Kayak Training

Kayak training is broken down by type of kayak and the kayaking you intend to do. Recreational kayaking takes place on flat or still water, sea kayaking on coastal ocean waters, and whitewater kayaking is for the adventurer seeking the swift waters found inland. Whatever type of kayaking you intend to do, training can only enhance your safety, your confidence and the pleasure you derive from the sport.

  1. Effects of Kayak Shape

    • Kayaks vary in both in length and width. Longer kayaks track in a straight line and tend to be faster than shorter kayaks. Shorter kayaks, while not setting any speed records, tend to be more stable and weigh less. The wider the kayak, the more stable but slower it is. Wider, shorter kayaks are ideal for lakes and still water for fishing and recreational kayaking. The narrower kayak is built for speed and covering long distances with the least amount of effort.

    Beginners

    • Most kayak training starts with basics and builds a foundation for your paddling abilities in the water. Beginner courses cover the proper fit of a kayak, proper grip of your paddle, basic safety, entry and exit of your kayak, and maneuvering your boat. Beginner courses are designed to teach you the fundamentals of safety and control to get you paddling confidently.

    Intermediate

    • Intermediate kayak training expands on beginner course instruction with an emphasis on strokes, maneuvers, water comfort and rescues. The various strokes you learn at this level will enable you to have full control of your kayak in any condition. Strokes like the forward stroke, the back stroke for stopping, and sweeps are all strokes that make kayaking more enjoyable. The maneuvers training will teach you how to pivot your kayak in place, maneuver your boat sideways and stop your boat. Water comfort involves teaching you invaluable skills for when you are far from land. Skills like wet exits, getting a capsized boat to shore, and deep water entry and exits are essential to safe kayaking. The rescue portion involves reviewing the various paddle floats and methods for rescue.

    Advanced

    • Kayak training at the advanced level requires the paddler to be able to demonstrate the disciplines from beginner and intermediate levels as well as advanced paddling techniques like edging, high and low bracing for turning, and rolling. The advanced turning techniques involve applying draw techniques in open water, while bracing requires the ability to control the kayak using paddle positions at low and high angles of entry. Rolling involves rolling your kayak back over once it has been rolled upside down and re-entering in open water. Other rolls like the C to C, the sweep and the extended paddle roll are also commonly taught.

    Considerations

    • Learning how to roll your kayak is a definite must for safety. If you are not comfortable learning this technique in open water, you can do so in a pool. Many choose this option for learning this important skill for the first time or for brushing up on their skills over the winter. Be sure to go with an American Canoe Association training provider to ensure professional training and documentation for your course selection.