Kayaking is a fun and relaxing sport for all ages and fitness levels. Many people choose to do this as a way to explore the waters and sceneries that are not accessible by swimming as well as to improve their overall fitness. Kayaking is a low-impact activity, however, it is a great way to stimulate muscle strength and cardiovascular fitness.
Although this activity is something that is usually done during the day, a portion of brave individuals decides to do this at night, as there are fewer people and it is quieter. This is a preferred choice for those mainly seeking peace and quiet. However, as you can imagine kayaking at night can be dangerous if you do not know what you are doing or take the appropriate safety measures. This article will provide you with four useful tips for kayaking safely at night.
1. Make Sure You Are Visible
It goes without saying that at night visibility is significantly reduced. This is particularly true for marine areas, where there is no light. Whether you choose to practice this sport in river or ocean waters, make sure that you are visible. There are actually some laws in place in different areas that you must follow, when it comes to kayaking at night. You may have to add specific colored lights on your kayak and you can even decorate it appropriately to make sure other potential kayakers or even boats can see you.
2. Excel in The Activity
Kayak is a simple activity to learn but this does not mean that you should not be putting in the appropriate time and effort to make sure that you learn it properly. Do not assume that you will be fine kayaking, especially if you go at night. You must understand that even if you are a pro at this activity during the day, things will certainly be different once the sun goes down. You can take additional classes so that you learn from experts so that they provide you with the night kayaking tips you need to succeed. Do not rush and be prepared so that things go well.
3. Know The Route
Knowing the route is extremely important as you want to know where you are going. Being in the middle of a marine area can be confusing and cause you to get lost easily, even during the day. When you are choosing a route to kayak after dark, you should pick an area you are already familiar with. Going to a place you do not know during the night only increases the chances of you getting lost.
4. Bring Safety Equipment
Evidently, safety equipment is a must in case anything happens. Some necessary items include a personal flotation device, bring a phone, and keep it in a waterproof compartment as well as a first aid kit. Ideally, you should also bring someone with you on your maritime outing so that you can help each other should something go wrong.
Kayaking is a fun activity that you can do with your loved ones or alone. However, you must take the appropriate steps to ensure that you remain safe if you do this when it is dark. Make sure to follow the useful tips discussed above so that you kayak safely at night.
