Here at IDEAL, we’re big fans of kayak fishing, especially in the UK. Our calm, still rivers are perfect for this sometimes leisurely, sometimes challenging pursuit, and aside from the physical exercise and rewarding nature of kayak fishing, it also represents a wonderful way to see the UK from a whole new vantage point.
What’s more, this type of fishing allows you to paddle into all those nooks and crannies where fish feed, potentially increasing your chances of reeling in a catch. There are also plenty of places along our coasts for great sea kayak fishing, like Swanage Bay, which is superb for kayak angling, Derwent Water in the Lake District, fantastic for catching pike, or even the River Ouse in North Yorkshire, ideal for a spot of urban kayaking. As you can see, the possibilities are endless!
Anyway, that’s the ‘where?’ very briefly touched upon. But we’re here today to focus on the ‘why?’. Kayak fishing has multiple benefits, both physical and mental. If you are considering starting up this unique, enjoyable hobby, here are 5 reasons kayak fishing is a great for your mind and body.
IT’S A GREAT WAY TO GET OUTSIDE AND ENJOY NATURE
We’re sure we don’t need to extol the virtues of how nature is good for your mental health, but we’re going too anyway. Immersing yourself in nature can benefit your wellbeing hugely, including mood improvement, reduction of stress (more on that later) and decreased anger, helping you feel more relaxed in the process.
The UK’s leading mental health charity, Mind, recommends reconnecting with the natural world in order to reduce stress and improve your wellbeing, and we’ll take that as the perfect excuse to get out there.
You probably know where this one is going; a wonderful way to connect with the natural world is through kayak fishing. There’s something magically meditative about being at one with nature and the water, in control of your kayak; it lets you switch off and unplug from the cruel world back on shore.
What’s more, you get to enjoy the scenery from a whole new vantage point, bringing you closer to nature and far more in touch with the changing of the seasons and the movements of the outdoors than scrolling through your Instagram feed ever could.
Read: 5 IDEAL destinations for a fishing holiday
KAYAK FISHING IS A GREAT WAY TO DE-STRESS
Being out on the water has a calming effect on the brain and can help lower stress levels, and doing so on a kayak can feel particularly liberating.
Indeed, kayak fishing can be therapeutic because it’s all about slowing down and enjoying nature; relaxing with the cool salt air in your face as you paddle across the sea, river or lake.
Moreover, research has shown that spending time on an activity that you enjoy also helps you fight stress and can even alleviate the symptoms of depression and low mood. An activity you enjoy plus being near water? That’s a double pronged stress reliever, right there!
The physical activity of kayaking itself is a great way to get your heart pumping and the blood flowing through your body, too, which can help tackle stress. If you have a lot going on in your life, it could be a good idea to go kayak fishing as a way to clear your head so that you can focus on the task at hand, which will become much easier when there’s less going on in your mind!
Read: The IDEAL guide to planning a UK fishing holiday
AN EXCELLENT UPPER BODY WORKOUT
One of the best reasons to go kayak fishing is that you can get a great upper body workout while out on the water. Using your paddle as leverage to propel your boat forward will work out your arms, shoulders, biceps, and triceps muscles, leaving you with a full upper body workout achieved in a far more enjoyable way than a heavy gym session.
Kayaking also requires full use of both your legs and arms. This means that your core muscles are constantly working too. In addition, your lower back, abdomen, and leg muscles all work together to keep you balanced on the water.
So, switch from a traditional fishing boat to a kayak and you can be sure to tone those areas of your body that are hard sometimes harder to reach.
Even the preparation for kayak fishing can inadvertendly lead to a decent upper body workout. As the guys at OutdoorPlay tell us, even lifting your kayak onto the roof of your car (ideally, onto a dedicated kayak storage rack) can give your shoulders, triceps, biceps and chest a good going over. You could even do a few reps with your kayak for good measure!
CHERISH SOME ‘ME’ TIME
Hobbies like sea kayaking give us the opportunity to make time for ourselves, free from the distraction of our phones and work, which can do wonders for our mental health.
It’s a great chance to put our focus onto something other than our jobs, chores or the mindless scrolling of social media, and really nurture that sense of self. This simple act of self-care, of treating yourself to some ‘me’ time through a new hobby, can really boost life contentment and your sense of worth and self esteem.
YOU’RE MORE LIKELY TO EAT FISH
You can’t get a much fresher dining experience than eating something you’ve just caught. As the Guardian writes, “As with growing and eating your own vegetables, catching and cooking a fish you have wrestled out of the depths gives a feeling of deep satisfaction”. We couldn’t have put it better ourselves.
Moreover, if you’re fishing regularly, you’ll likely eat more fish, which is one of the best things you can do for your health. According to the NHS, a healthy diet should include at least 2 portions of fish a week, including one that’s oily. When it comes to oily fish, it’s all about mackerel here in the UK. However, mackerel don’t normally come in too close to the beach, so being able to paddle out to deeper water with your kayak means you’re more likely to catch these slick, silver beauties.
Read: 4 ideal recipes if you’re in the mood for mackerel
AEROBIC EXERCISE
Not only great for building muscle, but kayaking is a great way to keep fit, too, because it provides an aerobic exercise that burns calories quickly and improves cardiovascular health significantly.
Active paddling on a kayak is a cardio workout that makes your heart beat faster and increases the amount of oxygen in your blood. If you do this regularly, it can help improve your blood pressure and make you less prone to conditions such as arthritis, high cholesterol, or even some types of cancer.
THE BOTTOM LINE
Kayak fishing is a great hobby to try out as it can improve your physical and mental health. You can burn calories, do strengthening exercises, stay active all day long and enjoy the sights of nature, all at the same time…we”ll see you out on the water?