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Kayaking With The Wind
by Chris Kennelly

Many people take up learning kayaking to enjoy a tranquil paddle across the glassy waters of their favorite lake or river, and many actually do this to get outdoors and enjoy the natural beauty and tranquility. However many times due to windy conditions this experience is not exactly what was intended when you set out for the kayaking activity. Even with the wind gusting most will still go out and battle against the winds and swells that are created, whilst the yachts and boats speed past with all the ease in the world.


Did you know that installing a sail on a kayak is a relatively easy task and not as expensive as one might have thought. This is not a subject that is really covered in learning kayaking as it is seen as more of a 'hybrid' activity of kayaking. Yet by combining both the paddling and the wind propelled activities of kayaking, you can really get the best of both worlds, without having to worry about the oncoming head winds and or the resulting swells.

One of the main issues which you will discover in learning kayaking is that there tends to be somewhat of a purist attitude amongst kayakers, which in turn contributes to dedicated, and purist, kayakers refusing to acknowledge that the kayak should in fact be used for sailing. This mindset does have its merits though, based upon the fact the sit on top kayak is normally too narrow to cope with the heeling of the sail, as well as the fact that the cockpit of the vessel is insufficiently designed for the user to be able to shift their weight adequately, to take advantage of the winds power. The fact that the kayak also lacks a keel, contributes to the thoughts of the purist in how would the operator effectively track across the wind, especially in upwind conditions or situations.

These limitations have not imposed any restrictions on those learning kayaking from a sailing perspective, having taken components of the well known windsurfing technology and equipment and effectively adapting and installing these onto sit on top and similar kayaks. This movement away from the purist thoughts of what makes a good sailboat is key in finding the ideal vessel in terms of kayaking, and an amount of compromise in terms of space and functionality must be made in order to realize the potential of a suitable kayak for sailing purposes.

Why should one give up the experience of getting out onto the water when the wind comes up, even when learning kayaking, the possibilities and opportunities that are exposed when considered the sailing perspective enable one to make the absolute most of really any weather conditions.

About the Author

For additional resources and all aspects pertaining to kayaks, learning to kayak and all things related, paddle through to Learn Kayaking or even Kayaking courses to get you started.