Kayak paddles come in various lengths with differing shaft shapes and blade designs. All the features of the kayak paddle are designed for the kayaker’s comfort, skill level and type of water the paddle will be used in. The style of paddle blade you choose will be based on your personal preference and experience level. You may find that as you become more comfortable in a kayak you’ll want to change blade styles to fit your increasing experience level. Step 1 Evaluate the material of which the blade is made. Fiberglass blades are lightweight and durable, making them more maneuverable,…
Author: Arthur
Arthur
Arthur G. Moore is a veteran paddler. He has over 10 years of whitewater kayaking experience in his kitty. When he was young, he used to love kayaking in rapid III and rapid IV but as time went on, he decided to concentrate mainly on covering long distances on a standard touring kayak. He is currently working as a senior editor for Kayak Manual.
There are a few different ways to empty a kayak that is full of water. This how-to addresses how to empty a whitewater kayak that has been water logged. Difficulty: Easy Time Required: 5 Minutes Here’s How: What You Need
While you do not need a permit to fish in a kayak in Texas, you do need a basic understanding of the paddling resources available to paddlers throughout the state. Whether you are a solo paddler or part of a group or family, you must understand the type of water you will be exploring and which trails are best for your skill level. When fishing in a kayak in Texas, plan your trip in advance and outfit your kayak appropriately. Instructions Difficulty: Moderately Easy Things You’ll Need: Step 1 Rent a kayak from a local boat rental company. (See Resources for…
Every beginning kayaker knows the anxiety of being on a river with less than a perfect roll. The buddy roll is the perfect technique to employ in these situations. Whether you flip over by accident or you are intentionally practicing your roll, you can be confident in your ability to roll back up as long as you have a friend nearby. Difficulty: Average Time Required: 15 minutes to perfect Here’s How: Tips: What You Need
You don’t have to be a paddler to know that whitewater kayaking is a dangerous sport. Fast currents, big waves, holes, drops, obstructions, and waterfalls all add to the concern, not to mention just keeping the whitewater kayak upright. These are just some of the reasons that whitewater kayakers need to keep safety at the forefront of their paddling experience. Knowing the different whitewater kayaking safety rescues is part of the safety equations. Making sure you have the right safety gear is the other part. Here is a list of the kayaking safety gear that whitewater kayakers must have and…
If you’re addicted to the rush of racing downstream, then Slalom Kayaking is the event that’s definitely worth experiencing. Because of the fast speed involved in this competition event, it is also important to have quick reflexes and the ability to make split-second decisions. This section will give you an overview of this very exciting sport. Mechanics Slalom Kayaking, otherwise known as whitewater slalom, is a race that involves negotiating a course that goes both upstream and downstream while passing through numbered gates that are made up of suspended poles along the course. There are two kinds of gates: one…
Where intense concentration is the key to victory in Slalom Kayaking, speed and the ability to spot the fastest route are king when you go River Racing. In this section, we will discuss the basics of this competition event – from the mechanics to the specifics of boats used. Mechanics In this event, competitors race to be the fastest in a given course which are rapids that range from Grades 3 to 5. Competitors in this event start at one-minute intervals and the race is typically completed in around 20 minutes’ time. Races are very exciting to watch. The reason behind…
Canoeing is a water activity in which people paddle their way through the water using either a single or double-bladed paddle while sitting on a raised seat or kneeling down. It shares several characteristics with the sport of Kayaking, although there are some basic differences between them. History of the Canoe The canoe has been used by the native North Americans for thousands of years. The term we use today comes from the word kenu which means ‘dugout’. Earlier forms of the canoe come from dugout tree trunks which have been an important mode of transportation along rivers and across islands. Canoeing…
The flounder is a saltwater marine animal with continuous fins running the length of its body. Best known for having two eyes on the same side, most flounder are approximately 20 inches in length and weigh less than 10 pounds. This popular game fish is most commonly found in deep, dark waters, where it is easier to hide and wait for a strike. Rig your fishing line specifically for flounder and maximize the number of strikes your line receives. Instructions Difficulty: Moderately Easy Things You’ll Need: Step 1 Rig your fishing line with two hooks, a 1- to 2-oz. pyramid sinker…
The spotted bass is a less frequently caught member of the sunfish family. A cousin to the smallmouth and largemouth bass, the latter of which the spotted bass closely resembles, is a fish native of the Southern United States, though it is now stocked outside of area and as far away as South Africa. Accessible to anglers fishing rivers and streams, the spotted bass becomes somewhat elusive in reservoirs, since it prefers deep waters. For this reason, many anglers are unfamiliar with this fish. Using a strategy geared specifically to spotted bass may increase your chances of a catch. Instructions…