Beach watersports gear - what do I need?

[canoenewbie]

Hi,

I'm a complete novice when it comes to water sports but I live on the coast and on a lovely day like today I'd like to be out on the water.

So what do I need? A canoe? Inflatable kayak? Don't fancy a paddle board really, my balance isn't the best!

Would we need wetsuits if we were kayaking? I'm aware the water will be freezing and have no desire to swim in it

Please, someone point me in the right direction!

Are there any water sports centres nearby that run taster sessions in the different types of water sports? That would be the best way to find out what you like without buying all the kit first. That way you will also learn basic technique and get basic safety advice.

Being on the coast you need to make sure you ask around locally to get advise on any areas to avoid ie: places known for dangerous currents and should get familiar with tide times.

Yes to a wetsuit and some sort of light windproof layer (there is more wind chill when you are out on the water). You need to be prepared in case you did fall in/get in difficulties- obviously you hope it doesn't but even very experienced people can have problems and you don't want to be in shorts and t-shirt then. Good suncream because you are more likely to burn even on overcast days. Absolutely you must get a buoyancy aid and wear it properly. You might want to get a waterproof bag to carry snacks/water/phone.

I would probably just start with decathlon for wetsuits. They do thin ones that are fine for casual summer use. I don't recommend their water sports gloves though - i had a pair and the grip was somehow slippy

Thanks, I'll take a look.

Sorry, should've added, I'm well clued up on water safety and the particular dangers on our sands because DP is RNLI crew

I paddleboard but spend a lot of time sat or kneeling, I guess I use it more as a kayak. The sea is rarely calm enough for me to stand up on it 🤣. I have a wetsuit but hate wearing it as it’s tight around my neck, maybe I just need a better one?

I would severs getting a few taster sessions and/or hiring a kayak before buying.

Top tips would be ‘always check the tides’ and ‘always check what other people are doing around you’, if there are others out paddleboarding and kayaking you know it’s probably safe to join them, I usually ask people what the tides are like? Sometimes there are strong currents which could make things tricky.

Alway carry a phone with you in a protective case, it could save your life, it saved my life when I didn’t follow any of the above advice (coast guards are amazing but they can take ages to get to you).

@Canoenewbie

Thanks, I'll take a look.

Sorry, should've added, I'm well clued up on water safety and the particular dangers on our sands because DP is RNLI crew

That should help (the mortification if you ever need rescuing though!)

I am not a fan of paddleboarding on the sea. The waves make balancing so much harder. I don't know much about the pros and cons of inflatable kayaks v rigid but would think it will depend on if youbare going alone ie: double or single seater? And it is hard to get a rigid kayak off the the roof of a car alone.

@Lovemusic33 try not doing the zip the last cm! If it is just the neck hole feeling uncomfortable that will be fine. If it still feels like it is dragg8ng right across your neck then it is probably too tight in the length/across shoulders. Wetsuits are a difficult balance between comfort and being too loose to function as they are meant to... It may be worth try a different one though (I hate the feeling of them on my knees so always go short legs with waterproof over the top if needed.) You could try a wetsuit top and shorts as seperated, some peoole find that more comfortable (and you can mix and match with normal top or shorts)

I'd never use anything inflatable on the sea. Even a kayak.

And you need to understand the local tides and conditions where you are planning to go.

Lessons in whatever it is!

Kit : wetsuit, water shoes, spray top, buoyancy aid ( does not equal lifejacket) and a friend to go with. Plus another who knows when you left and who you call when you return. And who will call 999 if you don't.

I don’t live near the sea but use our local rivers on my paddle board and kayak. I use wetsuit leggings in cooler weather and a separate top/jacket or jumper under my buoyancy jacket. Hotter weather I wear uv leggings and vest or just my shorts and vest with buoyancy aid. I have a dry bag for valuables and a whistle attached to my aid. Always tell someone where and when you go and will return.

"I'd never use anything inflatable on the sea."

Not even a lilo?!

As for roof racks and things like that, I literally live on the beach. There is just the promenade between my house and the beach. I understand the tides and the dangers and how to get help.

It's more about equipment really but maybe I should just get a lilo. Or a proper little boat 😁

Mind you, still useful for anyone else to think about judging by the number of times the lifeboat gets called out!

Lilos are awful on the sea!

Just remember the sea has no pool side and gets deeper. If the wind blows you out to sea, the lilo acts like a hovercraft. Or worse, a capsizing hovercraft.

You get off them before you get blown out! To be honest I'd only be out on a still day and not on a lilo.

I'm not hardy, I'm very fair weather . And my DP is hovercraft commander!

I could race him on my lilo

Then he will know how silly the idea of using a lilo on the sea is and how seawinds can catch you out on still days.

If I suggested me getting a lilo I think he'd collapse laughing before anything else tbh.

Sit on top kayak, paddle and leash, wetsuit and buoyancy aid. Perhaps a trolley too. Practice getting in and out in case of an accidental capsize. You will need roofbars and ratchet straps. If you just want to paddle and okay close to shore then something around 8ft long is great. You can play in waves, go a mile or two and it's manoeuvrable. sit on tops are really easy, stable and practical. You don't need to learn to roll or anything like that.

Learn how tides and currents work and the effects of wind direction on your bit of beach.

Look at RTM Mambo, Ocean Kayak Frenzy. Both good starter kayaks with a decent resale value. They're tough and will last you years.

I was given an inflatable kayak. It was awful. Crap for manovering and just not a good paddle.
Can’t think of anything else you would need that’s not been mentioned.

Totally off thread but OP why have you name changed, just changing to a capital letter? Really confused me! I always like to look at OP replies and pick them out easily due to them being a different colour

@WeWantAMackerelNotASprat oh no! That annoys me too

So sorry. This was just a NC for this thread so that I didn't need to change details etc.

Thanks for the tips everyone. I'm going to do the sensible thing and visit a water sports centre to find out what I like before I buy anything!

[quote canoenewbie]@WeWantAMackerelNotASprat oh no! That annoys me too

So sorry. This was just a NC for this thread so that I didn't need to change details etc.

Thanks for the tips everyone. I'm going to do the sensible thing and visit a water sports centre to find out what I like before I buy anything! [/quote]
With that kind of sensible thinking you will (fortunately) never get to feature on Saving Lives at Sea after getting swept out to sea on your lilo...