After considering it for ages (I live by a river and live in Melbourne, Australia so decent weather most of the year) I recently bought a kayak. Found it cheap on Gumtree and only paid about $350 including all the gear (seat, paddle, lifejacket - now a legal requirement). The seller was a woman in my suburb - had about 30 in her shed for some reason.

So far I've used it about 6 times. Every time is a bit of an adventure and a welcome break in the monotony of our modern suburban lives. Highlights include:

  • paddled as far up the river as practical. 10km later ended up on somebody's farm. Went to go knock on their door just to let them know I was getting someone to come pick me up. Encountered about a dozen dogs and gave up on that, so just went to get the kayak. Owner then came over and found me, chatted, helped me carry the kayak up the slope. Offered me some zucchini's (its a zucchini farm!) so made a new friend

  • arranging to go to the beach with friends a couple of times, all of whom want to have a go, have attempted 'kayak surfing' which apparently is a thing

  • paddled up the river from the entrance, found myself going against the tide on the way out. Went to the riverbank and resolved to just pull the kayak along for a while. Guy passing by in a speedboat saw and offered me a tow, made another friend

  • had another crack from the river entrance. Went inland as far as practicable (stopped by the freeway) and back, a total of 20km in 8 hours. While coming back, came across these 3 guys mucking around by the river bank. Turns out they were stoners. They asked if they could have a go in the kayak. Decided 'fuck it' and pulled over. Smoked some free cones while they took turns having a go. Added one of them on facebook (so now know one of the local dealers, I might try some more). Wondered what the medical advice is on kayaking while high?

Basically, every time I've gone out I've ended up meeting people and wound up in unusual situations which I enjoy. Sometimes I feel a bit like a cosmonaut who's come down in a remote part of the union. People are just going about their daily lives when suddenly you paddle past and seem to think 'shit, what's that guy up to?' Its automatic social proof

Its also good for your health, and you get to explore. I have a number of other trips planned when I have a free day. Its also very cheap, nothing aside from some food and maybe gas money.

So yeah, I'd recommend it if you want to have a few adventures (and the climate where you live is decent). Consider kayaking, or maybe sailing, etc. Get out of your mother's basement and out on the water.