The Beauty Of Surf Kayaks

admin — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 12:15:23 +0000

Surf kayaks are very similar to of surf boards. In many cases

the kayak is similar in design to a whitewater kayak. The

primary difference is that a surf kayak will have what is called

a planing hull as opposed to a curved hull. They are very

similar to surfboards as you will be attempting to do the same

things as the people on those boards only you will be in a boat

as opposed to standing in a board.

Specifications

Usually the length of most surf kayaks do range between 7 and 8

feet. There are however models that can be up to 12 feet in

length. The reasons for this extended length are to better

increase wave riding ability as well as to increase the speed in

which you will be able to catch that wave you are after.

Primarily these crafts are made of Kevlar or fiberglass as these

materials are very durable and can stand up to the pounding that

will be taken by the craft as it crashes into the waves and

rides up onto the shore. These crafts also unlike traditional

kayaks will sometimes have a foot controlled rudder to aid in

steering your craft while on a wave. There are two different

designs as far as the kayak is concerned for the cockpit. There

is the traditional closed cockpit which in essence makes your

craft watertight, or there is the open cockpit which is more

along the lines of traditional surfboarding. So depending on

which sport you more want to emulate then you will need to

choose that style.

Where To Go

Of course everyone can go to Hawaii to use surf kayaks, but now

people are even trying to use them on the mainland in some

places such as the Great Lakes. Essentially anywhere that one

would use a surfboard you can use surf kayaks. Seeing as they

are almost the same length and, in essence, serve the same

purpose as the traditional surf board you should be able to use

them in the same locations. In all likelihood you can do even

more with this craft as you are less likely to be thrown from

your boat if you are sealed in and you have some training in the

sport.

So basically find a place with some big waves, get your kayak

and go to experience this thrill.

Be sure to check out ABCs Of The Surf Zone – Sea Kayaking DVD, for plenty of great information and tips and tricks.

Sit on Kayaks » surf kayak