Sea Kayaking Guide

Description

The main characteristic of sea kayaking is the silent movement of the boat through the water, propelled only by the paddler, who is careful not to disturb the peaceful, natural environment of the places he or she visits.

• Sit-on-top or "recreational" kayaks have an open cockpit, for which the kayaker sits "on top" of it, making it possible for him\her to jump from the vessel if needed. This feature makes it the ideal choice for beginners.

• Sit-inside or "touring" kayaks have a narrower cockpit, leaving the kayaker "inside" the vessel. It allows him to stay safe and dry, with no risk of falling, but they are really dangerous if the kaya overturns.  

Parts of a Kayak

• Cockpit: the cavity where the kayaker sits.

• Hull: the area that is in contact with the water, and that defines the main characteristics of the kayak, such as stability, speed, and maneuverability.

• Deck: upper part of the kayak, that covers the hull and protects the kayaker.

• Drop Skeg: lower part of the kayak and its symmetry axis, it gives direction to the vessel.

• Bulkheads: a composite wall in fibreglass & Kevlar kayaks or a foam wall in polyethylene kayaks to separate the storage area from the cockpit area, and to limit water access.

• Forward and rear hatches: dry areas for storing and giving flotation to the kayak.

• Bungee Shock Chords: are used to store a map, water bottle or attach a low-slung deck bag to house small pack items in an easily accessible area.

• Rudders: provides paddlers the ability to control direction (steer) using their feet via a rudder system with cables attached to sliding or pivoting foot peddles.

• Retractable Skeg: the skeg is deployed from the hull and can be lowered up, down or anywhere in between using a hand controlled lever or dial for use as a tracking aid, and stabilize the kayak against winds and tides  

Materials of a Kayak

• Fiberglass: it is the ideal material for building kayaks, for it is durable, lightweight, rigid and resistant against impacts. It is also much easier to repair than plastic.

• Composite: composite or kevlar, is synthetic fiber that is used for making bulletproof vests and shields. It is ligther than fiberglass, but much more expensive. Kayaks made of composite are used in competitions where more acceleration is required.

• Poly carbonate: this material is very similar to that which is used for making lenses and eyeglasses. It is more resistant to the possible damage caused by ultraviolet light than a polyethylene kayak and moreover, it is recyclable.

• Plastic: plastic kayaks are much cheaper and resistant than fiberglass kayaks. Even though plastic kayaks are more popular, they can become deformed in hot climates or if stored and transported incorrectly, without the proper protection.

• Folding: these kayaks are ideal for storing in small spaces when traveling. They require more maintenance and time to assemble.

• Wooden: building a kayak out of wood is the best way to get started in this sport. You can find kits with pre-cut pieces in stores.

• Inflatable: the major concern with this type of kayak is that it may deflate. However, contrary to the appearance of the material, it is amazingly resistant in aggressive areas such as reefs or rough sand.

Destinations

Kayaking in Chile
Paddling in calmer waters is becoming the popular choice for a more relaxing trip that allows you to admire and enjoy the wonders of nature. Chile boasts many destinations for practicing sea kayaking, such as the Pacific coast and its countless fjords, and the hundreds of lakes and lagoons that abound in our territory, from the central region to the southern extreme.

Región de Atacama and Altiplano

Sea kayaking in this area is almost completely limited to the ocean, since neither lakes nor rivers have enough flow to sail.

• Damas Island.
• La Paloma Reservoir.
• Puclaro Reservoir.
• Pichidangui Beach.
• Guanaqueros Beach.
• Tongoy Beach.
• Los Molles Beach.

Central Area
Almost the entire central coast is apt for sea kayaking. From this region on, rivers are more plentiful and the first lakes and lagoons start to appear. You can navigate in sea kayaks or river kayaks alike.

• Algarrobo, Quintero and Concón Beaches. Valparaíso Region
• Aculeo Lagoon. Metropolitan region.
• Rapel Lake. Metropolitan Region.
• El Yeso Reservoir. Metropolitan region.
• Cachapoal, Maule and Rapel Rivers. Libertador B. O'Higgins Region
• Colbún and Vichuquén Lakes. Maule Region

Araucania and Lakes District
This region of Chile boasts countless lakes and lagoons for kayaking:

• Bío-Bío River: XVIII Region . Southeast of Los Ángeles. Class V.
• Trancura River: IX Regiona. 14 km (9 MI) from Pucon. Classes III and IV.

This area also has countless lakes and lagoons.

• Laja Lagoon and Lleu Lleu Lake . Bío-Bío Region
• Conguillío, Villarrica, Caburgua, and Colico Lakes. Araucanía Region.
• Calafquén, Neltume, Pirihueico, Panguipulli, Riñihue, Ranco, Llanquihue, Todos Los Santos and Chapo lakes. Los Lagos Region.

• Pumalin fjords, Chiloé Archipielago, Yelcho lake and river, Futaleufú river, Palena river and lake. Los Lagos Region
• Aysén river, General Carrera Lake, Bertrand Lake, Baker River, fjords and canals in Tortel. Aysén Region
• Serrano River. Magellan Region.

For more suggestions, check out our Destinations guide.

Equipment

• Kayak
• Paddles
• Spray skirt
• Compass
• Bilge pump
• Whistle or audible signal
• Flashlight

Safety Equipment

• Paddle Float: an inflatable bag that is affixed to one end of the paddle (the blade) and helps the paddle reenter the kayak in case he or she falls out.
• Repair Kit: must have the necessary supplies for repairing the kayak, jackets, cockpit cover, etc.
• Emergency Kit: scissors, tweezers, bandages, disinfectant and antiseptic, a Swiss army knife and it may be necessary to include a first aid manual.

Recommendations

Some suggestions you must consider before venturing out in your kayak:

• You must be a good swimmer.
• Always use the proper equipment, never leaving out any safety elements.
• You should take your time and plan your route carefully. You must know the entrances and exits of the river, weather conditions, the location and availability of rescue teams, etc.
• Do not kayak alone.
• Do not kayak near dams or outlets.
• Design an emergency plan with what to do and where to go in case of emergency.

Emergency Equipment

• Whistles
• Flares.
• Mirrors for reflecting sunlight.
• Strobe lights, they function like mirrors at night.
• VHF marine radio (high frequency radio)
• Rescue flags.
• It is better to carry your cell phone with you, in case you find yourself in an area with a signal.
• Wear flashy clothing, brightly colored life vests, paint paddles with fluorescent colors.

GoTips

Associations

Federación Chilena de Canotaje

Expeditions and School