How Do You Get in a Kayak?

Basic stuff for complete newbies

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• Kayaking
• whitewater
• outdoor
• sports
• boating

[ManicToot]

dude, you have some really nice kit, how much was your kayak?

[moh2o]

@ManicToot Blisstick Huka, Too much $950 just for the kayak, without anything else, $300 for the paddle, and that is cheap for a full carbon triple bentshaft paddle. A Werner carbon bent shaft is about $400 plus. PFD was 180, Drytop 200, Kevlar helmet 150, Skirt 160. It basically costs about $2000 to get into the sport with all new equipment. If you look online you can find it all used for less than half, or less. Only thing to buy new is a good paddle. Everything else doesn't matter as much.

[cougarbahia]

can u help me? since my stroke i cannot put weight on left arm. pls can u tell me how to get out of my kayak using one arm?  now using pole i get pole btwn my legs, sit sideways use pole to pull myself out with good arm/hand. but i trying to learn how to get out without pole and no one holding my boat. weak left arm fr the stroke is my prob. ideas please? thanks karen.

[moh2o]

@cougarbahia Wow if you have shoulder problems , don't get into Kayaking. Kayaking stresses your shoulders and rotator cuff more than another sport. Period. If you really want to stick with kayaking and you have shoulder problems then get really good instruction from some one who cares and just do easy kayaking in flat water. Even the best Kayaker get ruined shoulders from paddling over exertion. Make sure you have good form or you WILL ruin your shoulders.

[wayman29]

got a quick question ..I'm a newbi at all of this. What is the best way to track a smaller Kayak? I have an 8ft and it's all over the place. I think it might be my technique on paddling. I like the size because it is light and easy to transport...but might not be good in open water such as lakes...Should I have gotten a longer on or should I just learn how to paddle?? Excellent video here!

[moh2o]

@wayman29 Small Kayaks are hard to track and 'ferry' in the water. The way I get a better 'bite' out of my little kayak is leaning it over a little bit to get more bit out of the 'Chines' (the side bottom edge of the hull)

[JBtheProducer]

@cloogerdude no, this is a land kayak

[JBtheProducer]

i agree, people who have never kayaked before really have a hard time finding out how to learn the basics like getting it, how to load it onto a vehicle, and what to do if it flips. but its all easy once learned!

[gatekeaper80]

then when you got all the gear on how to you get in the water?

[moh2o]

@ashley118118 Ha, what a little technicality. Actually if you really want to be technical it is called, (here in the USA) a P.F.D. "personal flotation device" . So I used the old slang term , lifejacket. My bad.

[moh2o]

@MrKayak400 ,,,,Hey, same leg position as a playboat or touring kayak. Knees upward and outward and under the knee braces, actually it should be your thighs that are secured in the side braces. If your boat does not have them then it must be a really old boat. You want to adjust your foot braces so that you have firm pressure against your feet. So you can push yourself back into the seat backstrap and you want to sit up Straight, no slouching in a Kayak!

[MrKayak400]

i just got a creeker do i cross my leggs or straight