Basic Sea Kayak Control – Part 1 – Forward & Cross Winds

Do you wonder why some kayakers seem to just glide across the water, seemingly effortlessly, at speeds that seem impossible to achieve, even in windy conditions?

This course will show you how!

What is kayak control?

The ability to make your kayak go in the direction that you wish to proceed, no matter what the weather or ocean conditions you are in.

In this course you will learn the essential paddle strokes and techniques to efficiently and effectively control your kayak in cross or head winds up to 19 km (force 3 Beaufort Scale).

 KEY TOPICS include:

1. Learning the two different forward paddle strokes – correct techniques posture, when to apply them, and why it is so important.
2. Modifying forward strokes to counteract weather cocking and paddling against head winds.
3. The Forward & Reverse Turn Strokes (Sweep Stroke) – correct techniques, why it works, when to apply them and how to make them most effective.
4. Correcting the common Sweep Stroke mistakes made by beginners.
5. Edging – to turn or control your kayak in cross winds, improve forward paddle and sweep stroke efficiency, and conserve energy.
6. Combining strokes for optimal efficiency in windy conditions
7. When and where to use the kayak rudder system.
8. The Dunning-Kruger effect! Knowing when NOT to get on the water. (see below)