All wonderful things create a beautiful Ha Long like in fairy tales. Many customers have been experiencing kayaking since long time ago, but this activity is still more than akward to some customers. Ha Long was also voted by a famous magazine as “The best place in the world for kayaking”.
Kayaks are divided into many categories based on materials and purposes of use. Most of the kayaks available in Ha Long are tourist kayaks for 2 people and divided into two main types:
Sit-on-top kayak: This kayak has a closed body and a top seat design. This type is easy to climb on and off the boat whether you are on the shore or in the water. Kayaks are quite large and suitable for beginners. This kayak can overturn in case of high winds or strong waves and however you can flip the boat over easily.
Tourist Kayak – sit in: This is a pretty professional kayak for those with a bit more experience. This type of boat is a bit longer than the kayak to sit on and has a seating design on the inside. The boat has a high level of safety and is very difficult to tip over, and the speed of the boat is also faster. However, if the boat is full of water, it may sink.
How to Kayaking in Halong Bay:
Kayaks are very easy to use. Start out in calm water, you’ll gradually get used to the feeling of sitting in the boat and the technique of sailing, practicing climbing in and out of the cockpit. A long paddle will allow you to paddle with a longer but slower stroke than a short paddle. When rowing, keep your hands loose, without straining or holding too tightly. Sit in a comfortable position, keep your body straight, and choose a position to place your feet so that your knees are slightly bent. To increase the effectiveness of kayaking, use not only your hands, but also your shoulders and back, and abdominal muscles. But experienced paddlers often use “feathered” paddles, however, beginners often prefer paddles with square blades. To start kayaking, sit inside the boat. Place your back close to the back of the seat, your knees should be comfortably bent. To find the right foothold, straighten your leg and bend it a notch. If you place your legs too straight, you will feel pressure on your lower back. If your legs are bent too much, you may bump into the knee brace of the boat as you paddle. To figure out where to place your hands on the paddle, start with your arms parallel to the center and about shoulder-width apart. When you bring the paddle above the top of your head, the elbow should make an angle of roughly 90º. The length of the blade and handle of the paddle outside of your hand position should be the same.
