sea kayaking in waves sea kayak tips for beginners

Sea kayaking in waves.

In this video you will learn

How to use the wave to keep you stable. So that paddling in rough water feels more secure than paddling in calm water.

It’s not a difficult to learn technique.

Many kayakers are afraid because they think the wave is trying to capsize them.

In fact, when you know where to place your paddle, the wave actually holds you up...and you feel very stable.

If you want to learn more about how to do that click the link in the description and sign up for the free mini course I created for you.

This is what I wish I had known when I started kayaking. But nobody was talking about it.

Actually I’ve never heard anyone mention this ever.

It requires no skills.

It takes no time to learn.

Maybe that’s one reason no one is teaching this.

It’s also something that only works really well with the greenland paddle.

I remember one incident in particular. I’m doing a crossing to go camping at Blackberry point, on Valdes island. Alone. There’s a wind blowing but it doesn’t seem too bad. As I get close to about half way I realize the current is shifting to move the water against the wind. The waves are getting bigger and steeper. All I know how to do is push the paddle on the water to regain my balance.

Afraid of what could happen if I’m not quick enough.

This is how most people learn to kayak in waves. The focus is on getting back in balance after you lose it.

And let's be honest, no matter how much you practice this, it’s never going to feel easy and comfortable. You won’t feel nice and relaxed paddling in waves when you are having to react with quick force.

As you probably know if you watch my videos, I like to find the easy way. To feel comfortable, at home on the water. I don’t want to feel like it’s me versus nature. I’m not coming out here to go to war with the sea.

Here’s why it matters.

It’s like when you’re balancing on one leg. You may feel a bit wobbly.

When you have just one finger pressing against something solid, all of a sudden you feel way more stable. And it’s surprising how little pressure you have on your finger.

But if you allow yourself to be out of balance, even for a fraction of a second, it takes a lot of force to bring yourself back in balance.

That’s why I say if you want to be comfortable paddling in the waves you need to learn how to get that little bit of support that keeps you in balance.

You don’t have to use any force to regain your balance.

If the wave is coming from the side it’s easy. Stick the paddle in it. If the waves are coming from behind, you will likely be aware of the wave coming from one side first. Stick your paddle there.

If the water is confused, you can pick a side. Stick your paddle in something.

It’s like having your paddle stuck in a cement foundation.

All you need to do is hang on to your paddle.

So instead of thinking about regaining your balance…

Think instead about keeping your paddle in the water until you know you can move it without losing your balance.

When paddling it’s just a matter of keeping your paddle in the wave until it washes over. And when you know you’re stable it’s time to take a paddle stroke.

You don’t need to feel like you might go over.

If you want to master this so that you feel secure in the waves, I created a mini course for you. Just click on the link in the description to sign up for free.

Thanks for watching

[jakebrakebill]

The chair explanation was genius. And we seem to forget when things were brand new to us and get to a point were we assume everyone else knows it or that it's just inherent, since you have a kayak you MUST already know it. Thanks for remembering what it was like in the beginning and that there's still a few of us like that out here.

[jbaccanalia]

Brilliant. I have decades of canoeing on the ocean but you've shifted my approach 180° in one short video.
I've always used my paddle for balance, but now I'll leave it in the peaks way longer.
This will help my less experienced partner immensely.
Thank you!
I'm close to you. I'll look for the yellow paddle.

[albertbedward]

Changes the way I will use my Greenland / Inuit paddle. Real philosophy.

[asinglegerry]

Thanks a lot for explaining your kayak style in detail, Paulo.
I love all your videos!
Here I learn best how to become a better greenland paddle kayaker.

Greetings from Switzerland

[xanthoptica]

FWIW, the technique Paolo describes also works with a Euro or wing paddle blade as well...you just get a bit more turbulence and drag, and the blade may end up more on top of the water (especially with a wing blade).

[worldsnomad]

Brilliant content and very easy to understand instructions 👌thanks for effort!

[knshield]

Kind of a silly comment but I like how you use the music particularly that piece of music to obtain a bit of a flow that is all

[BigDaddy-jenq]

I can get some solid strokes in big waves, it feels denser than calm water

[allans]

Great video Fascinating Content. Does it matter what kind of paddle you have?

[DigressingUrbanNaturalist]

Is the paddle also breaking the surface of the wave and reducing its impact?

[qaannat]

But WHY is it like having a paddle stuck in cement? What makes it so?

[markhecht]

I enjoy all your videos, but this one in particular produced an "aha" moment: Instead of fighting to regain your balance, learn how not to lose it.

[mortschubert]

To put it short, you are using the paddle like a temporary floater.