Three Things No One Teaches about Kayaking

1 thing that some kayak instructors talk about - but not enough of them.
3 things I don't think anyone is talking about. Super important skills that will make your paddling better, safer.

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[philipoakley]

Hi, a great one for beginners is buttock awareness for edging. Like sitting on a bar stool with one, or the other buttock is a great way to communicate the hip/pelvis shift that's needed while edging that avoids the shoulder 'lean'.
Good to hear someone who has thought about these things in a broader context.

[robertnissenbaum]

Since I offer custom outfitting - adding custom molded closed cell foam thigh hooks and padding - this is something I talk about all the time. I do disagree with being locked in and recommend against it. You are spot on with the points of contact, but the goal is to be connected, not locked in.

The kayak needs to be able to move independently from you. Otherwise whatever happens to the kayak, happens to you. Connected but not locked in allows the paddler to get feedback from the kayak, it allows time for the brain to process what is occurring, and you as the paddler to decide on the input needed. This allows for a more proactive rather than reactive approach, a more relaxed paddler, and more 'stability' and comfort.

I'll add that more efficient paddling means using less muscle and that happens when we fit snug enough to be able to lock in as needed but can remain relaxed and still in complete control with less effort.

[TurningPointBoatworks]

Really good stuff! Especially about core strength and Yoga for paddling. I do both and it has had a tremendous impact on my paddling and more importantly stamina. One of my favorite sayings when teaching is, "Use big muscles, not small ones". Core muscles are bigger than your arms and will not wear you out nearly as fast. One of the best tools I have found for core strength is TRX straps and the Rip Stick.

One small caveat to boat fit. Locked in may be too strong of a term. Contact vs tight pressure gets the same outcome. Too tight it can inhibit leg drive and rotation. The kayak can also move independently under the paddler. One of the concepts I adopted a few years ago was that if you send a kayak off int the waves without a paddler, it stays upright by itself. The problem comes when you stick a person in the seat that is too tightly fit. Allowing the boat to move under the paddler a bit helps unlock the upper body from the lower. Too tight and the boat movement will travel right up the spine and affect balance.

Love the bit about situational awareness!

[neilpage]

I love your instructional videos, I'm a 64yo guy, I have a fairly active job and I cycle, do yoga and field archery (I'm in the UK by the way) and wild camping/hill walking. I've recently started kayaking now too with a view to touring in Scotland next year. Your videos have inspired me greatly, so I'd just like to say a huge thank you! Maybe one day I'll get out to your patch and we can have a paddle together 👍

[tommycheshire]

Hockey goalie. You never cease to amazement.i am a big hockey fan, so as always I am a fan of you!

[gadgetman_nz]

With my busted body I had very little core strength. I built mine up by paddling a 2.22m play boat with no outfitting. No back support, no foot braces, no hip padding, ... This forced me to use the core to sit tall and control the craft. Boat control further improved when a change of diet eased the paralysis and spasming in the left leg. If I rotated my torso to my right on a sit-on fishing kayak the left leg would eject me, a sit-in kayak would tip me in. Great when I'd paddled out 11km on a solo expedition. Didn't phase me because I could easily swim 2km and climb aboard swiftly.

I definitely hang out for your great videos.

[Hindsight___]

In the first few minutes of your video, I can now see one of the biggest problems I have with my current kayak (its too wide). As an overweight individual I chose this one as it was easier to get in and out of but this has left me with poor contact points and is likely contributing to some pain issues I experience with the kayak. Thanks for the tips

[ozramblue]

I’ve just restarted kayaking after over 30 years of not doing it. It’s amazing how much I forgot and how much I don’t know. Aside from the 32 year gap (16 to 48) the kayaking I knew was whitewater and where I live it’s a gentle bay. There’s chop and wind but the waves are generally small. I got an ORU bay ST. Been out a few times AND I’m loving it but I’m very cautious. Things like wind and direction of ripples and chop are new to me. I just had the spray skirt arrive and I’ll feel a lot safer once I get my rolls down again.

[Thomas-hnh]

I picked this up somewhere along the line of what you say about the points of contact, transmitting power, etc... Good kayakers *wear* their boats, not sit *in* or *on* them. 🙏

P.S. I love what you say about core strength.

[nunyabidness]

So funny, my mind instantly tried to figure out how a medicine ball would be used in planking. It took the picture of the lady in your video planking, and plopped a medicine ball right on her lower back. 🤣😂🤣

[AndrewMoizer]

Lots of good content in the video, AND the comments. I like the use of "connected" (and what that means in a sea kayaking sense), and "Use big muscles, not small ones".

Totally agree on core strength. I have been doing daily planks for about 10 years now, only forgot one time in the last 5 (while kayak camping). My regimen is 5 straight minutes of planking, usually a mix of front and side planks. I mix up the split based on how I feel (e.g. 1:00 x front, left, front, right, front if I'm really tired or lazy, up to a straight 5 minute front plank). For the last few years I've been doing 8 minutes a day to get 4 hours a month in. It's really the only 'strength' training I've been able to do consistently (despite good intentions of doing more). I've found 5 minutes and planks to be a sweet spot. Enough to make a difference, but short enough that there's no excuse to do it. And planks don't need any equipment, you can do them anywhere. I used to have back issues and planks have essentially solved that.

[TheDaReel]

Yet another great instalment Brett. Last year my focus was mileage on the water (635 kms) but this year I’m adding time on my hybrid bicycle. Turning 61 this summer and dealing with back & neck issues, so every day* I’ll be working at what I can. Think I’ll also look into some padding to see if that’ll add to the puzzle. Keep up the great work.

[tehbieber]

So glad we finally got a shot of you getting into a kayak, I heard a rumor you didn't know how ;)

Seriously though, not sure how common this is but it seems pretty much guaranteed that if I'm out paddling for an hour or more, when I first stand up out of the boat my abs are going to cramp up like crazy for a little bit. I guess I'm just not used to using those muscles so consistently for such long stretches

[northernAT]

Same contact applies to canoes (which I use on the ocean): good thigh straps and knee pads essential.

[markheatfield]

Nice video. Flexibility, core strength, and body to kayak connection are much emphasized in the traditionally-inspired (Greenland) kayaking community. If one really wants to feel connected to a kayak, try an Ocean cockpit.

[Simon_W]

I am still working on getting my Boat to fit me to the point my legs don't go to sleep and I stay comfortable. I have just recently played around with my seat pan position and moved the thigh hooks back about an inch. I have hollowed out some white water hip pads as the hip pads and put in a foam wedge in each, the ones that came with my boat made my legs start to go funny on long paddles, which was not that comfortable. So I am working on little changes as and when as I don't always use my own boat and use a Club boat instead where I can't mess about with the fit other then foot braces. I will be taking my boat to the Club more often to try and get things dialed in, and hopefully to a point where I am comfortable in there. I changed the direction of the foam wedges and will see how that goes on Wednesday night, along with the other two changes. so I will be taking a few tools with me to adjust thigs if needed.

I think I will have to pass on the V sits as I can't do normal ones with how my back is. I had to stop doing sit ups when I was still in the British Army as I could feel what felt like two my vertebra passing each other and it was agony. I may be able to do the other two. I have though about doing Yoga, As one of our Coaches is a Yoga Teacher and she has her Classes in my Village Hall.
Certainly food for thought once again Brett.

[miguelalonsoperez]

I never seen a dry suit on a lake, unless having -20 celsius… is funny watching videos where for a simple tour people equip with same material to an arctic expedition 😅

[davidkrueger]

Thx for another well done video. I saw Assateague Island on your white board - u planing a trip? If so, maybe we could meet up and paddle / camp. It’s a great place as u know.
Dave

[naomibrown]

Situational awareness is both training and an analogue skill. Most “older” humans grew up analogue; “younger “ folk “digital” and have little what I call dimensional intelligence; knowing “where” something is. What may be “natural “ life skills may never be.

[christophernunez]

Since when was kayaking called paddling?