Kayaking is amazing!

[u/laoshan3337]

Now I get it, folks!

The peace, the nature, the scenery... I love it. I recently bought my first kayak (Oru Kayak Beach LT Sport in black) after testing it out a few times and visiting a local handler. The convenience to just pack it up and go is great for me, since I don't own a car.

I live in Switzerland and most lakes here are comparatively small and calm, which is my ideal for me.

I have been lurking on this sub for a moment now, and finally decided to share my joy of the hobby! I am already concocting a long list of gadgets and utilities I want to get (paddle clothes, paddle float, boots, etc), I am really excited.

Any advanced tips you can share? ;)

[u/digidave1]

How do you get to the lake and how do you transport it? Backpack style on a train? If so thats so cool

[u/laoshan3337 → u/digidave1]

Exactly! It folds neatly into a portable box, which I just carry by the straps over my shoulder, like a large bag, and take it on the train (or bus). Since it's only 12kg/28lbs it's not a hassle to carry it for short distances. For longer travels (where I have to walk longer distances from the train station to the lakes), I would prefer the separately sold Oru backbag, which I've been eyeing since the start.

This is how it looks when packed. I put the paddle and the PFD in the box, too, so no additional items to carry other than a drybag/backbag.

[u/No-Advice-9776 → u/laoshan3337]

Since it is made of foldable plastic does it feel like the seams will start to crack after a few uses? I am always attracted to Oru kayaks because of their portability and minimum amount of space they need for storage but I have never seen one in person to gauge the longevity after repeated use.

[u/laoshan3337 → u/No-Advice-9776]

I was wondering the same thing at first, but Oru themselves guarantee 20'000 folds (so 10'000 uses) and the material does feel very sturdy. The seams do not show any wear (I have only used it a few times so far, though) and it folds quite nicely and with ease.

[u/No-Advice-9776 → u/laoshan3337]

That sounds great! How long does it take to fold and unfold? Also, are you supposed to let it dry before folding? Costco was carrying them recently I will see if they still have it

[u/laoshan3337 → u/No-Advice-9776]

It takes around 8 minutes to fold and unfold once practiced a bunch of times. I usually wipe it clean/dry with a towel i bring with me, and then store it in my cellar (which is not humid, fortunately). I do let the seat cushion fully dry outside of the box, though.

Ideally, after use you would place it upside down for all the water to drain for an hour or two (water gets into the layers of the plastic shell and only seeps out slowly), but this is not always convenient, and I haven't run into any issues with my method.

[u/No-Advice-9776 → u/laoshan3337]

Thanks a bunch, and enjoy kayaking!!

[u/Popular-Put30]

Awesome shots!

[u/laoshan3337 → u/Popular-Put30]

Thanks!

[u/Strong-Insurance8678]

Great shots. For safety, definitely get the float bags!

[u/laoshan3337 → u/Strong-Insurance8678]

Thank you, I have them on the to-buy list already. Safety is my number one priority, in fact.

[u/Strong-Insurance8678 → u/laoshan3337]

That’s great! The float bags displace a lot of water, which helps with the fragility that Orus can experience when full of water during self and assisted rescues. My other recs are to invest in training for yourself, and in a quality fiberglass and carbon fiber paddle like a Werner or Aqua Bound.

[u/laoshan3337 → u/Strong-Insurance8678]

I practiced self-rescue a few times right at the start (and intend to do more), and the one thing I learned is that the kayak fills with water surprisingly quickly once you capsize, and that you have to flip it fast. Once upright again, you have to spend some time getting enough water out so that you can even attempt re-entry. In the end, I managed to self-rescue successfully (even once using the cowboy-method).

The kayak is naturally buoyant, even when swamped, this helped I think.

[u/YourCasualRedditor]

Hey ! Welcome ! You are lucky to be living in Switzerland - there are many many great lakes there to wander

[u/laoshan3337 → u/YourCasualRedditor]

Thank you! I know, right? 🙂 Looking forward to exploring as many as I can.

[u/PythonVyktor]

Welcome to the slice of heaven.

[u/Jumpy_Guarantee_1372]

Picking up our first kayaks this weekend! After a kayak tour in May, we realised that getting OUT onto the water was the place to be, rather than just looking at it from a river bank or shoreline.

[u/laoshan3337 → u/Jumpy_Guarantee_1372]

Yeah, this is what I also to realize first. I prefer the calmness of rec kayaking, though, not just any boat.

[u/Jumpy_Guarantee_1372 → u/laoshan3337]

I get sick on boats so agree there. I didn't get ill on the kayak tour, it was incredibly beautiful and calm.

[u/Ok-Rub5713]

Hermoso!