Education Corner
January 2018
"How To Paddle a Kayak"
"In partnership with the U.S. Coastguard and the Water Sports Foundation, instructors Paul and Kate Kuthe of the American Canoeing Association teach three basic paddling movements in Safer Paddling Series. Paddling in a kayak encompasses three different movements: going forwards, stopping or going backwards, and turning..."
Complete story: Adventure Kayak
"3 Whitewater Secrets"
"After 20 years of kayaking and 15 years of class V, I have seen a lot of teaching techniques, successes and failures. There is some advice that I have found tremendously helpful and powerful for early paddlers, yet it's not as often repeated..."
Complete story: Rapid Media
"Mastering Unusual Skills"
"Sea kayakers can be a serious bunch when the time calls for action, but those same paddlers spend time honing their skills through play, and so should you. Elaborate displays of seemingly pointless prowess such as the bowling ball roll or standing on the deck behind the cockpit are not just a fun waste of time, but are building blocks for valuable skills..."
Complete story: Adventure Kayak
"How to Paddle Into Old Age"
"A not-so-funny thing happened this year. I turned 77. That's seventy-seven! Which is really old! Well, maybe not. The positives are: I feel great; my canoeing and camping skills have not deteriorated; my judgment (regarding river/wilderness dangers) may be sharper, and I continue to paddle and camp at every opportunity. Admittedly, there are a few downsides to being a "senior citizen"..."
Complete story: Paddling.com
"Sea Kayak Survival Tips"
"John “Wildey” Wilde started paddling on the open sea as a teenager growing up on England’s exposed northwest coast in the mid-1960s. For the next two and a half decades, he paddled rivers, competing in slalom canoe on the British and Australian national teams... He is the highest-qualified sea kayaking instructor in Australia... Here, John shares the extra preparations that he credits with saving his life..."
Complete story: Adventure Kayak
"14 Awesome Whitewater Canoe Customizations"
"There are 14 customizations every whitewater canoeist dreams of, including performance seats, a custom trim job and a lift kit. There’s no reason to let auto buffs, washed up MTV hip hop artists and the Teutul dynasty have all the custom mods fun. Even un-tattooed, decidedly un-Teutuliar open boaters can reap the benefits of home tuning..."
Complete story: RapidMedia
"7 Things To Know Before Buying A Used Canoe"
"Maybe you want to buy a used canoe instead of new because you are on a budget. Or perhaps you think you won’t use your canoe enough to warrant a brand new one, or you just aren’t sure what to buy. Whatever your reason, when buying a used canoe you must understand that not all canoes are created equal. Much like buying a used car..."
Complete story: Canoeroots
"Kayak Paddle Length - How to Pick the Right Size"
"Besides knowing what to look for in a kayak, a beginner is also challenged with knowing what is the best paddle length to choose. Opinions vary slightly as to what is the most efficient length for a particular paddler although the range of methods is fairly narrow and commonplace throughout the paddling community. Determining the proper kayaking paddle length to use is based on several factors..."
Complete story: Paddling.com
"Ten Expert Tips and Advice that could Save Your Life"
"The ability to challenge ourselves in almost any environment is one of the great attractions of our small, nimble craft. As quickly as you can find a challenge in your sea kayak, it is just as easy to get in over your head. To avoid ruining a good trip, preparation is key. Identify common problems you could encounter, develop creative solutions, and then try them out— before you get into trouble..."
Complete story: Adventure Kayak
"Six Coolest Ways To Repurpose A Canoe"
"Don’t worry—we aren’t advocating turning your precious Pocket Canyon into a shelf or your lovingly restored cedar-strip canoe into a light fixture. At Canoeroots, we know the best use for a canoe is to paddle it. Sometimes though, canoes reach the end of their lives or we find a cheap (or free) one at a garage sale that won’t last a day on a class II river. If you have a canoe you aren’t using, explore one of the Pinterest ideas below to repurpose it and get cracking on a great winter projects..."
Complete story: Canoeroots
"How Important is Canoe Strength?"
"My first remote country canoe trip was in 1974. I had planned to use my 17-foot, shoe-keel Grumman aluminum canoe for that trip because it was stone-tough and its shallow keel wouldn't catch on rocks. But I quickly realized that three weeks of food and gear were more than a boat-full, so I abandoned the plan and switched to my other canoe--an 18-foot lightweight Grumman. The big Grummy could easily handle the load, but I questioned if it was strong enough to survive the rapids we would encounter..."
Complete story: Paddling.com
"Don't Get Caught Up The Creek Without A Trowel"
"The arts and ethics of the outdoor dump.
Location, Location, Location
It’s important to get at least 60 metres (200 feet) from the water so that you don’t contaminate it with harmful bacteria. Sixty metres is often further than you think, so count your steps—a metre is about one big step. When you decide to stop, take a quick look around. Poison ivy, stinging nettles and wasps’ nests are good things to avoid!..."
Complete story: Canoeroots