sea kayak brace | when to use high brace

sea kayak brace
Here's where to sign in for the free "uncapsize" lesson. www.dancingwiththesea.com/fun...
After watching this video you will know when to use the high brace, and when to avoid it.
And how to do a sea kayak high brace that works every time. What I mean is you won’t find yourself upside down with your head under water and you can’t breathe.
If you learned to do a high brace before and found it difficult,
you’ll be happy to hear that this technique is easy for anyone to learn. It doesn’t take years.
So let's say you're paddling in the waves. When is a good time to use the high brace to stop a capsize?
I would say never…
I’m going to suggest that what works best is doing a low brace to avoid capsizing. And when you know you’re going in…
That’s when you deploy the high brace. But not the kind of high brace most people are teaching.
I call it the uncapsize method.
Because when you use your low brace, and this high brace together, it’s almost impossible to capsize you.
The way most people do it, either you’re upright, or you end up upside down. And roll back up. Or do a wet exit.
I don't’ like any of that.
What I’m suggesting you do instead is what the Inuit of Greenland learn before they’re even allowed to go on a hunting trip.
This technique evolved with the sea kayak over thousands of years. As a key skill to keep paddlers safe on the sea.
It’s how you can go over and still feel relaxed, in control, and keep breathing.
So why not do a high brace to stop a capsize?
Instead of having the wave hold your paddle in the water, as when doing a low brace, you’re giving the wave maximum leverage to capsize you.
That’s one reason.
Also notice that the paddle angle is steeper with a high brace, and gives you less support than when doing a low brace.
In case you need another reason.
You’re putting your body in a weak position. And unless you can stay perfectly cool and focused on keeping your elbow tucked in, there’s a chance you could destroy your shoulders.
In my experience this kind of brace doesn’t work very well for most kayakers anyways. It requires more talent than most of us have.
So here’s what I like to do instead.
You start with the low brace, and as soon as you know you’re going over, you transform your low brace into a sidescull.
Just to be clear, if you have an effective low brace you won’t have to do this often.
Most people think it’s hard, but actually when you have a good fit with your kayak, and you know the steps to practice, it’s easy for most people to learn.
There is no forcing anything.
You let the water stop you. You float and keep breathing.
There’s no need for a wet exit, or needing help getting back in your kayak.
You can take your time and enjoy a little stretch before you recover.
Or you can recover quickly and avoid the drama of being upside down and feeling out of control. Wondering “will my roll work.”
If you want to do the sidescull you can sign up for a free lesson that shows you the steps that make it easy to learn and master.
There’s a critical thing you have to do to avoid having your paddle sink and pull you underwater.
I will leave a link in the description in case you want to sign up for the free course.
After you develop this, you can more quickly master the low brace... because you’re much more bold. Knowing you don’t have to do a wet exit every time you miss.
You have a lot more confidence.
You’re stable in the waves. Because you’re focused on using an effective low brace to stay secure.
And even if you do capsize, it’s no big deal.
You can keep breathing.
If you happen to accidentally get knocked over,
you can tell your friends “I meant to do that” and instead of thinking you lack skills, they’ll just think you're pretty cool.
Thanks for watching

[@Wayondon]

Well done as always Paulo. Been on a bit of a hiatus but look forward to reconnect.

[@khelben1979]

Another well explained video, highly appreciated! Greetings from Sweden!

[@christopherblomeley6925]

Paolo this so cool, thanks...

[@freepilot7732]

I love the idea that you changed the concept of the "high brace" . It's like 4 wheel drive. Many will put their jeep into 4x4 then get stuck, they have nothing else to help get them out. Typically stay 2x2 then if you get stuck you have a tool still available to get you out. 4x4.

[@qaannat]

side sculling and then balance brace is the key to all layback rolls

[@quantummath]

Great choice of music too!

[@roberttolley5055]

Sir I'm new to kayak, start In spring thank you for video s sir!

[@waynefatguyinakayak7408]

Starting in Spring, make sure you dress for the water temperatures, not the air temperature. If you're in the south and the water is above 60 degrees Fahrenheit, it won't be much of an issue. But, if you're in the north and the water is cold, make sure you're wearing adequate thermal protection for the water temp, either a wetsuit thick enough to keep you warm in colder water or a drysuit with a good base layer under it. Don't look at it as optional, because spring time is probably the most dangerous time of year for being on the water. Hypothermia happens quickly, but even more dangerous is the involuntary gasp reflex when a person goes into cold water.

[@jakebrakebill]

Thanks Paulo

[@franckfrahier1661]

Thank you I’ m french and m’y english is vert bad , but i like very Much your vidéos. It’s a big pleasure to watching you. I hope you’re anderstand me Thanks again

[@matzappeldorn5136]

I'm from Germany and I understand you! au revoir from Kiel Channel// MAtz

[@SheriffofYouTube]

message bien recu. great video

[@bendoring2274]

Very good video again. Thank you so much!

[@EricLoganBaruchHaShem311]

Seems like it would be much more fluid, intuitive movement once you got used to it, which would of course happen more quickly than getting used to reflexive high bracing. Thanks Paulo!

[@mortschubert3909]

I noticed your camera support months ago, when I first saw one of your videos. Why do you use that and not a tripod?

[@yru435]

While I think that your concept of a paddler able to be in control even when they are not upright is great, I do not think that is in opposition to the high brace, or a replacement. It depends on the water conditions: in big, high energy water the high brace is a useful skill. Think big surf, storms, blue water over the deck of your little kayak. High brace. An example, on rivers in whitewater, I almost always use high bracing.