5 Mistakes Every New Kayaker Makes... And How To Avoid Them

Comments · 1.3K

• DE

  @depARTmentUhaul · 4 years ago · pinned

  The reclining position is best while drinking beer and fishing and let's not forget a fine cigar as well.  Never kayak for exercise or sport, it's purely a recreational floating device. The paddles are to swat critters or other nefarious individuals.

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• JO

  @jonfisher9214 · 3 years ago

  I have kayaked for around 20 years and this is great and clear advice. If I could add anything it would be to find a safe and shallow area close to shore and deliberately capsize yourself. Then figure out ways to get back into your kayak. It's awkward and takes some time but once you have the ability you'll be so much safer out on the water.

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• PE

  @PeterBaumgart1a · 2 years ago

  Now show a nice unloading onto a dock.

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• MA

  @mattdopp6792 · 4 years ago

  This is my very first comment on any YouTube video. As a kayak instructor with around 20 years of whitewater and flat water experience, I really appreciate this video. It is simple, humble, and accurate.  Kayaking can be challenging.  It is also physically, mentally, and spiritually rewarding.  The examples and advice in this video are spot on and nearly anyone getting started with paddling will have a much more enjoyable experience with these pointers.

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• DA

  @dannyroberts5056 · 4 years ago

  There are so many mistakes newbies make as we all have. One I try to instill in people is to lightly grip the paddle in your hands. Most new kayakers have a death grip on it as if their life depended on it. This will wear you out in short order. They go home after paddling less than two hours and feel like they just got done doing a PX90 work out . Most beginners will start on flat water so there is no need for a tight grip. My grips will change slightly depending on water and weather condition but my techniques will stay the same. I have kayaked for 30 yrs now and most of my paddling is long distance touring. I have never suffered any injury in my wrist or arms from paddling. Like others have said kayaking should be enjoyable not a chore . As you increase in skills you can push yourself to more advanced waters if you wish. I really enjoyed your video. You mentioned pulling on the blade that's in the water while pushing on the opposite end and rotating at the waist at the same time. Keep your eyes  focused on the direction you are heading. Great advise. I always try to help people if I see these common mistakes. I don't want someone giving up before they have a chance to truly experience the joys of paddling. Thanks again.

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• MA

  @majawn · 4 years ago

  Do poke fun at us!  This is is mistake number 0: treating oneself too seriously. I am a beginner, and although i started well prepared, I made lots of mistakes. It was funny. I was funny. I had fun. I had a ton of fun while the river had some fun with me.  I highly recommend this.  😂

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• JU

  @justme-dm7sb · 4 years ago

  I started kayaking a couple of years ago. Too old and not interested in whitewater, I am fortunate to have a very long river in my area that is not too wild. I have 2 angler (sit on) kayaks (lifetime tamaracks) that I have run 40 miles on of that river. There was some white caps that got us pretty wet in a couple of places and rushing areas that scraped us against some rocks on the bank, but it was all in good fun. One lesson I learned quickly is once you have committed to the current there is no turning back. Paddle on ! I don't skimp on safety. I cover my skin from the sun (brimmed hat, long shirt and river pants that zip off and on at the knees) and have an Onyx vest with pockets for whistle, firestarter, emergency blanket, knife, and maybe some small thing I might want to take (camera, headlight or head bug net). I got the longer paddles, which work really good and also keep me dry on cooler days. I will not take any person with me that will not put on a life vest. I have had so much fun on that river. Islands to stop on, wildlife all over, watched deer swim across, most people on the river are fairly friendly, everything looks so different from the water. I had to give up dirt bike riding because of old and broken body syndrome and this is what I turned to for adventure. I would recommend kayaking to anyone looking for some adventure, but I would also say, if you are going on a river KNOW it first. Drive and explore every place you can see the river from, walk some of the bank and wade in the current so you know what to expect. Talk to others on the river or who have kayaked it. Also (hard learned lesson for me), if there is an upriver dam, find out what the flow rates are for each day of the week. Go to the dams flowrate page to see this, nothing else has that info. Check the day you are going also, you will want to know how fast and high that river is running that day, believe this, it makes a difference. Do not find out like I did. I have also paddled lakes, big and small. Some of the big ones on a windy day can have very large waves. It has been an absolute blast. I never leave my safety gear behind, my kayak is set up to take camping gear and a small cooler if I want, my friends know my rule about vests ahead of time so there is never an argument, I know my weight limit on my kayak and I know the flow rate of the river or weather conditions of any lake I go on before I go. It is so much fun. I wish everyone could have this experience. Play hard everyone, but play safe.

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• CH

  @chrisgilevski8317 · 3 years ago

  Concise  ,specific , no BS to have to wade through. I gotta say one of the best tutorial videos I've seen . Well done !

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• MA

  @malcolmtaylor111 · 3 years ago

  My personal best kayak exit was in a sea kayak, I did a super slick paddle lean stabilizer move and looked super cool, took one step towards the front of the boat to move it to shore, realized both my legs had fallen asleep and immediately fell on my face in the Pacific Ocean.

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• JM

  @jmluisdeoliveiramore · 3 years ago (edited)

  My first time Kayaking and this Kayak held strong. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/post/Ugkx4k5UrhC3v_Y4hIEaXLGvHcN5a5aBmZNB">https://www.youtube.com/post/Ugkx4k5UrhC3v_Y4hIEaXLGvHcN5a5aBmZNB</a> &nbsp;The water got pretty rough as a speed boat zipped by me, and the Kayak withstood it (I expected to be capsized). The Ores are very easy to put together, the pump worked beautifully. the seats are a bit hard to sit in after a while (I recommend sitting on the floor). after reading the reviews I was very scared it&apos;d get a hole in it, the material is very strong and durable. The Air valve may need a small Phillips head screwdriver to adjust, other than that, it&apos;s well worth the money!(update)I&apos;ve gone Kayaking in 3 Lakes and 2 rivers totaling about 40 miles. the kayak had two holes and they patched easily and no other problems can&apos;t wait for kayaking season this year!

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• KA

  @kayter_tot · 3 years ago

  Thanks to you my first experience kayaking was a success. I didn&apos;t make an ass of myself, so thank you.

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• CD

  @CDMTET · 3 years ago

  As far as getting into a kayak I would &nbsp;recommend that new kayakers straddle the kayak in the water with the nose pointed towards the waves. &nbsp;Then plop their butt in the seat and begin paddling. &nbsp;Then once you have some forward momentum move your legs into the cockpit. Getting in parallel to the shore is fine for flat water but if you are in a place like Oahu where there are waves it&apos;s better to have the nose pointed towards the waves. I have seen so many people have their kayak roll onto to them with the kayak parallel to the wave action.

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