If you love the great outdoors and would like to find a new way to connect with nature, consider paddleboarding or kayaking! Kayaking and paddleboarding are two of the fastest growing sports, offering outdoor enthusiasts a great time to consider testing their skills on the water. While both sports are a lot of fun, you need to know some important information to determine which one is best for you. Why You Need to Go Kayaking Instead of Paddleboarding Adrenaline Junkie? Are you an adrenaline junkie? Kayaking is right up your alley! Kayaking allows you to go faster than you can on a paddleboard, and you can eventually work up your skills to hit some whitewater rapids. Kayaks can be used to get from one side of a lake to another in a faster time compared to a paddleboard. A double-sided kayak paddle allows you to paddle much faster from a single paddle that a paddleboard comes with. If you have the need for speed, you’ll want to spend time taking at least one kayaking course to learn how to perform an Eskimo roll and other movements when you are hitting the whitewater rapids. On-Board Storage A paddleboard is essentially the same look and feel as a surfboard, which means you will not be able to store anything on the board. Most kayaks include a bungee cord storage area for the sit-on kayaks, and the sit-in kayaks often include a dry storage area. If you plan to be out on the water for several hours, or days, a kayak makes it much easier to take your gear around with you. As kayak fishing has grown, so has the variety of accessories to choose from.  If you enjoy fishing and want to be able to keep your gear with you at all times, a kayak is a smart choice. Several kayaks are designed specifically for fishing, allowing you to have a place for your fishing pole and the rest of your gear. You can even purchase a small trolling motor and attach it to the kayak or purchase a wind sail to have some help moving around on the water. Year-Round Kayaking A great benefit to kayaking versus paddleboarding is the ability to enjoy the sport year-round. In the winter, a lot of kayakers grab a wetsuit or drysuit to stay warm. Sit-in kayaks will keep you warmer from the sit-on kayaks as the sit-in kayak can include a spray skirt to keep the water out, allowing you to stay warm and dry. Paddleboarding normally involves standing, and it can get cold quickly in the cooler months. If you have balance issues, paddleboarding will be much harder to manage if you intend to stay dry! Long Distance Kayaking Paddleboarding is a great activity for a few hours or a day trip, but it can cause a lot of people to burn out their muscles quickly. Kayaking is designed for comfort and long-distance movement over water. It’s more comfortable to sit in a kayak to travel compared to standing on top of a board for a long paddle trip. We have also found it’s much safer in a kayak when you hit rough waters compared to trying to keep your paddleboard stable in choppy water. Kayaks are usually easier to control due to the way their hulls are shaped whereas a paddleboard can be harder to turn and move as it is flatter and wider. Why You Need to Go Paddleboarding Instead of Kayaking You Want a Workout If you want a fun way to workout, you need to go paddleboarding! A paddleboard is a great workout as it does work your entire body. You are standing up on the board, and you are using your entire body to push yourself across the water. Depending upon how far you want to go, you’ll find it won’t be long before your muscles are feeling the workout. A lot of people see a significant improvement in balance issues thanks to paddleboards. Paddleboards are designed to help improve your core strength and you will also see your leg muscles tone up in a hurry! What makes paddleboarding a great workout is the fact that it allows you to get outside and enjoy nature in a different way. It is a low impact sport, so you won’t cause damage to your body like other sports can cause. People with joint and ligament pain find paddleboarding to be an excellent way to get in a good cardiovascular workout without leading to additional strains and health concerns. It’s Easy Paddleboarding might feel hard initially as you need to learn how to hold your balance on the board, but it is an easy sport to learn. The paddleboards are difficult to tip over and you can easily get right back on if you do fall off. The way they have been designed makes them like a large lily pad for humans, so they really do give you the ability to glide on the water easily. Unlike kayaking, you won’t need to learn how to do certain movements like you do if you were whitewater kayaking. Paddleboarding is a relaxing sport designed for day-time use. New Views Unlike a kayak, a paddleboard allows you to change positions whenever you like. Kayaks are designed to allow you to sit and travel around the water for a long period of time. A paddleboard lets you stand, sit, or lay down for awhile! A lot of paddleboarders prefer them because there is so much versatility with the sport. Some people even take their boards out to catch small waves and surf! Yoga on the Lake A new fitness craze is to really test your core strength by performing yoga on the paddleboard. Paddleboard yoga not only gives you a chance to connect with nature, it offers a unique experience to paddleboarding. You can easily find your own “spot” on the lake to get in a good yoga session, and then paddleboard around and enjoy the sites for awhile. The sound of water has long been used to help people relax, what better way to relax than ON the water!? You will want to opt for calmer water when you are paddleboarding as these boards aren’t designed to go over large rapids, at least they aren’t designed to keep you ON the board during those rapids! Calm, flat water is the best option for effective paddleboarding. What Sport is Best for Me? How can you decide between the two sports? It really comes down to your goals and your body’s abilities. If you want to be out on a lake for a few days and even camp along the way, consider a kayak. If you want to just go out for a leisure float, opt for the paddleboard. Both sports are fun, you might find you can do both sports year-round based on the climate, but we recommend warmer weather for paddleboards over kayaks.

How to Kayak in the Winter Without Frostbite…or Anything Else Unpleasant. Think about pure winter bliss. The snow-capped mountains, the frost-bitten trees, and the stillness and peace the crisp air offers. Of course it’s tempting to pack up your inflatable kayak and hit one of the lakes that aren’t completely frozen solid yet. But can you kayak in the winter without coming down with sickness or getting frostbitten? Yes. #1. Plan Ahead Now, we’re lucky to be here in Arizona. The lakes that truly freeze solid are far up north, so though it might get cold, the waters are usually still ready for us to paddle. However, it’s important to do plenty of research before you grab your kayak and hit the road. Check the weather conditions to stay apprised of temperatures, wind speeds, direction, and ice coverage. Check the National Parks updates to see about the park conditions. If visibility will be low, or if landing spots look a little icy or sketchy – don’t even risk it. Save your kayak for a clearer, calmer day. #2 Dress for the Weather It goes without saying that paddling in shorts and your favorite flops are out of the question. We recently scoured stores and the internet to find our favorite items that are sure to keep you warm during your cold winter paddles: Wetsuits are a great way to keep warm, while maintaining your paddling mobility. These snug neoprene garments don’t keep water out, but rather trap a thin layer of water next to your skin where it’s warmed by your body. Neoprene minimizes evaporative cooling, so once you are out of the water, you remain comfortable. Keep in mind: most paddlers opt for 2mm or 3mm neoprene. Polyurethane-coated fleece is another available fabric, best worn when immersion in cold water is less likely. Warm, stretchy and windproof, it resembles neoprene, only fuzzy. Bib & Dry Tops are a good compromise if you don’t want to go ‘onesie’ style on the water. These two-piece style dry suits are lightweight, are an inexpensive solution for boaters who wear a dry top the majority of the time, but need the added protection for bigger and colder water in case of an unexpected swim. Kokatat’s Whirlpool Bib with a Rogue Drytop are a good pairing to keep you dry, and keep your core cozy and warm. Paddling Shoes or Neoprene Socks are a must to keep your feet dry and warm. The NRS Hydroskin Wet Socks would work great under boots, or the NRS Paddle Wetshoes are a neoprene lined bootie designed to keep your feet toasty. Either option works great and will keep you nice and warm. Double Up on Your Accessories like hats, paddling gloves, and mitts to make sure you always have something dry to change into. #3. Prepare to Build a Fire! Is there anything more wintry than a fire? Know how to collect dry wood, and bring a foldable saw that allows you to cut it into logs. Remember: Trying to burn anything larger six inches in diameter creates a sputtering fire and leaves a mess – so make sure to cut your wood pieces smaller. #4. Cold Camping A tent with an inner canopy made of more fabric and less mesh is the ideal tent for your overnight winter stay. However, setting up on snow creates an almost freezer-like effect inside. If it’s possible, find dry ground. If you must set up on snow, pack it down and allow it to set for at least 30 minutes before putting up your tent. Add a candle lantern inside your tent, and you’ll be surprised at the amount of warmth that generates inside. 5. Take it Slow & Enjoy Winter kayaking can be challenging, but it’s rewarding. Take your time, be prepared and enjoy the beautiful sights of your winter wonderland. There’s nothing quite like being in nature during this time of year – take it all in.