Kids will be yakin about kayaking
Kids will be yakin about kayaking
Dayton Daily News
By Debbie Juniewicz, Contributing Writer
January 3, 2012
Gliding peacefully down a tranquil river, sunshine streaming through the lush canopy of branches overhead kayaking can be synonymous with communing with nature.
Gray Dayton skies and blustery winds, however, can make kayaking seem like a distant memory, but it doesnt have to be that way. Five Rivers MetroParks is sponsoring a series of Youths Try Kayaking events beginning today from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Beavercreek YMCA. Two additional kayaking events will be held on Jan. 27 and March 2.
There are no prerequisites for the free youth programs that are open to interested kayakers ages 5 to 17. Participants dont need to be YMCA members, and they dont have to attend the first session to attend any of the other sessions.
Its a lot less intimidating to try kayaking in a controlled environment like a pool, said Amy Dingle, Five Rivers MetroParks outdoor recreation coordinator. Plus this time of year, its something different for them to do, especially for the teens.
THE BASICS
A kayak is, most often, an enclosed boat that is propelled by a double-sided paddle. There are some sit-on-top kayaks, which are nice for the claustrophobic set. Kayaking is considered a low-impact sport but requires significant upper body strength.
While your body doesnt take the kind of pounding that it does when you are running, there are plenty of calories burned while paddling approximately 400 calories an hour. And there are both physical and psychological benefits to kayaking.
The beauty of kayaking to me is that it is open to all age levels and all ability levels, Dingle said. And its very family friendly because its such a great activity, and its relatively inexpensive.
The upcoming youth programs will focus on the basics, from fitting into the boat to basic strokes.
BEYOND THE BASICS
If the young kayakers, and the rest of the family for that matter, are taken with the sport, the MetroParks will offer a variety of classes starting in the spring. Intro to Kayaking is a classroom-based course that introduces participants to the fundamentals, from clothing to safety. Kayak Basics is taught on the lake and focuses on stroke work as well as safety and rescue techniques. The Fundamentals of Kayaking takes place on the river.
Kayaking is a great healthy alternative to a lot of the higher impact sports, Dingle said. Younger kids can become proficient pretty easily. And the older population that enjoys birding can get exercise and enjoy nature at the same time by kayaking.
GET OUT AND PADDLE
(Once it warms up, of course.)
Flat-water MetroPark sites:
Eastwood Lake
Eastwood MetroPark
Huffman Lake
Huffman MetroPark
North Park Ponds
Englewood MetroPark
BENEFITS OF KAYAKING
Burns calories.
Strengthens the core.
Jumpstarts the cardiovascular system.
Improves joint health.
Tones and strengthens muscles.
Reduces stress.
Improves focus.
KAYAKS 101
(Typical kayak lengths in parentheses.)
White water (6-9 feet): Short and highly maneuverable, meant to help you paddle quickly through rough water. Agile, but easy to flip.
Sea (16 feet or longer): The longest of the bunch, they are often made of the most expensive and lightest hulls. Length gives stability in ocean waves, but the more narrow the boat, the more prone it is to roll.
Touring (14-17 feet): The versatile kayak is long with a wider hull for greater stability. Offers storage for overnight trips.
Recreational (11-14 feet): Most versatile of the kayaks, easy to use and offers great stability. Requires very little training to use proficiently.
Sit-on-top (8-15 feet): Great for people who are afraid of being enclosed in a boat as you sit on top of this molded kayak. Greatest splash factor as you are totally exposed to water, wind and waves.
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