KayakPaddling.net

Learning to paddle is great fun and now it is also easy. Here You can find practical animated tutorials about sea kayak paddling. We will start right from the beginning, learn the most essential paddling strokes and also take a look at the safety and recovery skills.


 »Animated
   version of this tutorial

Getting In from Shore

Sometimes there is no dock nearby so getting into the kayak will be a little trickier. Then you should find a spot where the water is calm and deep enough, so that the kayak will not stuck into the bottom when you will sit in.

Find something that you can use as a support. For example a rock popping out of the water can be useful. First place the kayak between your legs so that the seat is right below you.

Place the paddle right behind the cockpit coaming so that the other end is against the rock. Take a firm hold from the back of the cockpit coaming so that the paddle is stuckt between your thumb and the coaming. Place the other hand on the rock so that it keeps the paddle fixed against it. This way you have a fairly steady support, but be careful not to put too much pressure on the paddle as it might break easily.

Sit carefully over the coaming, but keep your weight still mainly on your feet.

Move your balance slightly to the foot and hand on the rock's side and lift your other foot inside the cockpit. Then simultaneously sit in and raise also your other foot inside the cockpit. Remember to keep your balance slightly on the rock's side until you are sitting properly.

Getting out of the kayak is done in the same way but in opposite order.

TIP:
» Sometimes there is no rocks nearby so you have to improvise. One way is to ask your friend to hold your kayak still or use your paddle to get support from the bottom.

Show the whole movement again »