Paddling
Paddling for Core Fitness
Last year I went to a massage therapist who also happened to be a fitness trainer and a super elite athlete… the kind of extreme athlete that does week long races by foot, kayak and bicycle. He had such a wealth of fitness knowledge and over the course of several sessions I learned a lot about my own fitness level. As someone who has always been physically active I thought I was in decent shape. I am definitely not... (Continue reading...)
Stand-up Paddling with Your Inflatable Kayak
Picture from http://canoekayak.com Stand-up paddle boards are all the rage. In fact you may have noticed they are suddenly everywhere you look. They are a cross between surfing and kayaking and one of the most fantastic workouts you could ever have. Stand-up paddling is a sport that any person of any age can enjoy and it is excellent for working on your balance and core strength. You do not necessarily need a SUP to... (Continue reading...)
Kayak Paddle – Does Material Matter?
The most important piece of kayaking equipment is of course the kayak itself. Second to that is the kayak paddle. A kayak paddle can make a big difference as to what kind of paddling experience you have. For many of us our first kayak paddle is simply one that we can afford. However, as you become more experienced you may start to look into the different kinds of kayak paddles and how the different materials can affect... (Continue reading...)
Using a Kayak Skeg
Whether your kayak is an inflatable kayak or a hard-shell kayak it will likely have the option for either a rudder or a skeg. A rudder is used for steering but a skeg is simply used to help keep your kayak straight with minimal effort. There are other specifics that are also important to know so that you get the optimum performance from your kayak. Below we will describe important facts to know about using a kayak skeg.... (Continue reading...)
Paddling Techniques
Having good control of your kayak will come from coordination and balance as opposed to brute force. Using the right paddling techniques will help to ensure that your ride is smooth, enjoyable and also fairly dry (unless you decide to brave the whitewater rapids). Many people mistakenly believe that power when paddling a kayak comes from the arms. The truth is that the strength actually comes from the torso (trunk... (Continue reading...)
