Kayak tips for women

[Eden]

<big bump>

I've been wanting to try flat water kayaking for a while, like a few years now. The other day I got an email from REI about local events. Usually I just delete those emails but this time I read it, clicked some links... long story short I've registered for a beginning kayak class. It's still a few weeks away. So here I am looking for advice on what to expect, what to wear, etc. No surprise, there's some great info here and in related threads.

I've gone canoeing before with family, on lakes. Never tried kayaking though. Should be fun!

It should be great fun- I took the self rescue class up here and it was a good experience. A beginning class probably won't get into falling out and reentry - so I wouldn't worry about getting wet intentionally. They'll most likely teach you how to get in and out either from shore or from a dock, depending on where the class is, how to paddle forwards, backwards and turn and talk about what you'll need to buy if you decide to take up paddling.

The gear list they provide on the class page is pretty comprehensive. Since it's been in the 90's where you are at, I wouldn't worry about getting too cold unless the class is late enough to run after sunset. Regular old shorts and a tee should be just fine. The things I would stress are sun protection - it actually gets quite hot out on the water and there's lots of sun reflected off of the surface. You'll absolutely want a hat with a good brim, sunglasses and sunscreen - and don't neglect places that you might not normally think about - like the underside of your chin. Unless you launch from a dock, footwear that can get wet is a must too- it can be quite uncomfortable to walk around on rocky or mucky lake shores in bare feet. If you have your own flotation jacket you probably want to bring it - they definitely will have them, but they may not be the most comfortable or best fitting models.

The only other advice I have to offer that they don't cover is make sure anything you don't want to lose is in a zippered pocket, tethered to you in some manner or can float on it's own- just in case - and of course if it can't get wet put it in a plastic zipper bag.