Kayakers throwing their paddles—it might seem strange at first, right? You see it happen and you think, “Why would they do that?” But turns out, there’s actually several good reasons for it. From keeping their balance, to rescuing someone, or even just avoiding injury, letting go of the paddle can sometimes be the smart move.
Keeping Balance in Rapids
In whitewater rapids, things get pretty wild. Water crashing everywhere, pushing the kayak around. Sometimes, a kayaker will toss their paddle to keep their balance. Sounds weird, right? But when you’re about to tip over, having the paddle stuck in an awkward angle could actually make it worse. By letting it go for a moment, it gives you a chance to focus on using your body to correct your balance. Especially when rolling or trying to stay upright, the paddle can sometimes get in the way.
There’s this common saying among kayakers: “Don’t fight the water.” In other words, sometimes you gotta go with the flow. The paddle isn’t always needed to control the kayak, especially when the waters are unpredictable. Body movements are just as important, if not more important, than the paddle itself. When things get crazy, letting go of the paddle for a second actually helps you keep control.
Helping Out in Rescues
Now imagine you’re out kayaking with friends, and one of them flips over. Their kayak’s upside down, and the water’s rushing around them. What do you do? Sometimes, the fastest way to help is by letting go of your paddle and using your hands. Kayakers are taught specific rescue techniques, and in many cases, it involves freeing up your hands.
That paddle can even be used to push a capsized boat back upright or steer them to a safer spot. But when it comes down to it, if you’re trying to decide between holding onto the paddle or helping someone, the paddle is gonna go. Safety first, always. Government websites like NPS.gov have tons of guides on safety and different rescue methods, some of which involve getting rid of the paddle for a moment.
In fact, in quick-moving water, holding onto the paddle while trying to help someone can actually be a huge hassle. That’s why experienced kayakers will often throw it aside during a rescue. You don’t need to keep holding it when a person’s life is at stake, right?
Preventing Injury
One of the lesser-known reasons kayakers throw their paddles is to avoid getting hurt. Rapids are chaotic—your paddle can get caught between rocks or tugged by strong currents, pulling it in all kinds of directions. If you’re holding onto it too tightly, it could seriously mess up your arms or shoulders. Letting go of the paddle at the right time can save you from a painful injury.
In fact, in both kayaking and whitewater rafting, it’s pretty common to release the paddle in tricky sections to avoid being yanked around. A lot of experienced kayakers talk about how gripping too hard has led to sprains or even dislocated shoulders.
It might seem counterintuitive, but letting go of that paddle could be the difference between having a great time on the water or needing a trip to the hospital.
Flipping the Kayak? No Problem
Flipping over in a kayak is pretty much expected. It’s not a matter of if you’ll capsize, but when. When you do flip, one technique that helps is tossing your paddle so you can perform what’s called a “hand roll.” With no paddle to worry about, kayakers use their hands to flip the boat back upright. It’s something that advanced paddlers practice all the time.
Hand rolling is super effective, especially if your paddle gets stuck or caught up in the water. In these situations, relying on your hands to roll back up is a much better option than trying to wrestle with your paddle while underwater.
For kayakers doing freestyle tricks, they’ll often throw the paddle just to have more freedom of movement. With the paddle out of the way, they can move their body around easier to pull off the kind of tricks that just aren’t possible otherwise. There’s actually a whole subculture in freestyle kayaking where paddles are more of a hindrance than a help.
Group Communication
When kayaking in groups, tossing your paddle isn’t always an accident—it can be a signal. Over the roar of the water, it’s hard to hear someone yell. So, kayakers sometimes throw their paddles as a way to get attention. It’s like saying, “Hey, something’s up!” or “I need help!” without needing to shout.
In group dynamics, especially in fast-moving water, visual signals like this are often the most effective way of communicating. Kayakers have developed their own language of sorts, using their paddles as tools for communication. This isn’t something you’ll always find in instruction manuals, but it’s a trick that seasoned paddlers have been using for a long time.
Practice and Fun
Believe it or not, sometimes kayakers throw their paddles just for the heck of it. In calm waters, it’s actually part of training. Practicing flipping the kayak without a paddle is something a lot of kayakers do to build confidence and improve their skills. It sounds strange, but it works.
By practicing hand rolls or even just playing around in shallow water, paddlers build the muscle memory they need for more dangerous situations. Plus, it’s fun! Tossing the paddle around can be a playful part of learning and gaining confidence on the water.
Some even argue that training without a paddle helps build a stronger connection between your body and the boat, teaching you to rely less on tools and more on your instincts. You wouldn’t think letting go of your paddle could teach you so much, but apparently, it does.
