Kayak Tricks

Whether you want to "boof" a waterfall or catch some air, kayaking tricks can be performed when surfing ocean waves or river running, and in both flat and white water environments. Certain tricks can be dangerous and should only be performed by experienced kayakers. However, with a good handle on the basics, even beginners can quickly work their way up to impressive lip tricks and aerials.

  1. Freestyle Kayaking

    • Performing whitewater kayak tricks takes practice.

      A general category of whitewater kayaking, freestyle includes tricks that can be applied to river running or waves. Freestyle wave tricks include the advanced Pan-Am aerial maneuver and the beginner-friendly Air Blunt. Flat-water techniques focus on edge control and rotating the kayak. The Whirly Bird is a fun way to spin continuously on flat water in conjunction with Flat Water Cartwheels.

    River Running

    • Pencil down long vertical drops instead of Boofing.

      An essential river-running trick, the Boof -- or Boofing -- is the ability to land flat following a drop. A function of technique over power, pull your knees up to your chest while stroking over the edge of a drop onto aerated water. Continue to lean forward as you fall. Note that dropping on to flat, non-aerated water risks spinal injury. In this case "penciling" down the drop is a better alternative.

    Flat Water Tricks

    • Flat-water tricks flow in a logical progression more than any other category of maneuvers; continuous rotations like the Whirly Bird lead to Flat Water Cartwheels. A logical progression from the Cartwheel is the vertical Bow Stall. Then flip a vertical Bow Stall into a Stern Stall for a combination trick referred to as the Flat Water Loop.

    Kayak Surfing

    • Wave kayaking requires a high degree of skill.

      Techniques that can be displayed when surfing with a kayak include aerials, like the Pan Am, and various lip tricks, such as the Air Blunt and the Backstab. Rotational ability is important when performing lip tricks, as most involve quick changes in direction at the lip during reentry. One of the most advanced aerial tricks, the Helix, involves an underwater rotation while moving down the face of a wave.