Author: Arthur Moore

Transporting your kayak safely and securely is essential for any kayaking adventure. However, traditional roof racks can be expensive and cumbersome to install. That’s where foam blocks come in. These lightweight and cost-effective alternatives provide cushioning and protection for your kayak during transportation, ensuring it arrives at your destination unscathed. How to Secure a Kayak with Foam Blocks: Step-by-Step Guide Position foam blocks on the vehicle’s roof, aligning them with the kayak’s hull shape. To safely transport your kayak using foam blocks, you’ll first need to position them correctly on the roof of your vehicle. Start by placing the foam…

Kayaking is not just about paddling through serene waters or challenging rapids; it’s also about ensuring safety while doing so. One of the essential safety tools in a kayaker’s arsenal is the paddle float. But when it comes to choosing between inflatable and foam paddle floats, which one should you go for? Let’s break down the differences and see which might be the best fit for your kayaking adventures. Inflatable vs. Foam Paddle Floats at a Glance FeatureInflatable Paddle FloatsFoam Paddle FloatsDeployment TimeRequires inflationInstantRisk of PunctureYesNoStorageCompact when deflatedBulkierWeightLightweightSlightly heavier Inflatable Paddle Floats Pros: Cons: Foam Paddle Floats Pros: Cons: Both…

Ah, the age-old debate among kayakers: to leash or not to leash? Paddle leashes, for the uninitiated, are cords that attach your paddle to your kayak. They ensure that even if you accidentally drop your paddle, it won’t drift away from you. But do you really need one? Let’s explore. The Case for Paddle Leashes 1. Safety First Imagine this scenario: you’re out on the water, enjoying the serenity, when suddenly a strong gust of wind or an unexpected wave knocks your paddle out of your hands. Without a paddle leash, you could find yourself stranded in the middle of…

If you’ve ever been kayaking, you know the sinking feeling of watching your paddle float away after an unexpected capsize. That’s where a paddle leash comes in handy. As a veteran kayaker, I’ve had my fair share of close calls, and I can’t stress enough the importance of a reliable paddle leash. It’s not just about convenience; it’s about safety. Best 5 Paddles Leashes for Kayaking 01. OCEANBROAD Kayak Paddle Leash  N/A You know that feeling when your paddle just yeets itself into the water mid-stroke? Yeah, not fun. The OCEANBROAD Kayak Paddle Leash is built to make sure that…

While other strokes involve a catch and release point, sculling lets you get steady support from your paddle. The paddle dexterity that sculling teaches is also a very useful skill that will allow you to transition from one stroke to another smoothly, and help you to find support whenever you contact the water with your paddle. The key to sculling is to keep your paddle moving back and forth, parallel to your kayak, and to maintain your blade on a ‘climbing angle’. A climbing angle refers to keeping the leading edge of your paddle blade higher than the trailing edge.…

No matter how good your balance is, sometimes you will lose it. A brace is a stroke used to recover when you’ve been thrown off balance, or used in anticipation of potentially losing balance. Because the low brace is so quick and efficient, and keeps your shoulders really well protected from injury, it should become your primary and instinctive reaction to instability. The low brace is so named because the paddle is kept very low throughout the stroke. To set up for a low brace, sit upright and roll your paddle under your elbows so that your forearms are virtually…

The low brace lean turn is the most basic and fundamental of moving turns. And it’s a skill that will come in handy in all types of water conditions. The low brace lean turn combines the motions of a reverse sweep with the support of a low brace to make a smooth and effective turn. It should be noted that while this stroke does generate a tight turning radius, it will seriously slow your forward speed, often stopping you altogether. The low brace lean turn starts with forward speed and is initiated with a forward sweep stroke on the opposite…

The high brace is definitely the most powerful of the recovery strokes. In fact, a good paddler can even use the high brace to recover when their boat is almost completely upside down! The problem with the high brace is that it’s easy to rely on it too much, which can put your shoulders at risk. So the first thing to keep in mind is that despite its name, you need to keep your paddle and your hands low and in front of your body. For the high brace you’ll use your paddle in a ‘chin-up’ position and use the…

Transporting kayaks can be stressful, and it’s the task of securely tying boats to the roof of a vehicle that can be particularly intimidating. And with good reason, because most serious damage to kayaks is incurred during transportation, not while paddling. With the right setup however, car-topping a kayak is safe and easy. Most important, and often dismissed, is the need for strong, solidly attached roof racks. Unfortunately, factory-installed racks are seldom ideal. After-market racks from specialty manufacturers like Yakima or Thule are the ultimate solution for hauling kayaks. Racks to fit virtually any vehicle are available, as well as…

Before you can go kayaking, you have to get your boat to the water and sadly this usually means carrying it. “Many hands make light work” so it’s always a great idea to get your paddling partners to help haul your boat, but if your kayak is light enough, or if you’re strong enough, you may sometimes want to try a solo carry. As with most endeavors, good technique can make this a lot easier. Kayaking is not only about paddling through the waters, but it’s also about how you handle your vessel on land. Proper handling and carrying of…