What’s in a Sea Kayak Guide?
Personal Skills for Sea Kayak Guides in Alaska
Last month’s column related a learning progression for learning safe and efficient sea kayaking skills for paddling safely in Alaska. This month’s column will outline the professional qualifications for sea kayak guiding as used by the American Canoe Association (ACA) and the British Canoe Union (BCU), as well as other items we’ve found to be important. There are many variations on the employment requirements for sea kayak guides in Alaska. I’m primarily concerned with the guiding qualifications that two certifying organizations for paddlesport in the United States believe are safe and responsible.
Guides must be many things. They should be strong, friendly, empathetic, etc., but the over-riding characteristic of any kayak guide is safety. In addition, sea guides must be very able paddlers with good leadership and communication skills. Many members of the public believe that all sea kayaking guides are expert paddlers with many years of experience and have advanced skills, including Eskimo rolling. After all, what should they think? Trip participants entrust their safety to the guides they choose. It's kind of a no-brainer, no?
Until recently, the ACA had no specific “guiding” certification, but in February of 2006 a Coastal Kayak guiding certification became part of the ACA’s program: “Coastal Kayak Day Trip Leading”. This curriculum emphasizes “trip leading, safety education and rescue.” Candidates for this certification should have “fundamental kayaking skills", but surprisingly, no more. The skills required are those for leading in gentle conditions; winds not exceeding 10 knots, waves not exceeding 1 foot and currents to 2 knots. This would seem quite restricting, since guiding only in calm conditions is quite limiting. In the ACA, guiding in more demanding conditions is the realm of the Open Water and Advanced Open Water instructors. It's interesting that in the ACA only instructors can guide safely in more advanced conditions. Advanced conditions are almost universal in Alaska. One constant in the ACA instructor certification process is the candidate’s ability to efficiently perform all major strokes and maneuvers for a sea kayak, including the Eskimo roll. For more information on the ACA’s paddling certifications check: www.acanet.org.
The British Canoe Union's requirements for sea kayak guiding are demanding. Anyone wishing to guide must first become an advanced paddler (BCU 4 star) with good environmental awareness. A 4 star paddler is "a useful member of a group" (not a leader) "paddling in up to moderate conditions: winds up to 16 knots, surf up to 3’ and tidal streams of up to 3 knots". After passing a 4 star assessment, you can attend a sea kayak leadership course, 5 star sea kayak training. To pass the leadership assessment, you must be able to safely lead, maneuver and do rescues in advanced conditions and in darkness and poor visibility, including winds over 15 knots, seas over 5’, surf over 3’ and tidal streams over 3 knots. Check out www.bcuna.com for more info.
Amazingly, there is no standard or certification level for sea kayaking guides in Alaska. Each kayak touring company seems to have their own set of criteria. If you use the safety standards of the American Canoe Association or the British Canoe Union, considerable training, experience and skill are required to even attend training courses for guiding. BCU and ACA trainers and assessors must feel that they can send their own family members on a trip with a candidate before they “pass” a candidate on their leadership test or assessment.
After many years leading and guiding in Alaska, I believe that in addition to advanced paddling and leadership skills anyone guiding here should have lots of rough weather camping experience, knowledge of minimum impact camping, bear safety/conservation, and hold a Wilderness First Responder (WFR) award. WFR is the appropriate level of medical certification for leaders taking groups anywhere more than “2 hours from definitive medical care”; this includes most of Alaska. The course is 90-hour course with a demanding standardized exam. WFR certification is available through several wilderness medicine institutes, such as Wilderness Medical Associates, www.wma.org.
What level of expertise do you think sea kayaking guides should have? Do you know any sea kayaking guides? What are their paddling and guiding skills? Feel free to contact me for more information, [email protected].
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October 2007
Roll with it -
Take time to learn the ultimate self-rescue
Take time to learn the ultimate self-rescue
An inherent danger of paddling a kayak is to capsize when you are unprepared. If you're an Alaskan, this is a wet and cold moment. If you remain in your kayak and are dressed for immersion, only your head, neck and hands get wet. Latex neck and wrist gaskets of dry suits and dry tops can seal out the water from your clothing, the spray skirt seals out the water from the kayak. It’s pretty cool: you can go upside down, yep underwater, and your body stays dry. Magic.
The ultimate self-rescue, the Eskimo roll, allows you to stay in your kayak while capsizing and recover gracefully by rolling the kayak back up with your body. The roll evolved in the high Arctic over many centuries, in Greenland, Alaska and northern Canada. Rolling must have developed as a "survival" skill for Native hunters, since kayaks were primarily used for hunting. A kayak hunter that wet-exited in frigid waters often died of exposure. If a hunter could roll back up, he lived to hunt again. To "wet exit" meant death. Motivation to learn rolling was fairly high.
Rolling is still popular in Greenland's culture. The "rolling competition" is a prominent part of the Annual Greenland Kayak Championships held in Greenland each summer. Over 30 different rolls must be performed. The winner of this championship is a national hero. Greenlanders worship rolling as a cultural icon and a symbol of national pride. Kayak champions in Greenland are celebrities. Pretty cool (no pun intended).
In North America and Europe, whitewater kayaking developed slowly at first after World War II, but the adaptation of Eskimo rolling to whitewater racing and recreational whitewater paddling changed the sport forever. Other high-risk sports have no equivalent self-rescue technique, do they? How about skiing? You pretty much crash and burn don't you? Break legs and things. I do. Rolling a kayak has no parallels; it's safe and effortless if performed properly.
Virtually every present-day whitewater kayaking fan can roll back up easily after capsizing. Swimming is only a possible option for self-rescue on a river, and an important one if your roll fails, since you must exit the kayak to breathe. But swimming is much riskier, and certainly a colder experience, than instantly rolling up effortlessly with a safe Eskimo roll.
Very few sea kayaking enthusiasts seem to develop the Eskimo roll as a functional skill. Even in northern latitudes where cold water is a significant hazard, few sea paddlers can roll. Many will tell you that a functional and effortless Eskimo roll is a "whitewater thing," and that rolling is not a skill you "need." These folks are either not paddlers and definitely can't roll, or are paddlers that have never developed a roll, for whatever reason. Do not listen to these nay-sayers!
The act of trying to develop a roll will deepen your understanding and performance of fundamental kayaking skills: balance, bracing and recovery strokes (recovering your balance when you're not yet completely upside down), as well as rolling. These are skills that don't seem to develop properly without at least trying to develop your rolling abilities.
Bad News: rolling is not an intuitive skill. It is easy to perform, but seems to be quite difficult to learn. Rolling involves a series of simple, safe, coordinated actions of the torso, hips, knees, arms and head. But it is performed upside down and underwater. Confusing? You bet. You won't know if you don't try to learn more than twice (it takes time).
The main reason you should try and develop your roll is because the benefits of the process are multifold. Who knows, you might even learn how to roll efficiently and use it as a functional skill or party trick. Either way, your paddling will be transformed. The funny thing is, that once you develop a good roll, you'll rarely capsize unintentionally. You'll be a hunter(ess).
Tune in next month for some hot rolling tips.
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February 2007
Kayaking safely in Alaska - Ready for the 2006 paddling season?
Skilled kayakers that take to the sea in Alaska know the serious and objective risks associated with paddling in the 49th state, but what about the newcomers? What about Alaskans who are new to kayaking, or paddlers from other regions unfamiliar with key safety issues inherent in paddling Alaska.
Two case studies. Names and places have been withheld for the privacy of all parties. This is your chance to learn from other paddlers’ tragedies.
Case 1 — Alaska: A father-son team rented a double kayak in southeast Alaska, planning a multi-day tour up the coast to another prominent port town. These two adventurers had no training, nor had they paddled kayaks in the ocean before. They had no specialized clothing or equipment, but did have personal flotation devices. Very early in their trip, they capsized in rough seas. Unable to re-enter their kayak, they remained in the water with the kayak and were later rescued by a passing motor vessel. Exposure and cold water took their toll, only one member of the paddling team survived.
Lessons: Dress for immersion, always wear a PFD, paddle in conditions well within your skill level, know how to rescue yourself and others, carry signaling devices and know how to use them, especially a marine VHF radio; know your abilities.
Case 2 — Lower 48: In 2001, husband and father of one received a gift certificate for an introductory sea kayaking course from his family. He had never kayaked before. Even in May, air and water temperatures were cold on the day of the course. Just after lunch, the father of one capsized and was unable to exit his kayak. He struggled visibly. As the instructors came to his aide within 15-20 seconds, he was clearly in trouble. Attempts to revive him failed, and he perished quickly. He had never been taught or practiced a wet exit.
The wet exit is the safe exit from the kayak after capsizing, a core skill for kayaking (means “must have”). If you are unable to exit your kayak smoothly in a few seconds once you’re ready to bail out, you’re generally in trouble, this is called entrapment.
The instructors of that sea kayaking course decided not to practice “wet exits” before setting off for the day. The logic for not practicing wet exits was that because of cold air and water temperatures, “capsize drills would get the students wet, and then they’d be cold and uncomfortable for the rest of the day.” Wet exit drills are critical, since a safe wet exit is a “must-have skill” for kayaking safely. An unfortunate fact that emerged later was that the instructors were working “above” the level of their instructor certification.
Lessons: Anyone paddling a kayak MUST have a functional wet exit (it has to work in the event of a sudden flip in the ocean or on a cold river) for minimum recommended safety. Make sure that you can safely exit the kayak underwater before you go paddling. The above entrapment tragedy could be a wake-up call for all sea touring companies that tout “no experience required” as a marketing moniker, but don’t teach their customers how to do wet exits.
Stay safe: Know your abilities, dress for immersion, always wear a personal flotation device, know how to rescue yourself and others in the conditions in which you choose to paddle, practice your skills as often as possible, carry appropriate safety gear and communication devices, update and improve your skills often. Take appropriate courses and practice safely until you are proficient, then do more to increase your proficiency.
First aid kits are essential, the knowledge to use them critical. The best way to learn safely? Find and take courses taught by professional instructors, your life and the lives of your loved ones may depend on it.
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April 07
Safe strokes - Skills progressions for sea paddling in Alaska
Learning to paddle sea kayaks safely and efficiently is rich with subtlety, much of which ensures your success. Luckily, many qualified instructors and coaches have developed safe models, or progressions, for learning sea paddling. The result is that "learning in stages gives the best result". Progressions simplify your learning and focus on what's achievable, safe, and efficient at each stage of your training. This is a simple progression for learning safe sea paddling in Alaska. There are 3 or 4 stages in this progression: fundamentals, skill refinement, environmental awareness, and leadership/guiding. If you decide to use it, this progression could take at least 2-5 years of sporadic training, regular paddling experience, and testing or assessments. Are you up for the challenge? What do you have to loose?
Fundamental Skills
The fundamentals include proper clothing, posture and kayak fit, safe carrying, launching/landing, confident wet exit, and efficient use of the paddle, safety features of kayaks, etc. In the fundamentals stage you gain general control of the kayak: forward, back, stop, spin, turn, steer, rudder on one side, move the kayak sideways, beginnings of balance and bracing, and simple assisted rescues. "Fundamentals" are the skills for a group paddling close to shore in protected waters of a cove, small lake, or pond. Practicing the paddle-float solo rescue in flat water is not a bad idea. The fundamentals give you an understanding of the relationship between your actions and the reactions of your kayak, and greatly enhance your ability to develop refined skills and environmental awareness; the latter stages in your paddling career.
Skill refinement
Skill refinement is appropriate when you've mastered the fundamentals. You learn technical strokes and maneuvers such as edging, bow rudder, stern rudder on both sides, sculling draw, draw stroke, sculling for support, side-slip, Eskimo rescues, and crisp and efficient assisted and solo rescues. Perfecting the paddle-float solo rescue in flat water is not a bad idea at his stage. You learn simple trip planning, navigation, group awareness, complete control while reverse paddling (no forward breaking strokes), efficient bracing, towing, and more. Eskimo rolling is appropriate, especially after your Eskimo rescues, sculling, bracing, balance, safe-capsize, and wet exit are ingrained. You safely paddle protected waters, such as moderate lakes or small bays. Your control of the kayak in easy conditions is confident. You start to use safety gear and carry a first aid kit. Crossings are not recommended, but it is safe to paddle simple shorelines with easy landings, light winds, small waves, and slow current in a group with comparable skills. Staying together means talking distance, not yelling or beyond.
Environmental Awareness
Environmental Awareness allows you to paddle in up to moderate sea conditions in a supportive group with comparable skills, possibly with a competent leader/guide or instructor. Moderate conditions include winds up to 15 mph, 3-5 foot waves in open water, launching and landing in small to moderate surf (up to 3 feet), and paddling in current up to 3 knots. You paddle easily and do rescues (including towing) in moderate conditions, and learn navigation skills and rules of the road. Eskimo rolling is a desirable skill. You learn the predictive details of tide, current and weather forecasts, and understand interactions between weather and the marine environment. Your personal gear includes a seaworthy kayak (deck lines, surf toggles and flotation), extra clothing, first aid kit (and skills), signaling devices, and extra food (all in dry bags). Some hot drinks in a thermos or stove/pot combination, shelter (bivy bag or tarp) and a repair kit complete your outfitting. You can look at a weather forecast and a tide book and "know" what it's going to be like on the ocean. Gnarly? Or placid?
Paddlers with "environmental awareness" can be assets for sea paddling groups in up to moderate conditions. Environmental awareness is a pre-requisite for guiding, but it does not alone make you a guide. To be a guide, in addition to environmental awareness, you need leadership training, experience, and judgment you'll use to keep your groups safe, always. Do you agree? Or?
Where are you in this progression? Where would you like to be?
Tune in to a future "Kayak Alaska" column in Coast magazine to learn about guiding and leadership skills, and how they differ from Environmental Awareness
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November 2006
Paddler’s mixed bag – gear picks and safety tips
Gear Picks. If you tuned in for last month's gear picks, you likely remember my top-three pieces of Aquaholic paddling gear. They are: my Gore-tex drysuit makes me truly amphibious; my sea kayak, a Nigel Dennis Kayaks Explorer for its safety features, sweet performance and rugged construction and; my fiberglass surf kayak, a Johnson Mini Mako that is fast, maneuverable, stable and more fun than easily described.
Here are a couple more gear picks and then some early summer safety tips.
My river-running kayak is my next pick. The new generation of river-running play boats are great; playful enough to do great tricks and forgiving enough to run higher volume rivers and more difficult water. My favorite (since last year) is the Necky Mission, it’s (I'm 5-foot-9 and 190 pounds); it helps me peg the fun-meter.
My paddles are the next favorite items. For sea touring and teaching I use a Lendal 215-centimeter modified crank Lendal paddle (made in Scotland), it's lightweight, flexible and made of fiberglass.
I use a wooden paddle for river kayaking.
I chose both of my paddles for their useful blade designs and ease of use over the long-term. With reasonable technique, both of these paddles minimize my chances of over-use injuries so common in Aquaholics' wrists, hands, elbows and shoulders.
Although I always wear it, my personal flotation device is a big favorite. I use an Astral 300 Rescue vest, a super-comfortable "swim-vest" with a kangaroo-style pocket for goodies I want to access on the water without digging into my boat's compartments. I even keep my miniature waterproof digital camera in the Kanga pocket. The most important thing about a PFD: that you think it's comfortable, and that you wear it every time and all the time you're on the water. Whatever PFD you choose, make sure its Coast Guard approved.
Safety tips. Dress for the water temperature to protect yourself from shock drowning and immersion hypothermia. No one "plans" to capsize (unless specifically practicing rescue and recovery skills), and you need to be able to function in the water to accomplish the rescue. The solution: drysuit, wetsuit, or one of the new "paddling suits." The latter provide every bit of the protection needed to prevent shock drowning, but have a comfortable neoprene collar as opposed to the watertight latex neck seal present in dry suits. Check your local paddle shop for details.
Know how to rescue yourself and others. For competent kayakers, an Eskimo roll is the ultimate self-rescue, but all paddlers need to know and practice a diversity of rescues, especially assisted rescues. In an assisted rescue, you help others who are in trouble (or they help you) to get back into the kayak and continue on your merry way; like it never happened. Pretty cool, huh?
Carry safety gear, such as throw line and pin kit for river kayaking; for ocean kayaking carry a tow line and boat repair kit.
Know your destination and understand the hazards, get the weather forecast and know the tides and current for ocean paddling. Don't consider going paddling unless you "know" your destination. Are there big waves? Is there going to be wind or rain? What is the marine weather forecast? The water is cold, that much you know. What is the flow level of the river? Avoid rivers at flood stage. If you are not a competent river paddler, take a whitewater kayaking course; paddling on moving water is trickier than it looks. Map and compass are key, and so are the skills to use them.
Carry a first aid kit and know how to use it. Most paddlers should take a Wilderness First Responder course (80 hours) or at least a Wilderness First Aid Course (40 hours), since these are appropriate levels of knowledge for wilderness settings; anywhere more than two hours from definitive medical care, or most of Alaska.
Leave a float plan with friends, family or someone who can worry if you are overdue: where you parked (what does your car looks like?), where you paddled, when you left, what gear you had with you (food, etc.), color of the kayaks?, when and where you will be back?
Never paddle alone. Even with all the right gear and skills, if you get into trouble alone you'll exhaust your survival options more quickly, reducing the chances of assistance or rescue; not good.
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10 good things - What to bring on every kayak trip
We're going on a day trip in the protected waters of Kachemak Bay State Park. What 10 things am I going to bring for fun and safety?
OK, I take the kayak, paddle, skirt and appropriate clothing (dress for immersion or splash only?) for granted. Other than the necessary Big Four (kayak, paddle, skirt, appropriate clothing), what to bring?
1. Friends: Bring two or three friends along, paddlers like you (know how to paddle and do rescues). This way if you have trouble or fall in, they can help you and provide rescue services.
2. Personal flotation device: Always wear a PFD. Get one that fits and is comfortable. It serves as insulation to keep you warm while paddling, and will keep you near the surface of the bay if you capsize. Then you can quickly be rescued by one of your experienced friends. Brightly colored PFD’s enhance your visibility to motor boats and other paddlers.
3. Map and chart: Bring a map or chart to help you get around and know where you are. If your map and chart aren't waterproof, protect them in a waterproof case.
4. Plan: Have a plan. Make sure all paddlers know the plan. Leave a copy of your plan back in town so that if you're overdue, someone that cares can send for help. Plan includes: launch site/time, planned takeout/time, route. Also include a description of the kayaks and names of all paddlers. What is the weather forecast and the tidal information? Make these part of your plan.
5. Extra paddle: Make sure there is at least one extra paddle in the group. If one is lost or broken, you're ready to continue on the trip.
6. First aid kit (in a dry bag): And first aid knowledge to go along with it. Headaches, blisters, small cuts and bruises are pretty common while paddling. Its nice to treat them easily on the trip.
7. Hand-operated bilge pump: It’s good to have one or two pumps in the group, or even one per kayak if you're paddling so far apart you'd have to self-rescue in the event of a capsize.
8. Signaling devices: Marine VHF radio in a waterproof bag is key, but a cell phone (in a waterproof bag with appropriate contact numbers) is also a good idea Smoke signals are great during the day to pinpoint your location; flares if at night. Carry a signal mirror.
9. Extra clothing in a dry bag: If your day should turn wet (and cold) hypothermia is a real danger. Changing into dry clothes can stem the tide, and get you feeling warm and happy again.
10. Food and water (and fire): The best way to treat hypothermia is by prevention. Paddlers who are fed and hydrated and have dressed for the conditions can stoke their internal fire and stay warm, even if a bit damp. Building a fire or making a hot drink could be pretty important to re-warm yourselves.
A few other thing's I'd bring (it’s hard to bring just 10).
Tow line: Mine is mounted on a waist belt and is "quick-releasable" at both ends. Learn how to use it to tie boats up, tow a tired friend or help a weaker paddler stay with the group.
Repair kit; Common items needed to keep the kayak working properly. Rudder parts, extra cord to tie things down on the deck, duct tape (to cover up a hole). If you're using a fiberglass kayak, some epoxy putty or "ding-stick" can seal up a crack or hole.
Paddle float; If you will paddle so far from your group you may have to rescue yourself, carry a paddle float. Practice using the paddle float in the conditions in which you expect to need it. Don't assume that because you've practiced in the pool or in calm water, you'll be able to do the rescue in the bay.
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Paddling to scale - Rating system helps define ability level
"It’s the sea, it’s always worse than it looks"
— Russell Farrow, sea kayak coach, Tampa, Fla.
Whitewater paddlers know and understand the International Scale of River Difficulty. The ISRD is a rating system used to describe the level of difficulty of running a river or a rapid.
By default the system identifies the associated skills needed to run rivers in paddle-craft safely. This includes canoes and kayaks, rafts and other inflatable paddle craft. In this internationally recognized river system, rapids are given a rating from 1-5; the bigger the number, the harder the river or rapid. And in my experience, it's for real. Most members of the public even seem to understand that a Class V rapid is like the black diamond run on the ski slopes.
One thing is clear from all the phone calls I get asking about levels of difficulty for sea kayaking: a system of rating the difficulty of sea kayaking is not general knowledge among sea paddlers or members of the general public.
In general terms, difficulties paddling on the sea increase as the conditions ramp up. The bigger the waves, the stronger the current and the stronger the wind, the greater difficulty in paddling in control, in making headway into the wind, in turning your kayak around and in conducting a safe assisted rescue (and much more). But in specific terms, the sea paddling public seems unaware of the details beyond "windy", "very windy" or "calm".
Until recently, sea paddlers in the United States had little to guide them besides their own experiences. In Britain, paddlers were used to having their skills rated on a linear scale much like the International Scale or river difficulty: the British Canoe Union's (BCU) star awards. The BCU's star awards relate specific sets of paddling skills to sea conditions in which your skills will serve you safely. One star skills are safe for paddling on a small lake or small protected cove. Two star skills are great for simple coastlines and protected waters. Three star skills are suitable for paddling in easy conditions (small waves and light winds). It’s a safe progression.
BCU four star sea kayaking skills represent the skill set needed to paddle safely in up to moderate conditions as a member of a group: waves up to 3-5 feet, winds up to force 4 on the Beaufort scale (11-17 knots), 3 knots of tidal current, and 3 foot surf. The BCU 4 star sea skills are the minimum competency for safe paddling on the sea. Pretty cool, a bunch of bright, smart, dedicated sea paddler/instructor types agreed on minimum safety and skill standards. It's easy to follow their lead and expertise.
BCU four (4) star sea kayaking skills are perhaps the rough equivalent of Class II-III skills on a river. Five star BCU sea skills are for paddling in conditions above 4 star, such as winds over 11-17 knots, waves over 3-5', current over 3 knots (3.5 m.p.h.) and surf over 3', AND leadership at all levels. This is a demanding award. In Britain only 5 star paddlers are guides; it’s the standard for guiding. No 5 star award, no guiding. Pretty high standards. Pretty safe. This system has been adopted widely in the United States, but its not common knowledge, far from it.
Recently the American Canoe Association adopted a level system not only to provide guidance for students of sea kayaking, but also to make the sea kayaking skill "levels" a linear rating scheme similar to the widely known International river rating scheme. Its simple, bigger numbers mean more risk, harder conditions, bigger waves, stronger winds, and harder paddling. Harder conditions require efficient and safe skills.
Conveniently, the ACA's coastal kayaking skill levels are similar to the British Canoe Union's star awards in many ways: they are linear (level 1, level 2, level 3, and level 4) and the conditions that are safe for paddlers at each level are also similar. One difference is that the ACA system invests in leadership training appropriate at each level, rather than waiting until the 5 star level. So the BCU's 1, 2, 3, 4 star awards and ACA coastal kayaking levels (1 to 4) are roughly equivalent. We use both systems at the Alaska Kayak School; they are both excellent.
The awards and skills are not a goal in and of themselves (but they could be). It’s the learning of skills and trying to achieve proficiency among your peers that builds experience and judgment, especially in a structured learning system, such as the ACA's of the BCU's. In both systems the primary goals are safety, fun, and skill building towards independence from outside supervision from leaders or instructors/coaches. We're lucky in the United States, we have access to both the British Canoe Union system and the American Canoe Association's programs. This diversity and synergy makes for a strong paddling community committed to safety and people's ability to look after themselves and each other on the water.
Got skills? Use the levels or shoot for the stars.
For more information about the British Canoe Union star awards and the American Canoe Association's Coastal Kayaking Level awards, see www.bcuna.com and www.acanet.org, respectively.
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Try the Yank - Rescue technique simple and effective
Sea kayaking's great because it’s a social activity. A group of like-minded friends gathering to enjoy a jaunt on the briny waves, and returning to land safely (but not always dry) after sharing a unique experience. You get to go scooting about the ocean on your rump in the warmth and comfort of your kayak.
The coolest thing about sea kayaking socially is the safety net. If you capsize and swim, your friends help you get out of the water and back into your kayak. Your friends can easily have you back in your boat in no time. If you're dressed for immersion, the only fallout from your capsize is wounded pride and the bar bill when you get pressed into "buying" because you're the only capsize victim for the day. It’s a tradition among my paddling friends, if you swim first, you buy a round for the group.
The simplest possible sea kayak rescue is what I call the "yank." Here it is: Your friend capsizes in front of you and safely comes out of the kayak while it's upside down (smooth wet exit). A wet exit is not as simple as "just falling out" but it could be, depending on the size of the cockpit and the type of spray skirt you're using (nylon skirts are easier to remove than neoprene skirts). The wet exit column will have to wait; I want to describe this slick rescue.
You paddle quickly toward your friend's kayak and come alongside on the opposite side of the overturned kayak from where the swimmer is now bobbing. As you paddle up, ask if they're OK and tell them to hold on to your kayak and paddle (they'll need both to get rescued and get home).
Now park your kayak parallel to the overturned kayak with the cockpits opposite each other. Quickly reach across the overturned hull, grabbing the cockpit rim and then roll the capsized kayak upright (I think it’s easiest toward me). The cockpit is full of water. I'm assuming that you're a wise bunch of sea dogs and have kayaks with waterproof compartments or attached flotation in each end (so the kayak will float level when capsized).
As soon as you roll the boat upright, reach over and grab your wet partner by their personal flotation device (pfd) or clothing. With the swimmer’s help, yank them out of the water and get them lying across both boats. Their body forms a bridge that stabilizes the raft of two kayaks. To help you, the swimmer scissor kicks and launches their body across both kayaks on your "jump" command, across your cockpit. The swimmer's torso is now out of the water, and impending hypothermia (lowering of the body's core temperature below 98.6F) is temporarily averted.
Now you can stabilize the kayak while the swimmer carefully works their way back into the seat. Cool. All is done in well under a minute.
Oh yes, your friend is now sitting in ice cold water. Hand them a hand-operated bilge pump so they can pump out the cockpit, but keep stabilizing their kayak, since a kayak full of water is hard to balance. The pumping will re-warm the wet ones quickly. If you can get a second pump going, its amazing how quickly the kayak's cockpit is pumped dry. You may want to partially attach the spray skirt to keep the ocean from re-filling the swimmer's cockpit if there are waves.
Get to shore as soon as you can and have the wet paddler change into dry clothes to prevent hypothermia from setting in. This may not be trivial if a landing site is not close by. Give the wet-head some food, hot tea and a change of dry clothes. An oversized jacket or large garbage bag with arm and neck holes could help to retain valuable body heat.
Practice this rescue in controlled conditions and make sure you can all perform it successfully. Then practice in the conditions in which you expect to use it. If you're going to practice outdoors, dress for immersion (wetsuit or dry suit), accept no substitutes.
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Sea, surf or whitewater - Develop your flat-water kayaking skills
The radiance of another summer (code for paddling season) lives on in memories, photos and video of our best paddling adventures of 2005.
But in the here and now of mid-November in Homer, we watch for surf and check the weather forecast in hopes that quality surfing waves are headed our way. This is truly surf season. When we get the right conditions, the surf is near perfect, especially in the fall, winter and spring.
Summer surf is rare, which is too bad because the bay temperatures are definitely warmer then. We could have three to five days of good surfing waves per week when the stars line up.
But winter in Alaska offers a fantastic opportunity to hone our flat-water paddling skills at the local swimming pool, regardless of the conditions.
Want to be a honed kayaker? Read on:
Flat-water kayaking is your chance to learn the complex motor skills and coordinated actions that must be synchronized for effective paddling. The absence of distractions such as rocks, waves, wind and current allows you to focus on simple relationships in flat water: body; boat; blade.
Most world-class kayak racers do many hours of training in flat water, so don’t underestimate the power and value of flat-water paddling drills.
You live in Alaska. If you're a kayaker or want to learn kayaking, and have regular access to a swimming pool and some simple kayaking equipment, you’re in luck! Warm pools are safe and familiar places to develop efficient skills, as long as you know what to practice. The first step to getting your kayaking career going should be to get some quality lessons.
It’s not more practice or experience that improves and hones your skills, it’s "perfect practice" that helps you improve. There are lots of books, videos and web resources dedicated to paddling skills, but none of these valuable sources are a substitute for personal skills, instruction or experience.
Personal paddling instruction from qualified instructors is the quickest and safest way to learn and improve your kayaking.
The British Canoe Union curriculum for flat-water kayaking skills, one-, two- and three-star closed cockpit kayak syllabi, contain over 40 maneuvers and skills. All of these skills are fundamental for safe and efficient propulsion, balance and control of your kayak. We teach all of these skills in our pool kayaking courses, since they are the backbone of safe and efficient kayaking.
Here in Homer an enthusiastic crowd gathers at the Kate Kuhns Aquatic Center three or four evenings a week with one goal in mind: to hone their flat-water kayaking skills. Well yes, there's also a bit of a social scene surrounding the pool sessions, where adults and youth frolic in brightly colored plastic river kayaks, But it’s the flat-water skills that draw the crowds. That simple relationship: body; boat; paddle blade.
Many Alaska Kayak School students in Homer make a quick transition from the pool to paddling the sea, surf or rivers. Their rapid progression is due to their dedication to flat-water practice, availability of pool time, appropriate training courses in sea, surf and river skills, and the availability of rivers, sea and surf to play in and paddle on. Our “backyard" paddling area on the tip of the Kenai Peninsula offers a plethora of choices. It wouldn't be as fun or rewarding without the Homer Pool — a warm, safe place where we gather in winter and hone our water moves, from the sweep stroke to the Eskimo roll.
If you're looking for a chance to do some kayak training this winter, the Alaska Kayak School has a series of classes running in Anchorage, Homer and Soldotna, so please check the calendar at www.AlaskaKayakSchool.com
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Happy medium - Seek balance between experience, skill, gear
Safety in kayaking, as in all other adventure sports, lies in the degree of preparation you engage in to take on the challenge. When I go kayaking, I want to know: 1) What are the conditions I'm going to encounter? 2) Do I have the skills and experience to paddle safely in those conditions? 3) Is my personal paddling gear adequate for safe paddling?
Kayaking is one of the fastest growing adventure sports, attracting people of all ages and walks of life. Its easy for any of us to walk in to any paddling shop and walk out with enough gear to fill our vehicle (credit cards are awesome). Gear purchase is so easy you can delude yourself into thinking you've purchased "safety," but I'm not sure I agree. You can buy all the gear in the world, but if you haven't acquired the skills and experience to use it, good luck to you!
When it comes to learning kayaking, many come under the spell of friends or family members that are not trained to teach paddling. These well-intentioned "friends" may be beginners or novices themselves (but they wouldn't admit it), and may not have skills and experience that a beginner should copy. In plain language, many wanna-be instructors probably shouldn't be teaching paddling. Good intentions pave the way to some pretty nasty places, or so the saying goes.
Many beginners purchase equipment that sales personnel (or friends) recommend without taking any training. But it's not easy to get quality training, and there are many more retail shops than kayak schools. Appropriately "supervised" paddling opportunities for experienced paddlers are few. It's clear from our students' stories that the public is purchasing and using paddling equipment much faster than they are gaining safety skills and awareness.
Formal training in paddle sports can shave years off of your learning curve, and taking courses from professionally trained instructors allow you to develop safe personal paddling habits. Qualified instructors were tested and "certified" as safe by their trainers, and you get the benefit of the instructor's successful testing. Would you fly in an airplane with a pilot that hadn't passed ground school? Would you learn how to fly with a pilot that doesn't have a flight instructor's license?
Developing experience safely requires a mentoring process in which developing paddlers can apply the skills they've learned under the supervision of a knowledgeable leader that understands safety and can share knowledge and safe habits with less skilled paddlers.
Many paddling accidents (some tragic) are the result of a complete lack of understanding of the 3 basic issues: 1) what are the paddling conditions (and hazards)?, 2) are my skill and experience adequate for the conditions?, 3) is my gear up to it?
The American Canoe Association and the British Canoe Union have designed paddling skill progressions to ensure fun and increase safety. These materials are available on the world-wide-web, so visit www.acanet.org and www.bcuna.com.
Skills progressions are key if you're going to steadily improve your paddling skills. Useful progressions focus on achievable skills and processes that, if applied properly, will give you an awareness of your "capabilities" so you can know the answers to the important questions: "conditions?, is my gear up to it?, do I have the skill and experience needed to paddle safely?". There are many different strokes and maneuvers in kayaking. Which ones do you need to know?
Try not to fall under the spell of friends, family or a sales person when it comes to learning kayaking. Figure out what skills you need by checking with the American Canoe Association and the British Canoe Union. Both organizations have developed instructional programs designed to give you the knowledge, skill and experience you need. The kayak lore you're seeking is available, take the time to find it and use it. Your fun, safety and peace of mind are well worth it.
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Off-season paddling - No problem with the proper precautions
Another great summer draws to a close, and I dream about the paddling I can squeeze into the last few days of milder weather. But I also look forward to the off-season and winter paddling. Winter wildlife and stunning scenery make off-season paddling really special, at least in Homer.
If you want to paddle year round in Alaska, sea kayaking can be the ticket. Whittier, Seward, Valdez and Homer experience milder weather conditions than adjacent Interior areas. Milder climates of coastal cities present off-season paddling opportunities. Even in coastal towns such as Homer, many paddlers hang up their kayaks in winter. But not us, or our Kayak School students.
We paddle year 'round. Autumn and winter days with calm seas, winds less than 10 knots, and air temperatures above freezing are perfect for a relaxed paddle along the Homer Spit. The Spit's waters are rich with Otters, Seals and Sea Lions, seabirds, gulls, sea ducks of several species, loons and grebes. Mornings are cold. We meet for coffee, and we launch later; when its warmer, near noon.
We make sure the forecast is favorable and stable: light wind and small seas. Then we round up the gear we need to be comfortable and safe. Since the days are getting shorter, air temperatures are cooler, and surface sea temperature is dropping, we wear warmer clothing. Sea surface temperatures start to dip toward the 40's and upper 30's as the fall wears on. This is plenty cold, and protection from cold-shock in the event of capsize is a safety issue that needs to be addressed head on. Dry suit time.
My dry suit keeps the water out, and insulating layers under the suit keep my body heat in (100-200 wt fleece is great). My feet are warm and dry in the "pajama socks" attached to the dry suit. Neoprene booties over the dry suit socks keep feet warm and protect the suit's socks. Neoprene gloves on hands and warm hats are normal. My personal flotation device is warm, like a vest, and I always wear it. I wear a spray skirt to keep cold water out of my kayak, and keep me warm in the boat. It’s a fantastic season for paddling, and my strategy is to "dress" for the water temperature and the air temperature.
I always leave a float plan: Who went? Where we went? What time we'll be back? What colors are the kayaks/pfds etc.
I take less safety gear if I'm paddling close to the Homer Spit. I carry appropriate communications (vhf radio, flares, etc.), food and water, extra clothing in a dry bag, hypothermia prevention/treatment kit, normal safety and navigation stuff (towline, bilge pump, extra paddle, chart compass, etc.). If I leave the area of the Homer Spit, I carry a tent, sleeping bag, and stove with a kettle, water and some extra food, fire starters and two waterproof headlamps, just in case I must camp out.
I always carry an emergency group shelter and a set of rain gear. Rain gear works great over a dry suit if someone's chilled. A group can get a shelter (tarp) together and get out of the wind quickly, reducing the wind-chill.
With the proper preparation and precautions, sea kayaking in the off-season is worth the effort. Kayak-control, group and self-rescue skills are important, gotta have them. The right skills guarantee the group will stay together and that you can help yourself and others, if need be. Does the value of a functional Eskimo roll appeal to you while paddling in colder weather? Thought so. If not, why not?
Changes in the season don't have to end your paddling, but they should change the way you prepare. Give yourself a wide margin of safety by paddling in calmer conditions later in the season. Carry the right gear, and know how to use it. Focus on short day-trips, they're easier. Never paddle alone.
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Winter in Alaska: Paddler’s blues or warm pool time?
The nights were cold enough on the Kenai Peninsula this past month that we all wore gloves on our last river run of the summer, Saturday, October 8th. Finally, our home river run's water temperatures are "cold" again. Ice on the gravel bars is not far off. The river-paddling season is ending, but another landmark in an Alaskan river paddler's year is here: warm pool time. Sea paddlers can escape to open water in many coastal towns, or follow most summer resident birds to warmer climates.
Many Alaskan paddlers, especially those that live in "pool" communities, have a marvelous opportunity each winter: to practice and develop paddling technique, safety and rescue skills in the comfort of the warm waters of our many public pools. Most pools are housed in the schools around the state, but there are others in health clubs, etc. Where is your local pool that allows or sponsors kayak training?
We started a winter kayaking instruction program in the Homer High School pool a few years ago, and its been great fun. Happy paddlers splashing around, enjoying the fun of using short and maneuverable river kayaks to enjoy kayaking and build their paddling skills. We can teach all the fundamental skills for effective and safe kayaking. We begin by teaching the only skill you need to know to kayak in calm waters safely: the wet exit. If you capsize into cold water and are not dressed for immersion, you're probably risking cold shock or hypothermia (or both), but let's say you're dressed for immersion in cold water.
A wet exit is the safe escape from your kayak's cockpit once you're upside down. In some cases, you simply fall out of the cockpit once you've capsized. But it's not always that clean. To have a controlled wet exit, you must lean forward once you've capsized, pressing your forehead towards your knees. This will protect your face and head from hitting the bottom in shallow water. Then, find the grab loop of your spray skirt with both hands, and push it toward the bow before pulling it off the cockpit rim. Then, remaining in a "tucked" position with head forward, just push yourself out of the kayak and go to the surface after your legs are out of the cockpit. Going to the surface after your legs clear the cockpit almost guarantees you won't trap yourself in the boat. Your only job now is to hang on to your kayak and paddle so you can be rescued or self-rescue.
Contrary to popular belief, a wet exit is a deliberate act, not a passive motion in which you simply fall out of the kayak. Unfortunately, the skills for a safe wet exit are not entirely "intuitive". Many safe kayaking skills are not intuitive. Since a capsize is often the result of the experiential learning of kayaking skills, you can see how kayak training in a warm pool could be fun, safe and really bolster your confidence.
Developing a confident (joyous?) wet exit will open up a wealth of training opportunities for more complex maneuvers that often lead to capsizes while you're learning them. Balance, edging, the draw stroke, low brace turns, and bracing are among the fundamental kayaking skills that are easy to practice in the pool without fear of getting wet and cold. Rescues and of course Eskimo rolling are also great to practice and learn indoors in a warm pool and then put to the test in outdoor practice sessions (next spring maybe). Alaskans with access to a pool and some quality instruction can really get a leg up on their kayaking skills each winter by practicing "difficult things in easy conditions" before practicing "for real" in the conditions you expect to paddle in next spring. But remember, "practice makes permanent, only perfect practice makes perfect" so learn safe and effective techniques now, before you make ineffective and awkward techniques "permanent."
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Need to know basis - Learn the long answers for even the short trips
Since I run a paddling school, I field one phone call and email message after another asking the same eternal question: "What skills do I need to have to paddle safely in Kachemak Bay without a guide?"
Try the short answer: "You need diverse kayak maneuvering skills, awareness of the environment and hazards to paddlers, safety and rescue skills, practical knowledge of navigation and tides, currents, weather, waves and how they interact, appropriate equipment, group awareness and safety as an attitude." What a mouthful!
The more involved long answers include:
• Develop knowledge and experience with a diversity of paddling and kayak maneuvering skills. Can you list 50 skills or safety related kayaking issues? All the maneuvers are important for developing a repertoire of skills to confidently deal with diverse and varied sea conditions you'll encounter as a sea kayaker. Take the skills seriously, it promotes safety.
• Become an expert in kayaking gear. What gear items do experts use? You'll be the "expert" in your paddling group, and you'll need reliable gear. Your friends will copy you. How about extra paddle, kayak with flotation, dry bags, tow-line, paddle float, etc. Much more to the safety gear, but I'm out of space. Learn how to use all your gear in the conditions you'll need it.
• Study the "rules of the road," marine weather, tides and currents, and how they interact with each other and the sea bottom to produce different conditions — surf, tidal races (rips), and over falls (breaking waves in current), to mention a few. This is key knowledge to make a good trip plan. This is huge! Study.
• Sea conditions can change from "easy" (class I) to "expert" (class V) in a few minutes. Know what conditions to expect, and be prepared to find shelter or get off the water if needed. Did you pick out bail -out points on your chart when you made your trip plan? That’s probably a good idea, what do you think?
All of us will eventually capsize. If you have a functional Eskimo roll, it will be a non-issue. You will effortlessly roll up, like a sea god, wet and smiling. If you and your paddling companions can't roll, all should know effective self- and assisted-rescue techniques.
There is universal ignorance on the threats posed by paddling on cold waters without the protection of dry suits, wet suits or even simple paddling pants and jackets. Consult experts at your local outdoor store to check your options. Think of paddling in water-proof clothing that is easy to swim in. Rain gear is not that great in my experience. Dress appropriately, and always wear a PFD (personal flotation device).
Learn how to stay together in a paddling group. If someone gets beyond "talking" distance (next is "yelling" distance), they are too far away to communicate with effectively, especially if they are upwind.
Even simple paddling day trips requires a certain amount of fitness. Limit your introduction to the sport to many shorter paddles, say 1-4 hours. Learn how to paddle with your V-12 cylinder turbo engine, the large muscles of the back, stomach, flanks, and shoulders. This is the so-called "torso" rotation. Limit the actions of your arms' smaller 1/2 - cylinder put-putt. Why? Because it promotes fuel and energy efficiency (you get less tired).
Have an exact idea of how your kayak will perform in the wind, then learn and practice until paddling in windy conditions is normal and comfortable. Most kayaks paddle easily, if more slowly, in 10-15 knots of wind.
You can learn all this on your own. But if you seek out quality instruction, your development will be greatly accelerated. Paddle as often as possible and stay in your comfort zone. Get to know your abilities, this is the key to making good and safe paddling decisions. Stretch your skills by taking instruction or paddling with skilled friends. Never paddle alone.
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Heed to warnings - Florida tragedy offers lessons for Alaskans
I was preparing for an afternoon at the Homer Pool at 2 p.m. on Feb. 26. We were hosting Ben's 13th "kayak" birthday party, scheduled to run from 3-5 p.m., and expecting 10 12- and 13-yr. old boys for a good pool romp in kayaks. A series of safety drills (wet exits), games (hand paddling polo) and other inane fun were on the agenda. After Ben's party our adult students were gathering for a skills practice session at the pool. Perfection of strokes and rescues, laughter and horseplay were the order of the evening.
As Ben was celebrating 13 years of life at 3 p.m. Alaska time, an entirely different sort of paddling epic was unfolding for a group of teen paddlers from Georgia and their two adult leaders. Paddling a mix of canoes and kayaks, and following a motorized pontoon boat, the Georgia group had started from the mouth of the Suwanee River. Their destination was a campsite on Coon Island approximately 1.5 miles offshore, and five miles from the Suwanee launch site.
The group was very near their destination when the wind and waves started, around 5:30 p.m. They were quickly overtaken by darkness, and it started raining. Conditions deteriorated quickly, and one of the canoes, paddled by two 14-year-old boys, Clay and Sean, was missing. The group had become quite spread out on the crossing from the mainland. The pontoon raft's motor failed and the group tied canoes and kayaks up to the raft, now being blown offshore by strong winds and four- to six-foot seas.
This stretch of the Florida Gulf Coast is shallow and can be very calm, but strong winds quickly build steep choppy seas along the unprotected coastline. The Small Craft Advisory issued by the Coast Guard earlier Saturday morning had materialized.
To find the missing boys, the group's leader paddled off into the darkness and the storm, leaving the group tied to the drifting pontoon craft. The leader saw the missing canoe in the dark — one of the missing boys apparently had a headlamp. The light soon disappeared. Hours later, the leader used his cell phone (which now had a signal) to call his wife. She called the Coast Guard who immediately dispatched a Cutter and a rescue helicopter to search for the group in the storm. Just after 3 a.m. Sunday, in four- to six-foot seas, the Coast Guard found and rescued all but the two missing boys. Clay and Sean's bodies were found 11 miles offshore on Monday, Feb. 28. One boy was tied to the canoe, perhaps in an attempt to save himself in the rough seas and the storm.
Why hadn't the group heeded the small craft advisory for offshore winds over 20 mph and associated waves and rain? Why did they get so spread out, even before the conditions deteriorated? Why didn't they use a marine VHF to immediately call for help once the motor on the pontoon boat failed? When found, the dead boys' bodies were dressed in t-shirts and shorts, not suitable for a rainy evening at sea in the Gulf of Mexico. The forecast that morning would have kept even the hardiest sea dogs in port. A medical examiner will determine if the boys drowned or suffered hypothermia (water was 58 degrees).
This tragedy haunts me.
"When going paddling on the sea, get a weather forecast and use it. Check for changes (with a VHF radio), and know the conditions you'll be facing. Carry marine signaling devices: VHF submersible radio (in a water proof radio bag), flares and smoke, not just flashlights. Dress for the water temperature, not the air temperature ("dress for immersion"). If paddling in a group, stay together (talking distance is best, yelling distance is too far apart). Seek out, practice and develop excellent defensive paddling skills including bracing, rolling and rescues.
Oh yeah, and when the Coast Guard says its gonna be nasty out there, believe it.
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Learn to Kayak: Use a progression of skills
Paddling is a complex sport. To paddle safely requires layer upon layer of skill, experience, and judgement. As humans, our learning is limited. We can only focus on a few things at once (one or two to be exact). To be blunt, to get really good at kayaking requires time, correct technique and lots of practice. By learning one fundamental skill at a time in a logical progression, you can greatly accelerate the long-term learning and skill building process. Some find this boring, I think it fascinating and exciting; "slower is actually faster", I like that.
What do you think of the following progression for beginners?
What kayak, paddle, clothing, and safety gear is appropriate? Where can you kayak safely with your skill and experience? Where can you launch? How do you safely carry a kayak? Know how to fit in a kayak? What's the importance of an upright posture (besides looking cool)? How do you launch and land safely from a variety of sites? There may be more to using and holding a paddle efficiently than meets the eye. What are the hazards at your chosen paddling destination? Are you sure that negotiating these hazards is in your skills level? Novice or expert, always wear a personal flotation device (PFD), make no exceptions!
But wait!! There is a skill you need to kayak safely: a comfortable wet exit. The wet exit is the controlled extraction of your lower body from the cockpit of the kayak while upside down in the water. If done in the form of a forward summersault (yep, upside down and underwater), it takes roughly 3-5 seconds to calmly exit the kayak, removing the skirt and all. In rough terms, you stare into your lap as you capsize, and this protects your face from hitting bottom. Leaning forward also helps you access the spray skirt's grab loop to remove the skirt. Holding on to your paddle and kayak for your "rescue" is key, unless doing so poses a serious threat to your health (as could happen in some river runs). If holding on to the gear is dangerous, then ditch stuff and swim for your life!
Learn how to paddle forward, back and stop efficiently and under control. Spinning the kayak easily 180 to 360 degrees is good so you can turn around. Moving the kayak efficiently sideways is useful; you can quickly "raft up" with the person who has the most chocolate. Learning how to use knees and hips to maintain balance, and using the feet to help propel and turn kayaks are eye-openers for many. Applying the concept of "torso rotation" using your back and stomach muscles to power the kayak sinks in slowly, since your arms want to run the show. Because of much smaller muscles, arms are "wimps"
when compared to back, stomach, leg and shoulder muscles. Ruddering the kayak while underway by trailing a paddle, as well as using the universal "sweep stroke" (to get in position for executing a rescue are important, don't you agree? To be able to raft up with a second kayak and then help rescue a swimmer from an overturned (third) kayak is the beginning of your rescue skills.
Improving your paddling skills may be a real case of the "Tortoise and the Hare". In a race for safety and confidence in your paddling, going slowly and focusing on fundamentals may get you to the "expert zone" more quickly, or at least safely. The only governing principle in the art of paddling is to do it as safely as possible. This way, if you can't keep the "round side down" at least you can recover with a slick rescue, or even better, with an
Eskimo roll. P.S. Any nearby pool is a great place to practice.
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