Sea Kayaking

Having natural assets like islands, mountains, and 30,000 wonderful coastlines make the Philippines a perfect spot for kayaking enthusiasts. With over 7,000 beautiful islands scattered in the Philippine archipelago, no wonder this country is fast becoming the kayaking destination in Southeast Asia.

Kayaking is sometimes mistaken as Canoeing, and vice versa, because both are kinds of Paddling. In kayaking, the paddler of a kayak faces forward, with legs in front, and uses a double-bladed paddle. On the other hand, canoeing is where a paddler sits or kneels on the canoe and uses a single blade paddle. Almost all kayaks have closed decks; canoes can have either closed or open deck. Recently, sit-on-top kayaks and inflatable kayaks with air chambers have gained popularity in many countries all over the world.

Environment enthusiasts are sure to enjoy kayaking because of the exploration and enjoyment of paddling though nature on a very intimate level. There is the solitude of solo paddling, as well as the joy and camaraderie of a group kayaking adventure.

In the Philippines, the government considers kayaking as one of the important tools in promoting sports and adventure tourism to foreign nationals. In 2009, the Department of Tourism (DOT) launched the Philippine Kayaking Series to uphold the objective of making the country the Kayaking Capital of Southeast Asia.

Several kayak expeditions and marathons boost many foreigners’ interest to go and try this sport. Because of the relaxation and tranquility it brings, kayaking is fast becoming the trend when it comes to family recreational activities.

Primarily, there are seven kayak classifications: polo, whitewater, slalom, touring/expedition, surf, spring/racing and general recreation. Polo is a goal-scoring ball game on water between two teams with five members each. White water kayaking involves taking a kayak down the rapids. Slalom is also done in the rapids, with competitors going up against or across the water flow. Touring, also referred as sea kayaking or ocean kayaking, is the most popular type to tourists when it comes to kayaking in the Philippines.

Kayaks can be made with different materials, from metals, woods, fiberglass, or rubber. Each material has its own advantage when it comes to being durable, flexible, and portable. Because of its adaptability, a kayak can be used for other outdoor activities like diving and fishing.

Another thing that attracts many people to kayaking is the sport’s simplicity. Beginners and first-time paddlers don’t really need to be nervous as kayaking is very easy and safe for all ages. One doesn’t need to be athletic in order to keep up and enjoy the sport.

Wearing life jackets is a basic requirement in kayaking as well as in other water sports. All sea kayaks are very stable so capsizes are extremely uncommon, though it depends if one is after a more wild kayak experience like in whitewater kayaking.

In most beach resorts and islands, kayaks and other equipment are available for renting. There are both single and two-person kayaks in different sizes and one can request a guide if he wants to. Rates depend on every resort, but it is usually charged on a per-hour basis.

Sources:
http://www.kayakphilippines.com
http://www.kayakislandtrip.com/
http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleid=502601