As a professional kayaker and instructor who has paddled in some of the most challenging and diverse waters around the world—from the rugged coastlines of the Pacific Northwest to the rivers of Nepal—I’ve had the opportunity to test nearly every piece of gear available to sea kayakers.

So, you’re curious about sea kayaking. Maybe you’ve seen someone gliding across the calm morning waters or playing in the swell along the coast and thought: I want to do that.