What kind of helmet do I need for kayaking?
Types. Paddling helmets come in three types: half-cut, full-cut, and full-face. Half-cuts are the most minimal, covering your head but not your ears. Full-cuts provide more protection, covering your ears as well while offering a more secure fit. If your head is going to strike the bottom, reef or rock you’ll want a helmet protecting you. Kayaking in and around sea caves and other rocky formations along the sea coast is amazing, but also quite unpredictable.Sea kayaking helmets come in a variety of shapes, sizes and features. Most are solid on top, without any openings that are common in sports like cycling. They are designed to protect from impacts in all directions and come with a variety of strap fittings to suit each head and face shape.Kayakers need three types of headwear. Sun hats, rain hats, and scull caps. Scull caps are best for kayak rolling and rescue practice and they can be worn under other head wear to add warmth while paddling.Not all helmets are created equal. While a bicycle helmet may work in a pinch out on the water, investing in a kayaking helmet designed for paddling is much safer.
Do you need to wear a helmet on a kayak?
Summary. Common canoeing and kayaking injury areas include the shoulder and wrist. Always wear a helmet and life jacket. Take lessons to improve your paddling and safety techniques. Kayaking uses a lot of the upper body musculature and includes the smaller muscles and tendons that stabilize the shoulders – this makes shoulder injuries of all kinds relatively common. In fact, this sports journal states that around 55 percent of paddlers report some kind of shoulder pain.The first rule of kayaking: always wear a personal flotation device (PFD). Safety on water should be your top priority.Common canoeing and kayaking injury areas include the shoulder and wrist. Always wear a helmet and life jacket. Take lessons to improve your paddling and safety techniques.Risk factors for canoeing and kayaking Some of the factors that can increase your risk of injury include: Inexperience – beginners may be more prone to injury because they do not have the skills or technique to meet the demands of the sport. For example, canoes or kayaks are tricky to steer and can tip over.
What is a kayak helmet?
A kayak helmet, while not the normal piece of gear most recreational kayakers think of, is essential for a few specific types of kayaking. Anytime kayakers, canoeists or packrafters are in intense paddling situations a helmet is a wise idea, and could even save your life. Most importantly: A ski/snowboard helmet is not designed to be totally submerged or designed to deal with any corrosion that might occur while being exposed to water for a long period of time. A kayak/canoe helmet on the other hand is designed to deal with water.Bike helmets are designed with different impact characteristics and different areas of protection than ski and snowboard helmets and should never be worn as a substitute for a snow sports helmet. In addition to appropriate safety design, ski helmets offer advantages, such as warmth and an integrated fit with goggles.