If you are vacationing on or near a lake, one of the most enjoyable things you can do is rent a lake kayak. These wide kayaks, also known as touring kayaks, are designed for use in relatively quiet lakes with few waves. You don't need a lot of skill to row them, and so pretty much anyone can ride in one. Still, though, there are a few tips you'll want to follow when renting a lake kayak on vacation.
Choose tandem kayaks if you're going a long distance
Even though rowing this type of kayak does not require too much skill, it can be tiring. If you know you'll be kayaking a longer distance on the lake, then you may want to choose tandem kayaks instead of single kayaks. This way, two of you can sit together in a kayak and share the rowing responsibility. Neither of you will get quite as tired, so you can keep going a little longer and enjoy your time on the water without your arms growing as tired.
Check the length of your paddle
The taller your upper body is, the longer the paddle you'll want. Usually, the kayak rental workers will do a good job of pairing you up with an appropriately sized paddle. However, you should still pay attention. Row around a little bit before you go too far from the kayak rental area. If you feel like you're really having to reach down, don't hesitate to go back and ask for a longer paddle. If you feel like you have a lot of extra paddle and might hit yourself with it, go back and ask for a shorter paddle.
Head back before you really think you need to
Often, when people rent a kayak, they'll row out for half the rental time, and then head back. But it often takes you longer to get back than it took you to paddle out since your arms are tired on the way back. So, it's a good idea to allow yourself more than half the time to get back. For instance, if you have the kayaks for 3 hours, you may want to row out for only 1 hour and 15 minutes before heading back. This way, you're less likely to arrive back late and be charged for the extra rental time.
With the tips above, you'll have a great time renting out lake kayaks. Talk to a kayak rental for more information.