Ready to take things to the next level? Spend some time with the pros. They've got plenty of tips, tricks and techniques to share.
Forward Sweep with Edgingby Alex Matthews
One of the best ways to turn a sea kayak is to use a forward sweep stroke combined with some boat tilt. While the forward sweep can be used when stationary, or when moving, the wonderful thing about using it while moving is that it lets you turn your boat effectively while keeping your forward speed going.
by Alex Matthews
With the right plan of action, getting into and out of a kayak is easy. And yet, for beginner paddlers, this is precisely the maneuver that is most likely to result in an unplanned dunking.
by Alex Matthews
In a lot of ways, launching your kayak from a dock is really convenient. Docks often provide great public access to areas that may otherwise be devoid of good launch sites like beaches.
by Alex Matthews
Before you can go kayaking, you have to get your boat to the water and sadly this usually means carrying it. "Many hands make light work" so it's always a great idea to get your paddling partners to help haul your boat, but if your kayak is light enough, or if you're strong enough, you may sometimes want to try a solo carry.
by Alex Matthews
Transporting kayaks can be stressful, and it's the task of securely tying boats to the roof of a vehicle that can be particularly intimidating. And with good reason, because most serious damage to kayaks is incurred during transportation, not while paddling.
by Alex Matthews
As its name implies the high brace lean turn combines a high brace with boat tilt to create a powerful turning stroke. The high brace component is used for support on the inside of the turn, while the kayak is tilted in the same direction - the same way that you would angle a motorcycle into a corner.
by Greg Leung
Step-by-step instructions for how to successfully do a C to C roll, including an underwater view.
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by Alex Matthews
The high brace is definitely the most powerful of the recovery strokes. In fact, a good paddler can even use the high brace to recover when their boat is almost completely upside down!
by Alex Matthews
The sculling draw is a powerful stroke used to move a kayak sideways. Not only is the ability to move a kayak laterally helpful for pulling up beside a dock or another boat, it's also a key maneuver in almost every assisted rescue technique.
by Alex Matthews
No matter how good your balance is, sometimes you will lose it. A brace is a stroke used to recover when you've been thrown off balance, or used in anticipation of potentially losing balance.
by Alex Matthews
The low brace lean turn is the most basic and fundamental of moving turns. And it's a skill that will come in handy in all types of water conditions.
by Alex Matthews
The 'scramble' is exactly what it sounds like: a rescue technique that has a swimmer climb back on top of their boat, and then slide back into the cockpit, all without the aid of another paddler's help, or the use of any dedicated rescue gear.
by Alex Matthews
While other strokes involve a catch and release point, sculling lets you get steady support from your paddle.