Hot Kayaking & Rafting How-Tos

How To: Put on a spray skirt in kayaking

In this how-to video, you will learn how to put on a spray skirt while kayaking. This is important if you want something to wear while you kayak. A dry top has a latex neck and wrist. A semi-dry top has a neoprene neck and wrists. For both of these, a feature called a double tunnel is built in. This means there are two layers on the top. The skirt creates a water tight seal and keeps you dry. First, get your arms in the dry top. Poke your fingers through the gasket on the wrist. This takes ef...

How To: Use a trolley anchor on a kayak

In this how to video, you will learn how to use an anchor trolley on your kayak. First off, the critical part with kayak fishing is being able to present your bait to the fish. This system anchors you in order to position yourself in any way to do just that. If you are fishing and anchored, there are many types of anchors to choose from. A fold up anchor allows you portability and space. Loop the line and run it through the bottom of the ring and attach it to the zig zag cleat. This allows yo...

How To: Mount a fish finder on your kayak

In this Outdoor Recreation video tutorial you will learn how to mount a fish finder on your kayak. There are many ways of doing this. All the methods work. It’s just a matter of personal choice where you want to mount it. Some boats are designed for a through hole transducer and have a space for it to mount it in a hole. Take a piece of foam, trace out the transducer and cut out the foam. Now open the front hatch of the boat and glue down the foam on the flat surface of the boat. Once that ...

How To: Kayak using effective paddle strokes

Kayaking is a great way to stay in shape and engage with the outdoors. This video tutorial demonstrates proper kayaking methods and offers a few helpful tips. When paddling a kayak, keep your strokes close to the side of the vessel. Make sure to use your legs to balance the kayak. Finally, adjust your core to get more out of each kayak stroke.

How To: Tandem paddle a kayak

In this how-to video, you will learn how to tandem paddle a kayak. First, try it with someone you will be paddling with before purchasing one. The person in the back has to copy the person in the front. For example, if the person in the front is paddling on the right, the back person has to paddle on the right. The back person has no right to yell at the person in the front when it comes to paddling. The back person will push the kayak into the water first and push off. If the kayak needs to ...

How To: Kayak

Be it the ocean, a lake or a river, there is no better way to enjoy the water and nature than by kayaking. Like all outdoor activities, being prepared and knowing how to use your equipment will help insure you have a great time.

How To: Eskimo roll when kayaking

Matt Preye teaches you how to make a proper Eskimo roll. An Eskimo roll is the ability to correct a kayak that is upside down. Follow these steps to do it properly: Before you roll over, bring your paddle parallel to your boat. When the boat is upside down you turn your paddle and reach out to grab the water. While still underwater, throw your hips to right the boat.

How To: Prepare the right safety gear for kayaking

This video will show you the right and proper safety gear for kayaking. Kayak safety gear is one of the most important aspect of kayaking. The most important kayak safety gear is the life jacket. It should be short torso so you can move freely and it does not rise up. Make sure that all the straps are tighten when you wear it. The next important kayak safety gear is a whistle. You will use it when you are in trouble or in emergency. Blow it once to catch attention and 3 times during emergency...

How To: Do kayak tricks

In this tutorial, we learn how to do kayak tricks. The first trick is called the cartwheel trick. This is where you throw the bow of your boat down, bringing the stern over your head and slicing it back into the water behind you. You can do cartwheels over and over and over. The next trick is to do a bow stall, which is driving your boat down so the bow is into the water. You then stall in this position with the tail of the boat up, and balancing there. This is done by a few forward paddle st...

How To: Load a kayak onto a car

In this how to video, you will learn how to load a kayak on a vehicle. Doing this properly will mean both the kayak and vehicle are safe. A simple upright system is fine for your kayak. You want to look for J and V bars with padding to transport your kayak. To lift the kayak on to the roof, first check to make sure the straps are working. Hold the kayak with both hands and a straight back with your knees. Lay the kayak in a strong position on its side. Secure the kayak with the straps. Thread...

How To: Troll live bait in your kayak

In this how-to video, you will learn how to troll large live bait in your kayak. Use a circle hook and attach it to your rod with a small loop knot. This will allow the live bait to have a natural presentation. This means you must troll slowly. You must have slight tension on the string. The bait must have a natural feel when it picks it up. This means there should be no resistance when it grabs the bait. Use a big casting reel with it out of gear and the clicker on. This means the button is ...

How To: Use a kayak rudder

First of all you have to understand that if you don't have a rudder in you kayak, still you need not worry. The rudder is far from being any essential piece of the kayak. However if you still decide to want one then you can add one later. Rudder is placed on the side of the kayak. When you want to lower it then you have to pull the chord to move it down from its stored position. You have to control the rudder with foot pedals. The main purpose of the rudder in a kayak is not to turn a kayak. ...

How To: Move your kayak laterally with a draw stroke

This how to video will show you how to do draw strokes for kayak angling. This is helpful if you are pulling up to or away from a dock. First, reach out from the hip. The more vertical the paddle is, the more lateral pull you will be able to exert. Now, paddle to the hip. Release the pressure off the blade by slicing out behind you or doing a T stroke. A common problem is pulling in and making the boat turn. This means you are not pulling towards your hip. The type of boat determines the type...

How To: Kayak without back pain

We caught up with Doctor David Lorczak to discuss the benefits of proper outfitting and posture to promote a long and healthy kayaking career. In Dr. Lorczak’s opinion the advancements in the Bad-Ass outfitting allows the kayaker to maintain better posture while allowing slight movement of the lower torso. This movement is key to maintaining a healthy spine in a sport that is brutal to that area of the body. Have a listen to Dr.Lorczak as he explains the relationship between proper posture, g...

How To: Survive and master slides in whitewater kayaking

No matter how you cut it, slides are tons of fun. There are all types of slides, and while some are big and scary, many are not. Regardless of whether you are having a blast on some mellow slides or trying to set a world speed record on something large there are a few techniques which will help you ensure success. Watch below as Shane helps us out with some basic slide technique:

How To: Boof effectively in whitewater kayaking

Shane Benedict explains key techniques to an effective boof. Everybody wants to know how to boof. The boof is, without a doubt, the most essential weapon in your creeking arsenal. There are several key points to making this move effective; approach, stroke, and body placement are the three that we are going to focus on in this segment. We’ll allow Shane to explain…

How To: Do beginning kayaking tricks

In this video series, watch as expert kayaker James Sullivan teaches beginning kayaking tricks while playing in holes and waves. Learn how to find a good hole and identify a bad one, how to enter a hole from above and the side, how to move forward and backwards in a hole, how to get on a foam pile, how to find sweet spots, how to edge control in holes, how to enter a wave from above, how to avoid pearling, how to carve an edge, how to use the power stroke, and how to use forward and reverse r...

How To: Do white water & swift water rescue techniques

In this how to video series, learn about swift water rescue and how to wade and swim through white water, from white water rescue technician Fergus Coffey. Fergus will teach you invaluable tips on swift water rescue and how to swim in and swim out of swift water. He will teach how to swim over a strainer, when it is safe to stand in white water, and how to avoid foot entrapment in swift water. Fergus will also teach and demonstrate how to safely enter white water, defensive swimming, aggressi...

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