Kayaking

A roll (often called an Eskimo Roll) is the technique of flipping a capsized kayak back to an upright position while you are still sitting inside it. Instead of performing a wet exit and swimming, you use your paddle and a powerful hip snap to rotate the boat and head back above the surface. It […]

In kayaking, yaw describes the side-to-side swinging of the kayak’s bow (the front) as you paddle. Instead of moving in a perfectly straight line, the nose of the boat wanders or “wags” to the left and right with every stroke. Why Yaw Happens Yaw occurs because you apply force to only one side of the

Whitewater refers to river water that moves fast, flows over rocks, and creates turbulent, frothy foam. This foam looks white because the moving water mixes with air, creating millions of tiny bubbles. In kayaking, whitewater represents a specific style of paddling where you navigate rapids and use the river’s energy to maneuver. How Whitewater Forms

In kayaking, a wet exit is the process of safely leaving your kayak after it flips upside down in the water. Instead of staying trapped in the cockpit, you use a specific set of movements to push yourself out and surface. It is the very first safety skill every kayaker learns. How a Wet Exit

Tracking refers to a kayak’s ability to stay on a straight course while being paddled. If a kayak “tracks well,” it stays straight with every stroke. If it “tracks poorly,” the bow (front) will zig-zag left and right, making it difficult to maintain a direct path. Tracking is a balance between the kayak’s design and