4 must-have items for a novice kayaker

Kayaking is a fun outdoor sport that doubles as phenomenal exercise, but certain safety precautions must be taken in order to guarantee everyone's safety on the water. Here's what you'll need to get before your first kayaking trip.

First off, you'll need to determine the sort of kayak you want.

• They come in a number of different varieties, including sit-on-top kayaks, tandem kayaks, inflatable kayaks, touring kayaks, pedal kayaks, fishing kayaks and children's kayaks.
• If you're just starting out, you'll likely want the standard sit-on-top variety.

The next piece of gear you'll need is a life jacket. Kayaking often takes participants into rough waters where the risk of capsizing is very real.

• If capsizing happens, you'll want to be sure you have a way of staying above water until you can return to your vessel or reach the shore.
• Life jackets come in a broad spectrum of price ranges, but they are well worth the investment for your safety.

While you must have a paddle for kayaking, the kind you should get varies greatly.

• It's best to choose a yellow tipped paddle if you're just starting out.
• Not only does this paddle make it easier for others to see you, but it provides you with a signal if you happen to fall off the kayak.
• You can hold the paddle in the air and grab the attention of others if you need help.
• Black paddles may be more stylish, but a yellow paddle is much safer for beginners.

If you're kayaking in rough waters, it's a good idea to wear a helmet while kayaking. If the waters have numerous rocks in them, capsizing is even more dangerous than normal.

• It's a good idea to keep a helmet in your gear in case you need to protect your head while on the water.

The gear necessary for beginner kayakers will vary, depending on what you already have, as well as your current skill level, but it's important that you equip yourself with the right supplies to stay safe on the water.

Rather than going straight into the water, consider investing in a beginner's instruction course. That way, you'll be able to learn all the basics while under the supervision of an experienced kayak instructor.