Starting kayaking is more straightforward than it looks. You need a stable kayak, a life jacket that fits, and a few basic skills before your first trip, which goes best with a buddy.
Getting in and out of the boat is the skill most first trips depend on, so this guide covers it step by step.
It also covers getting back on if you tip, which you should only practice in calm, shallow water with an instructor or outfitter close by.
Choose Your First Kayak: Beginner Tips
For a first kayak, look for a wide, stable boat designed for flat water, and rent before you buy.
For a first rental, a wide sit-on-top is the easier start. The guide to renting your first kayak, with sit-on-top and sit-inside boats compared, says the same.
If you have shoulder, balance, heart or lung concerns, ask your doctor whether paddling suits you. Ask, too, whether climbing back onto a kayak from the water is realistic.
Get Your Safety Gear Ready
Your equipment starts with a Coast Guard-approved lifejacket (PFD) that fits snugly. The U.S. Coast Guard’s boating safety office puts it plainly: the best lifejacket is the one you will wear.
Fasten every buckle and zipper, and check that the jacket doesn’t ride up over your chin.
If you rent, ask the outfitter what comes with the boat.
The National Weather Service says to dress for water temperature, not for air temperature. Cold water also limits where you should practice getting back on a kayak, as the last section explains.
For what to wear, see Cold-water safety for paddlers, and the guide to safety for kayaking covers the rest of the gear.
Plan Your First Paddle With a Buddy
Your first time on the water goes better with someone alongside you.
Before heading out, coordinate a few basics:
- Share your trip details with someone at home so they know your expected return time
- Check the weather forecast together and choose a day without strong winds
Taking a kayaking class together builds confidence while you both pick up proper technique. The American Canoe Association lists courses and instructors.
Start on Lakes or Slow Rivers
Head to calm lakes or slow-moving rivers, where flat water lets you focus on entry, exit and basic strokes. Start with shorter trips and add distance as your confidence builds.
Before you launch, check three things:
- Distance: stay near shore and within sight of the launch on a first rental
- Wind: the National Center for Cold Water Safety calls it the most common weather problem for paddlers. It says getting blown offshore is a very common cause of trouble.
- Water temperature: the same group says to treat water below 70°F with caution, and that cold water gear is essential. Ask the outfitter for today’s reading.
Learn Two Ways to Enter Your Kayak
The sidesaddle entry works well for beginners. You sit on the kayak’s edge with your legs in the water, then settle into the seat from that stable position.
The straddling technique has you straddle the boat, then lower yourself low and slide into the seat. Steady the kayak against a dock, or have a friend hold it.
Standing upright to step in can feel easier, but it makes the boat less stable. Keep your body low and move slowly every time you get in.
Learn the Forward Stroke and Basic Paddle Moves
Once you’re settled in the seat, the forward stroke is what moves you.
Basics to practice:
- Put the blade fully into the water near your feet, then pull it back along the boat
- Alternate strokes on both sides for balanced movement
- Turn your torso as you stroke, so your whole body does the work, not just your arms
Practice these strokes in short sessions on calm water.
Steer With Sweep Strokes
Sweep strokes steer the boat:
- Forward sweep: start the blade near the bow and pull it in a wide arc toward the stern
- Reverse sweep: start near the stern and push the blade in a wide arc toward the bow
- A forward sweep on your left turns the boat right, and a reverse sweep on the same side turns it left
Keep your eyes on where you’re heading, not on the paddle.
Sweeps slow the boat a little, which is useful for a slow, controlled turn on calm water.
Exit Your Kayak at Shore
Bring the kayak parallel to the shore in shallow water and check that it’s stable before you move. Then swing your legs over the side while keeping your weight centered.
Push yourself up with your arms and step out gently. Let the boat settle before you let go of it.
If your shoulder is stiff, skip the arm push. Come alongside a low dock or into shallow water, swing your legs out first, and stand with a hand on the boat or a helper.
A controlled exit keeps you dry and protects the boat.
Practice Climbing Back On a Sit-On-Top
Tipping happens, and a sit-on-top is built for it. These steps are for a sit-on-top, so if you have a sit-inside boat, ask an instructor or outfitter before trying them.
The safest way to learn is in calm, shallow water, near shore, with your life jacket on and an instructor or outfitter close by. Cold water makes reboarding harder, so practice only where the water is comfortable.
Stay with your boat and keep hold of your paddle. Then:
- Flip the kayak upright if it has turned over
- Pull the kayak toward you until you can reach the deck
- Pull your chest and hips onto the boat, then swing your legs around and settle into the seat
A class with an instructor can show you a technique that suits your body.