New paddling inspiration, tip, trip or technique video EVERY week!
Watch Ed, Dave and Moo on their kayaking, canoe and SUP adventures. It's all about having fun on the water.
Dave has kayaked since the 80s whereas Ed and Moo are building their paddling confidence and skills.
Dave is a Paddlesport Instructor and a trainee Kayak Coach. He promotes safe paddling and runs engaging and fun paddlesport sessions for hundreds of participants across the UK.
We make donations to the British Heart Foundation (BHF). It's a charity very close to Dave's heart (pun intended).
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**PADDLESPORTS CAN BE DANGEROUS **
Please follow ALL safety and paddling guidelines before starting out. The advice on this channel is given in good faith and must be assessed by YOU to be suitable for YOUR needs.
Can't believe I did not guess where you was at the end of part 2 considering I've been there. Great video mate 👍 and very interesting. I would be no good at that job because when I'm on the water I have to stop every hour for a pee Haha
Great video mate. Also sorry because I thought I subscribe to your channel after watching your last video BUT I must have forgot, however I have now, so looking forward to seeing many more. Now going to watch part 2. Cheers 👍
I parked in the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct Car Park (maps.app.goo.gl/xXTJQV4MJr6vquhBA) and there is a charge for parking. I got three hours parking, but, in busy times, you may need more! Park at the far end of the car park, it's nearer the canal. Thanks for the comment and hope things are well.
Water safety for triathlons is brilliant, I really enjoy doing those, especially getting alongside the swimmers that are really struggling and giving them the encouragement to get to the end of the swim, really rewarding.
Hi, good review. I have a per myself and like you think there great, however, a little warning for you if water get in they do take a few days to dry out.
Sorry for my early comment, it was a bit overdramatic and unhelpful. This isn't how I or any kayak instructors I know would teach the roll, but it wont kill anyone to try some different approaches as they develop
Thank you. I decided to break down the roll in to all the steps so it's clear what I do. In teaching this, I would combine multiple steps to make it easier for the paddler to learn and do. Happy paddling.
Just seen this video and think it is perfect for getting you started on your kayak rolling journey. And as Dave said, practice every time you use your kayak, and you will soon find a way to roll that suits you. Cheers Dave.
another great video 👍 on another note a while ago you did a video about getting in your kayak on the river , well after watching that I tried my first seal launch 😆 and loved it now I do it at every opportunity😂 so many thanks for that video .
Absolutely. And it's worse if the water is cold. Grabbing a breath does become natural after a few practices. Thank you for your comment. Happy paddling.
This is the previous version of the NRS Ninja (pre-2024). The newer one has a bigger pocket and supposedly a more comfortable fit. Personally I am looking at getting the Ninja OS which has more D-ring mount points and is meant for open water/recreational use. The base Ninja is more for white water, while the Pro is for rescue.
Hip "flick": As an older person, I hate the term 'flick'. It suggest a fast, very dynamic and somewhat aggressive motion, that's not always possible with that flick visualisation. I prefer the buttock swap view, especially if practised statically upright. In practice (I visualise) it's the rotation of the boat such that it is tucked underneath the upper body by bringing the 'far away' thigh across and under one's belly button (no heads are raised during this manoeuvre;-)
Common 'fault' I've seen for new paddlers learning to roll is the 'cocked' wrist at set-up, which is (they have) over forced. When they invert and move focus to the sweep, the wrist relaxes and the paddle angle, especially if held by the front hand (rather than Dave's 'trick' of using the rear hand against the throat of the rear paddle), is now set up for a dive rather than a supporting stroke. pool training suggestion: Using a body board as a paddle float is a great help for separating the setup practice, from the sweep/finish practice. Place the paddle on the board and then reverse the recovery to invert into the water. It quickly becomes obvious that the initial sweep out is important to get leverage for the rotation aspect of the roll, and also allows/ensures that beginners 'get up' for the last bit where head position would be key.
Yes, I've seen the common fault too. The roll is so ingrained in my muscle memory, I move my back hand automatically to 'feel' for the rear blade. I can't remember it ever slicing using this method. Love the pool training suggestion. Thanks for your comment.
For extra teaching of kayak 'lean' (edging), folks should try the buttock test/exercise. On flat water, initially with both buttocks equally weighted, shift one's weight onto a single buttock (as if on a bar stool), this will edge the boat, and with a little more weighting the opposing knee will engage with the thigh brace (the classic 'lift the knee'). All this without any real need to lean the upper body, which for beginners is a common 'fear' of sticking your weight over the edge of the boat and over balancing. The 'weight a buttock' approach avoids that fear of over balnce and separates the boat edging from the body lean, and promotes hip/pelvis flexure (aka hip flick..)
Additional points.. Reversing in with most river kayaks while leaning forward until beached, and then lean back which makes the boat 'sit hard' on the sloping bank makes for an easier exit. remember the point of balance is on the centre line, so when stepping out always have the foot that stays in the boat on the centre line (if it's offset the boat will wobble). When standing up, use both arms equally in a A frame stance to maximise stability. Practice on dry land first ;-)
I'm still shocked these things are allowed to exist. Forget kayakers, imagine a kid falling into one. They should have designed in kickouts so a swimmer has a chance to move to the side and be freed.
I agree. In fairness, many are being re-designed to allow fish to easily spawn back upstream. This can make them a little safer. Thanks for your comment.
Also worth reflecting how much the 'get on' is just the same as a ferry glide, perhaps initiated from an eddy (i.e. practice easy first) Then as a direct consequent, that the exit of the wave is just like either exiting a ferry glide into an eddy, or exiting an eddy into a sharp change of flow (includes the turn). And "cheat" (in the best possible way) by changing the visualisation to an easier skill you (the learner) already have, or visualise that the 'instructor' had to give up as they exited (see also 360 turns while straight running) ;-)
Iron works: older weirs often have repairs made by filing hessian sacks with sand cement mix and then pinning (length of rebar) them into the existing weir to fill holes and support unstable parts. Over time these bags can eroded leaving the rust sharpened rebar protruding. A few years back there was concerted effort to trim many of these back on the stanley weir on the river Tay. Anything Victorian or earlier is likely to have iron spikes all over the place (inc fencing extending into the river banks)..
Dave, you really gotta treat yourself. A good paddle makes SUCH a difference. I'd say something like a fibreglass werner/VE is the absolute minimum standard. I would honestly rather have a good paddle and rubbish kayak than a good kayak and rubbish paddle.
Thanks for the comment. Perhaps time to put my hand in my pocket and upgrade. I agree that it's best to have at least an average quality paddle when starting out. As you progress, a better paddle will certainly help - as you say. Have fun and happy paddling.
My favourite paddle is a lendle paddle which I won in a competition many years ago. 72 degrees lefty, made specifically for me. That is the only thing I have ever won in my life. I also use a Greenland paddle that I made myself. I very seldom use anything else to be honest. Happy paddling.
#1 tip, look where you want to go both at the start and through the glide. Pick a point on the opposite bank and focus on it thorough the Glide. This will help set the angle and initiate the lean by turning your shoulder and raising the upstream knee. Many beginners focus on looking at the bow which will keep the boat flat giving you less control.
I have tried various permutations on my rockhopper, and in the rockhopper, but the one you suggest is probably the best. Unless you can talk someone else in to carrying them for you. I have done that in the past. Obvious drawbacks to that too.
Is that Nafford Weir on the Avon? That was my local play spot for years! Got dangerous in flood as the stopper crept up the weir and spread in front of the bridge pillar
It is indeed! That was at high water as you point out. Very dangerous. Here it is on a more relaxed level though: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-R-eLHgwzVMc.htmlsi=eZyOyvw_rvlhOhl3 - Thanks for your comment.
@@EdDaveKayaking believe or not you can helix in that stopper when it’s got enough water going down Still scraped my helmet though Also, used to surf it on the paddle board but the shelf drops away quickly and you’re left with some boulders that can hurt your ankles if you’re not careful
I started in a Perception Mirage mid 80's, then the same boat in the 90's, i did my 3 star in a Mirage with no outfitting, just a seat lol and foot pegs :)
Thanks for the comment and great to hear of your kayak history! I started out in a Dancer - and loved it! Mind you, no other choices then so we all had the same kayaks!
