A kayak is an enclosed watercraft that is propelled through the water with a double-bladed paddle. Kayaking requires a great deal of upper body strength, as you paddle the boat from a sitting position. To correctly paddle a kayak, it's important to choose the appropriate paddle for your height, as well as the type of vessel you are using. Once you have the right paddle, learning the alternating rhythm of paddling will come in time with a little practice.
Step 1
Sit down in the seat of the kayak with your legs stretched out in front of you. Then bend your knees slightly and find the foot well in the bottom of the boat that feels comfortable. According to Ocean Kayak, a minor bend of the knees will provide lower body strength to help paddle without straining your back.
Step 2
Place the kayak paddle above your head to find the center of the paddle. You should see an equal area of shaft (the long straight area that you grip) on either side of your head. Bring your arms down so that the paddle is at your body's height. Your arms should be shoulders-width apart and bent at the elbow. The bend of your arms should be just a little less than 90 degrees, or not quite an L shape. Low angle paddling is most common among recreational kayakers. Holding the angle of your arms higher up near your head is seen more commonly with aggressive stroking or racers, according to NRS.
Step 3
Grip the kayak paddle in both hands. If you are right handed, your paddle is most likely a right-hand control paddle. Keep your right hand tight on the shaft and loosen your left hand so that the shaft can move beneath your left hand easily.
Step 4
Put the right blade in the water, near where your toes are positioned. Firmly bring the right blade through the water until you reach the point at which your hip lies.
Step 5
Lift the right blade out of the water and put the left-hand side of the paddle in the water. Repeat the firm "power stroke" with the left blade. Continue to alternate sides of the kayak paddle to propel yourself through the water.
Tips and Warnings
- Choose the right size paddle for yourself. For instance, if you are over 5 feet 6 inches tall, get a 240cm paddle for a hard shell kayak, and 94 to 103 cm for an inflatable kayak, according to NRS.
Things You'll Need
- Paddle
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