How To Kayak: FREE Kayaking 101 Lesson

Today we'll walk you through everything you need to know before you go kayaking for the first time.
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[@merlecoggins7712]

“You go where you look…” I used this same concept when I was a motorcycle rider coach. When avoiding an obstacle you MUST look at the escape path rather than the obstacle. If you focus on the obstacle you’ll hit the obstacle.

[@paddleboy84]

Seth killed it on this edit! Thanks for making us look good buddy.

[@leoveroude4492]

Totally! Wow!

[@bopsmom22]

GREAT job Seth!!! I just knew you must have been behind this!

[@sethezekielwest]

'twas a fun one! Great spot to shoot.

[@puss1234able]

You're a terrific instructor. Thanks for a great video. (Let's see how much I remember when I'm ON the water!)

[@tomanderson9979]

I'm preparing to buy my first kayak and so glad I found these videos. Any topic you cover you do so completely and clearly. Also the views you provide are beautiful. You have so many great places to choose from. Thanks for all the tips and information.

[@FlyFishDan]

Great tutorial and overview - thanks!

[@Skuikidigitz]

Been really thinking of th8s seems fun and good workout very clear and easy guide ima buy one soon you got me punped and less intemadated ima bing this 101 series

[@o.c.stiggs5377]

Great vid.

[@JulieOlsenParkCity]

Thanks for your tips!

[@cvx2dog549]

Yes we did learn something! Thanks!

[@CharlesYanHK]

Thank you！just went for paddling today, got my leg sun burnt, my phone showering in water and very sore arms for only 5km paddling. Wish I saw your video beforehand! 😂

[@HeadwatersKayak]

Hopefully it was just the first of many. Glad you got out, and stoked you found our channel.

[@danareed1656]

awesome video Thank you!

[@HappyPaddlin]

An awesome, informative, concise, beautiful video! Amazing area! Thanks!

[@bopsmom22]

Another EXCELLENT video Dan! I have been wanting something like this to share with new paddlers forever! I look forward to keeping this is my toolbox and sharing with our local paddling communities. Well done!!

[@yakkensteinfishing]

Great video of tips. That lake looks really cool! Nice spot. Great edits and vid!

[@Blazedbarbie333]

Thanks very informative beginner here ❤

[@coreymac2381]

Excellent video!

[@HeadwatersKayak]

Thanks for watching

[@Camping814]

Thanks!

[@djslewis]

Another amazing and informative video I will be sending to all my upstate NY kayaking friends new to the sport... thanks, Dan!! Appreciate all the hard work you guys at Headwaters put into your videos! Super helpful and understandable!! 🙌🏻

[@HeadwatersKayak]

Thanks for watching I’m glad you found it helpful.

[@MrMagnat007]

Dan, Hints/Guides on keeping stability whilst paddling would be great.

[@kdogg7882]

Definitely going to keep all this in mind. I’m thinking of getting a kayak for this coming spring. It’s going to be pretty cold here soon. You wouldn’t believe some of the videos I’ve seen on KZbin. People going down some pretty crazy stuff and not even wearing life jackets.

[@GetOutandKayakMalta]

Look for local kayak clubs, you won't regret it.

[@kevinwaters-marsh217]

Thanks Champ. Great instructions. Love your channel. Thanks 👍

[@HeadwatersKayak]

🙏 🙏

[@TexasBarnRats]

THANK YOU!!! Just got my family started. We really needed this!

[@HeadwatersKayak]

Right on! Happy you found it. Please share it around if you found it helpful.

[@chrisdenson1656]

Excellent video man! New to kayaking and this may be my favortite of yours so far. Excellent presentation and editing. Keep up the great work!

[@HeadwatersKayak]

Thanks, I’m very proud of this one. I really wanted to make a video that felt like you were sitting in on a beginner kayak lesson with me. I’m glad you found it helpful.

[@wolfclan8631]

Thank you so much Dan! I have been out on the water my whole life in boats and a canoes but am just starting out with a kayak. Your videos are extremely helpful and full of important information. I have learned more from just a couple of your videos than I have from many others combined.

[@HeadwatersKayak]

Thanks for the kind words. I’m glad you found them. Enjoy your summer!

[@jerry4a]

Great techniques.

[@HeadwatersKayak]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@CRICRICTH]

You are the best 🎉

[@HeadwatersKayak]

Thanks for watching

[@CRICRICTH]

I always do

[@gump2236]

I've watch your older Kayaking 101 video several times. What a nice update! I consider myself as an "experienced novice". Well, that will change next month. I am heading out on a 300+ mile trip starting mid-October. I am paddling the Colorado River (TX) from Mansfield Dam in Austin to the Gulf of Mexico in Matagorda Beach. I am an experienced kayaker (mostly fishing). I am an experienced camper. Adding both provides a new set of challenges. I've rewatched many of your vids as of late. They are great reminders of the do's and don'ts. The "Kayak Camping 101" is very informative. Keep up the great work! Thanks Dan!

[@HeadwatersKayak]

Fantastic! Sounds like a really cool adventure. Please let us know how things go. Will you be posting photos or stories anywhere?

[@gump2236]

No videos, and lots of pics. I will be posting daily updates on my FB.

[@gregvoci3874]

Thanks for making this excellent video. I'm a newbie who started kayaking a month ago, and this video gave me some really good insights. And by complete coincidence, last week I bought the identical Eddyline Caribbean 12 FS with the same color scheme. The kayak is extremely stable and provides for a more efficient ride than the rotomolded ones I rented.

[@HeadwatersKayak]

Glad it was helpful! Enjoy your new kayak!

[@TomSilver_42]

Have to have gear: (on shallow rivers/creeks) = helmet ! Light but durable. As attempt to do eskimo flip in 2-3ft of water .. you'll be glad you had that helmet.

[@pcomninaki]

Why didn’t I watch these before my first time?? My second paddle yesterday was so much dryer and more fun all thanks to your simple tips. Thank you!!

[@HeadwatersKayak]

Great to hear!

[@pcomninaki]

First time…5 spills second time 2 spills. Yesterday one spill on a 6 hour trip. How do I navigate shallow choppy turbulence. The ones you can see from a distance. I either go around it (more shallow) but I’d rather just be able to take it on. Seems like when I get indecisive I lose momentum going over the small rapids and that’s when I get turned around or off balance and get sent out of boat

[@teresaponziani161]

Dan, what is the best way to store my kayak during winter? Thanks for these wonderful videos.

[@HeadwatersKayak]

I just made a video about storage on your express channel. Best thing is to keep it covered and out of the weather. A good set of stands or racks will help as well.

[@teresaponziani161]

Thanks so much, Dan!!!

[@michellenielsen9846]

You mentioned that you were going to talk about towing the kayak on the car, trailer etc. Have you posted that video? I am really looking forward to it.

[@HeadwatersKayak]

We have not yet. Sorry for the wait. We needed to get the supplies together to make it happen

[@patrickbusche5665]

Great video, very informative with good advices, thank you very much 😏👍 please, dont take this question amiss, your sunglasses, which brand??

[@HeadwatersKayak]

I’ll have to go look. they are an expensive polarize floaty ones I get from the kayak store. They sell for $50 or so.

[@romancox2186]

What a beautiful lake. Are there any places you suggest to paddle in Utah/Idaho?

[@HeadwatersKayak]

I've never paddled out that way. I guess I've been on the Green river in Southern UT, but Never anywhere up near Salt Lake.

[@dontall71]

The look where you want to go applies to motorcycles also

[@Matthew_Draper]

Hay mate I always trying put do much pressure on my paddle on my kayak to get lot of speed and what tips can you give me also I am from England

[@HeadwatersKayak]

Feel the water. Sometimes less is more. Focus on a good catch up at your toes, and then applying pressure to the paddle blade as you rotate from your core. If there are bubbles coming off your paddle your doing it wrong. Once you learn to rotate and drive the boat forward through your feet without causing bubbles, then you’re ready to apply power. Watch some forward stroke specific videos to get a better explanation.

[@BDiHaze]

@headwater kayaks I really like this life vest you have on, please share link to make and model. Thanks

[@HeadwatersKayak]

Thanks! That would be the Sturgeon by Astral. You can find it here: astraldesigns.com/products/sturgeon?variant=42567084900566

[@GetOutandKayakMalta]

Superb! Thank you! Are you in arizona?!? Looks like it! i miss it a lot! Watching from Malta!

[@HeadwatersKayak]

I was just traveling through on a trip.

[@aaronbennett7338]

What gear do you recommend for colder weather paddling?

[@HeadwatersKayak]

Great question. We will be going over this in an upcoing video. I do have an older video here that breaks down the general concepts of cold weather paddling gear. kzbin.info/www/bejne/eoHaZYuHo9SFbdk

[@aaronbennett7338]

@@HeadwatersKayak cool thanks for the reply. Just thought id ask as I live up in canada and it's starting to cool down but I still want to paddle

[@roadrunnerfirebird]

Why, when you paddeling, it looks like so damn smooth?👌😎 I think i never get it for looking strokes like nothing.😓 Greetings from Germany.

[@HeadwatersKayak]

Thanks for the round about complement. Years and years of playing in boats I guess. The more you do it, the easier it becomes.

[@RZNATION2036]

So I'm going kayaking next month for my first time and now I'm watching some videos. I have a question though? So I had an injury years back and it cost me movement in my right leg. Am I still able to do this without having function of my leg? It's a signal connection thing from my brain to my leg so I don't have any forward force to do anything. Your response would help me out a lot.

[@HeadwatersKayak]

You’ll be fine. Just take it slow and feel it out. I’m sure you’ll find ways to adapt. Pick a calm spot and practice. Have fun!

[@RZNATION2036]

@@HeadwatersKayak awesome thank you for responding to that, I've been slightly doubting it

[@baristeve1]

Dan, do you have any experience with Kaku Kayaks?

[@HeadwatersKayak]

No I do not

[@lancesmith2149]

What kind of water shoes do you recommend?

[@HeadwatersKayak]

I use Astral’s and they are awesome. Neoprene booties work great in cooler months. NRS makes some great ones for kayaking.

[@frieze420]

what shoes are you wearing?

[@HeadwatersKayak]

Astral Lowyaks

[@frieze420]

@@HeadwatersKayak cool they look nice gonna see if I can order a pair

[@arcana1973]

Link for the hoodie?

[@HeadwatersKayak]

www.nrs.com/nrs-mens-silkweight-hoodie/pdn7

[@ildesalinas3412]

Watson lake?

[@HeadwatersKayak]

Yes

[@siphodeus02]

Watson Lake?

[@HeadwatersKayak]

You got it! Such a beautiful spot.

[@Patchesmama21]

Prescott Az for the win!!

[@LetsGoPaddling]

Nice one Dan, thank you. I hear mixed opinions about forward stroke's push-pull. Some say to do it, some say not to do it in order to prevent the paddle blade from going into negative angle in the water too quickly. These poeple say to keep arms nearly straight out and just engage the core, driven from the feet and hips. I don't know which way is better but I try to avoid push-pull motion. I also get into my sit inside kayak by holding the coaming at the front with one hand, keeping the second one on solid surface, and then catching balance with my leg once I step into the kayak. This method is adopted from sprinters and works 100% on a 64cm wide drop-stitch kayak. Have a go and see how it works for you 😉

[@HeadwatersKayak]

To each is own. Do what feels right and do it often. Over time we all develop skills and habits that work for us and our style of paddling. These are all gerenal ideas that I have found to be successful over my years of teaching.

[@LetsGoPaddling]

@@HeadwatersKayak It can't be more true. I shared your vid across a few groups, it will prove useful for many.

[@HeadwatersKayak]

@@LetsGoPaddling 🙏

[@flushot6513]

Mr Miyagi wax on wax off