Kayaking is an extreme and highly regarded water sport. Before starting to devote yourself to this discipline you will need to know the basics, otherwise you could find yourself upside down! Here is an article to learn how to kayak.
Steps
Part 1 of 4: Board the Kayak
Step 1. Find an ideal area to enter the kayak
You will need to find a suitable place from which to enter the water; look for an area where there are no rocks and the water is calm and shallow.
Step 2. Place the kayak in the water
Slide it into the water with the bow (front) forward, firmly grasp the stern handle (rear) with your hand and position the kayak so that the cockpit area is in sufficiently shallow water.
Step 3. Approach the kayak
Hold the paddle with one hand and walk along the side of the kayak until you reach the cockpit.
Step 4. Make sure you hold the kayak securely before boarding it
Start by placing the paddle perpendicular to the hull, just behind the seat and against the edge of the cockpit. Place your closest hand on the kayak and paddle, with your palm on the paddle and your fingers gripping the edge of the cockpit, then hold the boat steady.
Step 5. Start getting into the kayak
Put your leg inside, shift your weight, and sit on the kayak while keeping the other foot on the ground.
Step 6. Continue the movement and sit on the kayak
At this point, you should still have your hand on the paddle. Grab it with your other hand to stabilize yourself and sit in the back of the cockpit.
Step 7. Slip the other leg into the kayak
Use the paddle to stabilize yourself, grabbing it with both hands on the sides of your body, lean back on your butt and keep your foot on the floor of the kayak. Slip on the other leg.
Step 8. Slide inside
Make sure you have good balance, that both of your feet are firmly on the bottom of the boat and that your hands are gripping the paddle; now slide into the kayak.
Part 2 of 4: Holding the Paddle
Step 1. Learn about the structure of the kayak paddle
Unlike a canoe paddle, a kayak paddle has two blades attached to the handle. The handle is the part of the paddle that you grab, while the blades are the part that you use to push yourself into the water.
Step 2. Make the paddle point in the right direction
It is a common mistake for beginners to turn the paddle backwards the first time they get on a kayak. Being a beginner you might get the impression that the direction in which the paddle is turned does not make a big difference, while it is of enormous importance in terms of paddle power. Make sure that the concave or smooth part of the paddle is facing you, while the front is the one you will need to push into the water.
Step 3. Hold the right side of the paddle up
Many kayak paddles are asymmetrical; this means that each blade has a top and a bottom. It is important to keep the blade as it was designed. The upper part of the blade is more horizontal than the lower part, which instead has a more tapered appearance. Sometimes a horizontal writing can also be found on the shovel. Keep it in the right direction and not upside down; this will help you remember to hold the paddle correctly.
Step 4. Get to know your control handle
If you are right handed, your control grip will be with your right hand, while if you are left handed it will be with your left hand. When paddling, allow the paddle to rotate and reposition it in your "free hand" to ensure that each paddle always enters the water smoothly. Once the paddle is grasped, the control handle does not change position.
Step 5. Grab and hold the paddle
Grab the paddle and make sure you position the control handle first. Make sure your hands are centered on the paddle. Your hands should be slightly more than shoulder width apart.
Part 3 of 4: Paddling Forward
Step 1. Hold the paddle correctly
Step 2. Make sure you have correct posture in the kayak
Sit with your torso erect, with your legs firmly between the leg rests and your toes against the footrests.
Step 3. Rotate the body
Rotate your body as you extend and bend your arms. For example: if you want to paddle to the right, rotate your torso counterclockwise as you extend your right arm and bring your left arm back.
Step 4. Paddle
Place the right side of the blade in the water, near your feet, and rotate your torso as you push the blade into the water along the side of the boat; retract your right arm while, at the same time, extend the left one.
Step 5. Prepare for the next paddle and twist the handle
As soon as you have finished paddling on the right side of the kayak, the paddle must be prepared for the next stroke on the left side of the boat. Then, to rotate the grip, you need to bend the wrist of the control handle hand. Allow the paddle to rotate in the other hand (the free hand) until the blade is aligned to enter the water at the correct angle; then, squeeze the paddle with your "free hand".
Step 6. Take the next paddle
Once the grip is rotated, place the left blade in the water near your feet and rotate your torso as you push the blade into the water along the left side of the boat, retracting your left arm while extending the right one.
Part 4 of 4: Getting out of the kayak
Step 1. Secure the kayak with a rope
This is not a mandatory step, but if you are hitting a dock, it is highly recommended.
Step 2. Use the paddle to stabilize the kayak
Since the kayak is in the water, it only takes a moment to lose balance to end up in the water.
Step 3. Crouch
By doing so, you will be ready to perform the next steps.
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If you are about to get off on a dock:
- Get out of the cockpit by sitting on the deck of the kayak;
- Pull out and rest your legs on the deck as well.
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If you are landing ashore (shallow water: not on a dock, but ashore):
- Put one leg ashore;
- Stand up, placing most of your weight on the foot that is on the ground;
- Put the other leg on the ground as well.
Kayak Step 23 Step 4. You are now out of the kayak
.. with the hope that you are not too wet!
