The Fabulous Hobby That Keeps Me Fit and Joyful

It takes me places I wouldn’t visit any other way.

By

Janina Edwards

 
Published October 16, 2024
Stocksy

“Mom, what are you doing this weekend?” My daughter asked. 

“I have no plans,” I replied.

“Mom, stop lying. You know you’ll be kayaking."

It’s true. All year long, I’m often traveling to or returning from kayaking. At 63, I especially love rising early to paddle down a river as the fog lifts to reveal birds, deer, other critters and people. While kayaking I feel the strength and endurance in my body, and gratitude for its capabilities.

It all began in 2020, at the start of the pandemic shutdown, I became a volunteer leader creating nature-rich experiences for Black people, excursions such as birding and hiking. I received an invitation, “I’d love to take your group kayaking!” from the Georgia River Network. They would provide boats, life jackets, paddles and a brief lesson.

I enjoyed that event so much that I wanted more and so I went on my first two-day paddling event. I assumed there would be a lot of young kayakers flying off waterfalls and enthusiastically shouting “Woo-hoo!” Though, surprisingly, there were people in midlife and older. According to The Outdoor Foundation’s 2019 Special Report on paddle sports and safety, 49 percent of participants in paddle sports are female. And 25 percent of all paddlers are 55 years or older. And indeed, I do see many seniors highly represented when I take to the waters.

Due to plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendonitis, I no longer participate in my first athletic love, running. So, I was excited to dive into low-impact — though high in fitness — kayaking. On the morning of that first two-day trip, I saw a man walking with a cane go to his kayak. He situated himself in his boat and took off. He looked so free. His walking impediment was no obstacle to kayaking. I thought, “This is an activity I can do for a very long time.”

Benefits of kayaking range from boosting physical fitness to helping mental health, as we glide across the water, meditative and relaxed. The sport also increased social engagement and community. Through kayaking, I’ve connected to men and women locally and nationally. I asked some of my female kayaking friends about their experiences.

Diane Windham, president of the Georgia Canoeing Association, now entering her 70s, told me she found a core group of over 50 years, of female whitewater paddlers that improved her quality of life. “Being on a river uplifts my soul. I’m present in nature, paddling with engaging individuals that challenge my thinking and expand my physical abilities.”

Dr. Colleen Kraft, an infectious diseases physician at Emory University, said “I enjoy flat water. I love to get away into the beauty of nature, just unplug, and enjoy the silence — it’s transfixing. In her early 70s, my mother had open heart surgery and part of her recovery process was kayaking. It helped her psyche and built her confidence. It was a challenge, but it wasn’t so rigorous that she couldn’t do it.”

You can rent a boat for the day from an outfitter or buy a kayak once you’ve decided this is really something you enjoy. Prices range from $150-$2,000 (or more). The best boat to buy is the one that suits the type of kayaking you plan to do, whether it is mostly recreational lakes, white water and/or sea kayaking. A good outfitter will steer you right.

The retail price for my 12' Dagger Axis, a touring kayak, and my 8' Dagger Nomad, a whitewater kayak, were each $1,200. I bought both on Facebook Marketplace for $800 and $500 respectively. Other reliable brands are Old Town and Jackson Kayak. There are several options for sporting goods stores to purchase online.

If you’re like I was, expecting waterfalls and crazy whitewater, you’ll be happy to know there are plenty of calm lakes and rivers where you can paddle lazily, to your heart’s content. You can check for the water conditions at your desired destination here. Flat and calm water is labeled Class I, with accelerated levels going upwards to Class 6.

Never assume that Class I means it’s always a safe and carefree paddle. There are more drowning fatalities on calm and easy waters than in all the advanced conditions combined. Whatever type of paddling you choose, wear a life jacket. And make sure you have had enough training by an expert to hit the seas.

So, hire a kayak instructor from a reliable source, like a teacher from the American Canoe Association. Learning paddle strokes and best practices increased my fun and boosted my confidence. I can use the current effectively, and my strokes are efficient. At the end of the day, I’m pain-free and still have energy.

Always wear a properly fitting life jacket/PFD. If you capsize you can drown in less than a minute, and you may not have the ability to call for help. Find like-minded people to accompany you on expeditions that practice safe kayaking. Classes also instruct how to get back in your boat safely. And, as much as I love paddling in nature, when I’m done I make sure to wash my body with clean water as soon as possible to avoid bacteria and infections.

It was so uplifting for me to find kayaking and to discover that I could immerse myself in a new physical activity after having to abandon running. When I pivoted to kayaking, a whole new vista of opportunities came into view. Kayaking takes me places I wouldn’t witness any other way.

Aging requires tenacity and grace, much like kayaking. It can also mean learning new and challenging skills. Through kayaking, I realized I am teachable. I am still growing.

How many of you have ever gone kayaking? Did you love it? Let us know in the comments below.

Janina Edwards is the primary caregiver for her ninety-one year old mother who has Alzheimer’s Disease. She also supported her father (now deceased) who experienced dementia related to Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus. Her writing has appeared in Nevertheless, She Persisted (Blunder Woman Productions) and on the National Parks website. An award-winning audiobook narrator of more than 350 titles, she has appeared in the New York Times.