Proper Technique for Paddling a Kayak

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I have been paddling kayaks for about 14 years. It is still always good to watch proper technique tutorial videos. These are great for experienced paddlers, and even better for beginners. Thanks for making kayaks even more fun, and safer for everyone. All of my paddles can be feathered for either left or right handed people. I'm a south paw.

For a feathered paddle, the control hand doesn't need to twist the shaft much if at all. That natural action of raising and lower the control hand as you paddle changes the angle of the whole forearm and it is mostly this that rotates the shaft so the wrist should not be under any undue stress from it. Don't worry, it won't cause RSI. There is nothing in the video about paddling efficiently. While beginners are encouraged to just paddle however they want, that does not serve them to enjoy a fatigue free paddle. There are well established techniques that will greatly improve a paddlers endurance. The arms are weak and paddling with just the arms will soon bring fatigue. You can improve this situation by mostly twisting the torso to make each stroke. This way, the more powerful diagonal muscles in the back power the paddle stroke. But yet, there is more. If the legs are comfortably bent & knees not solidly locked into knee rests, the paddler can, during the power stroke also extend the power side leg, to push on the foot rest, while at the same time raise the opposite knee so the leg on that side is shortened. This has the effect of rotating the pelvis to hep drive the stroke from the much more powerful leg muscles, through the pelvis, core, torso and arms. It shares the l paddling load through more capable muscle groups, protecting the weaker ones form fatigue. You are not only engaging the bodies most powerful and endurance tuned muscles now, but also greatly extending the paddle stroke length. While this is a racing technique, you don't have to use it that way, just keep your effort within your own comfortable limits and this will greatly increase the time and range you comfortably and confidently enjoy exploring the waterways, whatever your current fitness happens to be. While this is a racing technique, don't treat it all serious & competitive like that. Just use it to enjoy more time exploring more of the waterways. I hope some find this helpful.

That's a paddlin'

thanks buddy. After 1.5 years of paddling, I start realizing (some of) my mistakes. Trying to correct them one by one. cheers .🍻

High quality demo, thanks for posting

Thank you this video was so helpful!

This video is about general paddling technique. If you're looking for a video that breaks down the proper technique for the forward stroke in a kayak, including the use of torso rotation to maximize the efficiency of your forward stroke, here's the link. https://youtu.be/F2fGKNFEURw

Thanks for posting. Nice video. I will try using those techniques for my next paddling session on the water.

It took me many viewings plus a few hours on the water to realize what I was doing wrong - trying to stay dry. Once I ignored drips from my paddles, it all clicked. I doubled my range instantly and was far less tired. Synthetic clothes soaked and maybe took on a pint of water.

Thanks for the tips! Where did you film the video? Looks like a great spot to paddle.

Thanks for posting. Nice video.  I will try using those techniques for my next paddling session on the water.  I've only paddled 60 miles since starting with a kayak paddle, and I think I've picked up a few bad habits of paddling form.  :-(

Thank you for all you do!

Thanks for the video, super useful!

A paddle offset to either side can be used by both left- and right-handed people. There is no correct way there. And feathered paddles isn't mainly used to reduce air-resistance, but to allow for a better technique.

Definitely gotta rotate when stroking the shaft

Hi from NZ, I love the video but as a first time kayaker I'm trying to figure out what gives the most power and/or stability. I can keep the paddles relatively shallow and hold them low - more like when I was rowing - or I can dig them in steeply. Somewhere between those two I keep scraping the paddle against the hand-loop bolted to the hull. And when I'm keeping the paddle as shallow as possible, I found that I can then pivot my upper body and kinda swing the paddle to add power to my arms, but this is less stable and the additional power makes the kayak snake more through the water. How can we get max power without it snaking, is that technique or hull design? All that said, you DID show me like a billion examples of people actually paddling lol - so I can SEE that you favour the steeper entry, which requires holding them higher than I have been so I'll give that a go. Thanks!

This was very helpful! Only feedback would be to reduce the volume of the music.

Hi, do you have any tips for thumb pain/skin on the thumbs being grazed off when paddling? as I feel I am doing the same holding technique as you are, thanks🙏🏻

Cool