But because sea kayaking is often done in the ocean, it can be far from smooth sailing. If you're in an area that has a decent body of water, odds are that someone's already kayaking in it. Because kayaking is a great group activity, kayakers form clubs all over the place, and they can be a great resource for getting started. Members teach each other about bay and ocean ecology, kayaking technique and safety. The clubs are also a fantastic resource for information on local marine conditions and warnings about hazardous surf and dangerous locations.
Some clubs even have workshops for novices.
If they don't, any clubber knows of good outfitters and schools in her area. For a list of clubs in your area, check out the American Canoe Association Website, which deals with both paddle sports. Many outfitters have local day trips that don't require any previous training. These are fun, safe, easy and allow you to try the sport casually to see if you're really interested. If you want to rent boats or go on your own excursion, you'll need to take a daylong beginner course.