Three Things No One Teaches about Kayaking

[@philipoakley5498]

Hi, a great one for beginners is buttock awareness for edging. Like sitting on a bar stool with one, or the other buttock is a great way to communicate the hip/pelvis shift that's needed while edging that avoids the shoulder 'lean'. Good to hear someone who has thought about these things in a broader context.

[@AdventureOtaku]

Buttock awareness is my new favorite term. Thanks.

[@robertnissenbaum]

Since I offer custom outfitting - adding custom molded closed cell foam thigh hooks and padding - this is something I talk about all the time. I do disagree with being locked in and recommend against it. You are spot on with the points of contact, but the goal is to be connected, not locked in. The kayak needs to be able to move independently from you. Otherwise whatever happens to the kayak, happens to you. Connected but not locked in allows the paddler to get feedback from the kayak, it allows time for the brain to process what is occurring, and you as the paddler to decide on the input needed. This allows for a more proactive rather than reactive approach, a more relaxed paddler, and more 'stability' and comfort. I'll add that more efficient paddling means using less muscle and that happens when we fit snug enough to be able to lock in as needed but can remain relaxed and still in complete control with less effort.

[@AdventureOtaku]

Yeah people don’t like that I used the term locked in but you are describing what I am describing. When I say locked in I’m saying I don’t want you sliding around in the boat. If you prefer snug I’m fine with snug. To me it feels like semantics.

[@wendelbordelon660]

It seems like a minor distinction but I agree connected is a better way to put it. When I was starting out I was much to firmly locked in with did prevent some of the movement and flexibility needed to paddle smoothly. I just took the term too literally.

[@TurningPointBoatworks]

Really good stuff! Especially about core strength and Yoga for paddling. I do both and it has had a tremendous impact on my paddling and more importantly stamina. One of my favorite sayings when teaching is, "Use big muscles, not small ones". Core muscles are bigger than your arms and will not wear you out nearly as fast. One of the best tools I have found for core strength is TRX straps and the Rip Stick. One small caveat to boat fit. Locked in may be too strong of a term. Contact vs tight pressure gets the same outcome. Too tight it can inhibit leg drive and rotation. The kayak can also move independently under the paddler. One of the concepts I adopted a few years ago was that if you send a kayak off int the waves without a paddler, it stays upright by itself. The problem comes when you stick a person in the seat that is too tightly fit. Allowing the boat to move under the paddler a bit helps unlock the upper body from the lower. Too tight and the boat movement will travel right up the spine and affect balance. Love the bit about situational awareness!

[@AdventureOtaku]

Locked in may be too strong of a term. But the concept is good contact. I definitely move my legs around through the course of the day.

[@neilpage1153]

I love your instructional videos, I'm a 64yo guy, I have a fairly active job and I cycle, do yoga and field archery (I'm in the UK by the way) and wild camping/hill walking. I've recently started kayaking now too with a view to touring in Scotland next year. Your videos have inspired me greatly, so I'd just like to say a huge thank you! Maybe one day I'll get out to your patch and we can have a paddle together 👍

[@AdventureOtaku]

Thanks for watching! Glad I’ve been helpful.

[@Simon_W74]

I can recommend the Isle of Mull for touring and camping on the beaches I go there every year to camp on one of the beaches on the South Coast of Mull. Take a look at Bob Evan and Stuart Sutherland videos, as they both have covered places on the West coast of Scotland that would suit what you want to do.

[@AndrewMoizer]

Lots of good content in the video, AND the comments. I like the use of "connected" (and what that means in a sea kayaking sense), and "Use big muscles, not small ones". Totally agree on core strength. I have been doing daily planks for about 10 years now, only forgot one time in the last 5 (while kayak camping). My regimen is 5 straight minutes of planking, usually a mix of front and side planks. I mix up the split based on how I feel (e.g. 1:00 x front, left, front, right, front if I'm really tired or lazy, up to a straight 5 minute front plank). For the last few years I've been doing 8 minutes a day to get 4 hours a month in. It's really the only 'strength' training I've been able to do consistently (despite good intentions of doing more). I've found 5 minutes and planks to be a sweet spot. Enough to make a difference, but short enough that there's no excuse to do it. And planks don't need any equipment, you can do them anywhere. I used to have back issues and planks have essentially solved that.

[@AdventureOtaku]

I think working on core strength (and losing weight) would help a lot of peoples back issues..... thanks for watching.

[@AndrewMoizer]

@@AdventureOtaku Finding a way to make those happen is the challenge. I did also lose ~40# with intermittent fasting, also about 10 years ago, that has obviously helped too.

[@Hindsight_2020__1]

In the first few minutes of your video, I can now see one of the biggest problems I have with my current kayak (its too wide). As an overweight individual I chose this one as it was easier to get in and out of but this has left me with poor contact points and is likely contributing to some pain issues I experience with the kayak. Thanks for the tips

[@AdventureOtaku]

Thanks for watching! Hope you can get a good fit and paddle pain free

[@gadgetman_nz4092]

With my busted body I had very little core strength. I built mine up by paddling a 2.22m play boat with no outfitting. No back support, no foot braces, no hip padding, ... This forced me to use the core to sit tall and control the craft. Boat control further improved when a change of diet eased the paralysis and spasming in the left leg. If I rotated my torso to my right on a sit-on fishing kayak the left leg would eject me, a sit-in kayak would tip me in. Great when I'd paddled out 11km on a solo expedition. Didn't phase me because I could easily swim 2km and climb aboard swiftly. I definitely hang out for your great videos.

[@AdventureOtaku]

Thanks for watching brother.

[@ozramblue117]

I’ve just restarted kayaking after over 30 years of not doing it. It’s amazing how much I forgot and how much I don’t know. Aside from the 32 year gap (16 to 48) the kayaking I knew was whitewater and where I live it’s a gentle bay. There’s chop and wind but the waves are generally small. I got an ORU bay ST. Been out a few times AND I’m loving it but I’m very cautious. Things like wind and direction of ripples and chop are new to me. I just had the spray skirt arrive and I’ll feel a lot safer once I get my rolls down again.

[@AdventureOtaku]

I need to paddle a traditional Greenland boat. Haven't done the ocean cockpit yet.

[@Thomas-h4n5h]

I picked this up somewhere along the line of what you say about the points of contact, transmitting power, etc... Good kayakers *wear* their boats, not sit *in* or *on* them. 🙏 P.S. I love what you say about core strength.

[@AdventureOtaku]

Which is the terminology I use in my book enlightened kayaking. Some people - myself included - don’t name kayaks because it implies a separation between you and the boat

[@TheDaReel]

Yet another great instalment Brett. Last year my focus was mileage on the water (635 kms) but this year I’m adding time on my hybrid bicycle. Turning 61 this summer and dealing with back & neck issues, so every day* I’ll be working at what I can. Think I’ll also look into some padding to see if that’ll add to the puzzle. Keep up the great work.

[@AdventureOtaku]

Thanks for watching.

[@tommycheshire5508]

Hockey goalie. You never cease to amazement.i am a big hockey fan, so as always I am a fan of you!

[@tehbieber]

So glad we finally got a shot of you getting into a kayak, I heard a rumor you didn't know how ;) Seriously though, not sure how common this is but it seems pretty much guaranteed that if I'm out paddling for an hour or more, when I first stand up out of the boat my abs are going to cramp up like crazy for a little bit. I guess I'm just not used to using those muscles so consistently for such long stretches

[@AdventureOtaku]

Well it’s a good sign that you are using your core. It is probably muscle exhaustion so it should get better… low potassium can also cause cramping, but I bet it’s the first

[@northernAT]

Same contact applies to canoes (which I use on the ocean): good thigh straps and knee pads essential.

[@AdventureOtaku]

Im sure it does. Not being a canoeist I’ll take your word for it.

[@SouthpawUpstate]

Great editing and transitions!

[@AdventureOtaku]

Thank you very much. I work really hard, and I had a lot of fun editing this.

[@nunyabidness3075]

So funny, my mind instantly tried to figure out how a medicine ball would be used in planking. It took the picture of the lady in your video planking, and plopped a medicine ball right on her lower back. 🤣😂🤣

[@AdventureOtaku]

ouch.

[@jayburne6825]

Thanks for sharing

[@AdventureOtaku]

Thanks for watching

[@Simon_W74]

I am still working on getting my Boat to fit me to the point my legs don't go to sleep and I stay comfortable. I have just recently played around with my seat pan position and moved the thigh hooks back about an inch. I have hollowed out some white water hip pads as the hip pads and put in a foam wedge in each, the ones that came with my boat made my legs start to go funny on long paddles, which was not that comfortable. So I am working on little changes as and when as I don't always use my own boat and use a Club boat instead where I can't mess about with the fit other then foot braces. I will be taking my boat to the Club more often to try and get things dialed in, and hopefully to a point where I am comfortable in there. I changed the direction of the foam wedges and will see how that goes on Wednesday night, along with the other two changes. so I will be taking a few tools with me to adjust thigs if needed. I think I will have to pass on the V sits as I can't do normal ones with how my back is. I had to stop doing sit ups when I was still in the British Army as I could feel what felt like two my vertebra passing each other and it was agony. I may be able to do the other two. I have though about doing Yoga, As one of our Coaches is a Yoga Teacher and she has her Classes in my Village Hall. Certainly food for thought once again Brett.

[@AdventureOtaku]

Legs going to sleep is frequently a blood flow issue. Play with foot peg adjustments and see if that helps. Yeah, skip the v sits!

[@Simon_W74]

@@AdventureOtaku We spoke via email last year with the list of injuries I have had, I am still waiting to see a Physio, as I am meant to see them every years to have my movement measured and recorded, but haven't seen one since 2019. I asked to be referred when I saw my Rheumatology Consultant back in February, along with asking yet again to be referred to Bio Mechanics as my Orthotics are over 9 years old and I have only two left. and we need to look at having new ones made and hopefully making them more comfortable for my as they make my heal very sore if I am doing a fair bit of walking. As part of my adjustments to my seating in my boat I am also playing with the lift of the seat, to try and bring in more support under my legs. I also really need to get a grip on losing weight. I am lucky I still have a fast metabolism, I am just very good at over riding it. as I can when I put my mind to it drop weight fairly quickly. Then We go out for a meal and eye become bigger than my belly and I am back to square one or I have a really sweet treat and it is the same.

[@AdventureOtaku]

Yeah, I would continue to play with seat position and foot position, as you said it could be lift of seat…. A lot of fit factors going on.

[@Simon_W74]

@@AdventureOtaku The easiest thing to do is removed the hip pads and that takes away the issue of sleepy legs, but does allow me to be properly connected to the boat. I don't even feel any pressure on my hips with the pads I just end up with legs that are asleep. I don't know if blood flow issues normally result in pin and needles as I don't get them when my legs go to sleep in the boat with Hip Pads. Like when you are sat on something funny and your legs go numb, and you then have the fun of dealing with pins and needles when you then get up. I can get away with it in White Water boats when learning to Roll. I just ended up with aching hips from using them to try and get back the right way up. I still need to get back to rolling as I started off well then got worse each returning week. I have recently started a trail of Vitamin B3 which is said to really help with Arthritis, not sure if it is doing anything as yet as only just started to take it. along with Vitamin D and Magnesium. which I have taken for sometimes. I would love to find a natural way of controlling my arthritis and hopefully come off the Prescription Medication I am on.

[@markheatfield3994]

Nice video. Flexibility, core strength, and body to kayak connection are much emphasized in the traditionally-inspired (Greenland) kayaking community. If one really wants to feel connected to a kayak, try an Ocean cockpit.

[@AdventureOtaku]

I haven’t tried an ocean cockpit. Need to make that happen. Thanks.

[@markheatfield3994]

I'm in northern part of Hampton Roads; I'm happy to introduce you to OC's sometime.

[@davidkrueger3152]

Thx for another well done video. I saw Assateague Island on your white board - u planing a trip? If so, maybe we could meet up and paddle / camp. It’s a great place as u know. Dave

[@AdventureOtaku]

I’ll be there in mid April. I’m not sure exactly what dates. the plan is to test out some gear and make videos. Be great to hook up, but still not sure when it will be.

[@davidkrueger3152]

@@AdventureOtaku cool beans! I would love to give support if needed. Do you mean mid -May? I’m a Prof. of studio art - my classes end by May 9th so that would be ideal. Anyway, keep in touch. If UR too busy, np.

[@AdventureOtaku]

@@davidkrueger3152I think I do mean mid May…. I’m teaching and pretty wiped out

[@davidkrueger3152]

@@AdventureOtaku From water to calendar ….AWARENESS - ! Thanks for the replies.

[@AdventureOtaku]

It’s so true….

[@miguelalonsoperez5609]

I never seen a dry suit on a lake, unless having -20 celsius… is funny watching videos where for a simple tour people equip with same material to an arctic expedition 😅

[@AdventureOtaku]

It doesn’t matter where you are, you should dress for immersion.

[@miguelalonsoperez5609]

@@AdventureOtaku in a lake? How can you fall in flat waters? Which is the water temperature? How long will you stay in water? I can roll a kayak in 3 seconds and jump in rough water in less than 10…

[@AdventureOtaku]

Yes. Regardless of location. You dress for immersion. Even if you can roll. And I have the dry suit, so when the water is 50 degrees, why wouldn’t I wear it? I would also add, you made mention of “same material to an arctic expedition.” You do know that dry suits aren’t insulated? Right? They don’t keep you warm. I suspect you have never worn one, based on your comments. And finally, this was shot in March. The water temp was mid 50’s. Plenty cold enough to take precautions.

[@miguelalonsoperez5609]

@@AdventureOtaku I worn, but for subaquatic immersions… The problem of all that stuff is you will get soaked at the lightest effort by heating and transportation… and for mid 50 fahrenheit a simple neoprene is enough. But perhaps you fall constantly in your lake promenades, one never knows… 🤔

[@AdventureOtaku]

No you just change the layers you are wearing underneath. It’s really not that hard.

[@weederfish9254]

Dynamic risk assessment

[@AdventureOtaku]

Sure. Call it what you will. Honestly most people don’t do good risk assessment anyway

[@naomibrown7785]

Situational awareness is both training and an analogue skill. Most “older” humans grew up analogue; “younger “ folk “digital” and have little what I call dimensional intelligence; knowing “where” something is. What may be “natural “ life skills may never be.

[@AdventureOtaku]

It can still be learned. Analogue or not.

[@christophernunez3403]

Since when was kayaking called paddling?

[@AdventureOtaku]

Pretty much always. paddling is a general term that covers all paddle sports. So, canoeing, kayaking (be it whitewater, sea or recreational) can all be called paddling.

[@pingkuo7355]

Thank you, a lot of good explanations and awesome editing! One thing tho, I don't like the term "locked in", as I have seen some people take it literally and padded their boat so tight, they are "locked in". When it comes time to bail and wet exit, being stuck upside-down is quite scary. Or people trim their fitting in the summer but when adding on a wetsuit or a dry suit all the sudden they cannot safely wet exit. I don't think that's what you meant by "locked-in" but some may take a wrong interpretation and potentially harm themselves in the process. In all circumstances when adding any fittings, one should try to perform their wet exit and re-entry safety and with company ideally.

[@AdventureOtaku]

Yes, a couple of people have taken issue with me using the term “locked in” which I find surprising since I made a point of saying it in comparison to not sliding around in your kayak. If you prefer snug I will use that term in the future - I am toying with a quick addendum video. We will see. I want good contact, I want the boat to do what your legs tell the boat to do. In fairness, teaching mostly new paddlers, I have never seen a student put themselves in a boat so tightly they cant get out. But I have seen many students afraid of getting stuck, and many students sitting way too loosely in their boat. So I am surprised to see people taking my use of that term to the extreme and being concerned about people getting stuck. I have never seen someone get stuck in a boat. Though I don’t doubt your experience, I am just saying I have never seen it.

[@pingkuo7355]

@@AdventureOtaku thank you, I do agree with your points and the importance of a proper fitting kayak. Perhaps it's more so in my personal experience and my overcautious nature. My passion is in rolling so the "snug" fitting in rolling has been taking onto a different level altogether. I don't want to take away from all the good and positive points of your video. Thank you for the information and your contribution to the community :)

[@adamstepic8083]

If you use a Greenland paddle, don't listen to any of this, it is completely wrong technique for Greenland paddlers. If you use a euro blade, this video is great. I use a Greenland paddle, I do not lock myself into my boat.

[@AdventureOtaku]

Well, obviously I’m not using a Greenland paddle. But Greenland paddlers with all that rolling aren’t locked into their thighs and feet? Greenland cockpits are by the nature of the boats pretty tight..

[@adamstepic8083]

​​@@AdventureOtakuIncorrect. You need to be able to move your hips when using a Greenland paddle. The technique is different. Your euro blade content is great, so are your videos. It's incorrect when talking Greenland paddles. You might be able to see what I'm talking about on my channel. I paddle a Impex outer island

[@DancingWithTheSea]

@@AdventureOtaku when you say 5 points of contact, do you mean when just sitting there relaxed? Or do you mean that as you paddle contact is made, maybe on one thigh brace at a time? I like one point of contact when relaxed, and a second to connect to the kayak when paddling, edging, and rolling, or whatever else. I stopped using foot braces years ago. Can't imagine going back. And it has not slowed me down one bit.

[@AdventureOtaku]

Well keep in mind my channel is aimed at beginners. These are my primary students as well. For beginners I am going to say five points of contact at rest. As skills advance, as comfort increases with the boat, and with skills then feel free to make adjustments. Also keep in mind the video I did a while ago called “rethinking everything” - there is no one way. We come in all shapes and sizes and abilities. Adjust accordingly. I’d be hard pressed to tell a new student not to use foot pegs and I think you would agree.

[@DancingWithTheSea]

@@AdventureOtaku Makes a lot of sense, thanks for the clarity.