How To Kayak - Keep Your Momentum

Learn how to be a better boater with a few simple tips. Learning how to kayak can be tough. A lot of kayaking is counter intuitive and requires overcoming some instinctive habits. One of the simple things you can do to become a better boater is to keep your momentum. We also talk about doing more with less strokes. The video also documents Zack's and Michael's PFD of Wilson Creek Gorge
Always carry a safety whistle! - amzn.to/3XI5Ab6
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[@Clambelly]

This might be the BEST instructional whitewater video on KZbin.

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Thanks a ton jm!

[@jameswalsh1690]

Great video Pete! Gotta love Zacks mental stamina, dude sure hangs in there for that roll!💪

[@RiverKingsKayak]

For sure James!

[@DejanSmaic]

Thanks for the video. I've had a very low key season, lots of time on the water, but less drama...too much toxicity in my professional environment affecting my fire to fire it up in V- stuff. But, this video is "why I paddle", a playground with jumble gym of water, smooth rocks, and friends. This is what it's all about.

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Thanks Dejan! I agree! Low Key seasons are all part of it too!

[@jonjones8065]

I found it really informative when you explained how the boat would interact with seams in the rapid, and how to angle the boat/take counter strokes. As a newer boater, I’m not finding a lot of other resources for reading rapids and edging/counterstroking to run things clean without being tipped around. I try to pick it up by watching others and using my sense, but it helps to hear it broken down like that.

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Right on Jon! That is what it is all about!

[@JoseLima-pt9hu]

Another fantastic moment of instruction and fun. Thank you so much. I wish I'd live close to all these places on your videos.

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Thanks Jose!

[@KZ-yu4jz]

I love these educational videos!

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Thanks KZ!

[@halieorr22]

Great video, Pete!! The guys put in the work with excellent attitudes & I could see the improvement. Good stuff!! The window shade finish was a nice 🍒 on top!! 😆 Nailed it!!!!

[@RiverKingsKayak]

LOL! Thanks Halie!!

[@nickbailey500]

What a great video. Saw so many things I’ve been doing wrong and how to correct them. Fab breakdown sections that explain the differences. Keen to get out on the river, stop fighting my way down and cruise in style instead. 👍

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Thanks Nick! Hope it makes a difference for you! Let me know how it goes!

[@gadgetman_nz4092]

Looks a lot of fun. Itching to get back on the water. Even keen to have a crack at white water again. Think the last time on the white stuff was about '89 when I got my first taste.

[@RiverKingsKayak]

right on gadget man!

[@blacksheepyakas4389]

Hey Pete, another great video! I know your videos are all about being and staying positive. A friend of mine injured his shoulder after getting pinned at a WW centre in the UK he is new to WW paddling and this accident has shattered his confidence around all moving water and no longer gets involved or declines to paddle any moving water. Can you do a video on Mindset, positivity and fear suppression. To help everyone get back on the horse after a bad experience or for those who have capsizing anxiety. On some of your previous videos those paddlers that didn't have the confidence to get in a feature to improve their skills due to fear of capsizing or just plain getting it wrong in front of a crowd how as a coach do you help them gain the confidence and move forward in their paddling journey?? Thanks again this is the best kayaking channel on YT!! keep it up.

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Good question...here is a video on just that... kzbin.info/www/bejne/fqi6gZlrZdiah5I

[@blacksheepyakas4389]

Thanks Pete I have watched probably 80% of your content and not sure I have ever seen this one!?!@@RiverKingsKayak

[@RiverKingsKayak]

@@blacksheepyakas4389 right on! Hope that helps a bit!

[@saint5203]

Forward speed is so crucial.

[@RiverKingsKayak]

indeed!

[@kwright683]

Great vid as always!

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Thank you K!

[@bigwigSOL]

Love the videos so far! Can wait to go use these tips. Me and a friend are just now getting into WW Kayaking. we plan to hit Chattahoochee section 3 as a introduction. any tips you have specifically for the Lill Joe?

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Right on bigwig! Be safe out there!

[@treyhelms5282]

Looks like beautiful Clear water

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Thanks Trey!

[@WVWes]

Looks like a good day on the water!

[@RiverKingsKayak]

For sure Wes!!

[@bryanreed1000]

Lol great ending! Hope to meet you someday bro

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Thanks Bryan! For sure!

[@troybennington3479]

Love the lessons, do draw strokes count? Sad I missed that -6… hopefully real soon.

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Thanks Troy! draw strokes are a much better option wherein you can build power on the blade face and then transfer that into forward momentum.

[@myadventureoutdoors]

I just wish I could roll a kayak. My lips are pouting right now. At least I’ve seen Frank Bells rapids from the underside.

[@RiverKingsKayak]

LOL! ADVENTURE STEVE!!!! I think you have seen more of Frank Bells than anyone I know!

[@pinkpackraft]

Great video! Being new to the sport, this might be a stupid question-- what does "-6" mean in reference to flow? So far I've only heard flow described in feet or cfs. Thanks!

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Thanks PPR! Yes and it is in relation to a bridge gage for the paddlers that is painted on the pylon. the newer Online gage would read 2.5'.

[@dustincall2690]

What is around the edges of your paddle? It looks useful to prevent damage to the blades.

[@RiverKingsKayak]

door edge guard from auto zone. works wonders to preserve your blade

[@thekellhound]

Hey Pete. Trying to apply the "minimize negative stroke" approach - It's fun to notice how you tend to catch up to the others in the group - as I'm able to keep the momentum going. Keep up the great content. Been wondering about your general thoughts on body posture - sitting upright vs. leaning forward/back (...not sure it's big enough topic for a separate vid?), -- how much do you work by shifting weight front / center / back? - e.g. how to deal with a too aggressive forward posture - especially once the "push" really comes into play - resulting in the current quite sharply grabbing the weighted bow and forcing a very tight turn, ... would you keep at it and train it out until a more upright position becomes natural? ... or (easy mode) adjust the seat back a bit to counter this (I assume this will be quite counterproductive when going from creeker to half-slice)? - do you apply a more laid back posture to achieve a kind of "surfing" out of the eddy & getting further across current and giving a bigger radius on the turn? - how to determine optimum seat position lengthwise?

[@RiverKingsKayak]

well, a lot to unpack there. Basically I have found I prefer my seat slightly center or just slightly forward so as to be able to drive it from a neutral position. If you can get that sweet spot, simply weighting back can unlock the stern's abilities etc. That will also allow you to lean forward though holes etc without unduly weighting the bow. But yes, there is a ton of weight shifting through the course of a run and even in just one rapid. Most of the time, paddlers habitually lean back too much, rarely do I see a padder leaning too far forward. Being aggressive is harder to teach than being defensive or passive. Perhaps you just need to drop that seat back a bit to maintain your aggressive posture but with a more evenly balanced trim...

[@hielkeh.46]

Very Nice vid! But whats wrong with the Burn?

[@RiverKingsKayak]

This was the Burn's older, uglier cousin...the Ammo.

[@zachariahschiada2440]

To be fair to the boat though, a lot of the problems were my form. That being said, it wasn’t forgiving when I made the wrong moves. It’s great for quick turns and actually good for boofing. I just need to practice boofing more. It’s like 7 inches shorter than the burn.

[@hielkeh.46]

@@zachariahschiada2440 well it always take time to learn new stuff especially when you have some “old rusty habits” like the back stroke (I know the problem) but about the boat I thought it was a Burn, a boat that isn’t that bad.. my mistake ;) keep on paddling!

[@bobmcelroy7289]

Hit the LIKE BUTTON, y'all!

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Thanks bob!

[@canajian]

👋😎👍

[@jairusstoudenmire3917]

Was that a sympathy window shade for us rustics? 😆

[@RiverKingsKayak]

If it happens, I throw it in there! LOL

[@jam7547]

You sure know your kayaking

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Thanks Jam! it is always a work in progress!