Kayaking: which types it suits

Kayaking means sitting in a narrow boat and moving through the water with a double-bladed paddle, dipping one side and then the other. It ranges from slow, scenic paddles on calm rivers, lakes and coastlines to running whitewater rapids. Most people start with a lesson on paddle strokes and steering, and head out in a buoyancy aid, often with a guide. Two-person kayaks let friends or family paddle together and learn to keep time with each other.

Kayaking suits people who love quiet time moving through nature, and who enjoy exploring a different stretch of water each time. Plenty of paddlers care more about the scenery and the sound of the water than about times or racing, and lots of people discover it on holiday and get hooked. It especially suits anyone who'd sooner go with the day's water and weather than with a fixed plan.