Pursuit
Sea Kayaking
Coastal and big-lake touring — tides, crossings, and rescues.
About sea kayaking
Sea kayaking is expedition travel on open water. Distance is easy; the hard parts are weather judgment, tidal planning, and being able to get back in your boat far from shore.
Season: Spring to fall on most coasts; drysuit season otherwise.
Learn these first
- Assisted and self-rescue until both are automatic in chop
- Tide, current, and wind-against-tide planning
- Compass bearings, ferry angles, and crossing timing
- Edging and bracing in beam seas
Kit that matters
- Touring hull with bulkheads and deck lines
- Spray deck, paddle float, bilge pump, spare paddle
- VHF radio, chart, compass, and a drysuit for cold water
- Dry bags sized to hatch openings
Honest hazard notes
- Offshore wind that makes return impossible
- Cold shock in water under 60°F
- Tidal races and overfalls at the wrong hour
Plan a sea kayaking trip
Sea Kayaking reading
Coastal Rainforest Firecraft: Finding Dry Fuel When All Seems Lost
When the coastal rainforest has absorbed weeks of rain, finding dry fuel for a fire can feel impossible. This guide cuts through the wet to show you where to look, what to use, and how to process materials for a successful blaze, even in the soggiest conditions.
A Field Guide to Coastal Emergency Planning
Learn coastal hiking safety through a practical sequence, common failure points, a controlled field drill, gear notes, and the safety checks that should happen before a real survival trip.
Coastal Emergency Planning: Common Mistakes and a Better Field Drill
Learn coastal emergency planning mistakes through a practical sequence, common failure points, a controlled field drill, gear notes, and the safety checks that should happen before a real survival trip.
Sea Kayaking Cold Water: Dry Suits, Rolls, and Rescue
Paddling cold water in a sea kayak demands preparation. Learn about essential gear like dry suits, critical skills such as rolling, and effective self-rescue techniques to stay safe and confident on the water, even when conditions turn frigid.
Whitewater Kayaking: Reading the River from Class I to III
Understanding whitewater is key to staying safe and having fun. Learn how to read river features from Class I to Class III rapids, anticipate hazards, and navigate effectively.
Sea Kayaking FAQ
How far can I paddle in a day?
Ten to eighteen nautical miles is a normal loaded touring day at 3 knots, before wind and current.
What's the first skill to master?
Getting back in your boat unaided. Everything else is optional until that's reliable.