Sea kayaking and whitewater kayaking: As different as night and day

While sea kayakers and white-water kayakers enjoy getting out on the water, the sports that they enjoy are polar opposites.

“The typical sea kayaker is someone who enjoys being outside all day, and who likes to camp in the wilderness,” said Lisa Wallis, says a local kayaker, guide, Whatcom Area Kayak Enthusiasts (WAKE) former president and Department of Natural Resources liaison officer/volunteer coordinator.

Wallis adds that many sea kayakers are former backpackers.

“We’re the cross-country skiers of the boating world,” she said.

But make no mistake, sea kayaking is not for couch potatoes.

“Besides the work of paddling, there’s constant navigating, weather monitoring, and dealing with long, exposed crossing,” Wallis said.

White-water kayaking, on the other hand, is more for the adrenaline junkies.

“The average river kayaker likes the challenge, the adrenaline experience,” Wallis said. “But you see things on a river that you can’t see any other way. A lot of times you’re in places where there are no roads, or it’s private property. It’s a great way to be in nature.”

While there are some crossovers, the gear needed for each sport also differs:

SEA KAYAKING

BASIC GEAR

Boat: Typical sea kayaks are long and sleek for either one or two people and have varying amounts of cargo space. For beginners, renting is ideal, but Dave Johnson, manager of Johnson Outdoors, strongly urges some basic education before taking to the water for the first time.

“Ideally, you should be able to re-enter your boat if it flips,” he said. For this, he suggests signing up for any of the beginner courses available in Whatcom County: the Community Boat Center in Fairhaven (www.sailpaddlerow.org), Elakah Tours (www.elakah.com), or one of the many independent local instructors. Western Washington University’s Outdoor Center (outdoor.as.wwu.edu) also offers pool sessions for kayakers, for practice with rolling, paddling and re-entry skills.

Paddle: “Sea kayak paddles have a smaller surface area and are longer to help maneuver the longer boat,” Johnson said. The smaller surface area also helps the paddler conserve energy. They can be feathered or straight depending on paddler’s preference or conditions.

SAFETY GEAR

Personal Flotation Device (PFD): Should be comfortable and have reflective areas and pockets for things like flares, whistle and binoculars

Spray skirt: Should be waterproof and snug, keeps the inside of the boat dry and water from flooding the cockpit

Paddle float: Used as an outrigger in the case of a wet exit; allows kayaker to re-enter the boat

Hypothermia Kit: “Basically if something happens, you want a dry bag with the essentials to stay warm or get warm,” said Jennifer Hahn, a local kayaker, kayak guide and author. “Two complete sets of dry clothes, a stove and pot, water bottles, spare sleeping bag and pad, and a tarp.” Hahn completed a 750-mile solo kayak expedition through the Inside Passage and keeps her “hypo kit” handy.

Strobe, signal mirror, flares, whistle, first aid kit, tow lines, headlamp, radio: These items should be kept handy, in PFD pockets or in a small dry bag in your lap. “I put patches of reflective red and white candy-stripe trucker’s tape to the top and bottom of my boat everywhere (to make it highly visible),” Hahn said. Hahn also wears her radio around her neck at all times.

Bilge pump and sponge: Critical for removing water from a swamped boat

Paddle leash: “Some people think they’re evil but I take a lot of pictures, so it’s nice, I don’t have to worry about my paddle,” Hahn said.

Float bags: For day trippers carrying less gear, these plastic, air-filled bags prevent sinking in the case of a wet exit

Repair kit (heavy duty needle, thread, patch kit): “On time my spray skirt blew away in a wind storm,” Hahn said. “I fashioned a new one out of several stuff sacks and mint dental floss, using scissors and some extra rope.”

CLOTHING

Splash top and paddle pants: Keep paddlers dry from weather and ocean water, these should have seals at the cuffs and collar. A dry suit or wetsuit can be used instead of the above but are more expensive

Footwear: Wool or polypropylene socks with rubber boots, sneakers or hiking boots are nice for on-shore exploring

Polypropylene layers

Foul-weather rain gear and extra clothing for on-shore

WHITEWATER KAYAKING

BASIC GEAR

Boat: Modern beginner boats have a planning hull and “feel tippy, but are easier to roll,” said Dirk Fabian, a five-year Bellingham resident, organizer of http://www.bellinghamwhitewater.org and American Whitewater volunteer. “They’re more maneuverable and let you use the edges better.” Fabian said this allows boaters to do the “fun stuff,” such as catching eddies and surfing better than the older-style beginner boats. Fabian also recommends practicing the critical rolling technique – in which the paddler can right the kayak using just body momentum and the paddle after getting flipped – in the pool. “Learning to paddle in Whatcom (County) is not as easy as in other regions,” Fabian said, referring to due to Whatcom County’s challenging rivers. “Having a good, solid roll is important; having an experienced group to go with is the most important.”

Paddle: Shorter shaft and with larger surface area blades than sea kayaking for the bursts of speed needed for whitewater kayaking. Some prefer the bent-shaft paddles that reduce strain on wrist tendons. “Definitely splurge on a good paddle,” Wallis said.

SAFETY GEAR

Helmet: Should be specific for kayaking (not a bike helmet). “Some boaters I know are even using full-face helmets these days,” Fabian said.

PFD: Similar to sea kayaking but with a lower profile and the addition of a “river knife,” a covered, serrated blade attached at chest level. “I’ve never used mine, even after 10 years, but for rope emergencies you’ve got to have a knife,” Fabian said.

Whistle, secured to PFD: Easily reachable during an emergency swim or as an alert

Spray skirt: Should be airtight and only releasable manually

Dry top and pants or drysuit: Should have airtight gaskets at cuffs and collar

Poagies: Neoprene sleeves that act like mufflers, surrounding each hand and attaching to the paddle shaft, allowing full finger dexterity and contact with the paddle; neoprene gloves can substitute

Float bags: Plastic air “balloons” that displace water and keep the boat afloat after a wet exit

Throw bag: A small nylon bag with a cinch-top containing a length of rope used during a rescue

First aid kit, flares, headlamp, radio: Kept handy in a dry bag, secured to the boat

Hypothermia kit: Not critical for the urban river runner but essential for wilderness trips

CLOTHING

Body: Polypropylene layers, fleece. A set of extra dry clothes in a dry bag.

Footwear: Aqua-sock type mesh or neoprene sandals. Must have a sturdy sole for dry-land river-scouting, but without being too clunky inside the boat.

Source:  http://www.bellinghamherald.com/explorer/story/845306.html