Another interesting video here from the Body Boat and Blade Virtual Coach clips (filmed by Bryan Smith). This demonstrates not only the Stern Rudder (or Stern Pry) but also the Stern Draw. Many UK paddlers will be familiar with the Stern Rudder but it’s interesting how many have not then gone on to experiment with [...]
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Training Progress #1
So this is the first update on the training regime I started a number of weeks ago. It’s 3 month since I started trying to follow a structured routine with 3 main aims. Improve Paddling Fitness Improve Stroke Technique Improve Self Rescue Techniques Here’s an update on progress to date: Fitness: I was primarily concerned [...]
Edging – Body, Boat, Blade Video
Along with effective forward paddling, edging is one of the key skills that Sea Kayakers need to develop to allow us manoeuvre our sea kayaks. This video takes a look at the use of edging. There is some lovely footage of both the basic and advanced use of edging within this video. The video features [...]
Cross Over Contact Tow System
Here’s a neat little idea I learn’t about from Gordon Brown via the preview copy of the soon to be released ‘Sea Kayak With Gordon Brown 2‘ DVD. I’ve been playing with building it and using it during rescue practice over the last few weeks. This set up is for contact tows – situations where [...]
New Training Routine
Over the last few weeks I’ve made a bit of switch in my paddling routine as I set myself 3 paddling goals. 1. Improve Paddling Fitness 2. Improve Stroke Technique 3. Improve Self Rescue Techniques My usual paddling activities – short week night paddles with longer weekend/holiday paddling days are fantastic fun and although physically [...]
Technique: Ladder Self Rescue
Following on from my recent post regarding the evening of skills training/assessment I undertook with Owen Burson, I’ve been thinking a lot about the issues I found trying to complete a straddle rescue when the bungees on the top of my spray deck caught around the rear day hatch on my sea kayak preventing me [...]
Packing A Sea Kayak
Credit goes to Dave Johnstone at Paddling Instructor for alerting me to this short video from Kokatat Watersports on how to pack a Sea Kayak. Kokatat sponsored Sea Kayak instructor Paul Kuthe walks the viewer through his methodology for packing a sea kayak and shares some tips and tricks for making the most of the [...]
Technique: Forward Paddling – High Angle Stroke
These videos are provided by the excellent Outdoor Activity publisher Pesda Press and designed to be used in conjunction with the highly recommended book Sea Kayak Handling by Doug Cooper (reviewed here). NB: A buoyancy aid is not worn in these videos to aid clear visualisation of the stroke. Front/Rear View Side View
Technique: Using A Skeg
There is a superb line in Gordon Brown’s excellent ‘Sea Kayak’ book (reviewed here) which reads: Like most boys when they start to drive, the skeg control is often used as an on-off switch in the same way as the accelerator pedal The implication being that uninitiated paddlers will use the skeg either fully retracted [...]
Technique: Re-entry and Roll Self Rescue
A nice clear demonstration of the re-entry and roll self rescue from Keith Wikle of the Go Kayak Now website. If practiced and perfected, this method of self rescue is arguably the fastest and ‘cleanest’. From Keith’s Vimeo Site: Demonstration of a quick re-enter and roll rescue from a Sea Kayak. The candidate wet-exits a [...]
