One of the reasons why some people haven't tried kayaking before is because it looks hard.  However, it's like riding a bike!  It might take a few strokes to get the hang of paddling, but once you have it, you are good to go!  Here we are going to discuss basic topics of kayaking.

 

The Maneuvers below were complied with the help of http://paddling.about.com/od/technique/tp/Kayaking-Strokes.htm and Kayaking: Whitewater and Touring Basics  by Steven M. Krauzer.

 

If there is something that you do not understand, or would like further clarification, Youtube works well for visual demonstrations!

 

Getting in and Out of the Kayak:

The only time when the kayak should be unsteady is when you are getting in and out of the kayak.  While entering and exiting a kayak, remember, *keep your weight low and distributed*.  Place the kayak parallel to the shore in calm, ankle to mid- calf deep water.

 

Assisted- Easiest way to enter a kayak.  With another person's help in steadying the kayak, you can slide yourself in, either in shallow water or from a dock.

 

Unassisted-  Place one end of the paddle behind the cockpit, perpendicular to the kayak.  The other blade should close to the shore, flat face down.

      When gripping the shaft, keep your thumbs

out along the shaft.  The hand closest to body of

water will actually be gripping the inside of the

kayak cockpit, while the thumb is outside,

wrapped around the shaft. Next, you are going

to place the leg closest to the kayak inside the

kayak.  When you do this, you are going to prop yourself on the back of the boating deck.  Then, gently, you are going to ease yourself into the kayak, using the paddle for balance.  The paddle should be used for balance, not for supporting your weight!

 

 

Exiting a kayak is the same process as getting in.

 

 

The video below demostrates how to get into and out of a kayak as well some basic paddling maneuvers, which transitions nicely into the next topic!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic Kayaking Maneuvers that every kayaker should know:

 

-forward stroke- One of the simplest, but most necessary paddling technique; this stroke will propel you forward.

     Place one blade in the water next to your kayak, about knee length (or further depending on how far you can comfortable reach without risk of loosing your balance).  The paddle should be almost, as much as possible, perpendicular in the water.  The blade that is in the water should be flat so you are getting as much surface area as possible in the water to pull you forward.  If the paddle is feathered (curved) the side curving inwards is down in the water.

     In one swift motion, rotate your torso to the side where the blade is in the water while pushing the paddle with your top hand and pulling towards you with the lower hand.  The blade that is in the water should make a small arc around that side of the kayak.

     The stroke is finished when your lower knuckles are parallel with the water (Depending on how long your stroke is, it should finish passed your body, sometimes even at the end of your kayak).  Then, you should be in position to dip your other blade in the water and repeat!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*When doing a stroke, engage your torso and do not rely heavily on the push and pull of your arms.  You will get tired out easily!*

 

-Backwards stroke- Now that you are moving forwards, you can learn to go backwards!

     The backwards stroke is the exact same movement as the forward stroke, except you are starting at the back of the kayak and pushing forward.

 

*Do NOT switch up your grip!  The backside of the blade will be used instead of the powerface (the inside curve of the paddle, if there is one)*

 

 

-Turning- Nice gentle turns that guide the kayak in the right direction

     Once you start propelling forward, gently stick the blade of your paddle perpendicular into the water.  With the momentum of your forward stroke, You should start turning naturally to the side where the paddle is in the water.

 

 

-Draw stroke- One of my favorite paddling techniques because the maneuver looks difficult, but it's pretty simple!  This technique will move your kayak sideways.

 

 

 

 

 

     You will focus on one side with this maneuver.  First turn your shoulders and your head in the direction that you want to go (left or right).  Keep your head in line with your body though, or else your balance will be thrown off!  Reach away from the kayak (as far as you can comfortably go) and insert the paddle into the water, with the blade parallel to the kayak, which creates a larger surface area!  Using your core, draw the blade towards the kayak.  Once you reach the kayak, twist your wrist so that the blade of the paddle is perpendicular to the kayak, and push away.  This movement minimizes the surface area, and creates less drag.  Twist your wrist and have the blade back in the starting position to start again!

 

 

-Forward Sweep stroke- Sweeps serve as a way to correct the direction that you are going as well as turn the kayak.

     The forward sweep stroke has the same technique as the forward stroke, however instead of a small arc close to your kayak, you are going create a "sweeping motion" as far away from the kayak as possible.  However, in this case you are turning your head and shoulders in the direction of where you want to go.  Remember to use your torso to power the action!

 

-Backwords/ Reverse Sweep Stroke- Similar to the forward sweeping stroke, but instead, you are starting from the back of the kayak, and using a wide- arching stroke to the front of the kayak.

 

-Kayaking SPin Maneuver- This technique involves putting together the forward sweep stroke and the reverse sweep stroke to spin the kayak in a quick, tight circle.

 

In the video below, the woman covers a forward and reverse sweep stroke, and puts the two together to form a spin!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

-Braces- Braces will prevent you from capsizing.  There are low braces, where you keep your paddle shaft near your midsection, and high braces, where the paddle shaft is closer to your shoulders.  Braces are more helpful when there are waves, however it doesn't hurt to know them just in case!  The video below is very imformative and explains what braces are, when they should be used, and how you should perform them!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Capsizing:

There is always the risk of overturning, and it doesn't hurt to be prepared, so I am going to cover what to do in case your kayak capsizes.  *If you capsize, stay calm.  The worst thing to do is panic and flail around.*

 

-Escaping the kayak- When you overturn, it might seem like the easiest thing to do is exit the kayak.  When you exiting a capsized kayak, keep your forehead close to the kayak to protect your head.  Then, using both hands, slip out of the kayak, like taking off a pair of pants.  When you are out, let your PFD bring you to the surface.  Even if you are wearing a skirt (material that goes around your waist and the cockpit hole to keep water out), do not worry because the item should not hinder your ability to exit a capsized kayak.  Skirts are made to slip off the cockpit easily.  When you come to the surface, remember to grab your kayak and your paddle!

 

 

 

 

 

Although this seems like the easiest choice to do when you capsize, you then have to swim to shore to drain the water out of your kayak, which isn't always convenient.

 

*For these next two techniques, remember that you are righting the kayak with the power of your hips!  Your head should be the last thing to come up from the water.*

 

-Eskimo roll- To capsize, turn, with your paddle in both hands, to one side of the kayak (go to your dominant side).  The paddle should be parallel to the kayak, with the powerface (inside curve) of the forward blade (dominant hand) flat against the water, towards the front of the kayak.  Lean towards that side, shifting your weight, which should overturn the kayak.

     Do the maneuver for the low brace, sweeping the powerface out and down, accompanied with a hip snap.  And tah dah! Eskimo roll!

 

The video below is a little long, but the instructor covers the eskimo roll as well as 5 guidelines to follow while performing the roll.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

- Assisted eskimo roll-  Once you are capsized, hit the bottom of your kayak so your partner notices and they paddle over.  Then, reaching out, grasp the bow of their kayak with one hand and snap your hip!  The hip snap, along with a PFD, should pop you up pretty quickly!  Remember that your head should be down towards the water until you are upright!