One Mistake to Avoid When Kayaking

[@danielwheeldon9180]

I love this, cant even roll yet in calm conditions, so really pleased to see how excited Steve was with his first combat roll. Didnt even lose his go pro either!

[@adulfdabo898]

Yep, still waiting for a little warmer conditions out there to go out on my favourite little lake to work on rolling. It's a very cold one, but also crystal clear and clean, so I don't have to worry about taking a sip, if it doesn't work out as good. 😁

[@RiverKingsKayak]

T.E.T.H.E.R. the river loves the sweet taste of GoPros...

[@SpecialBeaterService]

Thanks Pete. This is exactly what I’m struggling with at the moment but watching this I think the penny has finally dropped. Still can’t roll yet but these videos stop me from giving up. Thanks again.

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Right on David!

[@Pete_R63]

I love that you put the name and model of each boat.

[@IE_Tiger]

Definitely something to consider going forward!

[@RiverKingsKayak]

I will try to remember to do it each time...

[@IE_Tiger]

@@RiverKingsKayak it's hard enough remembering everyone's name! Great video once again

[@kwright683]

I came for the quality content, I stayed for the epic neckspins. Great vid as always!

[@RiverKingsKayak]

LOL!!! I have decided Neckspins are the most important skill in kayaking! LOL.

[@wncprepper]

Passed your car today coming from TN into NC seen the sticker on your window. Decided to check out your channel

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Right on WNCprepper! Thanks!

[@deadpres]

Thanks!

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Wow! Thanks a ton Linden!

[@mattmccallum2879]

This is great info for me. Can’t wait to start my 5 day instructional course at the whitewater center. Thanks for making such great how tos, I’ve learned through experience it doesn’t replace actual practice, but it definitely helps keep me excited about getting back out there.

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Right on Matt! you are gonna love it!

[@uoftfightclub]

Great stuff. My friend drilled it into my head to get rid of those negative strokes, still working on it

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Right on D D!

[@jamesyarham2190]

Another great video Pete, watching your channel has really helped me progress my paddling and I recently ran my first G3 river in the UK. Keep up the great work

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Thanks a ton James! Thats what it is all about!

[@TheSpring051]

Another great video, thanks Pete 😊

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Thanks Ian!

[@timmcdaniels7083]

Great video! I gotta hit the lower haw this year! It is so close and I have never been able to make it up there! lol

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Lets go Tim!

[@JakeYaks]

Takes some guts to try new stuff when you don’t trust your combat roll. Progression comes so much smoother whenever you can trust that you won’t swim on every mistake you make

[@followingrj]

Truth

[@RiverKingsKayak]

thats for sure! I am one of the few left that preach learning the roll first...

[@laurensturdevant]

​@River Kings As a newbie (I just started in February) whitewater is so much less intimidating when you know you can recover after making mistakes. I got my first combat roll at NOC's Spring Fling and already I feel more confident on the water. Rolling should be taught along with all of the other fundamentals you'd want a beginner to know.

[@FeWolf]

looks like the Rock Garden is grew nicely 🙃

[@RiverKingsKayak]

he he he!

[@lace.and.camo.youtube]

What a fun river challenge! They did a great job on the improvements and that 1st combat roll!! Gotta say rivers are my very Favorite thing in life, the waters and their powers, i just started getting into kayak fishing so i can be more a part of the rivers, but upon discovering your videos and channel, it has now inspired me to take my 1st white water class!! Here in Minnesota we practice beginner strokes in a university pool with a jet system designed to stimulate the river current. 6 week course and right now our rivers are still partially frozen over, but in 2 weeks we are done with the class and doing my 1st ever whitewater paddle!!! Had to share, thank you so much Pete for your videos, all the lessons, and most importantly sharing the camraderie on and beauty of the rivers!! 💙🎉

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Thanks!

[@jamesczech5506]

Very usefull

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Thanks James!

[@4JudgeSmails]

Do I spy a sweet vintage paddle top? I want

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Indeed Todd!!

[@adammobley5011]

I see what you are saying within the context of the backstrokes I observed in this video. However, I don't know that I agree with the generalized sentiment that one should avoid or reduce "negative strokes." (You are not the first one I have heard teach this) A good back stroke or a stern pry, can be very useful strokes in the paddler's toolbox. For instance, I use a back stroke all the time to initiate and maintain a back ferry, which I commonly use to boat scout above a drop. Backstrokes should be used appropriately, intentionally, and should be well timed, but I don't think they should be discouraged.

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Well I for one I am moving to get them banned completely...LOL. Of course I am kidding. That is why I mentioned that sometimes nothing else will do and in some situations it is just the stroke. With newer paddlers though, back strokes are relied upon for directional strokes instead of stern draws at the end of strokes etc, etc. In fact, to your point, in a back ferry, the forward stroke is the back stroke. So imagine performing a forward stroke to correct yourself in a back ferry boat-scouting situation...My intention was to discourage the backstrokes that weren't appropriate, intentional and well timed. I think we are on the same page.

[@CryptoSurfer]

I agree with the idea of a stern draw. As I was watching this, I kept thinking he would have been better off doing a downstream stern draw on the left side to maintain momentum and directional control rather than doing the rudder (back) stoke on the upstream (right) side , which although keeps directional control loses forward momentum.

[@gw6797]

​@@CryptoSurfer this is all well and good if you know what you are doing and not a beginner.

[@adammobley5011]

@@gw6797 I teach stern draws pretty early on since they are so incredibly useful. The stroke itself is not difficult, it is the timing that is tricky.

[@adammobley5011]

@@CryptoSurfer That's how I typically make this move. There is an elevator on the Chattooga that this method works perfectly on. It is so satisfying when you nail it! Although, I don't know that I would consider a stern rudder to be a back stroke per se. It is a dynamic stroke that can be a draw or a pry. A pry will ditch some speed but not as much a straight up back stroke. I think rudder strokes are more appropriate when moving downstream.

[@troybennington3479]

Always thought it silly when people said always paddle with even stroke’s on each side. When clearly , as your showing, that’s not always best . Especially in attainment situations. Keep working on that neck spin🥱

[@RiverKingsKayak]

If at all possible, I will keep that left right cadence...but in kayaking, there are infinite possibilities...it is all about unlocking the combination for each piece of river.

[@canajian]

👋😎👍