B.C.U. (British Canoe Union).
The STW equivalanet for kayaking and canoeing is ukriversguidebook.
If you join a club then you can try out various boats. You need to decide what it is that you want as the variation in boats is the same as bikes you can go all the way from marathon boats (road bikes) through to creek boats (downhill bikes). Sounds like you want something a bit more general. Seakayaks aren't great for rivers as they are built for straight line speed when compared to a river boat. River boats are generally slow but very easy to turn and hence hard to keep straight.
Some good coaching will help improve your paddling massively.
FWIW I don't understand the uk attitude to rudders. Having paddled a fair number of seakayaks. I'd spec one with a rudder as it makes life so much easier. Still you should understand the other ways to control a boat as you should use methods in combination.
Oh I'm not saying rudders are bad and when/if I buy a sea kayak I'll spec it so that it can at least be fitted with one. You should still be able to control your boat without one though, if only so that you'll not be helpless should it break or fail.
Some top advice there fellas, thanks.
I'll have a look on ukriversguidebook too. Cheers!