With school starting up and summer coming to an end, you may be trying to come up with a few things to do to end the summer with a bang. If you’re struggling for ideas, then you may want to try out kayaking. Of course, kayaking can also be a great hobby to enjoy throughout the year because if offers so many options. However, kayaking can be a touch on the pricey side if you’re not careful about your expenditures. There are many ways you can save some money on kayaking though, so you can have lots of fun without having to count the pennies.
1. Consider Usage
A lot of people want to go out and spend a small fortune on all of the gear they will need to go kayaking. This can be a huge waste of money if you’re just starting out though. If you aren’t sure if kayaking is something you want to do frequently then you might want to consider renting instead of going all out. Once you get a better feel for how often you plan on going then you may want to consider shopping around for your own gear. This will give you a better idea of the items you will need and what you may want from your gear. For instance, if you plan on using your kayaking items for fishing then you may want to buy a specific type of kayak. Using your kayak on the river calls for more safety supplies as well, which you should keep in mind for the entire family.
2. Shop Last Season
When it comes to buying new things, you’re always going to be better off looking at the older models opposed to the newer ones. Just like clothing, there are seasons for kayaks and buying from last season won’t leave you skipping out on anything too spectacular. Generally, the kayak business comes out with new models every year that may have one or two upgrades to work with. These aren’t really essential upgrades and won’t hurt your safety rating if you don’t go for a new model. So, before you decide to make your move on something top of the line, you might check out the clearance rack to see if there is anything from last year that strikes your fancy. You may find you can’t tell the difference in the new models, which will save you a whole lot of money. After all, many of the changes made to kayaks through the seasons are actually the color of the boat, so don’t let aesthetics rope you into spending a small fortune.
3. Go For Name Brand
Saving money usually means avoiding name brand companies at all cost. However, when it comes to something like kayaking you may not want to skip out on some of the bigger brands. Unfortunately, off brand kayaks can be flimsier and not as safe as some of the big name companies, which can be really bad for even experienced kayakers. Even if you do find an off-brand kayak that has a good safety rating, the chances are that it won’t hold up too long, which means you probably won’t get your money’s worth. The best thing you can do is try to research brands to see which one will provide you with the most for your money. This should help you find a kayak that is both secure and will hold up to the extreme sports you choose to use it for.
4. Look For Warranties/Rebates
One of the key ingredients to shopping for pricey items is to make sure they have a warranty behind them. Many kayaks will come with warranties if you’re willing to pay a fee to get them. This will come in handy, especially if you end up in rough waters or your kayak becomes weaker over time. You can also find warranties on safety gear too. For instance, if you end up dropping your helmet then you should be able to get a new one thanks to warranties. Getting a warranty on things like life vests are also important, especially since these items can get work in quickly and are true life savers. There should be many rebates floating around in the kayaking world. If you go to a sporting goods store, then a salesperson should be able to show you items that have rebates attached to them. However, not all stores concentrate on this. One of the best things you can do is browse around online to see if the store offers any rebates online or if the manufacture has them to offer. Once you find a good one, make sure to fill it out as soon as you make your purchase so you don’t end up forgetting.
5. Research
Not all kayaks are made the same, nor are the accessories that go along with them. So, before you head out to shop for your kayak, you may want to hop online and do a bit of research to see what you can come up with. One thing to consider when you’re researching is what type of activity you plan on using your kayak for. If you like to stick to fishing, then there is a specific type of kayak you can buy to make it easier on you. Of course, if you plan on barreling down the river then you’re also going to need a stronger kayak that can hold up to the wear and tear of the water. You should also start researching some of the other accessories you will need to make your activity work well too. By doing this, you’ll end up buying what you need, rather than having the wrong supplies when you leave to have some fun.
6. Get Safety Gear
Many people spend a lot of their money on the kayak and fun accessories but tend to skip out on all of the safety gear. This can be a huge mistake in the long run as your safety gear is the most important thing to have on you when you go kayaking. Helmets can be a huge life saver when it comes to any form of kayaking, but you should buy a sturdy one if you plan on doing extreme sports as this is essential. Even if you’re going to keep it relaxed a basic helmet is needed, just in case there is an unexpected fast current or your boat capsizes. A life jacket is another must have item that is needed any time you get in the water, no matter how strong of a swimmer you are. Other survival items like water, flint and flares may be important too, if you are kayaking in a remote area.
7. Know Your Locations
One of the most important things you can do before kayaking is decide where exactly you will be going. In the US, there are lots of great places to take to the water, but not all locations are created equal for every activity. For instance, if you just want to go fishing, you should probably avoid any area that has fast rapids or may put you in danger when you originally planned on relaxing. The opposite can be said if you want to enjoy an extreme sport as a fishing hole just won’t meet your expectations. Luckily, there’s lots of information online that can help you make the right choice when it comes to your fishing hole. Before you know it, you’ll find an assortment of awesome places that will suit your needs, while keeping your thirst for adventure alive and well.
8. Share
If you love to kayak, but don’t have the budget to buy your own or rent as often as you’d like, then you may want to consider sharing one. You can easily ask a friend, family member or even a group to split the costs with you, so you can all enjoy the fun of kayaking without having to spend a fortune. This may be a little difficult at first, but if you plan trips together you can have even more fun with the kayak. If this doesn’t work out, then you can always work out a schedule so everyone has an equal amount of time with the kayak. Of course, make sure you get all of your plans in writing, so there’s no problems later on down the line.
9. Second Hand
When it comes to starting out, you may want to consider buying your gear second hand. This will give you time to get a feel for exactly what you want out of your kayaking hobby. Second hand items are already a little broken in and allow you to learn from them without having to stress as much about damaging the items. As you learn, you’ll be able to pick up new tricks that will keep your future purchases in check. Plus, second hand items are usually only a fraction of the price, especially if you find them in a thrift store or a garage sale. If you know someone who may have old kayaking gear, then try to ask them if they’d be willing to sell it. You may find yourself a better deal than you ever imagined, which is always great for beginning a new activity.
10. Take Lessons
In an ideal world, we would be able to go out and do whatever we want without having to spend hours trying to figure it out. When it comes to kayaking, the best thing you can do is take lessons to ensure you don’t end up damaging yourself or the equipment you spent so much money on. When it comes to kayaking, you have a lot of options for lessons, so make sure to look around and find something that suits your needs as well as your budget. You should be able to find a Groupon or other social media coupon if you’d like to enjoy lessons with friends or family. Apart from actually learning how to use the kayak, you may want to jump on board with figuring out some of the safety information you will need in case you get stranded somewhere. You can never be too prepared for the unthinkable, so make sure you have all grounds covered before you jump full force into your new hobby.
Kayaking can be a world of fun and a great adventure for the entire family. However, you don’t have to let it become a money pit in your life. These tips will not only help you save a pretty penny on your upcoming adventure, but will help keep you and your family safe as you tackle something new. So, stop fretting the money aspect of kayaking and let the fun overtake you before the long days of summer are over.
