Learn Kayak Paddling Techniques

Learning how to paddle a kayak forward is easy. But focusing on a proper technique ensures that you can hit the paddle on your body faster, more efficiently, and with less stretch. Here are the primary elements of a good forward stroke. But keep in mind that the ideal paddling technique also depends on your physical condition and the style of your paddle. Make sure you are holding your paddle correctly before proceeding.

1) Good posture is important if you are using your body efficiently. Sit up straight, relax your shoulders, and open your chest for ease and efficiency in breathing. Do not lean against the rest.

2) Place your feet together with the feet against the feet. Adjust the sideways so that your knees are slightly bent and you are able and press them against the kayak for extra balance when needed. Keeping your feet together allows better torso rotation and makes paddling more efficient.

Make sure you have proper foot-pegs, which you can push against.

3) Your torso and legs will do most of the work. Your shoulders and hands are only for transmitting power. To learn the principle, try paddling by rotating your torso and keeping your arms perfectly straight.

When you place the blade in the water, imagine yourself pulling your paddle upward.

4) At the beginning of your stroke, coil your torso so that you keep the blade in water with your feet and close to the water line of the kayak. Keep your lower hand almost straight. Relax by turning your upper arm slightly so that your upper wrist is slightly closer to your eyes.

Press your stroke-side leg firmly against the sidewalk. Dip the blade in water with a sprain motion.

5) Begin the paddling stroke by opening your torso and keeping the lower arm straight. Keep pressing the stroke-side leg against the footpeg to support the stroke. Try to generate more power at the beginning of the stroke, less at the end. In this way you generate strength with the strong muscles of your torso, and right when your paddle is in the water at its most favorable angle.

Relax your upper hand and hold the paddle loosely, allowing your muscles to relax. Keep your upper hand at eye level, and to move your upper hand across your body, allow the paddle to be held vertically.

End the stroke when your lower arm is about level with your abdomen. It will feel natural to continue forward, but it slows you down.

6) After the stroke, move the blade back out of the water and away from the kayak. Raise the blade from the water by leading with the elbow. And allows the wrist to follow. Take care not to lift your elbows above shoulder level. Follow your upper arm rotation of your torso.

7) After lifting the blade with water, prepare it for the next stroke. Keep stroking your upper torso so that you can extend the next stroke as far as possible.

8) Try to maintain a steady flow, but pay attention to each paddling stroke. Remember that paddling is not the same as paddling in a straight line, so keep reading the following tutorial.

Common mistake:
- poor posture
- insufficient torso rotation
- Ending the stroke too late and far behind the hip
- Push the upper hand too far, creating a less effective blade angle
- Shaking the kayak aside with a sudden change in weight
- Allow the wrist to bend