How To Kayak - Improve Your Skills

We head to the Lower Haw River for a Skill Builder Day. Anthony Brown is looking to improve his whitewater kayaking skills. We take a step back to firm up some foundational skills. In your quest to be a better kayaker, dont overlook the basics! Having rock solid fundamentals is crucial for improving as a kayaker especially when considering leveling up. Learning how to kayak is a ton of fun. It is also a ton of work! come along as we seek to improve our skills!
Protect those elbows! - G-Form Elbow Pads - amzn.to/3p1WEOU
Stoke Studios - / @stokestudioz
Join this channel:
/ @riverkingskayak

[@zacharytomlin8495]

Pete I just wanted to say thank you from a random stranger. Life is kinda tough right now but yesterday i finally went kayaking down the ohoopee river. My first time paddling a kayak it only took 44 years get there. Anyway thanks for inspiring a trip that for about 5 hours took away all the outside stresses and let me just enjoy life for a moment.

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Thanks a ton Zachary!! That is one of the best things about kayaking. It doesnt really matter what type of paddling you do, or what river you are on. Just being on the water kind of resets everything. Thanks for the encouragement and congrats on starting your paddling journey!!

[@joshinfwtx4506]

Love to hear that. My journey started fall of 2019 at 43. This past July I did the middle Ocoee. From short day trips exploring local (DFW) creeks, rivers, and lakes to kayak camping to whitewater (lots of driving for this) it's been great and so helpul to my mental and physical health. This old dog has learned a lot of new tricks over the past few years. I hope your recent trip is also the first of many more to come.

[@chrispaine2265]

I literally laughed out loud at the Wade Harrison impressions.

[@RiverKingsKayak]

I had to try...LOL!

[@boden8138]

Interesting watching your student using a sweep stroke when they should be using a close in power stroke to ferry. My students in the 80s did the same thing as they were trying to balance with the strokes instead of charging. Man, this brings back some great memories. Thanks 🙏☯️

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Indeed Boden! Great point! On the videos, I have found I have to pick and choose just what to talk about or they will all be 2 hours long! LOL. On another note, I dont consider myself a formal teacher with students per se...more of a slightly more experienced friend that loves to help out where I can. Since I never accept any compensation, I can be sure they are getting what they pay for! LOL. Thanks!

[@DownstreamV]

Nice work Anthony! Get it buddy!

[@RiverKingsKayak]

He made a ton of improvement! Just gotta get that seat time and reps in there!

[@ahilbilyredneksopinion]

I have only recreationally kayaked in my ten footer,I didn't even know that a yak could move like that.... looks like fun.i wish a white water yak didn't cost so much so I could do this.nice vid guys.

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Right on Tim! Keep an eye out on the used market...there are some deals to be found...

[@revealeddaily]

Just bought my first kayak for calm waters but I’m planning on whitewater rafting kayaks in future!

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Right on RD!

[@philipoakley5498]

Great stuff working these 'low grade' learning activities. It's really important!

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Thanks a ton Philip!

[@philipoakley5498]

@@RiverKingsKayak One of the real basic things I teach to (usually older) beginners is the 'buttocks' visualisation for balance, as in, sitting on a bar stool and shifting buttock to get the edging, separate from a whole body lean. It also works quite well for an alternative to the "hip flick/snap", which sounds far too dynamic for those of us of a certain age. The buttock shift (like a 'bumps-a-daisy' in some old dances) can then be visualised as 'doable' and smooth (I wrote it up in the recent Scottish "Paddler" magazine). When folks say raise the knee, they just mean sit on the other buttock ;-) ! Keep up the good work.

[@richardbrown9344]

Brilliant video...

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Thanks Richard!

[@jerrymiller276]

Teaching the difference between sitting in a kayak and wearing a kayak?

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Thats a good way to put it Jerry!

[@travismortenson]

Pete, great video, great channel! When you were ferrying across and talked about adding a right stroke instead of a left stroke to prevent adding more spin momentum, are you also trying to raise your left knee to keep the upstream water from causing a roll?

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Yes, we would call that edging. Not enough edge and you get flipped. Too much edge and you get pushed down stream. Locking in just the right amount to not flip yet still be able to surf is key...the river will let you know...LOL! It just takes seat time to be able to look at it and tell. Err on the side of too much edge and walk it back if you are in doubt...

[@travismortenson]

@@RiverKingsKayak Thanks, Pete!

[@williamrichmond8237]

To ferry the rapid at 6:40 without many strokes, are you essentially surfing the hole/wave?

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Yes, and surfing the flow where there isn't a wave as well...the act of ferrying has much to do with maintaining the boat angle which will push the boat right or left. Whether there is a wave there or not, you are basically surfing the flow from one side to the other. In this case, there are waves and areas with no waves. Coming in and out of those areas are what gave Anthony trouble. Learning the nuances of how to maintain that boat angle whilst coming in and out of the different flow types just takes lots of repetitions. hope that helps!

[@williamrichmond8237]

@@RiverKingsKayak thanks for the explanation! Do you have another video you'd recommend for the introduction of boat angle/surfing? In swifter water most of my ferries turn into peel outs.

[@RiverKingsKayak]

yes... here are a couple kzbin.info/www/bejne/m5fYaahreNSKa7c kzbin.info/www/bejne/rajJp3l5iL6Vnqs

[@BATSAIA]

Olá , quando enviar o vídeo me manda um salve sou canoísta do Brasil , Abraço amigo !!!

[@RiverKingsKayak]

right on Alvis!

[@todddavidson5012]

finally found someone that laughs like me lol

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Right on Todd!!

[@codychitwood2383]

Hey Pete. Totally unrelated to this video, but do you know the names of all the rapids at the whitewater center? Like is there a map somewhere with names? I can’t find anything online. It would make talking about the rapids much easier. Any assistance would be appreciated

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Here you go... en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S._National_Whitewater_Center

[@codychitwood2383]

@@RiverKingsKayak Thanks sir. Not sure why I couldn’t find that on my search of the interweb. Ive seen a few of your videos at the usnwc where you call a few rapids by name when talking about them so I figured you’d know. I appreciate it.

[@RiverKingsKayak]

@@codychitwood2383 yes sir!

[@troybennington3479]

Where to you store your fairy dust? Lol

[@RiverKingsKayak]

LOL! I would like to know myself...sometimes it runs out! LOL

[@canajian]

👋😎👍

[@danielwheeldon9180]

Really love your content Pete, do you have an email address or a way I could contact you? Cheers

[@RiverKingsKayak]

[e-mail]

[@danielwheeldon9180]

@@RiverKingsKayak emailed