Kayak Information
Welcome! If you are reading this then you are
probably new to the sport of kayaking or are thinking about getting
started in it. We are extremely excited that so many people are
discovering kayaking as a source of adventure, fun and exercise - we've
enjoyed it for years and love bringing people into the sport.
What is a kayak?
By definition, a kayak is a decked boat which is paddled from a seated
position using a two-bladed paddle. Contrast this with a canoe, which is a
non-decked boat paddled from a kneeling position with a single-bladed
paddle. If you have perused our site then you know that this definition
leaves a lot of room for our designers to work in.
Are kayaks easy to tip over?
Well, if you have seen "The Poseidon Adventure" then you know
you can roll any boat over. Kayaks have a much undeserved
reputation for being tippy, however. People look at a wide canoe and a
narrow kayak and assume that the canoe is much more stable. The difference
is in the center of gravity in both boats. A canoe has to be wider because
the paddler is up higher in the boat. We can make kayaks narrower (which
increases performance) because you are sitting very low in the boat. In a
kayak you also have the advantage of your paddle. Just like a tightrope
walker you have a pole held across your body that increases your balance.
So in practice, kayaks aren't any more tippy than canoes or any other
small boats.
If you are still concerned with tipping over, try a
recreational
kayak. They are designed with super-stable wide hulls.
What do I need to get started in kayaking?
Beyond the boat itself, you'll need a double-bladed kayak paddle, a PFD
(personal flotation device, colloquially referred to as a life jacket), and a way
to transport the kayak. All our kayaks are car-toppable, and most will
travel nicely on even smaller cars with nothing more than some foam
blocks, rope, and a bit of ingenuity. Voyageur
sells a nice foam-block kayak carrier kit that works great. However, if
your first kayak is a high-end composite boat you will want to buy a nice
rack with kayak saddles to protect it during transport.
A PFD is an absolute must. With new PFD's being stylish and
comfortable, as well as providing a perfect place to put your keys while
on the water there is simply no excuse not to wear one at all times.
If you have a traditional closed cockpit kayak then you may want to
pick up a spray skirt too. (In a closed-cockpit kayak most of your legs
fit up under the forward deck.) Our
recreational
boats are designed to be paddled without a spray skirt, or with a
specially sized skirt. The skirt will help keep the sun off, the water
out, and keep you warmer in the fall and winter. It also allows you to
roll your kayak, but we won't be doing that our first time out!
Okay, I'm in the kayak. Now what?
Just start paddling! A few basic strokes are all you need to have a
great time in a kayak. Here's how to do them:
Forward Stroke
Sit upright, or lean slightly forward. Plant the right paddle blade,
with your right arm fully extended. The blade should enter the water
around your right foot. Keep your left elbow bent, and your left hand at
about chin level.
Rotate your torso to the right, and begin to extend your left hand,
while drawing the right blade toward the direction of your torso movement.
The blade should travel parallel to the boat, and stop at your hip.
Quickly raise the right blade, rotate the paddle shaft to orient the
left blade perpendicular to the water (feathered paddles only), and plant
the left blade.
Repeat the stroke.
Reverse Stroke
There are times when you need to move your kayak backwards. To execute
a proper reverse stroke, plant the right blade at your hip. Bend your
right elbow, and keep your left arm almost fully extended. Your left hand
should be at or slightly to the right of the deck centerline.
Thrust your right hand forward, rotating your torso to the left.
Straighten your right arm as your left elbow bends. The paddle blade
should travel parallel to the direction of travel. End the stroke as the
blade reaches your feet.
Raise the right blade, feather the shaft, and plant the left blade at
your hip. Continue the stroke on your left side.
Okay, I'm, moving back and forth. How do I turn this thing?
The bow sweep is the most effective turning stroke. It not only turns
your kayak, but stabilizes it, too. To turn to the left, reach forward and
plant the paddle by your right foot. Your right arm should be fully
extended, and your left elbow bent.
Sweeping the blade in an arc away from the bow, turn your torso toward
the right. Extend your left arm across the right gunwale as you bend your
right elbow. The stroke should end at your hip.
When done properly, your boat will turn quickly, while maintaining its
speed. For even better results, lean the boat toward the sweeping paddle.
This shortens the waterline length of the boat and reduces turning
resistance.
Okay, what happens if I start to turn over?
An effective brace can save you from an unwanted capsize. The simplest
way to correct your balance is to continue ahead with a strong forward
stroke. This will tend to stabilize your boat. If this fails, and you
begin to fall over, use a high or low brace.
Both strokes allow you to catch yourself before you capsize. To low
brace, present the back of the blade toward the water. As you continue to
lean, push the blade into the water. After you steady the boat, roll the
paddle face back and remove it from the water.
A high brace relies on the power face of the blade to right the boat.
This type of brace provides the most power, but requires some care when
using. To high brace, push the power face of the blade into the water.
Raise your knee sharply to right the boat. Be careful: this brace can hurt
your shoulder if done improperly. Always keep your hands in front of and
below your shoulders to minimize the chance of injury.
I didn't read the last section about bracing and now I'm upside
down. What now?
Now you get to practice self-rescue techniques. First step - don't
panic! It is easier to get out of a kayak upside down than right-side up.
The wet exit is the most basic form of self rescue. When you're upside
down and can't right yourself, knowing how to safely exit your kayak is
essential. If you find yourself upside down, stay calm and do the
following:
Grasp the sprayskirt grab loop with one hand (hang onto that paddle
with the other!) and pull it forward and up. This should release the skirt
from the coaming.
Put your hands on the deck of the boat, next to the
coaming (still have your paddle?), and push yourself out of the boat. Lean
forward as you exit the boat. When you surface, try to stay in contact
with your kayak unless you are in surf. If this happens, do not get
between your boat and the shore. Failure to do this can lead to serious
injury.
I've successfully wet-exited my kayak. Do I need to start
swimming?
Not if you have the proper gear. The paddle float rescue allows you to
quickly reenter a swamped boat. Practice this technique before using it in
real conditions.
| Inflate the paddle float (you always carry one, right?). Place
it over one paddle blade and secure. Clamp the paddle shaft
between your hand and the back of the cockpit rim. You can also
place the free blade under the shockcord located aft of the
cockpit. |
1
|
|
2
|
Climb across the aft deck and swing your legs
into the cockpit opening. It may help to place a leg across the
paddle shaft. As you slide your legs into the cockpit opening,
rotate your body so you'll end this maneuver facing forward. Be
sure to lean toward the paddle float.
|
|
3
|
4
|
|
5
|
Once you are comfortably in your kayak, use the
paddle / float combination to stabilize your boat. Use your
bilge pump (you always carry one, right again?) to empty your
kayak.
|
|
