Patagonia Kayak

The Kayak as such appeared for the first time in Alaska, where the Eskimos used canoes to cross the lakes in search of food. Today, kayaking is known as one of the most popular and entertaining sports in the world, since it can be practiced in any lake or in the sea.

In Chile, where there are thousands of kilometers of coastline and dozens of lakes in the interior, kayaking is practiced a lot, to know the surroundings, enjoy the landscape, walk safely but in contact with nature. The kayak known as sea kayaking is the most popular, although river kayaking is also practiced, which is faster but uses shorter kayak.

To practice kayaking you need a canoe or kayak, paddles, compass, proper clothes, whistle, flashlight, skirt and bilge pump. The tourism companies deliver all the equipment to those who hire the service, and even take groups to the places of walk. They also teach how to use the kayak, since they have a pedal rudder that must be learned to handle and coordinate with the oars.

It is also necessary to know how to swim, since the kayak sometimes turns around. Having a good physical condition is mandatory, since pedaling and rowing cause significant wear. It is recommended to notify the guide or instructor if you have a chronic illness or allergies, in case of emergency.

The Torres del Paine National Park is the best place to practice kayaking in Patagonia, since it has rivers and lakes very close to each other, so it is not necessary to take long trips to change the scenery and start the trip again. . The Sarmiento River is the most renowned, although in almost all lakes you can navigate.

Another important point is Puerto Natales, where there are travel agencies that coordinate daily trips to nearby rivers and lakes where you can practice kayaking, the most important being Señoret.