Pete D, Author at Kayak Help

The water knot is a good knot to use in webbing and can be used for a variety of things. Step 1: Create a small overhand as shown below. Step 2: Follow the initial path you created in step 1. Step 3: Pull the knot tight.

How to Tie the Trucker’s Hitch Knot

The trucker’s hitch knot is a great knot to secure heavier loads and is a good knot for you kayaking knot repertoire. Step 1: Create a small loop within your rope. Step 2: Below the loop grab the rope and pull it through the initial loop. Step 3: Take the end of the rope and bring it … Read more How to Tie the Trucker’s Hitch Knot

How to Tie a Tautline Hitch

The taut-line hitch knot is a great knot to tie around an object if you need to the hitch to move freely. The taut-line knot can be useful if you are kayak camping because it can be used for securing a tent to tent poles. Step 1: Loop the end of your rope around the object. … Read more How to Tie a Tautline Hitch

How to Tie a Square Knot

The square knot is one of the easiest knots to tie and a relatively quick knot to learn. It can temporarily tie to knots together but it is not recommended since the square knot is fairly insecure. Step 1: Take two ropes and lie them side by side facing each other. Step 2: Cross the ropes over … Read more How to Tie a Square Knot

How to Tie a Sheet Bend Knot

The sheet bend knot is a great knot to quickly tie to ropes together. This kayaking knot can be an alternative to the double fisherman’s knot. Step 1: Double up the middle of one of your ropes. Step 2: Bring the end of the other rope underneath the loop and then around both sides of the loop. Step 3: Bring the … Read more How to Tie a Sheet Bend Knot

How to Tie a Sheepshank Knot

A sheepshank knot can shorten a rope while you are a kayaking. It is not a strong know but can come in handy if you need to take up slack within your rope. Step 1: Create a large Z within the middle of your rope. Step 2: At the end of each side of the Z create … Read more How to Tie a Sheepshank Knot

How to Tie a Running Bowline Knot

The running bowline knot is useful for kayaking if you need to lasso an object while kayaking. The running bowline know creates and open loop that will tighten around an objects. Step 1: Create a large loop with the end of your line. Step 2: Create a smaller loop within the larger loop you just created. Step … Read more How to Tie a Running Bowline Knot

How to Tie a Rolling Hitch

The rolling hitch knot is a simple but secure knot that can be used to tie your kayak to a pole or rod. It is similar to the clove hitch but is a more secure kayaking knot. Step 1: Loop the end of your rope around the object. Step 2: Loop the end of your rope a second time making … Read more How to Tie a Rolling Hitch

How to Tie a Mooring Hitch

The mooring hitch is a good alternative to the clove hitch and is another good knot to add to your kayaking knot repertoire. The knot can be used to temporarily tie your kayak to a row or post. Step 1: Loop the rope around the object. Step 2: Create a loop with the end of the rope in front or on … Read more How to Tie a Mooring Hitch

How to Empty Water out of The Kayak

January 30, 2020September 18, 2018 by Pete D

Learning how to empty water out of a kayak is a good skill to have if you plan on kayaking in rough waters. If you are planning on kayaking alone then it is a must to know how to empty the water in your kayak. Solo Draining Emptying a kayak full of water while you … Read more How to Empty Water out of The Kayak

How to Tie a Heaving Line Knot

The heaving line knot is a great knot if you need a heavy end to your rope for throwing. Obviously, this a great kayaking knot to know since there are many cases where you might need to throw a rope. For example, if you do know have a rescue bag this knot could come in handy in … Read more How to Tie a Heaving Line Knot

How to Tie a Figure Eight Knot

The figure eight knot is known for its use in mountain or rock climbing but it can also be used in many kayaking scenarios. This knot is a great kayaking knot to know if you ever need a strong knot with a loop at the end of your rope. Step 1: Create the first figure eight at the … Read more How to Tie a Figure Eight Knot

How to Tie a Double Fisherman’s Knot

The double fisherman’s knot is a great knot to know if you need to tie two ropes together. Some kayakers even use this knot to create grab handles for their kayaks. Step 1: Take both ends of the rope and lie them side by side. Each end should be facing the opposite direction. Step 2: Wrap one … Read more How to Tie a Double Fisherman’s Knot

How to Tie a Constrictor Knot

The constrictor knot can be a useful knot to secure multiple similar shaped objects together while kayaking. For example, if you are kayak camping or it can come in handy to secure wood together. It is a strong knot that will knot (pun intended) come loose if tied tightly. Step 1: Wrap the object or objects … Read more How to Tie a Constrictor Knot

How to Tie a Clove Hitch Knot

The clove hitch knot is a simple hitch that can be used to tie a rope onto a post. While it is easy to tie and untie it is not the most secure knot. It can easily come undone if your kayak or the post moves. For kayaking, we recommend using this knot if you … Read more How to Tie a Clove Hitch Knot

How to Tie a Bowline Knot

The bowline knot is one of the most versatile and useful kayaking knots you can use. The knot itself is relatively simple to tie and does not get stuck when trying to untie it. It can be used to loop around objects to anchor your kayak. If you were to know only one kayaking knot, the bowline … Read more How to Tie a Bowline Knot

How to Tie a Buntline Hitch Knot

A buntline hitch knot is another useful kayaking knot to know how to tie. This knot can be used to tow another kayak and can also attach your kayak to a number of different objects such as a post or a rod. In fact it’s also the knot that is used to tie a business tie! Step 1: Loop … Read more How to Tie a Buntline Hitch Knot

How to tie a Bowline on a Bight Knot

A bowline on a bight knot is useful if you ever need a loop in your line and neither of the free ends of the rope are available. This knot is typically used by climbers to create footing knots or bosom’s chair but can be used for kayaking as well. In most scenarios you run … Read more How to tie a Bowline on a Bight Knot

Is Kayaking Expensive?

April 15, 2019September 18, 2018 by Pete D

Before you start kayaking, cost is one thing that you will probably be concerned with. The one question that you are probably asking yourself is, “Is kayaking expensive?” Although kayaking may seem like the type of activity that would cost a lot of money to start, it can be relatively affordable if you do your … Read more Is Kayaking Expensive?

How to Tow Another Kayak

While there are a lot of different techniques to get people back in their kayaks should they capsize while they’re out kayaking, these techniques are not all foolproof. It is always possible that no matter what you try, there is no way you can possibly get all of the water out of the kayak. If … Read more How to Tow Another Kayak

The High Support Stroke

The high support stroke is more difficult, but will also prevent capsizing. The high support stroke is similar to the low stroke in that it will help you to maintain your stability and prevent capsizing while you are on the water. However, it requires a different technique and is likely a bit harder than the … Read more The High Support Stroke

The HI-Rescue

The HI-rescue is a useful rescue technique if you have two kayaks to help.One of the things that you should do before you go kayak touring is to make sure that you know all of the necessary methods for helping yourself and other people who may be in the water. While it’s always useful to … Read more The HI-Rescue

The T-Rescue

The T-Rescue is a two-person method of righting a capsized kayak. One of the reasons that you should never go kayaking alone is that if you are with somebody else, then there are a lot of other techniques that you can use in case something goes wrong while you’re kayaking. For instance, you’ll have somebody … Read more The T-Rescue

The X-Rescue

September 29, 2018September 18, 2018 by Pete D

The X-rescue is one of the easiest kayak rescue techniques. If you are going to go kayaking and you’re worried about capsizing the kayak, don’t be too worried. There are several different easy to learn techniques that you can learn in order to make sure that your boat is righted as soon as possible. You … Read more The X-Rescue

Helping a Swimmer

Learning how to help swimmers is an important part of kayaking responsibly. While it’s not necessarily required in order for you to go kayaking to begin with, it is probably a good idea to have some experience helping out swimmers as a kayaker. This is due to the fact that when you’re out at sea, … Read more Helping a Swimmer

How to Measure Direction and Distances

This is one thing that might be somewhat difficult to do if you are in a kayak, and in fact, determining how far you are from something while you are on the water will have to be learned through practice and experience. This is one reason why you should never kayak alone, especially if you … Read more How to Measure Direction and Distances

Latitude and longitude Explained

Latitude and longitude are the two sets of circles that we use to divide up the earth into sections. These are also one of the most reliable ways for us to determine location and how far we are going to go. The easiest way, of course, to determine latitude and longitude is to use a … Read more Latitude and longitude Explained

Best Kayak Compass: Finding Your Way When High-Tech Fails

April 15, 2019September 18, 2018 by Pete D

GPS navigation has become so common that you may wonder why you should even bother with a compass. The uncomfortable truth is that while global positioning systems are a godsend for sea kayakers, they can and will fail. Dead batteries, malfunctions, interference from solar flares, and weak signals can leave you without this high-tech navigation … Read more Best Kayak Compass: Finding Your Way When High-Tech Fails

Currents Explained

Another thing that you need to watch out for if you’re going kayaking are ocean currents. Depending on where you are, they can either be a slight or a relatively important factor. You should always try to make sure that your trips will allow you to paddle with the current instead of against it, or … Read more Currents Explained

The Low Brace Turn

The low brace turn is one of the best ways to turn the kayak while in motion. One of the things you may find difficult when you’re first learning how to kayak is turning the kayak. There are basically two things that you can always try when you’re first learning how to kayak. First, some … Read more The Low Brace Turn

The Bow Rudder

The bow rudder is related to the bow/draw rudder, but it is slightly easier to perform. If you have learned the bow/draw rudder, you may want to look into learning the bow rudder as well. This stroke is used for turning while you are moving in your kayak, just like the bow/draw. However, this stroke … Read more The Bow Rudder

The Stern Rudder

The stern rudder is an easy to learn form of steering your kayak. The stern rudder is a quick way to turn your kayak. However, like all of the turning moves that require you to place your paddle in the water, it can have a dragging effect, and may slow you down considerably if you … Read more The Stern Rudder

The Support/Brace Strokes

The support/brace strokes can help you avoid capsizing. Another type of kayaking stroke that is often overlooked are the support/brace strokes. These strokes exist to help you gain some more control over your kayak if you are having trouble, or if you are in an area where the water has started to get rougher. Essentially, … Read more The Support/Brace Strokes

The Reverse Sweep Stroke

The reverse sweep stroke is also highly important to learn in order to turn your kayak. After you have mastered the forward sweep stroke, the reverse sweep stroke is another powerful turning move that you should consider learning in order to make your kayaking more effective. This stroke is also best learned while sitting still … Read more The Reverse Sweep Stroke

The Forward Sweep Stroke

The forward sweep stroke will help you turn your kayak effectively. While many new kayak models come with built in rudders, that is not the only, or the most effective way to turn your kayak. In fact, if you want your kayak to be as maneuverable as possible, you should practice strokes that will allow … Read more The Forward Sweep Stroke

Forward Paddling

Forward paddling seems easy, but there is room for improvement. Forward paddling is probably the most under-appreciated and under-practiced kayaking move. However, as you might imagine, this is the most important move that you can learn. Depending on where you’re going to be kayaking, and how long of a kayak tour you intend to go … Read more Forward Paddling

The Sculling Draw

The sculling draw is another effective sideways kayaking move. After you have learned the draw stroke, you may want to also learn the sculling draw. The primary uses for this kayak stroke are so that you can move the kayak sideways for more than just one short stroke. In fact, the sculling draw is the … Read more The Sculling Draw

The Draw Stroke

The draw stroke is an effective method of pulling your kayak to the side without turning. Once you’ve learned how to paddle forward and in reverse, you may want to learn the draw stroke. This stroke is also called “pulling” the kayak, and will help you to move from side to side in the kayak. … Read more The Draw Stroke

The Low Support Stroke

The low support stroke will help you maintain support while you’re kayaking. The first support or brace stroke that you should learn is the low support stroke. This is the easiest stroke for beginners to learn, so you should probably work on learning it first, before you start working on the high support stroke. There … Read more The Low Support Stroke

Sculling For Support

Sculling for support will keep you upright if your kayak is at rest. Even though you will probably learn several other strokes and kayaking moves that will help you to maintain your upright posture in your kayak, the more support strokes you know, the better. Another method that you can use to support your kayak … Read more Sculling For Support

Stopping Your Kayak

Stopping your kayak suddenly requires practice as well. When you are kayaking, stopping is one of the more difficult things that you can learn. While it is not always obvious as to why you will need this move, you should keep in mind that situations at sea can change rather rapidly. This is also the … Read more Stopping Your Kayak

Reverse Paddling

Reverse paddling is an important kayaking technique. While forward paddling is probably one of the most commonly used paddling strokes, reverse paddling is just as important. In fact, before you go kayaking, you should definitely practice both forward and reverse paddling to make sure that you have the necessary skills so that you do not … Read more Reverse Paddling

The Screw Roll

The screw roll is easier than the eskimo roll, but it still requires that you know the hip flick. If you’re looking for an easier sort of roll to learn, then you might want to look into learning the screw roll. This type of roll is generally recommended for beginner kayakers, and might be better … Read more The Screw Roll

The Put-Across Roll

A good kayak roll to teach beginners is the put-across roll. One of the biggest fears that most people have of kayaking is the worry that their kayak could capsize, and they would be trapped inside of it. Another fear is that there is no way to right an over turned kayak by yourself – … Read more The Put-Across Roll

The Lie Back Technique

If you’re having trouble learning rolls, try the lie back technique. The lie back is an important part of eskimo rolling technique. This will make it much easier for you to do the rolls you need to do, as well as help you to kayak better in general. The reason for this is that the … Read more The Lie Back Technique

An Introduction to Eskimo Rolling

If you’re planning on going kayak touring, one of the most important things you can do is learn the techniques associated with eskimo rolling. The reason for this is that if you’re touring in a sea kayak, and you are far from shore, it might not be feasible to get back into your kayak if … Read more An Introduction to Eskimo Rolling

Trunk Rotation

Trunk rotation is the most important part of being able to paddle a kayak. One thing that most people may not realize about kayaking is that most of the power for kayaking will not actually come from your arms. The reason for this is that when you think about it, even if you are only … Read more Trunk Rotation

The Wet Exit

The wet exit (getting out of the kayak in the water) is not very difficult, but it is still important to have some experience with it. If you’re going to go kayaking, you should realize that there is a very good chance that you will capsize your kayak once or twice. This does not necessarily … Read more The Wet Exit

Overturning “The Right Way”

Overturning “the right way” can actually help you regain control over your kayak. If you’re worried about overturning your kayak, don’t worry. Just like most things, there is a right way to do it so that you won’t have to worry about getting injured. Another thing that you should keep in mind is that even … Read more Overturning “The Right Way”

Weil’s Disease

Weil’s disease can be contracted from contaminated water and may be fatal. Weil’s disease is a problem if you are going to be out in the wilderness and looking for water at all. This disease is spread through rat urine, so the main way in which you can contract the disease is by consuming contaminated … Read more Weil’s Disease

Hypothermia