Kent Ford's Canoe Kayak Video Instruction
Fletcher fully lived the life of an intellectual kayak dirtbag, using that term with utmost affection. His 1982 guidebook on Colorado rivers was one of the best, and holds some fabulous writing about the state of rivers and growth of Colorado, including issues of access still troubling paddlers today. I remember during one trip to …
This question came from a paddling friend in Germany: Is there is any good reason to paddle a touring Canoe with a double Paddle? In many Canoeing groups it is an absolute no no, going forward with a double paddle, even though some people discover that it is perfect on big Lakes, against the stream, …
Performance Video has recently started the process of helping capture the great history of paddlesport. Our sport has a rich history, and we need to be sure it is preserved. In closets across our country, film of the early days of paddling is decaying and is destroying our paddling history at an alarming rate. Once …
Attached is a diagram that depicts how various whitewater features are formed as a rock is gradually covered by rising water. This is fundamental to understanding how to read water and how to read the river when kayaking, canoeing, or rafting. These images are a side view from water level. The DVD river runners edge …
A typical question: Would you be kind enough to share your thoughts on the Sweep vs. the C to C roll? I’ve open boated in the Northeast for a decade, but have moved to Colorado and have decided to learn to kayak. I learned to roll an open boat, but I tend to leave my …
This collection of articles will speed you on your way to having more fun kayaking! Note to intermediate and advanced whitewater kayak paddlers: Don’t miss the sections on Whitewater Safety and Rolling Instruction (see the links at left). Even if you don’t need the help, you will find these tips invaluable for teaching your buddy. …
Reading the River One of the primary skills for paddlers on whitewater is “reading the river”. This enables them to use the power of the river, and not get abused by the power of the river by being in the wrong spot. Rocks in the River Rocks can be your friend or your foe. Sometimes …
At first glance it looks like the thrill of whitewater is the pure adreniline of crashing down through waves, and big drops. But that is only part of the thrill. Reading the river, figuring out how your boat will react, then picking your line become a rewarding challenge. This skill takes considerable experience, but in …
I remember my first day behind the wheel in drivers ed. Heading out of the driveway of school, I had my eyes riveted on the hood of the car. As the car ran up on the curb, the instructor grabbed the wheel, screaming for me to look down the road. A lengthy lecture on scanning …
Kayaking is a counterintuitive sport, so perhaps it should be no surprise that we occasionally offer erroneous advice to people learning the sport. I frequently wince when I encounter students who have developed bad habits, resulting from well meaning words of wisdom. These are some of the classics that should be avoided. PADDLE! PADDLE! PADDLE! is …