The best way to overcome the fear of kayaking is to start with baby steps. Get in a kayak on calm water and paddle around for a bit. Once you get used to being in the kayak, you can try paddling on more challenging waters.
Don’t let the fear of kayaking hold you back from enjoying the sport!
Key Takeaway’s
- Understand what is causing your fear
- Break down the activity into manageable steps
- Build up your confidence by starting with an easier task
- Practice regularly to become more comfortable
- Get help from a professional if needed
Here’s The Answer To How To Get Over The Fear Of Kayaking
Kayaking is a fantastic outdoor activity, but for some people, getting in a kayak can be downright terrifying.
If you’re anxious just thinking about getting in a kayak, don’t worry—you’re not alone. And there are ways to get over your fear of kayaking so that you can enjoy this wonderful activity.
Learning more about kayaking is one of the best ways to get over your fear of the activity. Learning about kayaking—what it is, how it works, and what to expect—can help reduce your anxiety. Another way to ease your fear is to start small.
Don’t try to tackle whitewater rapids on your first outing; instead, paddle on calm waters until you build up your confidence. And be sure to choose a good quality kayak and life jacket that will give you peace of mind while on the water.
Acknowledge Your Fear
Fear is an emotion, and it’s a normal reaction to a threat. When you’re afraid, your body goes into fight-or-flight mode: adrenaline starts pumping through your system, making it easier for you to react quickly in a dangerous situation.
Fear can be overcome with experience and practice: learning how something works helps reduce the fear associated with it. If you’ve ever learned how to drive a car or ride a bike, then there’s no reason why kayaking should be any different.
You must know what scares you so we can help you overcome those fears! People have many common fears when it comes time for them to pick up something new.
Understand Why You’re Afraid
Before you can overcome your fear of kayaking, you must understand why you’re afraid.
Your fears could be grounded in several different things:
- Fear of falling into the water and drowning. This is understandable, but if you know how to swim, this shouldn’t be an issue. If not, consider taking a course on swimming before attempting any kayaking activities (or other water sports).
- Fear of being in a small boat with no way out if something goes wrong – such as capsizing or running out of gas at sea. These are valid concerns; however, studies have shown that most people who go into the water without knowing how to swim will panic once they begin losing their balance and end up drowning themselves through exhaustion or lack of oxygen even though they know exactly where they are located at all times within their proximity range from land/shoreline borders (i.e., less than 50 feet away).
Educate Yourself About Kayaking
Before you take the plunge, educate yourself about kayaking. Kayaking is differentiated from canoeing because it involves one person in a boat propelled by their strength and technique, while canoeing involves two people sharing one course.
Kayaks are also different from rafts, which do not have any specific propulsion mechanism—the flow of water or river current does it for them.
Many types of kayaks are available on the market today: sit-on-tops allow you to sit inside the cockpit with your legs dangling outside; sit-ins have an enclosed cockpit with your legs inside.
Find A Support Group Or Take A Class
As you can see, kayaking is a great way to get outdoors, stay active, and enjoy some of your favorite things like nature, water, and being near the water. Your fear is the only thing getting in the way of having fun.
With these tips and tricks for overcoming your fear of kayaking, you’ll be able to hit the water without worrying about getting lost or what may happen when you go out on the lake.
Reward Yourself
You’ve completed your first lesson and learned the basics of kayaking. You’re terrified, but you can do this!
Take some time to reward yourself for taking small steps toward overcoming your fear of kayaking. Find something you enjoy doing, and do it after each small success.
It might be as simple as eating a sweet treat or walking around the block with your dog at the end of each practice session – whatever gets you through those last few minutes before heading home.
- If possible, choose rewards that will help strengthen future successes.* For example: if you know that being outside in nature helps reduce anxiety and stress levels, take pictures on your phone while out on the water so that they are available later when seeking further relaxation techniques (in addition to music).
Why Do These Fears Typically Develop?
Like most people, you probably have some kind of fear or anxiety about kayaking. Likely, this is not your first time being afraid of something related to kayaking.
You may even have other fears associated with it, such as the fear of being out on the water or in a boat, the fear of not being able to do it and then feeling ashamed later, or maybe even an irrational fear that you will fall in and drown (this is called “drowning phobia”).
There are all kinds of reasons why these fears typically develop:
- Fear of the unknown – We don’t know what will happen next, so we become anxious about it.
- Fear of being in the water – Some people get scared when they think about getting wet because they associate water with death (drowning). This can make anyone afraid, even if they aren’t going anywhere near water.
How Can You Begin To Overcome Your Fear Of Kayaking?
- Join a club. The best way to become comfortable if you’ve never kayaked before is to enroll in a class or join a group that meets frequently. This way, you’ll have other people around who are more experienced than you and can help with any issues that arise while out on the water.
- Find a buddy to kayak with. Taking kayaking lessons is one thing, but having someone in your boat who has similar skill levels as yours can make the activity more fun while helping ensure both boats stay together in case of an emergency (like when one person falls overboard).
- Take some time to practice at home before heading out on your first trip together—or even better yet: try practicing at night! Most people already know how difficult it can be for humans to see during this period; imagine trying this during daylight hours, only adding more difficulty.
What Are Some Tips And Tricks For Staying Safe While Kayaking?
As you’ll see, the list of things to consider is rather long. But don’t let that scare you off—a little preparation goes a long way in ensuring your kayaking trip is a success.
If you’re still eager to try it out, here are some tips and tricks for staying safe while kayaking.
Always wear a life jacket. In general, this is good advice for any activity that involves water or high speeds (which includes everything from swimming to skiing).
For kayaking specifically, though, it’s especially important because it can help keep your body afloat if something goes wrong and keep your head above water in an emergency situation (such as an unexpected drop-off).
Final Thoughts
The author provides several tips for overcoming the fear of kayaking, including practicing visualization and positive self-talk, building confidence by starting small and seeking professional help.
By following these tips, readers can hopefully overcome their fear of kayaking and enjoy the activity. Check out our website or social media channels for more information on kayaking or other outdoor activities.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are some tips for getting over my fear of kayaking?
Some tips for overcoming fear of kayaking include educating yourself about the sport, starting small, and using a good quality Kayak and Life jacket.
What can I do to overcome my fear of kayaking?
A few things can help overcome the fear of kayaking, including educating yourself on the sport and starting small.
Is it normal to be afraid of kayaking?
Yes, it is normal to be afraid of kayaking. However, you can overcome that fear with the right preparation and practice.
What should I do if I’m afraid of kayaking?
If you are afraid of kayaking, there are a few things that you can do to help ease your anxiety. You can practice visualization and positive self-talk to calm yourself down before paddling. Additionally, seek professional kayaking instruction or counseling to overcome the fear of kayaking.