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Paddling Skills

These articles focus on particular skills related to kayaking, from off-water preparation for beginners to current navigation for experts.

Boat building:

• Nuu-chah-nulth Canoe Carving by Jacqueline Windh February/March 2004

• The Gals Who Built the Boats by Lee Beliveau December/January 2003

• Building ‘Greener' Boats by Jamer Buote December/January 2003

• Composition Basics by Chris Hudson August/September 2002 

• Building Dreamboats by Martin D. Trees April/May 2002

• Wooden Kayaks: You Can’t Build Just One by Harvey Golden February/March 2001

• Wooden Kayaks: Arctic Kayaks by Wendell Phillips February/March 2001

• Kayaks: Skin Boats in Transit by Wendell Phillips February/March 2001
  

• Wooden Kayaks: Designing in Cedar Strip by Mike Walker February/March 2001

• Wooden Kayaks: Building a Plywood Baidarka by Eric Schade February/March 2001

• Wooden Kayaks: Building a Volkskomponentkayak by Ulli Höger December/January 2001

• Wooden Kayaks: Learning to Stitch and Glue by Donna Wilford December/January 2001

• Wooden Kayaks: The Cedar Strip Kayak by Vaclav Stejskal December/January 2001

• Wooden Kayaks: The Varnished Kayak by John C. Harris December/January 2001

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Equipment:

• The "Day Bag" - by Alex Matthews / April-June 2008

• Choosing a PFD - Mercia Sixta talks with Alan Wilson April/May 2003

• Selecting a Kayak by Andree Hurley April/May 2003

• Renting or Buying a Kayak by Chris Ladner April/May 2003

• How to Choose a Paddle by Graham Ketcheson April/May 2001

• The Greenland Paddle by Adam Bolonsky February/March 2001

• Collapsible Boats by Ralph Hoehn February/March 2001

• Personal Flotation Devices by Carol-Ann Giroday Winter 2007

• HIN It or Lose IT by Larry Burden December/January 2003. Identify your boat!

• Preventing Theft by Constable Larry Burden October/November 2001
  

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Kayak care and maintenance:

• How To Paint Your Kayak - by Nick Jones Fall 2007

• Addendum to Gelcoat Repair Article by Bryan Nystrom October/November 2005

• Basic Gelcoat Repair by Brian Nystrom August/September 2005

• Major Structural Repairs Story and photos by Alex Matthews
  
  

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Learning the basics:

• Transporting Your Kayak - by Alex Matthews Fall 2007

• The Solo Kayak Carry Winter 2007

• Getting In and Out of a Kayak - by Alex Matthews Summer 2007

• Launching Your Kayak by Michael Pardy June/July 2003

• Taking a Kayak Trip by Elle Andra - Warner April/May 2003

• Lifting and Carrying Kayaks by Linda Cain April/May 2003

• Rigging Your Paddlefloat - by Vadim Kin April/May 2003

• Staying in Your Boat by Christianne Wilhelmson April/May 2003

• Composition Basics by Chris Hudson August/September 2002 

• Loading Your Kayak by Ed Day February/March 2002

• Paddling Basics by Dan Lewis April/May 2001. A perfect starter's article.

• Towing 101 By Dan Lewis April/May 2006
  

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Navigation:

Make your mark - Navigation by chart marking by Adam Bolonsky / Spring 09

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The ABCs of reading charts - by Adam Bolonsky / Jan. 09

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The basics - by Adam Bolonsky / Summer 08

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• Using Charts by Timothy Sprinkle April/May 2003

• How to Navigate by Paddle-siting by Jacqueline Windh April/May 2003

• Paddling With GPS-Part 1, by Michael Schmidt April/May1999
  
  Paddling with GPS - Part 2 by Michael Schmidt  June/July 1999

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Options: Beyond ocean kayaking

Surf games Trade in that ‘sofa’ for something to ride the waves – if you dare. By Neil Schulman. Read more.

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Kayak surfing 101 Here's what you need to know to get started. By Christine Brice and Coast&Kayak Magazine. Read more.

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Up for the challenge Bowron Lakes prove ideal for standup paddleboarding. Read more.

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Rigged out - outrigger canoes - by Sheila Porteous / Fall 08

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Racing for Skills and Confidence - by Dian Weimer / April-June 2008

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Paddle strokes:

Skillset - Stern rudder stroke. By Alex Matthews / Summer 09

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The low brace lean turn - by Alex Matthews / Summer 08

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• Forward Sweep With Edging by Alex Matthews Spring 2007

• Fewer Strokes, Faster Boats by Adam Bolonsky Spring 2007

• Paddling Forward by Alex Matthews Spring 2007

• High Brace Lean Turn Winter 2007

• Paddling From the Core by Adam Bolonsky October/November 2006

• High Brace - by Alex Matthews October/November 2006

• Low Brace by Alex Matthews August/September 2006

• Sculling Draw - by Alex Matthews June/July 2006

• Going Straight by Dan Henderson April/May 2001

• Effortless Paddling by Adam Bolonsky April/May 2001

• Back to Basics- Paddling Technique, by Kevin Mansell August/September 1998

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Preparation and training:

Nutrition strategies Whether training to race, or to just paddle longer, careful attention to your diet can vastly improve your recovery time. By Roy Stevenson. Read more.

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Into the night: Night paddling Drifting in the dark listening to wolves howl or viewing the unforgettable universe of bioluminescence: it opens up a whole new world for paddlers who are willing to take the chance. By Dan Lewis. Read more.

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The dark side of paddling Extend your kayaking season by paddling in the dark but play it smart – follow a few simple rules for night paddling fun. Read more.

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Off-season conditioning for kayakers Poor conditioning can lead to early fatigue and soreness that diminishes the full enjoyment of kayaking. (Winter 2009)

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Health and Fitness: Yoga for kayakers How does yoga relate to kayaking? In a word: awareness. By April Link. (Fall 2009)

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The Tao of Sea Kayaking - Remain calm in the midst of chaos. By Eric Soares / Summer 09

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Health and Nutrition: Food as medicine - by Bruce Burnett. Fall 2008

• Maximize your tent time - Twelve ways to get out more. By Neil Schulman.

• Secrets  to Winter Comfort - by Neil Schulman Fall 2007

• Yoga and Sea Kayaking by Rob Hansen Spring 2007

• Fitness: Paddle Faster, Paddle Further Winter 2007

• Greenland Rope Gymnastics - by John Gamba Fall 2007

• Coping With the Cold by Shelly Saunders April/May 2003

• The Fundamentals of Good Paddling, by Dan Lewis April/May1999

• Approaches to Training, by Ben Goodman April/May1999

• Learning by Doing, by David Pinel April/May1999

• Kayaking for All Abilities by Kathryn Gardner April/May 1997

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Rescues and reentries:

The hand of God: Skillset The “Hand of God” is a rather extravagantly named rescue that is very effective when aiding an unconscious or injured paddler who is unable to exit their capsized kayak. By Alex Matthews. Read more.

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Face up! The ‘Face Up’ reentry reduces need for upper body strength in assisted rescues. Read more.

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The ladder to success The assisted ladder rescue offers a mashup of more established techniques that could help nervous swimmers. (Winter 2009)

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Skillset: Re-enter and roll The concept is simple: in the event of a swim, you can re-enter your capsized kayak while it’s still upside down, and then roll it back upright. (Fall 2009)

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Skillset - The assisted ladder rescue, by Alex Matthews.

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Skillset - A foot up using sling reentry by Alex Matthews / Spring 09

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Skillset: The Scoop Rescue - by Alex Matthews / April-June 2008

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• The “Bow Tip Out” Assisted Rescue - by Alex Matthews Fall 2007

• The Rat Swim and Bow Rescue - by Adam Bolonsky Fall 2007

• The 'Scramble' Self Rescue by Alex Matthews April/May 2006

• Assisted Rescues - Story and photos by Alan Wilson April/May 2004

• Big Picture Rescues - by Alex Matthews April/May 2004

• Time Well Wasted by Dan Lewis April/May 2004

• Learning to Self-Rescue by Dan Lewis April/May 2003

• Canoe-Over-Canoe Rescue by Andrew Westwood Winter 2007

• Saving YourSELF Story and photos by James Michael Dorsey April/May 2006

• Group Rescues - By Jonathan Weingast April/May 2005
  

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Rolls:

Skillset: The Sweep Roll - by Alex Matthews / Fall 08

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• The Kayaker’s Best Friend by Dubside Spring 2007

• To Roll or Not to Roll by Dan Lewis October/November 2006

• The Offside Extended Paddle Roll by Adam Bolonsky August/September 2000

• The Eskimo Screw Roll by Adam Bolonsky April/May 2000

• The Greenland Crooked-Arm Roll by Adam Bolonsky June/July 1999

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Skill development:

The mathematics of wind When kayakers talk about “conditions,” our primary concern is usually wind. Because more often than not, it is wind that will dictate when and where we can paddle and when we must stay ashore. And sometimes the most pertinent question is not “can we paddle in this wind?” but rather “how long can we paddle before exhaustion sets in?” By Alex Matthews. Read more.

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The three Rs of avoiding a collision Planning and safety: In an environment where might makes right, paddlers face extra marine navigation risks. Read more.

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Planning and Safety: Uncertain about certification? Michael Pardy wades into the debate on the merits of certification-based kayak training. (Fall 2009)

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Finding Your Edge - by Dan Lewis/ April-June 2008

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Strings Attached - by Neil Schulman / April-June 2008

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• The 3 Golden Rules - by Alex Matthews Winter 2008

• Paddling Like A Boater By Adam Bolonsky February/March 2005

• Surf Safari: surf techniques by Dan Lewis October/November 2005

• New Directions in Teaching by Michael Pardy, Photos by Bryan Debou December/January 2005

• Lessons Learned - Story and photos by Jonathan Weingast April/May 2004

• What Can Go Wrong On the Water - Story and photos by Lyn Hancock April/May 2004

• The “What-ifs” of Solo Kayaking - Story and photos by Neil Schulman April/May 2004

• Paddling With Wind - Two Approaches - by Alan Wilson April/May 2004

• Decision Making in a Crisis - by Michael Pardy April/May 2004

• Paddling Scenarios - by Mercia Sixta April/May 2004

• Playing in Waves by Dan Lewis June/July 2003

• Becoming a Better Paddler by Shawn Baker April/May 2003

• Paddling Solo by Neil Schulman April/May 2003

• How to Paddle with Kids by Bob Putnam April/May 2003

• Paddling Tidal Passes by David Pinel April/May 2003

• Learning from Earth and Ocean by Karen Charleson February/March 2003

• Racing 101 by Alex Matthews August/September 2002 

• Exposure Exposed by Jacquiline Windh August/September 2002 

• Watch Those Fires by Sue Handel February/March 2002

• How Not to do it by Dan Lewis December/January 2002

• Welcome to Whitewater by Paula Jamieson June/July 2001

• Which Way is the Wind Blowing? by Graham Shuley April/May 2001

• Star Light, Star Bright by Bryan Nichols April/May 2000

• Risk Assessment is Not ESP, by Michael Pardy and Jordie-Allen Newman April/May1999

• Tools of the Trade -Taking a Kayak Guide Training Course, by Sue Handel August/September 1998

• The Learning Curve by Lilian Alessa December/January 1997
  

• Expect the Unexpected by Howard Rossman December/January 1997

Trip planning

Kayaking with flare When all else fails, pyrotechnics can get you potentially life-saving attention. By Michael Pardy. Read more.

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Trip Planning: Servant of the maps As the rain drives Neil Schulman indoors, he's looking at maps and charts, and pondering dreams. (Winter 2009)

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Planning and Safety - Kayaking and relationships. By Michael Pardy.

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Safety and planning - Setting goals for groups, by Michael Pardy / Spring 09