Whether you are running the rapids, surfing or fishing, there are few tips you can follow to keep you safe and maintain your endurance when kayaking. Understanding kayak technique basics will help increase your skill level more quickly, giving you a safer, more enjoyable ride. Prepare before your ride with the proper gear and safety equipment. If you are kayaking alone, always let someone know where you will be and when you will return.
Launching
Forward momentum is key for launching a kayak. Kayaks are the most stable when there is forward momentum and the paddles are in the water. This stability becomes more critical when launching into surf and breaking through whitewater. Launching in surf is about timing and speed. Once the waves have passed, walk with the kayak at your side, holding your paddle. Start moving forward, hop in and start paddling. Do not hesitate---you should move into the water as quickly as possible before the next waves arrive. When driving through whitewater make sure you lean slightly forward and that your paddle strokes are even.
Paddling
Paddling technique is all about efficiency. Power for the stroke comes from your forearms and torso. Use your torso to pull the paddle through the water and your forearms to hold the downward pressure. Using too much arm will cause fatigue and undue stress on the elbows. Paddle type determines your stroke. Whitewater paddles have shorter, wider blades and require a more vertical stroke, whereas standard sea kayak paddles are longer and have a relaxed, horizontal stroke. While paddling, you should submerge only the blade; if the shaft is in the water you are digging to deeply.
Capsizing
At some point you may go overboard, and you need to know how to get yourself out of the water and your kayak right side up again. If the kayak is upside down in the water, position yourself in the middle of the kayak, grab the far side of the seat and pull while pushing up on the side nearest to you. On a windy day this technique is difficult; make sure that the nose or tail is facing into the wind. To get back into the kayak, center yourself alongside the kayak, grab the far side of the kayak two to three feet in front of the seat and pull your body up while giving your feet a kick in the water. As you pull forward, roll your legs into the cockpit.
When retrieving dropped items make sure they are as close to the kayak as possible before leaning over. Never get on your knees in a kayak because you change your center of gravity and make the kayak unstable. Retrieve articles only after you are back in the kayak so that you don't lose your kayak.
Safety
Always wear a life vest regardless of the water conditions. Wear a helmet if you are heading out into the surf. Make sure to check the weather conditions, especially if you'll be kayaking in the ocean. Before beginning your ride, tell someone where you are going and when you plan to return. When possible, use a paddle leash to help you retrieve the paddle if you drop it in the water.
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