Outdoor Education…Character development through the outdoors

KAYAKING Skills

Kayaking Checklist

Before you start kayaking there are a few things that must be checked:

Helmet - Are you wearing it correctly? Is the chin strap clipped?
Buoyancy Aid - Are all the straps and buckles done up? Can you lift it above your ears?
Bung - Is the screw plug at the back of your boat done up?
Spray skirt - Is the tag out the front of your kayak?

"Buckle - Buckle - Bung - Tag"

Kayaking Skills

We will start with the kayaking basics and progress to learn the most essential paddling and safety skills.

Dry entry

Place your boat parallel to the edge of the pool and your paddle perpendicular across your kayak. With one hand, grab ahold of the cockpit rim in the middle of the back of the cockpit and the paddle shaft (this hand stabilizes the kayak). With your other hand hold the paddle (on the pool side) while standing bow side of the paddle. While keeping your hands on the paddle shaft, sit on your first hand, place your feet inside the kayak and lower your bottom into the seat.

Dry exit

Like the dry entry but in reverse… Place the paddle behind you. With one hand grab the paddle and the cockpit rim, and with the second hand, hold the paddle shaft out over the pool edge. Shift your feet and bottom to the pool edge.

How to Get Into and Out Of a Kayak Smoothly.mp4

Wet exit

How To Do a Wet Exit from a Kayak.mp4

How to hold a paddle

Place the paddle key in your right hand and to find the best hand position, place the middle of your paddle shaft on your head and shuffle your hands until your elbows make 90º.

Kayaking & Canoeing for Beginners - How to Hold a Kayak Paddle.mp4

Forward Paddle Stroke

Begin by placing the paddle blade in the water at the bow (toes) of the boat. Push with your top hand to generate power. As you do this, pull the paddle along the side of the boat, the closer to the boat the better. As your paddle exits the water, by your hips, begin to repeat the same process with the opposite blade.

Back Paddling

Place your blade in the water at your hips (rotate your torso to reach further back). Push with your lower hand and pull with your upper hand to generate power. Remember to look over one shoulder when performing the back paddle as it will allow you to travel backward in a straighter line. (Do not turn your paddle around when back paddling, hold it as you would for all other strokes)

Kayak Technique - The Forward and Reverse Stroke.mp4

Sweep Stroke

Place the paddle in at the bow (toes) of your boat. Creating a rainbow like formation, create an arch away from your boat that starts at your bow and ends at your stern.

Kayak Sweep Strokes - How to Paddle Series.mp4

Edging and Leaning

Balancing edging and leaning - Sample chapter from Kayak Essentials..mp4

Low Brace

Keeping your elbows above your wrists, slap the water with the bottom of your paddle. As you do this, push your paddle forwards so it scoops out of the water.

The Low Brace for Whitewater Kayakers.mp4

T-Rescue

How To- Do a Kayak T-Rescue.mp4

Sweep Roll

How To- Do a Sweep Kayak Roll.mp4

C to C Roll

The C to C Kayak Roll for Whitewater Kayakers.mp4

How to learn to roll

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