Inflatable Kayak uses?

The One Doctor

Hi all,

I've just been given an inflatable kayak, still boxed, 200kg limit. I've always wanted to sail/row and now's my chance! While it's a good quality new kayak, I have no boating experience at all and want to stay alive. How do I do this safely to build experience and enjoy it? I live beside a fishing lake in North Co Dublin and am near the sea.

Any advice?

spaceHopper

Get your self a good bouncy aid even second hand from adverts. Inflatables catch the wind easily so stay off the sea go have fun in the lake but not if there is much wind.

The One Doctor

Is it necessary to have wetsuits and the like?

The One Doctor

Does anyone have two spare canoe/kayak lifejackets they're not using? Will pay of course.

I'm in Balrothery, but anywhere in Dublin is fine

AndyBoBandy

You could just pop down to Marine Parts in Swords and pick up 2 for yourself, they are open tomorrow til about lunchtime

Gavlor

The One Doctor wrote: »

Hi all,

I've just been given an inflatable kayak, still boxed, 200kg limit. I've always wanted to sail/row and now's my chance! While it's a good quality new kayak, I have no boating experience at all and want to stay alive. How do I do this safely to build experience and enjoy it? I live beside a fishing lake in North Co Dublin and am near the sea.

Any advice?

It’s handy enough once you get used to it but Would you not consider heading somewhere and getting a trip with an experienced kayak guide first? Plenty around just have a quick google. As said previously, stay off the sea.

Thargor

Im a total amateur but I have a proper kayak and I tried an Aldi or Lidl inflatable a couple of years ago, the difference is night and day, the inflatable was like trying to row through tar, they're kids toys compared to the real thing.

The One Doctor

Thargor wrote: »

Im a total amateur but I have a proper kayak and I tried an Aldi or Lidl inflatable a couple of years ago, the difference is night and day, the inflatable was like trying to row through tar, they're kids toys compared to the real thing.

Was probably underinflated. Makes a huge difference. Anyway this isn't a cheap one... the Lidl ones last year were €59, this was €300.

Tow

The One Doctor wrote: »

Is it necessary to have wetsuits and the like?

When I was young wet suits were only see worn by divers on TV. T-Shirt and shorts were the order of the day. Don't ware heavy cotton such as denim. Light windbreaker (cheap light rain coat), if there was a cold/cold breeze. Or course now you can pick one up for only a few quid, so why not.

Life jackets/preservers have also come a long way. The insulation around our immersion was old cotton jacks with cork flotation and my father going up to get his nice warm and dry jacket to go out sailing.

The One Doctor

Have the lifejackets now, bit of a relief. Been told I can't use the lake, thinking of Swords Estuary or Loughshinny, even Balbriggan beach?

Markcheese

If you are going to the beach, pick a calm day, with an in coming tide, and before you go in have a look for rip currents.... (shouldn't really be many rips if there's not many waves), and if possible don't go out on your own..

AndyBoBandy

Malahide/Swords estuary is a good bet as there’s usually always kids out there on the water, meaning there are rescue boats around, and I’ve seen folks there kayaking often enough.

Loughshinny is relatively enclosed but I wouldn’t try it in any wind from NE around to SE. I’d say though that Rogerstown estuary would be a better bet than Loughshinny as it’s more enclosed & protected from the sea (at low tide its cut off from the sea).

If going out (anywhere) have a means to contact the shore, and tell people when your going, and when you’ll be expected back. I’m assuming you won’t have a VHF radio with you, so make sure to have a fully charged phone in a waterproof bag.

The One Doctor

AndyBoBandy wrote: »

Malahide/Swords estuary is a good bet as there’s usually always kids out there on the water, meaning there are rescue boats around, and I’ve seen folks there kayaking often enough.

Loughshinny is relatively enclosed but I wouldn’t try it in any wind from NE around to SE. I’d say though that Rogerstown estuary would be a better bet than Loughshinny as it’s more enclosed & protected from the sea (at low tide its cut off from the sea).

If going out (anywhere) have a means to contact the shore, and tell people when your going, and when you’ll be expected back. I’m assuming you won’t have a VHF radio with you, so make sure to have a fully charged phone in a waterproof bag.

Thanks, very practical advice. Much obliged.

The One Doctor

Think I'll give Swords Estuary a go, more public in case of problems. I presume that the west end of the estuary would be better for beginners (further from the viaduct currents)?

I'm probably overthinking things, a fairly calm day, lifejackets and sticking to the shoreline should keep me out of difficulty.

The One Doctor

So went kayaking with my brother on the Broadmeadow Estuary, all went well, kept it safe and had fun
Thanks for all your advice