Kayak Paddling Tips For Improving Skills

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ph: 417.538.4848 - Now on the water, at Paddling Center.com!
OzarkCanoe.com - "Your canoe and kayak source, and resource...

OzarkCanoe.com - "Your canoe and kayak source, and resource...

1) Entry -

When you get in your boat, keep over the center of the boat. Step in the center, or so that both feet are in the center side by side. Keep your center of gravity over the center with your head, and both hands on the side, sliding them back as you sit. Keeping your head in the "center of gravity" is most important throughout the paddling process. If you start to tip, get that head back over the center of the boat, and the boat will follow.

2) Leaning back reduces control -

In a kayak, more specifically one with the higher back seat, one should not lean back into the seat when needing optimum balance and control. For proper balance in a kayak, try this little exercise. Lean forward with feet in the foot braces, and butt in the back of the seat, and rock the boat with your hips, side to side. Keep the head and shoulders square to the world, focusing on the horizon, keeping the head level. You will find it helps to loosen the hips as you do this, letting everything rock below the hip pivot point, the head shoulders and upper back pretty straight. Now lean way back in the seat and do it. The contact with the seat and your back will restrict this. The high seat back is great for relaxing in flat water but lean forward in your rapids. You should see your ability to rotate your body with your strokes using less arms, as well as much improved balance and control!

3) Paddle Stroke Tips -

Use the whole blade of the paddle in the water. If you skim the water with part of the blade, you will not have near the control. Submerse the whole paddle blade as you pull your paddle stroke and it is that resistance you feel that controls the boat. It does not take quick strokes, but full length pulling strokes that give you the best turning, forward or reverse thrust. The longer your stroke, the more action the stroke will yield. Sweep the paddle wide for turns, and pull it along side the boat for less turning action. If it consistently turns one direction, make sure your paddle is centered, you are centered in the boat, and note current, that will make you turn one way or the other. Get in the center of the current. For maximum turning with a paddle stroke, sweep wide, pull the water from under the bow (front), sweep it wide all the way around to the stern (back), then pushing water under the back of the boat. Make the stroke comfortable, so that you have the time to plant the paddle and pull it out comfortably. Reverse strokes work for quick turns, again full paddle engagement and steady pressure to the water, but is inefficient in most cases for forward motion so should only be used to "jerk you in position" so that you can resume forward motion. Also experiment with rudder steering with your paddle. Point the paddle blade straight back then put it in the water, and push and pull the water away from and towards the stern "as you have forward motion". Just a slight movement of push and pull with your paddle and you will be surprised how much you can turn and control the boat. Rocking the paddle when next to the stern as mentioned above will also turn your boat, and just looks plain cool!

4) Controlling direction -

The boat will follow the nose. The attitude or direction of the nose will be your guide. Like threading a needle, pay close attention to the nose direction in all cases. In the case of steering through a turning rapid, the nose should be angled towards the inside of the curve as you proceed to paddle through the rapid. Again you are pointing the boat away from the outside of the curved rapid where you do not want to go, and sliding through the curved rapid at a bit of an angle. Harder angles, and paddling strength is required for stronger currents or tighter curves, but again the nose needs to be pointed in the direction you want to favor, away from the obstacle, in this case the outside of the bend. Always repeat strokes as many times as needed to turn the boat, if necessary a strong back stroke to jerk it around, but point the boat first, then shoot.

5) How to maneuver a curved rapid -

The above tips in #3 are a start, but to add to it, the idea that you have to be going faster or slower than the water do not really apply. Angling the boat as above mentioned is the best method, and pulling yourself to the safe side of the current is best. Tighter angle, and harder pulling strokes are needed if the boat does not seem to favor the inside of the turn. Do not backstroke in a rapid, as it will make you go the opposite direction! Point it to the inside, and pull yourself towards that safe direction. As you exit the curve make sure to redirect the boat to the direction you want to go, straightening out the boat once again. If you spin out in the eddy on the inside of the curve before you leave the bend, then you did not straighten out the boat early enough. This technique takes time to work on and perfect. Every curved rapid has stronger currents on the outside of the curve, and backwards flowing water called an eddy on the inside of the curve. There is a line where these two currents meet, the backwards current from the fast current, and this is called an eddy line. Be prepared if you cross that line, to lean into the inside of your curve as it will shift your boat a bit. Crossing eddy lines from the fast current to the reverse current of the eddy line will be the point at which most people spill.

6) How to learn ferrying -

This is an important technique to learn, and will add control to your paddling experience. It is used a lot in kayaking or canoeing. It is also the one thing that will help you understand the dynamics of the river. When ferrying, start at one side of the river in a easy current situation. Point the boat upstream! Now gently angle the nose towards the other side of the river. Paddle upstream, not attempting to move upriver, but to cross the river. If you are going upstream, angle the boat harder towards the other shore, and start the nose in the current. Now the angle of the boat is ultra important! Think of the water as wind, and think of the boat as a wind sail. If the boat has a hard angle to the water, then it will push you downstream and move you too swiftly to the other side of the river. Adjust the angle, and pick the "sweet spot angle", so that now the current starts to work for you. When you find that right angle, even in fast current, you can cross the river with ease, with just a few light (lower side) strokes to keep the angle corrected. If you loose angle and point it upstream, your cross river movement will stall in the current and you will sit there. If your angle is too strong, you will get pushed out and feel tippy and vulnerable to the current. Get that angle right and you will cross the rapid of any strength with ease, not loosing distance, and have a wonderful experience of control.

7) How to Surf your kayak -

Surfing is a whitewater technique for whitewater boats, but also has wonderful opportunities for recreational kayaks in class one rapids. First, get excellent at ferrying. This is the way you enter a surf hole. A surf hole is a wave on the river. At a side view, has a shape of a dip between high waves, the longer and glassier the dip is the better. A wave that is at angles to the river is more difficult, as it will push you to one side, more difficult to stay in. Start by ferrying across the river to get used to the current speed. You will note that the faster the current, the more important the attitude or nose angle is. Slight angles are required in faster current for control in crossing the river. Hard angles are required for the same controlled crossing in slower currents. For surfing holes, you are most likely in faster current. Use ferrying technique all the way. Angle the boat to arrive at your hole, below it is best. Then stall the boat there, making sure the boat is pointing straight at the water coming at you. Starting downstream from the hole, paddle up into it. This is where the adrenaline kicks in. You will see that once you enter this surfing hole wave, it will start to pull you upstream right into it! Keep that nose straight! It will try to push it to one side or the other to kick you out. Back stroke, forward stroke, just keep it straight! The best technique when you get there is to rudder steer, pointing the paddle straight to the back of the boat, and pushing or pulling the water towards or away from the stern or back of the boat. If you paddle too fast upstream, you will shoot right out of the hole. The idea is that when in the hole, with the right angle and effort, you will just sit there, with little or no effort, in the absolute fastest current of the river, with all the noise, it is a true healthy rush!!! One word of caution, when checking out the hole in the beginning, make sure there are no rocks below you down stream in the water. You do not want to surf up stream or in front of a rock, flip, and hit the rock. Be downstream of rocks and stay away from the front of them. Flipping and getting washed into a rock is bad news, dangerous. Be careful there. Good depth when spilling is important, so if a surf hole looks good on top, but dangerous on the bottom, find a deeper area of the river with the wave you want. Be picky. A helmet is also suggested in more extreme waves, life preservers are always a must, as well as a buddy with a "real throw bag rope". Look for recovery downstream, making sure you are not near a dangerous obstacle when trying to recover. Surfing below a little ledge is good, not going upstream from the ledge, and plenty of room to recover incase of a wet exit in a recreational kayak. Don't surf if you are scared to spill. You probably will until you have it mastered for that level. The faster the current, the harder it is to surf, so try little easy ones!

"Paddling Tips For Improving Kayak Skills"
By: Ozark River Company
We have taught many recreational kayak classes in the class one rapids of the North Fork of the White River in South Missouri. There are a few things that we suggest that might make your experience in rapids a much more controlled and fun one. Therefore we decided to point out a few things that stood out in our classes as mistakes, or successes that made control much better. Wear your life vest, have a throw rope, and have a buddy to help and watch!
1) Entry - When you get in your boat, keep over the center of the boat. Step in the center, or so that both feet are in the center side by side. Keep your center of gravity over the center with your head, and both hands on the side, sliding them back as you sit. Keeping your head in the "center of gravity" is most important throughout the paddling process. If you start to tip, get that head back over the center of the boat, and the boat will follow.
2) Leaning back reduces control - In a kayak, more specifically one with the higher back seat, one should not lean back into the seat when needing optimum balance and control. For proper balance in a kayak, try this little exercise. Lean forward with feet in the foot braces, and butt in the back of the seat, and rock the boat with your hips, side to side. Keep the head and shoulders square to the world, focusing on the horizon, keeping the head level. You will find it helps to loosen the hips as you do this, letting everything rock below the hip pivot point, the head shoulders and upper back pretty straight. Now lean way back in the seat and do it. The contact with the seat and your back will restrict this. The high seat back is great for relaxing in flat water but lean forward in your rapids. You should see your ability to rotate your body with your strokes using less arms, as well as much improved balance and control!
3) Paddle Stroke Tips - Use the whole blade of the paddle in the water. If you skim the water with part of the blade, you will not have near the control. Submerse the whole paddle blade as you pull your paddle stroke and it is that resistance you feel that controls the boat. It does not take quick strokes, but full length pulling strokes that give you the best turning, forward or reverse thrust. The longer your stroke, the more action the stroke will yield. Sweep the paddle wide for turns, and pull it along side the boat for less turning action. If it consistently turns one direction, make sure your paddle is centered, you are centered in the boat, and note current, that will make you turn one way or the other. Get in the center of the current. For maximum turning with a paddle stroke, sweep wide, pull the water from under the bow (front), sweep it wide all the way around to the stern (back), then pushing water under the back of the boat. Make the stroke comfortable, so that you have the time to plant the paddle and pull it out comfortably. Reverse strokes work for quick turns, again full paddle engagement and steady pressure to the water, but is inefficient in most cases for forward motion so should only be used to "jerk you in position" so that you can resume forward motion. Also experiment with rudder steering with your paddle. Point the paddle blade straight back then put it in the water, and push and pull the water away from and towards the stern "as you have forward motion". Just a slight movement of push and pull with your paddle and you will be surprised how much you can turn and control the boat. Rocking the paddle when next to the stern as mentioned above will also turn your boat, and just looks plain cool!
4) Controlling direction - The boat will follow the nose. The attitude or direction of the nose will be your guide. Like threading a needle, pay close attention to the nose direction in all cases. In the case of steering through a turning rapid, the nose should be angled towards the inside of the curve as you proceed to paddle through the rapid. Again you are pointing the boat away from the outside of the curved rapid where you do not want to go, and sliding through the curved rapid at a bit of an angle. Harder angles, and paddling strength is required for stronger currents or tighter curves, but again the nose needs to be pointed in the direction you want to favor, away from the obstacle, in this case the outside of the bend. Always repeat strokes as many times as needed to turn the boat, if necessary a strong back stroke to jerk it around, but point the boat first, then shoot.
5) How to maneuver a curved rapid - The above tips in #3 are a start, but to add to it, the idea that you have to be going faster or slower than the water do not really apply. Angling the boat as above mentioned is the best method, and pulling yourself to the safe side of the current is best. Tighter angle, and harder pulling strokes are needed if the boat does not seem to favor the inside of the turn. Do not backstroke in a rapid, as it will make you go the opposite direction! Point it to the inside, and pull yourself towards that safe direction. As you exit the curve make sure to redirect the boat to the direction you want to go, straightening out the boat once again. If you spin out in the eddy on the inside of the curve before you leave the bend, then you did not straighten out the boat early enough. This technique takes time to work on and perfect. Every curved rapid has stronger currents on the outside of the curve, and backwards flowing water called an eddy on the inside of the curve. There is a line where these two currents meet, the backwards current from the fast current, and this is called an eddy line. Be prepared if you cross that line, to lean into the inside of your curve as it will shift your boat a bit. Crossing eddy lines from the fast current to the reverse current of the eddy line will be the point at which most people spill.
6) How to learn ferrying - This is an important technique to learn, and will add control to your paddling experience. It is used a lot in kayaking or canoeing. It is also the one thing that will help you understand the dynamics of the river. When ferrying, start at one side of the river in a easy current situation. Point the boat upstream! Now gently angle the nose towards the other side of the river. Paddle upstream, not attempting to move upriver, but to cross the river. If you are going upstream, angle the boat harder towards the other shore, and start the nose in the current. Now the angle of the boat is ultra important! Think of the water as wind, and think of the boat as a wind sail. If the boat has a hard angle to the water, then it will push you downstream and move you too swiftly to the other side of the river. Adjust the angle, and pick the "sweet spot angle", so that now the current starts to work for you. When you find that right angle, even in fast current, you can cross the river with ease, with just a few light (lower side) strokes to keep the angle corrected. If you loose angle and point it upstream, your cross river movement will stall in the current and you will sit there. If your angle is too strong, you will get pushed out and feel tippy and vulnerable to the current. Get that angle right and you will cross the rapid of any strength with ease, not loosing distance, and have a wonderful experience of control.
7) How to Surf your kayak - Surfing is a whitewater technique for whitewater boats, but also has wonderful opportunities for recreational kayaks in class one rapids. First, get excellent at ferrying. This is the way you enter a surf hole. A surf hole is a wave on the river. At a side view, has a shape of a dip between high waves, the longer and glassier the dip is the better. A wave that is at angles to the river is more difficult, as it will push you to one side, more difficult to stay in. Start by ferrying across the river to get used to the current speed. You will note that the faster the current, the more important the attitude or nose angle is. Slight angles are required in faster current for control in crossing the river. Hard angles are required for the same controlled crossing in slower currents. For surfing holes, you are most likely in faster current. Use ferrying technique all the way. Angle the boat to arrive at your hole, below it is best. Then stall the boat there, making sure the boat is pointing straight at the water coming at you. Starting downstream from the hole, paddle up into it. This is where the adrenaline kicks in. You will see that once you enter this surfing hole wave, it will start to pull you upstream right into it! Keep that nose straight! It will try to push it to one side or the other to kick you out. Back stroke, forward stroke, just keep it straight! The best technique when you get there is to rudder steer, pointing the paddle straight to the back of the boat, and pushing or pulling the water towards or away from the stern or back of the boat. If you paddle too fast upstream, you will shoot right out of the hole. The idea is that when in the hole, with the right angle and effort, you will just sit there, with little or no effort, in the absolute fastest current of the river, with all the noise, it is a true healthy rush!!! One word of caution, when checking out the hole in the beginning, make sure there are no rocks below you down stream in the water. You do not want to surf up stream or in front of a rock, flip, and hit the rock. Be downstream of rocks and stay away from the front of them. Flipping and getting washed into a rock is bad news, dangerous. Be careful there. Good depth when spilling is important, so if a surf hole looks good on top, but dangerous on the bottom, find a deeper area of the river with the wave you want. Be picky. A helmet is also suggested in more extreme waves, life preservers are always a must, as well as a buddy with a "real throw bag rope". Look for recovery downstream, making sure you are not near a dangerous obstacle when trying to recover. Surfing below a little ledge is good, not going upstream from the ledge, and plenty of room to recover incase of a wet exit in a recreational kayak. Don't surf if you are scared to spill. You probably will until you have it mastered for that level. The faster the current, the harder it is to surf, so try little easy ones!
Safety is important and we do suggest you read our section, "Where there are no sidewalks". It should also be understood that kayaking or canoeing can be dangerous, and one could get hurt, or worse yet be fatal so be ready to be responsible for your own actions! This is just a warning, and to duly note that it is important to treat any outdoor activity with respect and use the buddy system when out boating. Be as prepared as you can with throw bags, and understanding of how to use them. Practice! Successful paddling technique takes time and practice, and makes your experiences safer by trying things under a controlled and easy situation. Good Luck, learn to be a better boater, and be safe out there!!!
We hope you have been informed and entertained! By: Ozark River Company