Kayaking isn't just a sport for adrenaline junkies. Although you can certainly hurl yourself off huge whitewater drops in a kayak -- and maybe even survive, if you have the right equipment and training -- you can also use kayaks to explore shorelines, spot wildlife, fish, travel along waterways or simply enjoy time in the outdoors. Whatever your kayaking intention, you'll be safer on the water if you take the time to learn the fundamentals of handling your craft. Case in point: Paddling a kayak is very different from rowing a boat.
Feathered vs. Nonfeathered
How you paddle depends, in part, on what sort of paddle you use. Feathered paddles have slightly offset, scoop-shaped blades, so that when one blade is in the water, the other blade catches as little wind resistance as possible. But in order to use these paddles, you must be comfortable with feathering -- using one hand to twist the paddle shaft with every stroke, so that each blade catches the water at the right angle. If you're not comfortable with feathering the paddle, you can practice with a nonfeathered paddle. Nonfeathered blades aren't offset, so there is no need to twist the blade as you paddle.
Getting in And Out
You can't paddle from the dock; you've got to get into your kayak. If you're launching from a dock, slide the boat into the water bow-first, then position it parallel to the dock. Place your paddle perpendicular to the boat, sticking over the edge of the dock, where you can get at it easily. Sit on the dock, place your feet in the cockpit, then slide your legs into the kayak. Turn belly-down over the dock, staying as low as possible until your hips are in the cockpit and you can sit up straight. Reverse the procedure, keeping low, to get out.
Avoiding the Pratfall
Seeing a clueless, wannabe cowboy mounted backward on his steed makes for great laughs in the movies. Because you only fit into a kayak facing in one direction, there's little chance of committing the same error when you get into the boat. But trying to paddle with your paddle facing the wrong way can leave you feeling like that hapless cowboy. Make sure that the scoop sides of your paddle blades face toward you as you hold the paddle. The labels on the blades should read right-side up. To establish the correct grip, rest the middle of the paddle shaft on top of your head. Reach up and grasp the paddle with an overhand grip. Your elbows should be bent at 90 degrees, with both hands positioned directly above your elbows and both wrists in a neutral position.
Types of Strokes
Once you're in the water, you'll learn the essential maneuvers: paddling forward, turning and stopping. To paddle forward, twist to the side, dip the blade of your paddle into the water, and simultaneously push with your top hand and twist your torso to move forward. Repeat on the other side. Once you've moving forward, you can turn the kayak by dipping your paddle blade into the water on the side you want to turn to. This also reduces your momentum, so doing it on alternating sides is an effective way to stop. As you progress, you'll also learn sweep strokes -- a way of turning without sacrificing momentum -- and draw strokes, which propel you broadside to get you closer to a dock or a fellow kayaker.
Problem Solving
One of the biggest problems for new kayakers is learning how to paddle straight. You propel the craft from first one side, then the other in alternate strokes, so a slight difference in paddle power or technique on one side can leave you turning in circles before you know it. The more nimble your kayak is on turns, the harder it is to keep going straight. Pay special attention to whether you're leaning forward when you push with one arm; try to stay upright as you paddle. You can eventually work out the basic technique on your own, but investing in an expert lesson or two can save you hours of frustration, nip bad habits in the bud, and help you avoid the rotator cuff problems that poor paddling technique can cause.
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