Kayaking is one of the most popular water sports.It is a great way to exercise while enjoying nature.If you don't get proper guidance before you start kayaking, you will end up flipping upside down.The water can be unpredictable and you should always wear a life jacket when kayaking.
Step 1: Before kayaking, make sure to put on a life jacket.
You shouldn't go kayaking without a lifejacket.Get a lifejacket from a rental company.Put the lifejacket on over your head and put the straps on your chest.Attach the lifejacket to your chest by pulling the loose ends on the straps.If you are kayaking in a river, you should wear a hard-shell helmet.It is not a good idea to do this for the first time.
Step 2: There is a calm, rock-free area to enter the water.
There is a gradual slope into the water if you take the kayak out from a beach or shoreline.If you see rocks or debris in the water, avoid the area.You don't need to worry about finding a calm spot to take the boat out if you get into a kayak from a dock.
Step 3: Hold the strap in the front of the kayak and drag it on the shore.
The front of the boat has a fabric strap.Take the kayak closer to the water with the help of this strap.If you are with someone else, you can hold the kayak from each end to keep it off the ground.If the kayak is tied to a dock, you don't need to do this.
Step 4: The cockpit should be over the edge of the water if you let the kayak down.
The kayak can be dragged directly to the edge of the water.While you drag the kayak with your free hand, hold the paddle behind you.The cockpit should be resting on the spot where the water meets the shore if the kayak is dragged and let down.If you drop the paddle in the water, it may float away.
Step 5: Go into the cockpit and extend your feet out.
Put the paddle against the cockpit and sit on the edge of the kayak.Bring your feet in one at a time, as you slowly scoot your butt into the cockpit.If you want to sit in the kayak, extend your feet out in front of you and slide back into the seat.To balance yourself, use the edge of the dock.To balance your weight, set your feet inside the cockpit.While you sit in the seat, balance the paddle on the edge of the dock.Put your feet on the footrests.People don't wear shoes when kayaking.Throw on some water shoes if you want to wear shoes.
Step 6: You can push yourself out into the water by using your paddle and body weight.
When you are ready to go on the water, grab the paddle and raise it on your side.Push your weight forward as you dig the blade into the shore.Ask someone to push you into the water if you are with other people.It's a lot easier than walking in.You can either untie the tie rope from the boat yourself or wait for the dockmaster to untie it for you.
Step 7: The paddle needs to be held horizontally with both hands.
Hold the paddle in front of you.If you drop your paddle, hold it with both hands.Wrap your hands around the bar with a fist.You are doing it wrong if you are not comfortable while holding the paddle.The paddle should be comfortable in your hands.You can hold it without squeezing the handle hard.Don't relax your grip to the point that your hands slide around the bar.
Step 8: Take the paddle out of your hand and stretch it past your shoulders.
There is an equal amount of space between each hand and the blades on each side if you put the paddle in the middle.Minor changes to your grip will keep you comfortable.
Step 9: The paddle should be turned in your hand so the side faces you.
The kayak paddle has fins on it.The sides of these blades are not the same, so check to see which side is smooth.The smooth sides face you if you turn the paddle in your had.When paddling, make sure the blades are in line with the surface of the water.
Step 10: The flat horizontal edge of the blades should be on top.
Take a look at the long sides of the blade.On top, the straightest horizontal edge always goes.The angle at the end of each blade always points away from you.If your blades are upside down, swap the left and right side of the paddle.
Step 11: When paddling the kayak, maintain a firm grip and stay upright.
Keep your core engaged by sitting up straight in your kayak.If you have to lean forward a little, you may lose control of the kayak as your center of gravity shifts if you start moving your torso back or to the side.You should keep your feet on the footrests.Keep your feet in front of you if you don't have footrests.If it is more comfortable for you, you can bend your knees a little bit.
Step 12: You can twist your torso by raising the paddle.
Keep your elbow under your shoulders as you lift your paddle.To propel yourself forward, twist your chest in a certain direction.Shift your paddle to the left if you turn left.Your chest is where most of your power comes from.When you start paddling, coiling your upper body back is important.
Step 13: Bring the blade forward by angleing the paddle.
The blade should be pulled back as you start the stroke.The raised blade needs to be lowered towards the water.The raised blade should be raised in a semi-circle so that it goes up and down parallel to the water.Imagine turning two gears with each arm moving in opposite directions.As your other arm lowers back behind you, the arm moving forward turns at the same time.
Step 14: If you want to push forward, untwist your torso and dig the blade into the water.
The front blade needs to be pushed into the water so that it can be seen.Pull the blade back towards you.If you want to untwist your torso, pull your back shoulder forward.While doing this, push the blade out of the water.If you are paddling correctly, you should eventually feel your core, chest, and shoulders getting sore at the same time.
Step 15: To propel yourself forward, repeat this action on the other side.
As you drag the paddle underwater, make sure your shoulder is pointing at the blade that is underwater.Lift the blade out of the water and then lower it on the other side.Push the raised blade into the water and pull it back.
Step 16: As you go forward, find a rhythm as you paddle.
You will feel how the kayak shifts as you paddle.You can find a pattern where the shifting is even on both sides.To move consistently and smoothly, use an equal amount of strength with each stroke.
Step 17: The angle of the kayak can be pivoted by using sweep strokes.
To turn left, extend the right side of your paddle out in front of you and lower it into the water.If you want to uncoil your upper body, twist your torso to the left and drag the paddle backwards.If you need to go to the right, repeat this stroke.When you move the paddle to compensate for the shift in your center of gravity, your chest turns in the opposite direction.Do this and maintain your center of balance.If you lean too far, you may fall into the water.
Step 18: You can brake or slow down when you paddle in the opposite direction.
If you want to slow down or go backwards, paddle in reverse.If you want to raise the right blade out of the water, you have to lower the left blade.If you want to slow yourself down while travelling forward or paddle in reverse, slide the left blade forward.If you want to slow down while turning at the same time, just stick one of your blades into the water.Put your blade underwater to turn right.Stick your blade underwater to turn left.
Step 19: To move sideways, hold the paddle vertically.
If you are kayaking with other people and are close to bumping into someone, hold your paddle vertically with both hands.Put one blade underwater with the flat side facing away from you.To push yourself sideways without changing the angle of the boat, slowly push the blade away from you.Pull the blade towards you on the opposite side if it is more comfortable.
Step 20: To get parallel, paddle towards the dock and use draw strokes.
If you are returning to a dock, paddle straight towards the side and slow down as you get closer.Use draw strokes to line up with the side of the dock when you are within 10 feet of it.
Step 21: For a beach landing, use forward strokes to paddle.
If you land on the beach, paddle forward.Find a calm part of the shore with a flat surface and angle the kayak towards it.Continue paddling until the front of your kayak is on the ground.
Step 22: The dock can be used to lift you out of the water.
If you want to make a shore landing, use the sides of the cockpit to push yourself up.Take the paddle out of the water and hold it in one hand.Take the strap from the front of the boat and pull the kayak on the shore.Lifting yourself up on the side of the dock is necessary for a dock landing.
Step 23: Pull the kayak out with the strap if you want to secure it with a tie line.
If you want to make a beach landing, you need to slide the front of the kayak all the way on to the shore.The kayak can get pulled out of the water.The rope on the dock can be used to tie the boat to the cleat.Take the kayak out of the dock by grabbing the strap on the front of it and pulling it up.