Kent Ford's Canoe Kayak Video Instruction
Knowing how to edge the boat, sit up straight, and hold the paddle correctly are all prerequisites to developing a kayaking finesse. The best boaters are fanatics about their strokes, practicing and fine tuning them on flat, easy water. I’ll start by describing sweep strokes, which turn the boat, and help you control your direction. …
So you really want to improve your whitewater paddling? Whitewater paddling is so complex, how could there possibly be one secret you might ask. There is. Think about the methods that champions utilize in virtually every sport. Drills. They aren’t sexy, but they work! So you really want to improve your whitewater paddling? Whitewater paddling …
Paddling whitewater can be thought of as paddling in arcs while turning and avoiding obstacles. Rarely does a paddler maintain a perfectly straight course downstream. Turning is essential for paddling whitewater, and is often an under-practiced skill. STARTING TURNS The most basic stroke is the active bow draw, which is valuable for startingabrupt turns and …
For the best boat control in whitewater, you will want to understand how to get the boat to carve by holding it steady on its edge. A sign of good paddling is the ability to carve to carry speed efficiently, rather than sliding into eddies and catching edges with a flat boat. For the best …
There are three sweep variations an intermediate/advanced paddler should know and practice. The aggressive sweep, the last half of a full sweep(the stern draw), and the full sweep. Let’s look at each type of sweep, and study where and when it is most effective. Aggressive sweep, Leading with eyes and chest In the aggressive sweep …
A dramatic technique debate is working its way through paddling schools and circles of paddling instructors. At question is the torso motion in the forward sweep. Torso Rotation… The great debate A dramatic technique debate is working its way through paddling schools and circles of paddling instructors. At question is the torso motion in the …
Eddy turns are the foundation for controlling the speed of your descent down the the river. In the quiet of the eddy, you can look at the rest of the rapid, rest, and line up for your next move or get out to portage. By paddling into the eddy at the correct angle with a …
A ferry is a maneuver that gets you across the river, from an eddy onone side to an eddy on the other side. While this is practical for maneuvering, the ferry is best because it can move you into fun surf waves. You start in the eddy, facing upstream. A ferry is a maneuver that …
To kayak surf in the river, look for a wave that starts right next to an eddy. You’ll ferry into position so your boat is acually sliding down the wave. The key to getting on a wave is knowing exactly where to aim when leaving the eddy, and controlling your boat position in the wave …
The knee lift and torso motion is the basic concept behind the low and high brace, the defensive maneuvers that can help keep you rightside up. A brace requires pretty much paddle dexterity, so you should probably learn to roll first. A brace, improperly done, can put your shoulder at risk. So, many instructors prefer …