Whitewater Kayaking Techniques

Whitewater kayaking is an enjoyable activity for people looking for a scenic river sport. Whitewater paddling offers a range of skill levels, from leisurely stroll down the river to roiling whitewater rapids. Whitewater kayaking is an alluring combination of relaxation, fitness and adventure. Regardless of your skill level, certain techniques are required for success.

  1. Sitting & Exiting

    • Learning how to sit in a kayak is as important as learning how to maneuver the kayak. Attempting to sit in the kayak improperly can result in capsizing or injury. To properly sit in a kayak, walk the kayak into the water, lean forward while distributing body weight on the rails then throw one leg over the kayak resting the body in a straddling position across the center of the kayak. This keeps the center of gravity stable so that you can slide into the seat while your feet are still in the water. Once your bottom is secure in the seat, pull your legs into the kayak.

      Exiting the kayak is easiest when in knee-deep waters. Simply swing both legs off to one side and slide from the kayak.

    Paddling

    • Most paddles are asymmetrical in form and will work effectively if held correctly. The long edge of the paddle should be held to the top while the shorter edge faces bottom. When inserting the paddle into the water, submerge the blade completely without immersing the staff. The blade is what moves the craft, not the staff.

      Your hands should be placed on the staff slightly wider than your shoulders. Setting the hands wider may give some paddlers a feeling of more power behind the stroke. Use your torso for the paddle rotation. Using just your arms will tire you quickly. A figure eight is the most popular method for whitewater paddling. While holding the paddle, your should see a figure eight being traced as you dip the paddle from side to side. This becomes more evident when you properly use your torso to provide the energy behind the stroke. With elbows kept close to the body, turn the torso into each dip of the paddle into the water allowing your body to exert the energy, which keeps your arms from tiring.

    Rolling & Boofing

    • Rolling is the skill needed to return to an upright position after capsizing. While capsized, reach across the bottom of the kayak to grab something on the the far side rail; there is always something, carrying rails, a grab line or even a backrest. While pushing up on the near side, pull from the far side, which will upright the kayak. Some kayaks are designed so that simply pushing up on the near side will right the kayak.

      Boofing is the art of keeping the nose of the kayak from being submerged while running whitewater rapids. A submerged bow can cause a kayak to flip end over end, resulting in a capsized craft. When heading into a downward angle, leaning back and using the legs to draw the front of the craft toward your body will keep the bow of the kayak from diving under the water.