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A Brief History Of Kayaking

As mentioned earlier, the kayak was originally invented by the Inuit and Aleut tribes of Arctic North America over 5,000 years ago for use in hunting. The Greenlandic word qajaq actually translates to “hunter’s boat.” Early kayaks were made from whatever materials were available for construction, including whalebone, driftwood, seal skins, and animal hides. They … Read more

Is Kayaking Expensive?

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

Kayak Safety Tips For Beginners

Kayaking is a fantastic sport. It’s a great way to make new friends, stay fit, and explore amazing new landscapes. As with with any sport involving water, however, there are some risks. Sudden changes in wind and visibility can make for hazardous kayaking conditions; not checking the weather in advance or wearing the proper attire … Read more

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 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

Tides Explained

If you are kayaking in the ocean then it will be very helpful for you to figure out what effect the tides will have on your trip. Tides can vary depending on the area you are in and what time of year it is. Unless you pay attention to these changes and plan accordingly, you … Read more

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 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 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 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 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 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 Water Knot

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. Enjoyed How to Tie a Water Knot? Share it with your friends … Read more

Design Principles of Kayaks

Design Principles of Kayaks Displacemet The displacement of a kayak can refer to one of two things: its overall water displacement or, in the case of whitewater kayaks, the shape of its hull. The Design Water Line (DWL) determines the total amount of weight the kayak was designed to carry. The combined weight of the … Read more

Activities Involving Kayaks

Activities Involving Kayaks Touring Touring, or expedition kayaking, involves taking extended journeys in a kayak, often around coastlines or down the length of a river. Kayak touring is a fantastic way to experience beautiful scenery that is usually hidden from view. Fishing With the use of a specialised fishing kayak, combining fishing with kayaking is … Read more

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 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

Hypothermia

Hypothermia is easily treatable but can be very dangerous. If you are ever going to be out in the wilderness overnight, especially if you are going to be around the water, you should make sure that you have a good understanding of what hypothermia is. It has been said that hypothermia is always treatable – … Read more

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

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

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

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

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

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 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 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

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

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

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

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

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

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 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 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 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 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/Draw Rudder

The bow/draw rudder is one of the hardest, but most efficient, kayaking strokes. While the stern rudder will turn your boat by using your paddle as a rudder near the back of the kayak, you can also perform the bow/draw rudder instead. This is essentially the same move, however, it is performed in front of … Read more

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

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

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

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

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

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 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 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

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 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 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 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 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

What is Kayaking?

If you’re looking for an activity that combines cardio and strength conditioning with the beautiful and peaceful serenity of the outdoors, kayaking just might be the activity for you. A sport that is rapidly gaining in popularity throughout the country, kayaking is a fun, healthy and relatively safe pursuit that affords hours of water-based enjoyment. … Read more

The X-Rescue

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

How to Paddle A Kayak

[dropcap size=small]W[/dropcap]e’ve all heard the phrase, “Up the creek (without a paddle).” A kayak, whether you’re floating on a river, on the ocean, or even on a lake, won’t get you very far without a paddle and you would be, “up the creek.” Trying to use a paddle without knowing even the most basic of … Read more

How to Transport a Kayak

The question of “how to properly transport a kayak” is an important and multi-layered one—a question that should be in your mind before purchasing your kayak—or even your vehicle.  Although most kayaks can travel atop almost any type of vehicle, the truth is that some kayak racks are more advantageous when used with certain types … Read more

Kayak vs. Canoe

When it comes to paddlesports, there are a lot of options. But two of the most widely used and popular forms of watercraft are canoes and kayaks. If you’re not much of a paddler, you might think, “Aren’t they the same thing?” While they do share a lot of similarities, the two types of boats … Read more

How Much Does a Kayak Weigh?

When buying a kayak, its weight is not normally the first thing you think of. While it does have an effect on its performance, a kayak’s weight isn’t as important as other measurements, such as its volume, waterline, rocker, or even how much storage it has. It’s when the kayak is out of the water … Read more

5 Sun Protection Tips For Summer Kayaking

Summer is a fantastic time to be out on the waters kayaking, but all that sun exposure has some danger involved as well. Learn how to keep safe kayaking without sacrificing your skin! Avoid The Heat of the Day (10am – 4pm) The sun is generally at its most powerful between 10am-4pm, and you’ll be … Read more

Red Tides are Sweeping the Southern Coast, and Northern Lakes are ravaged by Algal Blooms. How Does this Affect Kayakers?

From southern Florida to the Great Lakes, from the long, thin Finger Lakes to the rugged Utah landscape, there’s something dangerous lurking in the water. It’s not piranhas, sharks, or alligators, but rather something far more insidious. Harmful algal blooms (HABs)—different in origin but similar in risk—are wrecking paddle sports, ruining summer vacations, and spoiling fishing season. For … Read more

Stand Up Paddleboard vs Kayak

Paddleboards vs. kayaks … which is better? You’ll hear paddlers fighting adamantly for one side or the other in this ongoing debate. Paddleboarding activates your whole body, but kayaking works your arms and your core … is one really better than the other? Or are they just completely separate sports? Maybe you should do them … Read more

How to Get in and out of a Kayak

Getting into and out of a kayak is something that every paddler has to master but, particularly for beginners, it’s one of the more daunting parts of the sport. It requires correct technique, physical effort, and, if done incorrectly, has the potential to be embarrassing or even dangerous. The good news is, practice makes perfect. … Read more

The Essential List of Kayak Safety Equipment

If you’re taking your kayak out on the lake for a couple hours in the afternoon, you might not feel like you need a lot of safety equipment. But what if you’re paddling on the open ocean or taking a long river trip? No matter what type of paddling you’re doing, there are certain pieces … Read more

Best Kayaking Tips for Beginners

Kayaking has grown in popularity by leaps and bounds in recent years. In 2012 alone, recreational kayaking grew by a whopping 27 percent. Part of its popularity is how easy it is to get started. With the right gear and a few kayaking trips, practically anyone can enjoy this exciting sport. It’s also a great way to … Read more

How to Portage a Kayak

Portaging a kayak is the act of moving it across dry land. While this might seem like an odd thing to do given how well kayaks work on water, sometimes you’ll be confronted by a situation where moving your kayak by land is the only option. If you find your path blocked by a dangerous … Read more

Sit On Top vs. Sit In Kayak

To someone first entering the sport of kayaking, choosing a single kayak from among the many different brands, types, purposes and, constructions can be a bit overwhelming! So, how does a new paddler determine which kayak best suites their individual needs and intended purpose? Well, the first step is to be aware that kayaks are … Read more

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

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