How To Kayak - Improve Your Skills 

Thanks a ton Zachary!! That is one of the best things about kayaking. It doesnt really matter what type of paddling you do, or what river you are on. Just being on the water kind of resets everything. Thanks for the encouragement and congrats on starting your paddling journey!!

Love to hear that. My journey started fall of 2019 at 43. This past July I did the middle Ocoee. From short day trips exploring local (DFW) creeks, rivers, and lakes to kayak camping to whitewater (lots of driving for this) it's been great and so helpul to my mental and physical health. This old dog has learned a lot of new tricks over the past few years. I hope your recent trip is also the first of many more to come.

I had to try...LOL!

Indeed Boden! Great point! On the videos, I have found I have to pick and choose just what to talk about or they will all be 2 hours long! LOL. On another note, I dont consider myself a formal teacher with students per se...more of a slightly more experienced friend that loves to help out where I can. Since I never accept any compensation, I can be sure they are getting what they pay for! LOL. Thanks!

He made a ton of improvement! Just gotta get that seat time and reps in there!

Right on Tim! Keep an eye out on the used market...there are some deals to be found...

Right on RD!

Thanks a ton Philip!

@@RiverKingsKayak One of the real basic things I teach to (usually older) beginners is the 'buttocks' visualisation for balance, as in, sitting on a bar stool and shifting buttock to get the edging, separate from a whole body lean. It also works quite well for an alternative to the "hip flick/snap", which sounds far too dynamic for those of us of a certain age. The buttock shift (like a 'bumps-a-daisy' in some old dances) can then be visualised as 'doable' and smooth (I wrote it up in the recent Scottish "Paddler" magazine). When folks say raise the knee, they just mean sit on the other buttock ;-) ! Keep up the good work.

Thanks Richard!

Thats a good way to put it Jerry!

Yes, we would call that edging. Not enough edge and you get flipped. Too much edge and you get pushed down stream. Locking in just the right amount to not flip yet still be able to surf is key...the river will let you know...LOL! It just takes seat time to be able to look at it and tell. Err on the side of too much edge and walk it back if you are in doubt...

@@RiverKingsKayak Thanks, Pete!

Yes, and surfing the flow where there isn't a wave as well...the act of ferrying has much to do with maintaining the boat angle which will push the boat right or left. Whether there is a wave there or not, you are basically surfing the flow from one side to the other. In this case, there are waves and areas with no waves. Coming in and out of those areas are what gave Anthony trouble. Learning the nuances of how to maintain that boat angle whilst coming in and out of the different flow types just takes lots of repetitions. hope that helps!

@@RiverKingsKayak thanks for the explanation! Do you have another video you'd recommend for the introduction of boat angle/surfing? In swifter water most of my ferries turn into peel outs.

yes... here are a couple ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-efu8u5CoW5U.html ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-wwfvFCSYbhI.html

right on Alvis!

Right on Todd!!

Here you go... en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S._National_Whitewater_Center

@@RiverKingsKayak Thanks sir. Not sure why I couldn’t find that on my search of the interweb. Ive seen a few of your videos at the usnwc where you call a few rapids by name when talking about them so I figured you’d know. I appreciate it.

@@codychitwood2383 yes sir!

LOL! I would like to know myself...sometimes it runs out! LOL

RiverKingPete@gmail.com

@@RiverKingsKayak emailed