One of the biggest dangers while kayaking is dehydration. You are sitting out in the sun, baking and losing water as you sweat. It takes effort and time to stop and get a drink; so many people just keep on paddling. Here are 3 simple techniques to keep you hydrated:
1- Stop every ½ hour and take a drink break.
2- Use a hydration pack, like a Camel Back. You can store the pack behind your seat, on the deck under the bungees, or on your back. Having the tube handy means you can take a drink without taking both hands off your paddle. This is key in high winds.
3- Try alternating water and sports drinks (like Gatorade). The sports drinks will give you key electrolytes that are lost when you sweat. For extended trips, I use a mixture of 60% water and 40% Gatorade.
If you don’t stay hydrated, you will run out of energy. This could prove disastrous if you find yourself in rough conditions. So stay hydrated and stay safe.
See you on the water,
Don Urmston
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