Self Help tools



Position of paddles is important. We are assuming you followed the kayakers rule and purchased a set of quality paddles. If you did not, then position is the same anyways. Kneeling positions tend to produce higher volumes of gravity at the center. While you may think paddling while seated is the correct position, you want to consider gravity to make sure. Of course, in kayaks you will remain seated, but proper seating is as important as paddling positions. If you kneel in your boat you are adding stability. Since kayaking could be a dangerous event, most kayaks are built with cockpits. Unlike canoes, kayaker’s seat in the boat, which means that the back and legs do not have the support a canoeist, would have? Canoeists can kneel, which supports both the legs and back. Most kayakers must adjust to discomfort about the back and lower section of the body.

Canoeists generally wear knee pads on kayaking adventures, yet kayakers must wear feet, knee, and thigh straps. In kayaks you must balance the boat with your weight, so then you want to steady your body at the center of the vessel. The effort will increase stability. Now, you can practice holding your paddles in position. First, you should have purchased paddles that fit your likings. In addition, kayakers tend to prefer doubled bladed paddles with spoon shaped paddles. Various other types of paddles and blades are available however, which depends on you as to what feels comfortable. If the paddles and blades feel uncomfortable, likely you will find it difficult to adjust to a proper paddling position.

As for strokes, you want to learn all basics and advantage strokes to protect you in both still and moving waters. The golden rule of expert kayakers is to respect the wind and waters. Most kayakers will employ a variety of tactics or strokes to maneuver in various situations. The kayakers will plan ahead; realize the expectancies could happen at any given moment. The best word of advice is to never go into waters thinking that you are safe.

Experts learn and practice before they step into kayaks. The experts learn how to read waters, as well as anticipate the unexpected. Most times experts only need to make half strokes while manipulating various situations in water. The bow stroke is one of the traditional methods kayakers will use. The bow stroke coupled with the backwater and the J-stroke can help you move along smoothly. Modern strokes are employed when kayakers wish to turn their vessel. The draw stroke, pushover (pry-away), reverses and forward quarter sweeps is a few modern strokes that experts employ for manipulating their kayaks.

Most times if two people are in the kayak, the two will work the strokes simultaneously, while allowing the stern person to lead. The experts will then employ the J and diagonal draw tactics jointly while incorporating the back padding strokes. Once the passengers learn the quarter sweeps, they will often turn the sweeps into a half mood manipulation. The expert then uses the sculling strokes, which moves to the C-stroke. The C is a replica modified of the J-stroke.

If you are just starting before you attempt the outside pivot and bow rudder strokes, you want to take classes. The strokes are unbalanced.

While paddling in a seated position you want to make sure you apply smooth power with both arms, while using proper strength. Balance is the overall key to kayaking successfully. If you are uncoordinated, we recommend you learn to balance self before stepping into a kayak. The new skill learnt will provide you added safety.