It sounds like a foreign word: kayak. Or an ocean-only activity ...
kayaking. But believe it or not, Tennessee is one of the best places
this side of the Mississippi to kayak! A kayak, which means “hunter’s
boat,” is similar to a canoe, but differentiated by the fact that
kayakers’ legs are in front of them, and their paddles are
double-bladed.
The Equipment
There are equally as many types of kayaks as there are kayaking. The
two most popular types of kayaks are “cockpit” style and “sit-on-top,”
or “open cockpit,” style. The former has the kayaker sitting with her
legs and hips inside the kayak hull surrounded by a “spray skirt,”
which creates a watertight barrier between the water and the interior
of the vessel. The sit-on-top has the kayaker literally sitting on top
of the kayak. The key pieces of equipment needed are the two-bladed
paddle, a helmet, water clothes, gloves for good paddle grip and a
lifevest. The water takes care of everything else.
 Myriad Options for All
I recommend beginners get their feet wet in a single-person kayak. One popular option is the Fun Yak (and no, it’s not what you do after a great night of partying!), which is an inflatable kayak. Fun Yaks offer one- and two-person choices, and they feature open cockpits. Beginners benefit from how Fun Yaks sit low in the water, making them more stable and easier to maneuver.
The best rivers in Tennessee to try your hand at a Fun Yak (or any sit-on-top kayak) are the Hiwassee River outside of Chattanooga, or the Nantahala River, which is tucked away on the border of Tennessee and North Carolina. Kayak rental facilities are available near both rivers, but make sure you call ahead. Summer months are the busiest!
As you become more comfortable, try your paddle at whitewater kayaking, which means kayaking on a moving body of water, most often whitewater rapids. Whitewater kayaks are fast, sleek and highly maneuverable. Typically made of flexible yet durable plastic, whitewater kayaks are designed to take on the varying classes of whitewater rapids, which range from level two (the easiest) to level six (the hardest).
Experienced whitewater kayakers should check out the Ocoee River near Chattanooga. If you’re feeling super-bold, try the New and Gauley Rivers in West Virginia or the Chattooga River on the border of Georgia and North Carolina.
If you’re looking for a relaxing but no-less-challenging adventure, try sea kayaking. A great idea for a weekend getaway with a friend or significant other, sea kayaking allows you to share the boat with a partner. It’s the truest form of exploration on the water as sea kayaks give comfort precedence over maneuverability. Sea kayaking is offered at some of the region’s larger lakes such as Land Between the Lakes in Kentucky.
The Benefits of Kayaking
Kayaking provides a great cardiovascular workout, burning the same amount of calories as moderate swimming or jogging. Although this sport mostly works the upper body (think upper back, biceps, triceps, shoulders and forearms), kayaking does, in fact, provide a full-body workout.
The biggest benefit of kayaking comes in the form of increased core strength. The abdominal muscles are constantly working to balance the boat and paddle and maneuver in the water. Added bonus: kayaking is great for relieving stress, and it offers vast opportunities for peaceful nature and wildlife viewing. A worthwhile water adventure, indeed.
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