Hello, Adventurers! Welcome back to the Coastal Expeditions blog! If this is your first time visiting our blog, we’re happy to have you here. We are all about nature, adventure, and making the most out of the beautiful outdoors of South Carolina. If you enjoy all things hiking, paddling, kayaking, and spending time outdoors, you’ve come to the right place! Here on the blog, we dive deep into different habitats, excursions, conservation efforts, and nature programs. Our site is filled with interactive maps, destination guides, and educational resources. Since the weather is incredibly warm, we want to help you get out there and take advantage of all that the Lowcountry has to offer! We offer guided tours of the beautiful Lowcountry by kayak, paddleboard, ferry, boat, and private charter. We also have hands-on workshops taught by highly-trained guides on wilderness skills, birding, identifying native plants, sustainability, and camping. Anything you want to learn about, we teach! If you haven’t already, we encourage you to take a look around our site to learn more about our offerings. In our last post, we discussed some tips for winter hiking. Today, we’ll be discussing everything you need to know about kayaking! Kayaking is a great way to connect with the outdoors, and it is an activity that can be done in any season! In fact, many kayakers prefer the winter months, as waterways are less crowded and the sights are different than what you would normally see in the warmer seasons. If you are interested in learning more about kayaking and how to get started, you’re in the right place!

If you’re a beginner, you’re probably not going to go out and buy a kayak right away. Instead, you can opt to rent a kayak or sign up for a guided tour. Here at Coastal Expeditions, we offer kayak rentals and even provide you with the gear to get started and teach you how to use it before you embark on your first adventure! Our rentals are designed to be fun for all ages and skill levels, so we encourage you to reach out to us, no matter if you’ve kayaked before or not. Renting a kayak gives you the opportunity to test the waters (pun intended!) before you fully commit to the sport.

Although no knowledge of kayaking is required to rent from us, you may be interested to learn a little bit about kayaks first, as well as some of the terms you will grow to be familiar with. Here are a few:

• Cockpit: The large hole in the center of the kayak in which a person sits
• Bow: The front of the kayak
• Deck: The top half of the kayak
• Stern: The back of the kayak

What gear is needed to go kayaking?

Now that you are familiar with the parts of the kayak, it’s time for gear! So, what gear is needed for kayaking, anyway? Well, first and foremost, you will need a paddle. A kayak paddle has a shaft, similar to an oar, but has blades on both ends. You hold the paddle on each end near where the blade meets the shaft. You must guide the paddle through the water by positioning your arms correctly and rotating your body slightly. There are different sized paddles, and the length of your paddle will depend on the size of your kayak. A general rule of thumb is that the wider your kayak, the longer your paddle needs to be. Your height will also factor into the paddle size. For example, the taller you are, the longer your paddle will need to be! When you rent a kayak with us at Coastal Expeditions, we will make sure you get the right sized paddle according to the kayak width and your height. Besides a paddle, one of the most important pieces of gear you will need is a Personal Flotation Device (PFD). A PFD gives you more buoyancy to help you stay afloat in the water. There are several different types of U.S. Coast Guard-approved PFDs, such as vests or waist packs. For adults, your chest size will determine what size of PFD you need. For children, their weight will determine the size. 

At Coastal Expeditions, we also provide our kayakers with a dry bag. A dry bag is a convenient piece of gear for any kayaker. They allow you to store personal items while you are kayaking, so that they don’t get wet. For example, you can place your phone, keys, ID, first aid kit, and even snacks into your dry bag! We also provide you with a waterproof map that you can take with you and provide information and advice about which route you should take, depending on the daily tide and wind information available to us.

What should I wear to go kayaking?

Another important aspect of kayaking is the clothing you wear. Typically, kayakers follow this simple rule: Dress for the water temperature, not the weather. Even if it’s not extremely cold outside, the water might be freezing! Although you will be in your kayak, and hopefully will not fall into the water, you have to be prepared for anything. Therefore, you should dress appropriately in case you get wet– Even if it’s just backsplash from your paddle. 

In colder conditions, you will want to wear a dry suit. A dry suit provides environmental protection by way of thermal insulation and exclusion of water. It is made of waterproof material and has watertight gaskets at the openings to keep the wearer dry. This means it is essentially “sealed” at the wrists, ankles, and neck. It is also important that you dress in layers: A base layer, mid layer, and outer layer. Typically, kayakers will wear waterproof layers, such as a jacket and pants, over thermal clothing in the colder months. It is also advised that you bring an extra pair of clothing along with you; Sometimes this spare set of clothing can fit in a dry bag. This way, if you become submerged in cold water unexpectedly, you will have a set of dry clothes to change into afterwards to be more comfortable. You may also want to bring a thermal hat to keep your head and face protected from cold air. When it gets cold, you lose a great deal of body heat from your head, so you should be sure to keep your head warm and insulated! 

What else should I bring to go kayaking?

Along with clothing, you should also bring personal safety items. Many of these items are similar to the 10 Essentials that are advised to be brought on hikes, so if you are a hiker, you are probably familiar with these items already. When going kayaking, you should be sure to have:

• Plenty of water
• Snacks
• First aid kit

You may also consider bringing a signaling whistle in case of emergency, and a headlamp in case you are slow when making your way back and get caught in the dark. (Remember that it gets darker earlier in the winter months!) Additionally, be sure to apply sunscreen prior to your trip, and bring some to reapply it as needed. Even if it is a cold or cloudy day, UV rays still exist and can still damage your skin. 

As you can see, kayaking during the winter months can still be enjoyable when you follow safety protocols! Coastal Expeditions offers kayak and paddleboard rentals, as well as a variety of guided eco-tours, so be sure to check out our current tours and trips! We hope you found this article informative! As always, we thank you for reading and we hope to see you back on our blog soon. If you have any questions about our guided tours, reach out to us! At Coastal Expeditions, we are committed to introducing people to the wonders of the ecosystems of the Charleston area by providing guided tours and educational opportunities. If you’re looking to explore all that the Lowcountry has to offer, check out our offerings on our website to find the adventure which suits you best! We also offer kid-friendly tours as well as kids’ programs, camps, and kayak lessons. Our tours are led by knowledgeable, approachable naturalists and sea captains who are eager to answer your questions! Until next time, readers. Get out there and explore! Adventure awaits!