How to Use an Umbrella for Kayak Sailing

Provided there is enough wind, kayak sailing is a great way to give your arms a break from paddling. Effective ways to harness the wind while on a kayak include using a tarp sail, a wind-surfing sail, a parasail, or bed sheets. However, the easiest way to sail on a kayak when you feel tired is to simply bring an umbrella with you. This is easily stored when you are paddling and easy to set up when you wish to sail. If the wind is strong enough, you can use the umbrella to sail even faster than you can paddle.

Things You'll Need

• Heavy duty umbrella

Instructions

1. Purchase the appropriate umbrella. The umbrella must be strong enough to keep its shape even when under strong wind pressure. A golf umbrella would be a great choice due to its greater size and strength.

2. Store the umbrella under the deck bungee cords of the kayak when not sailing.

3. Open the umbrella and hook the handle on some of the deck bungee cords when you are paddling downwind in a slight breeze. Make sure the umbrella is fastened tight. This allows you paddle while you sail in light winds.

4. In stronger winds, pull the umbrella out of its storage place and open it. Point the concave side of the umbrella toward the direction of the wind.

Tips & Warnings

• If the wind is too strong and is turning your umbrella inside out, point the concave side of the umbrella slightly away from the wind direction. This lessens the wind pressure on the umbrella.

References

• Umbrella Sailing
• The Physics of Sailing

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish