Sea Kayak Videos Episode 1: Getting Started

The first episode in a series hosted by John Dowd. John, together with his wife Bea, was the founding editor and publisher of the 'Sea Kayaker' magazine and is the author of many books, including 'Sea Kayaking' A manual for the long distance paddler. He is an avid explorer and has undertaken many adventurous kayak expeditions all over the world.
The series are based upon programs developed by John Dawson and Dan Lewis.
This episode looks at some of the ways a kayaker can develop the basic skills and knowledge to safely get on the water and gain experience.
The Sea Kayak Video Series was first presented on DVDs for sale on line or in specialized stores.

[@enjoydride1083]

Thank you John & Tina for this video. It literally saved my life. I watched this a month ago with my husband. We are beginners. Kayaking for 7 months now. We were just out on a flat water lake. I was practicing turns with my sea kayak when I looked away for a sec my paddle went under the kayak pulling me into the water. Not good because water temp was 45F. I managed to roll up, but since I do not own any wet or dry suit I was in layers of heavy clothing. Their weight sucked me right out of the kayak.My PDF kept me from going under. My husband followed this video, drained my kayak & set it up for me to reenter. Though that wasn't going well since I had cold water shock and could barely lift my arms or breath. So to make this short I remembered John & Tina's demo & managed to get half way up and my husband dragged me the rest of the way. We both thank you all very much for your instruction. Since we never took classes or practiced a rescue this video is the only reason I survived. With sincere gratitude, Joy

[@juub]

This series of sea kayaking videos is excellent. Many videos concentrate on technique, but few emphasise seamanship, as this series does. Highly recommended for any sea kayaker.

[@johndawson2480]

Thank you all for your encouraging comments.It is gratifying to know that sharing our experience via the video medium is so well appreciated.

[@josephvital]

Thank you for the video. Very informative and it is presented in a logical, easy to follow format. Great Video.

[@gregm8871]

This video series is amazing. I just got my very first sea kayak after borrowing and renting them for years. John Dowd has a great voice too.

[@SunShine-yd5xu]

Half way into this video I realize how beautiful and relaxing this sport/adventure can be. Super excellent instructional video. Thank you. 👍😜😍😎🙏

[@eisirt55]

Excellent video. Thank you .

[@adolfo1usa1]

Wanted to thank you from the bottom of my old heart and new kayak. Awesome, great, very informative and done very smoothly. Muchichísimas Gracias a todos....!!

[@jvrt64]

Without doubt the most informative kayaking video I've seen. I'm new to all of this at the grand old age of 52 and although I'm only sticking to my local river Avon in Stratford U K I'm absolutely LOVING It! Thanks again, can't wait to watch them all now I've subscribed.

[@bluebow68]

jvrt64..I agree ,this is a great video..I've been paddling for a few years...I started not many before your age...and I sometimes paddle on that river too in my sea kayak......Enjoy your new found venture,it's a wonderful experience!

[@jcvbjr07]

This Video is FANTASTIC !!! Direct in the facts. If you are beginer, you MUST WATCH, if you are advanced it'll be a great opportunity to remember all you need to kayaking correct and safety. CONGRATULATIONS!!!

[@henrynagle2865]

Great video! Thank you!

[@bluebellriver6990]

This is an excellent training video. The teaching is clear and simple. The best expression of basic paddling skills and deeper skills Ive seen on KZbin. Well done and thank you for putting this series together! !

[@philiptyndall9720]

Without words,thank you all very much and a special thanks to the Motley Crew and the Guitarist.A super informative visual experience.Thank You.

[@susanlafo9490]

Absolutely the best beginning sea kayaking video out there. Well done!

[@bowrudder899]

John Dowd always had the most pleasant, congenial intro to kayaking video. It almost puts me to sleep, it's so relaxing. But the eye candy and good info keep me awake.

[@crazygolf]

Brilliant,thanks 👍

[@yauki1312]

Very informative video. Thank you for sharing.

[@addressadam]

Awesome video. Thanks!

[@aureliomartinez8598]

Excellent video,very well put together as an introductory into sea kayaking. I watch it 3 times. Can't wait to start the others.

[@kinetikk9125]

Great video!!!! I'm primarily a fishing kayaker but there is much knowledge to be gained from all of the experience shared within this video. The etiquette alone is something all boaters could benefit from. Thank you.

[@hannahe.9220]

As a beginner kayaker, I am SO appreciative of these videos. Informative, entertaining, and very in-depth. Plus there is actually some production value. My boyfriend and I will stream episodes on the TV and watch it as if it were a documentary! Would love to see more.

[@par620]

Not sure if you are trolling, but as mentioned in the description it was first presented on DVD...

[@markblanch2905]

Love it!

[@tonytrevorrow1280]

Absolutely the best sea kayaking video I`ve ever seen,very informative,very interesting & thoroughly entertaining,John`s presentation was both professional & humorous,but always relevant,eagerly looking for others in the series.

[@keithlapere7650]

Thx for taking the time to do a video. A lot of info and loved the funny bits. Cheers!

[@michaelbarrosa5872]

Awesome!

[@MrEsnyders]

Awesome video for beginners

[@TheAnalogRebellion]

Great video John. Thanks for making it.

[@The.Alabama.Woodsman]

If you are scanning comments before you watch... this is an amazing video, packed with information for the beginner and well worth the watch. Videography, narration and content are captivating. NICE JOB!

[@grace4today542]

What an EXCELLENT tutorial! Thank You for all you give to the paddling community!! Bought my first Sea Kayak today, and am taking some classes locally here in the PNW. So excited!

[@TheAegisClaw]

Great video, a must watch for anyone wanting to start sea kayaking.

[@offshorekayak]

The Sea Kayak community needs a John Dowd more than ever today.

[@Wings_of_foam]

Eh, there's a lot like him. Not everyone is on KZbin.

[@offshorekayak]

@@Wings_of_foam I hope so.

[@glengeddes7391]

Thank you so much, you are a good teacher, and I enjoyed watching the video!

[@kellydyson3310]

Outstanding! Thank you

[@sennabullet]

A very very good series of kayak vids. Thank you very much for sharing your extensive knowledge.

[@casperthegm741]

We're headed out to Friday Harbor in June and planning on some kayaking. Glad I found this video- very helpful.

[@slskene]

Gabriola Island! Love this video! Thank you for sharing.

[@MartinBettler]

I love the slapstick scenes! That's definitely the way to do it. ) /… a joke guys. Great movie./

[@gavingaming123]

Very informative, excellent advice and well demonstrated drills. Thanks for sharing. All the best from Scotland

[@kayasper6081]

Nice video, it shows a lot of details about our beloved sport. Especially the part about travelling by sea kayak I like.Cheers!

[@drawingboats]

Very helpful. A practical visual guide that has sent my Wife's and my own imagination a blaze with possibilities. Thanks.

[@Ross17033]

Excellent video, thanks very much for posting

Thanks for the video is very useful, especially for people who lives where this activities at not common. Thanks again.

[@donmorris3964]

Excellent quality video. Loads of informative information for those who wish to get started in this activity. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.

[@huntermaxwell6406]

I can't wait until I do ocean kayaking in a few years, it looks amazing

[@FloridaGirlAdventures]

This is a great 1st episode! I just found it- cant wait to watch more of your adventures.

[@TheMrJoeMac]

Learned a lot already. I'm new to kayaking Thanks for sharing your knowledge and experience.

[@Aputsiaq63]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge!

[@logankell9778]

I just picked up a kayak and have been looking at videos lately. This one was very informative Thanks for post JD.

[@chrisdewhurst719]

This is great tutorial. Thank you.

[@Gofy1983]

Truely educational and demonstrates the beauty of a well planned and executed tour on the see..... I whish I can attend one of these tours. Very well done and Thanks!

[@mitkooo1]

Thank you for the great videos!

[@minesfaria]

Thank you, this is such a great instructional vídeo. Love it.

[@seanregnier8431]

Great video! Probably the best I've seen. Especially relevant to me as it is filmed pretty much in my back yard including those pesky ferries to dodge! Well presented and very informative. Also a good sense of humour while staying to the point.

[@Fissersboot]

Thanks for the video! was alot of fun to watch and made me try kayaking!

[@gavinboss22]

Great video! lots of good tips in there to solve problems i never even thought would be an issue as a prospective kayaker.

[@gauchegaucho]

Thanks for sharing valuable information and techniques with the lovers of the sports. and FOR FREE!!! Kayaking is already an expensive sport but free instructional videos like this really helps! :D

[@andresiton]

Amazing ... Thank you guys!

[@RonRonnard]

Excellent tutorial. Thank you very much.

[@supaflymadafaka]

Bravo! Great educational video. Thank you.

[@crash1989]

Thank you so much for this video. Appreciate it a lot.

[@achime.1639]

Absolutely fine video. I enjoyed it very much. I want to start kayak padelling in summer 2014. It is full of information, good advice. I was in Canada and have done the West Coast Trail. So I know Vancouver Island a little. Very nice to see this pretty nature again. Thanks for the video.

[@GreencampRhodie]

Enjoyed. And very helpful / informative. Thanks.

[@beckamojo]

Brilliant video, thanks for all the really useful information.

[@TheAncientBiker]

Excellent, both informative and enjoyable thank you.

[@asinglegerry]

Thank you very much for your great movie. I certainly learned a lot, which makes my kayaktrips safer. I am looking forward learning more from you. Greetings from Germany :-)

[@Scooterer1963]

Heaps of good information & very professional presentation -- highly recommended!

[@hopleyp]

Great video, really enjoyed watching it. Phil (UK)

[@opwave79]

Enjoying this video! I’m going to take lessons soon and this is giving me a sneak peek at what to expect.

[@tylerjaylamb]

Thank you John for sharing this fantastic video series. A friend and I are about to cross Bass straight in Australia and I have used your video as a bit of a refresher course. Cheers,

[@yuordreams]

Very informative and inspiring! I've always wanted to do expedition kayaking.

[@brz757]

Great video! I like the long format, lets me sit down and enjoy it compared to the short clips on youtube. Can't wait for my new touring kayak to come in so I can try some of this out.

[@What_If_We_Tried]

Excellent tutorial. Thank-you...

[@Dolbs79]

Great video very interesting for anyone thinking of starting to sea kayak.

[@InnocentiusLacrimosa]

Thank you for this video. I started kayaking last summer (with an inflatable kayak from Gumotex). Sea kayaking has been on agenda and I have tried it a bit in good weather, but I learned already young to have a good respect for the sea so it is very good to learn some more skills before I try any overnight trips.

[@richardbarratt6463]

Great stuff , as an enthusiastic beginner i've watched quite a few videos on technique etc and this is hands down by far the most informative , and in a very digestible format . oh and that smooth voice...well done.

[@seamie-bk8qt]

Thanks a million, great video,,

[@syugo]

Love this!

[@Captain_Bartolo]

Thank you for this very nice video and instructiones and tipps.

[@JuicyLuXy]

wonderful instruction video!

[@kirilprochorov7662]

Thanks a lot for sharing !

[@bluebow68]

I've seen many vids..this is one that is well informative and nicely paced..Thank all involved..John and the Motley Crew too..,;-0)

[@whatsthedealoneill1]

I like wearing hospital shoes when I wear my drysuit, (the white ones made of foam the nurses wear). I find they protect my feet are easy to get on/off, help with floatation and don't put a hole in the drysuit when on land. Just a tip I do.

[@hawkinsdj99]

great video. thanks

[@joannecevik9159]

a great video, covered many areas that I have newly been exposed to. The video gave me tips to improve skills that I have not got down firmly.

[@OriginalEric]

I liked this very much, thanks!

[@TorLangvand]

Very nice video series. Very informative.

[@bodowoyde455]

Thank you John and Bea for this great video, sharing your knowledge and showing all these beautiful places. Vielen Dank!

[@rabbitwidow1252]

I really enjoyed that thank you I learnt a lot as well and I’ve watched a fair few tutorials

[@SC300Lover]

Thanks john, my Long and thin tour/ sea kayak flipped today, now i learned how to prevent that

[@reggiestickleback7794]

“Uncle sam’s got his finger on the switch” AHAHAHA

[@chrisdewhurst719]

Not anymore. The yanks turned off the fuzziness in the mid 1990's.

[@cali_weejock]

What a lovely informative and well presented episode. The motley crew are in all aspects of life, don't be part of the motley crew :-) Thank you for sharing :-)

[@Audfile]

I've kayaked a lot in Seattle but only on relatively mild waters (lake union and lake washington). I think I'm about to buy a kayak and learn how to sail with it. kind of excited. love the idea of offshore kayaking too, going somewhere remote over deep water.

[@KevinASullivan]

Great video

[@robmoss7580]

really well done intro video, thx

[@anthonyslattery8808]

Top marks from me great video Thank you

[@PaddleDogC5]

nice vid like the rolling practice part the best

[@fehr2005]

hi, Im from Switzerland and would like to thank you so much for sharing this Video. I'am just starting learning Kajak and this Video is realy educational for me. Thank you much.

[@elementalworld]

great vid thanks

[@makined]

Good watch

[@charlessanne5689]

one thing i would recomend to sea kayakers is to also do some whitewater kayaking it teaches you to have a lot better balance and control in your kayak and you learn to read current and streams a lot better i live in norway best country for both whitewater and sea kayaking have been doing both for 8 years now and when i started getting used to whitewater kayaking skills it helped me a lot on the sea too can realy recomend kayaks from dagger for both

[@Kugelporsche1961]

Great! I am a (german) beginner and looking for informations like this! It is very helpful for me, to know, what is important for safety. And now, lets go for practice :-))