Basic Kayak Instructions

Traditional kayaks have cockpits, providing enough space for one user to sit inside. The use of a spray skirt prevents water from entering the boat, and allows users to barrel roll without falling out. There are now a number of modified kayaks on the market, including shallow, sit-on kayaks among others. Nevertheless, all kayaks require the use of a double-bladed paddle, and the principles required to control the boat are effectively the same.

Instructions

    • 1

      Check your equipment before entering the kayak. Make sure your life-jacket is properly fitted, fold up your spray skirt around your waist (if you are using one), and position your paddle so it is easy to reach.

    • 2

      Keep your weight over the center-line of the kayak at all times to prevent it from tipping. This is particularly important when mounting and dismounting the kayak. Use a shallow pier or jetty where possible for easier mounting and dismounting.

      Place your feet in the center-line of the kayak and swiftly lift yourself into the cockpit.

      Zip your skirt, starting from the rear and moving round each side simultaneously.

    • 3

      Relax your torso and keep your upper body perpendicular to the water to keep balanced. Keeping your eyes on the horizon will also aid your stability.

      If you do lose balance and feel yourself beginning to tip, slap the surface of the water with your blade quickly, and shift your weight in the opposite direction.

    • 4

      Grip the paddle with both hands slightly wider than shoulder-width apart. When long-distance paddling, vary your grip width to shift the workload onto different muscle groups. A wider grip offers more power and control but is more demanding than a narrower grip.

    • 5

      Use your stronger arm as the control arm. So if you are right-handed, grip the paddle securely with your right hand and loosely with your left - allowing your right arm to control the angle of the blades.

    • 6

      Keep good, upright posture, when paddling; relaxing your shoulders and opening your chest. Keep your legs together with knees bent slightly. Twist your torso and dip your right shoulder whilst extending your right arm. Let the paddle enter the water with the inside "power-face" of the blade at right-angles to the water. Rotate your torso and bring your right down and towards the side of your body to perform a stroke. As your left arm nears full extension, dip your left shoulder, rotate your trunk and repeat the motion on the opposite side.

    • 7

      Use the paddle as a rudder to steer. After a normal forward stroke, leave the paddle blade in the water towards the rear of the kayak. Move it left or right to steer in that direction. Alternatively, continue paddling on one side of the kayak to turn in the opposite direction.