How to catch an Eddy - Kayaking

[@DrPearcy]

Your videos are fantastic for us newbies. Thank you for making them.

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Thanks DrPearcy! Glad they are of some value!

[@KZ-yu4jz]

Such a great video, always appreciate when you create these helpful tutorials

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Thanks KZ!

[@DB-cx6cb]

❤️as a 70 year old who has never been in a kayak I find your skill exceptionally impressive. Wish I had taken up this sport as a young man. I love watching your skillset. Do you think I could kayak on a quiet river? What type kayak would you recommend? I’ve watched the videos on touring kayaks by Eddyline and being physically fit, am I crazy or has my time past me by? Thanks for any honest appraisal.

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Right on DB! It is never too old! The main thing is to find your comfort zone for what type of paddling you want to do. While I do love crazy rapids and waterfalls, paddling on a quiet, lazy river is also still one of my favorite things to do...it holds a different beauty and peace that whitewater cannot provide. There are sooo many option as to what level of adventure you are looking for and I am sure you will find it. I suggest starting off on still water, then a lazy river, then moving water, then if you are still looking for more, finding a group to try some class 2 with etc...you will find where you are most happy. Go get after it!!!! The "which boat" phase will come next, but there is no way to solve that without first deciding what kind of paddling you want to do. You will also likely buy and sell several boats while figuring this all out, so I suggest demos, borrowing, buying used off Facebook Marketplace, etc...For a first boat, something like a 10 or 12 footer will allow you to dabble in a lot of different water...ENJOY!!

[@stephenglitzer831]

I appreciate all you offer in your videos! You show everything that I love about the river life. Upbeat, positive, it's chill and technical at the same time, nice work! I would live to come paddle NC with you someday. I'll have to stick to my Rockies for now though. Thanks for all you give!

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Thanks for the kind words and encouragement Stephen! I would love to get out your way sometime! HMU if you make down this way!

[@Mirko_SanSan]

Really useful, and my favorite of the "catching eddies" videis so far.

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Thank you! Hopefully it will be useful to you! Thanks for watching.

[@adamstepic8083]

I watch all your videos. I am more or a sea kayaker. I always find it interesting how the skills needed to do white water compared to sea kayaking. My 18' inpex outer island won't spin 180 degrees like your play boat. I do hope to get myself into a crossover boat to learn white water. I hope when I do, I meet someone as friendly as you to help me learn those skills. You are calm as well as clear when you speak. Thanks for the videos. I hope your around for a long time. Keep up the good work.

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Thanks Adam! If you ever venture to central NC, send me a line...we should hit a river sometime!

[@carlkoch6460]

Very good video for beginners. Good technique demo and I really liked how you added a couple of examples from much more challenging water to emphasize the value of the skill being taught!

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Thanks Carl!

[@micahandme8078]

Finally! I have been searching for this video for a long time. Thank you!

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Right on M & M!

[@mattm8400]

Thank you for this great detail! I'm headed down the lower Kern tomorrow. Can't wait to practice catching eddies

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Enjoy!

[@dermop6600]

I love your videos, so educational and fun to watch. Also like your spirit. :) I am planning to start kayaking this spring. Watching your vids gives me a whole lot of knowledge beforehand. Greetings from Germany and thanks for your awesome work.

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Right on Der PdA! Thanks for the kind words!

[@jcee2259]

I learned how to catch a tidal eddy up against a 9 knot tidal flow. Channeled both in a straight mile long channel and a "S"=shaped canyon. Sharks below and rip-rap shorelines. 9 knots was a fast steamer crossing the Atlantic Ocean in 1917. Another reason to hug the the rocks was wake off fast moving diesel trawlers and tugboats. I usually went around Goat Island if out of La Conner.

[@RiverKingsKayak]

OJT!! I hear ya J Cee2!

[@jimfatyakmcgregor8867]

Great vid. Thanks for the info. I'm sure this will be helpful for those who need to take a short breather.

[@jimfatyakmcgregor8867]

I'd love to see how it's done in a three man kayak

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Much the same, although you need a 3 man eddy! LOL.

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Thanks Jim!

[@thewonderingelectrician]

great video and info. that little boat sure looks like fun.

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Thanks man. I gotta get you specifically into a ww boat this summer...you will be hooked. Everything else you have done is just pointing to it.

[@thewonderingelectrician]

River Kings that would be awesome. Maybe we can do a week day trip soon.

[@RiverKingsKayak]

That sounds good.

[@adventureswithacherokee8378]

Great video, great tutorial!

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Thanks AWAC!

[@MtnRIM]

Hey Pete! Thanks as always. Just going over this video again. When you say lean your kayak, is your body to stay perpendicular to the water so in essence just titling the boat with just your hips?

[@MtnRIM]

Nevermind. Watching Trouble Catching Eddys 🤣✌🏼

[@Kwood10]

Excellent video . What kind/size paddle are you using ? What kind of kayak is that ? Brand ?

[@RiverKingsKayak]

thanks! wavesport project 56 is the kayak. werner carbon bent shaft sherpa 197cm is the paddle

[@riverdogadventuresnc7730]

Great instructional video.

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Thanks River Dog!

[@colmhanrahan2769]

Great teacher. Thanks

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Thanks Colm!

[@TWOWHEELFIX]

Excellent tutorial. 👌

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Thanks TWF!

[@rob_6292]

good stuff, thanks for sharing

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Thanks Rob_

[@jeffccr3620]

You should re-do this video so we can see your technique in the Prijon or Kantana. My question is in the bigger boats, is it more of the flick of the hips also or a hard lean into it to get the back of the boat to come around quicker?

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Great idea! It is the same but the long boats don't turn as fast so it takes some brute force with the paddle.

[@packraftkorea]

Hey, I'm Maradona Choi from South Korea and a packrafter, not a kayaker. I'm watching your video and study by myself. It's so helpful and appreciate your lovely footages. Is it possible to re-make your video with my voice recording and some texts in Korean and show it to my packrafting online club ? I've got 1000 members in the club and it would be so helpful for them. You will get some subscriber increasing from Korea...haha. If you don't mind, I'd like to translate it into korean. Please let me know your opinion on my suggestion. Best regards.

[@RiverKingsKayak]

No thanks.

[@packraftkorea]

@@RiverKingsKayak Ah~ ok~^^ appreciate your answer,.

[@Mary-sf8cy]

​@@RiverKingsKayak Why not?

[@Mary-sf8cy]

Why is that log in the water where it is only moving under and not over a death trap?

[@RiverKingsKayak]

because your boat will be stopped by the log and then the current will push you under it. It is then easy to get trapped by the log / branches/ other debris that is clogged up.

[@Mary-sf8cy]

Thank you so much

[@bleach2856]

Why is that tree a "death trap"? What makes it a problem?

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Hey Bleach, in those situations, when large amounts of water are flowing under a tree, it is very easy to get broached and then flushed under the tree exposing you to all kinds of pin potential. Tree hazards are very dangerous...

[@bleach2856]

@@RiverKingsKayak Right on. I was just curious. I spend a lot of time alone kayak fishing river systems. I try and stay alert and aware of possible situations and surroundings. Thanks for the reply.

[@dodhdhdfdffgdhfonhdh]

@@RiverKingsKayak had an instance where my fishing kayak got pinned on one of thes loaded down with gear, was literally one of the most terrifying experiences I've ever had, good info. you should definitely do a video breaking down the hazards of the river, although im sure you have. defff subscribing!

[@stephanelair8285]

Nice video, really usefull, thanks 👍.

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Thanks Stephane!

[@burrows10011]

Any tips on catching an eddy with a 2 person inflatable?

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Paddle hard! LOL. You can do it, you just need a big eddy and some strong strokes.

[@thewonderingelectrician]

btw I saw a boat for sale and was curious if it would be a good next step. It was a dagger 9.0 approach hybrid crossover with a retractable skeg. Not sure if you are familiar with the boat or not.

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Yes I am. It will basically have the same performance as your boat now with a little more maneuverability. If you want to make the move, get a full on ww creek boat. They are the biggest, easiest ww boats to paddle. Liquid Logic Jefe, Dagger Nomad, Pyranha Shiva, or Jackson Super Hero are good boats for you. Get a creek boat and save the aggravation of having that crossover ish type of kayak that really doesn't work.

[@thewonderingelectrician]

River Kings thanks glad i asked. I think I will keep an eye out for one. All the ww talk is getting me interested.

[@RiverKingsKayak]

the wonderingelectrician there is nothing like it. they are horrible for long trips, but heaven on a good river.

[@thewonderingelectrician]

River Kings so i should be looking in the 9ft range?

[@RiverKingsKayak]

8 or 9, no longer for sure.

[@abl5516]

still binging...lol ...great vid

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Thanks UO!!

[@sagecanshoot3989]

Would like to see you remake some of your instruction videos letting P5 do the demonstrations. If you are ready for him to be famous.

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Good idea!

[@deuceryan]

exiting an eddy, leaning down river with paddle down river goes against the human brain of wanting to lean up river! I've struggled with this.

[@RiverKingsKayak]

So much of paddling is counter intuitive!