Being able to efficiently get your kayak from point a to point b is more than just utilitarian, it is elegant. Boat control is everything in kayaking and the more strokes one knows how to perform, the more effective the kayaker will be in getting where they want to go and enjoy the process of doing so. At their core, kayaking strokes have the same basic parts and should always be performed while maintaining the paddler’s box. The list of six kayaking strokes found below are the first ones that kayakers should learn and are the prerequisites to learning the more advanced kayaking…
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Whitewater kayaking involves a number of different pieces of equipment that, in effect, serve as extensions of the body. This creates a layered human-machine interface situation. An ergonomic approach to whitewater kayaking requires addressing each layer. Human-Machine Interfaces The first human-machine interface is between your lower body and the inside of the kayak. The kayak acts as an extension to the body so the second interface is between the kayak/body combination and the river. The third interface is between your hands and the paddle. Much like the kayak, the paddle acts as an extension of the arms, so the fourth interface is between the…
After the forward stroke, no kayak move is more frequently used than the low brace. Whatever your kayaking passion—sea paddling, whitewater, surf—you’ll call on your low brace at the first sign of instability. So you’d better get it right. The most important thing to remember about a low brace is that your paddle blade merely stops your downward momentum when you lose your balance. You regain your balance by rotating the boat back underneath you with your hips. 1. The low brace is powerful, effective, and safe only when your body is properly aligned. From your normal paddling position, place…
First check the beach for rips. Rips are currents running out through the surf from the beach. Water pushed to the beach as “soup” on the faces of broken waves forms these rips as it escapes from shore. From a high viewpoint you can identify rips as breaks in the lines of regular surf, usually defined by erratic pyramidal waves and by visible current. If you walk along the water’s edge, you’ll see water flowing along the beach into each rip from either side, so you can pinpoint the rips by observing the direction of the shore flow. If you…
While attempting to strap a kayak to a roof rack can present its own problems, figuring out what to do with a kayak paddle poses its own set of obstacles. Most people try to fit the kayak paddle in their vehicle, scratching the roof, doors, seats, and dashboard in the process. For some reason very few people consider strapping the paddle onto the roof rack along with their kayak. This method keeps the paddle out of the car and lessens the likelihood of damage to interior of your vehicle. Click the heading of each step for further details and a photo illustrating…
Without canoe and kayak launch sites much of the waters that are paddled would otherwise be inaccessible. While many of the paddling launches are on public lands, there are a lot of right-of- ways firmly located adjacent to private property. It is therefore no surprise that water accessibility is routinely threatened due to the interests of private and commercial land owners. Public or not, certain etiquette should therefore be observed when launching your canoe or kayak for a paddling trip. The consequences for not observing these basic courtesies could be as severe as loss of water accessibility on both private…
Paddling is indeed great exercise. There are few activities that offer this degree of aerobic exercise mixed with the upper body conditioning. Both canoes and kayaks will offer you this benefit regardless of the type of paddling you choose to do. Even simply practicing technique can be a workout. Paddle to be Close to Nature Paddling definitely affords you the ability to be closer to nature than a lot of other activities do. In many cases you will be able to travel to and see sights only accessible to a very small percentage of the population. Canoeing or kayaking definitely…
Few activities give the outdoor enthusiast such a varied array of experiences as paddling. Whether you are seeking the heart-stopping exhilaration of a roller coaster or the serenity and peace of getting lost in the moment, you can find your passion in paddling. Paddling can refer to any act by which a person maneuvers a vessel through the water via a paddle. The two most common sub-categories of paddling are known affectionately as canoeing and kayaking. Canoeing or Kayaking: It Can Be Confusing Recent advances in the technology of boats and paddles has blurred the lines between what is considered…
While there are many stylistic and functionally different options in kayak helmets today, the “half-cut” variety have become the most popular. It is true that “half-cut” helmets are usually more comfortable and easier to put on but they require proper adjustment, at least initially. This method will instruct the kayaker on the most efficient way to put on a half-cut whitewater kayak helmet. Difficulty: Easy Time Required: 15 seconds Here’s How: What You Need
While there are many helmet options for the paddler, “full-cut” whitewater kayak helmets offer the most protection for your head. Of course anyone can get a “full-cut” helmet on their head by merely pressing it down over the ears and pulling the strap tight but there may be some pain in the process. This method will instruct the kayaker on the most efficient way to put on a full-cut whitewater kayak helmet. Difficulty: Easy Time Required: 15 minutes Here’s How: What You Need