How to Paddle a Sea Kayak for Beginners

Knowing how to properly paddle a sea kayak is a necessary skill that you need to maintain safety in the water. Paddles on your sea kayak are free moving paddles so it's a little different from paddling a water craft with fixed paddles. When you figure out how to paddle, you'll easily guide your sea kayak through the water.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Paddling Straight

1. Grasp the shaft of the paddle with a secure yet gentle grip. Your arms should be comfortably placed in front of your body.

2. Pull one end of the paddle straight down into the water.

3. Use a U-shaped sweeping motion to guide the paddle through the water and back out of the water.

4. Repeat these steps. Alternate sides to keep your kayak in a straight line.

Paddling Turns

5. Grasp the paddle with a firm but gentle grip with your arms placed comfortably in front of your body.

6. Using a firm stroke, place the paddle straight into the water on the side opposite of the way you want to turn. Paddle left for a right turn and right for a left turn.

7. Pull the paddle through the water using a U-shaped sweeping motion until the paddle is out of the water.

8. Continue to paddle on the side necessary until you complete your turn.

Resting Turns

9. Grasp the paddle with a solid but gentle grasp. Relax your arms.

10. Place the paddle in the water on the side you want to turn. Use the right side for a right turn or left side for a left turn.

11. Keep your paddle stationary until the turn is completed. It may be necessary to paddle to keep your kayak moving.

12. Remove the paddle from the water when the turn is complete.

Tips & Warnings

• If you want to kayak faster, make your paddle strokes stronger and faster.
• Never go kayaking without wearing a properly fitted life jacket.

Who Can Help Sponsored

• Tired of Being Tired? Fight Fatigue and Try FRS for FREE!

[safety7]

on 6/18/2009 Sponsons (50 cents home-made)are the only means of true rescue: www.sponsonguy.com
Tim Ingram