Virtual Instruction
Teaching the roll in 5 minutes or less
One of our paddling club’s members avows he can teach anyone to roll within five minutes. Over the years, I have witnessed his instruction and cannot dispute the claim. His step-by-step approach is shown in this captioned photo album: Step-by-Step Roll Instruction . The initial result (within the five minutes) is an extended paddle roll. … Continue reading
Paddle with those better than you
In Len Deighton’s “The Ipcress File” (one of his earliest and best novels), there’s an account of a German factory that imports workers from Africa. Working alongside their established counterparts, the immigrants learn quickly and perform very well. Encouraged by this, the company builds another factory in the African village that was the source of … Continue reading
What to do if you capsize your kayak in cold water
There’s no doubt that cold water represents the most relevant, dangerous, and underappreciated of the objective hazards faced by the average sea kayaker. Immersion in cold water (<60F) will quickly incapacitate you and put you at risk for the development of hypothermia; a life-threatening condition where the body systematically shuts down in response a drop … Continue reading
Things to consider when starting a paddling group…
Perhaps that’s jumping the gun and we should first address the why. There is a critical mass point of membership quantity that gains advantages for all. For example, with increased numbers you can consistently do events that require a minimum participation level to be safe and viable. The load for planning and running events gets … Continue reading
An under-appreciated roll to add to your skill set
I come to praise the back deck (aka rodeo) roll, not to bury it. Maligned by many whitewater devotees and almost unheard of among the sea kayaking clan, this technique for escaping the oxygen-free paddling position offers benefits worth considering: Its primary virtue is that it’s quick. With almost no set-up, you can initiate the … Continue reading
Transition from whitewater to sea kayak roll
What factors make the transition from rolling a whitewater kayak to rolling a sea kayak so challenging? The KayakDave.com staff chimes in: Captain Hank’s Take: My club has roll coaching and practice year round, employing indoor and outdoor pools. I’ve noticed that whitewater paddlers often have trouble making the transition to a sea kayak and … Continue reading
When is it too cold for kayaking???
When is it too cold for kayaking, you ask?? The answer really depends on what type of paddling you enjoy. Many of us consider kayaking to be a summer-only activity and are more than content to hang up the paddling gear for the season when things start to get cold outside. Others will paddle on … Continue reading
To Instruct or Not to Instruct…That is the Question!
For many kayaking instructors paddling is much more about passion than work and you’ll often find us out on the water without a class in tow. I always enjoy the chance encounter with fellow members of the paddling community on my “off-the-clock” excursions. It’s nice to see others enjoying the sport that I love so … Continue reading
Most Epic Sea Kayaking Adventures #10: North American Odyssey
So it’s an epic adventure you’re looking for, huh?? Well, try this one on for size: 3-years to travel 11700 miles over the river and through the woods from Bellingham, WA to grandma’s house in Key West, FL…via the Arctic Circle. Substitute planes, trains, and automobiles for kayaks, canoes, and dog sleds. Oh, and lets’ … Continue reading
Kayak Dave’s Opinion of the Proposed Changes to MA Boating Safety Laws
My recent post entitled “Understanding the MA Boating Safety Laws That Apply to Kayakers” sparked a lot of discussion and debate in the ranks of the KayakDave.com kayaking instructors. In reviewing my original post I came to the conclusion that I tried to do too much by attempting to include my reaction to some of … Continue reading