One of the perks of living on an island is the vast array of water activities to choose from. If you are looking for a sport that is easy to learn and offers a great work out, then kayaking is an excellent option. With regularly organised trips, great scenic spots and no lack of fellow enthusiasts, this is one water sport that can get you into shape in a fun and friendly way.
The International Canoe Federation (the world sanctioning body) defines a kayak as a boat where the paddler faces forward with his or her legs in front, and uses a double-bladed paddle to manoeuvre on the water’s surface. There are essentially three kinds of kayaks; the closed deck, the ‘sit-on-top’ and the inflatable. Most people usually think of the closed deck models when they think of a kayak, where only the rider’s upper body is exposed. The ‘sit-on-top’ models that are open are the ones most commonly found in the United Arab Emirates and the neighbouring regions. The inflatable models combine elements of the two; they are essentially open decks but with air chambers surrounding the boat and the paddler sits below the level of the deck. The three models can also be designed for two or more paddlers, in which case they are called ‘tandems’.
The closed deck kayaks are used for whitewater kayaking. The open models seen in the region are for sea/ocean kayaking. Aside from the basic three types, kayaks vary extensively in composition and design, depending on their purpose. As a sport, kayaking started to become popular in the 1990s. It is great for people with weak back muscles who need to build up strength in that area. Cailin Fuller, who works at the Noukhada Adventure Company, tells us, ‘Kayaking uses a lot of upper body muscles, so it’s great for anyone looking to gain strength and stability in that area.’
Kayaking can vary in intensity from extremely strenuous and dangerous to smooth and enjoyable.
There are numerous places to buy kayaks around the city, such as Beyond the Beach in Al Wahda Mall. However, vendors don’t tend to offer a variety of choices and you will usually find only two or three models in a store. The models sold around town are almost always open deck with capacity for either one rider or two. The price for a single capacity kayak can range from Dhs2,500 to Dhs4,000. Alternatively, you can sometimes find much better deals if you are willing to purchase a second-hand model. Sites such as Dubizzle (www.dubizzle.com) as well as Souk (www.souk.com) offer such items, although you should always see the kayak in person before paying for it.
Big issues to consider when purchasing a kayak are storage and transportation. Even the small versions weigh roughly 20 kilos, a factor to consider if you are looking to haul it across a large shore to the water. The other factor to consider is the length; the standard single person kayak stretches 4.9 meters.
For anyone interested in the sport, the Noukhada Adventure Company is an excellent place to start. The group offer regular tours of great spots, such as the mangroves, the Corniche and the northern emirates. They also organize some kayak fishing tours. As big advocates of eco-tourism, you can rest assured that any adventure you sign up for with Noukhada won’t harm the environment. ‘One of the reasons we organise kayaking tours in the mangroves is to raise environmental awareness. Also, kayaking is sustainable and won’t harm nature,’ says Cailin.
There are also professional trainers to guide you along, as well as help you improve your strokes. For those who would like to purchase a kayak but are worried about the transportation of it and the storage, Noukhada offers a packages to solve those issues. They have storage facilities at the mina region, at the eastern end of the Corniche. They also have special vehicles to move your kayak for you to your destination.
So what are you waiting for?
Get yourself outdoors for a spot of environmentally friendly exercise.
To contact The Noukhada Adventure company, visit www.noukhada.ae, or call (02 650 3600).
