Introduction

RIVER Skills are presented in Section II.

These and other skills can be learned by practice and from the books and videos and web sites on sea kayaking listed in the Reference Section III.

SECTION I. FLAT WATER SKILLS

FLAT WATER -- NOVICE SKILLS

1. SWIM: The ability to swim using crawl stroke at least 50 feet in still, deep water with your PFD and kayaking clothes on.
2. DRY ENTER & EXIT: The ability to enter and exit your kayak from the shore of a river or lake using your paddle as support.
3. WET EXIT: The ability to get out of your cockpit after a capsize and move your kayak while in the water as follows: In at least chest high still water, when in your kayak wearing a PFD and a spray skirt that is attached to the kayak:
   1. Roll over in the water and remain upside down in your kayak for at least 5 seconds
   2. Tap while underwater; tap three times on both sides of the kayak with your hands after the 5 seconds. (A signal you are ready for outside assistance, if possible)
   3. Detach & Exit: Then, while underwater, detach the spray skirt from your kayak and exit your kayak.
   4. Move Kayak: Maintain contact with your kayak and paddle after exiting and move the kayak 10 feet to the left and then 10 feet to the right while swimming.
4. FORWARD STROKE: The ability to move your kayak forward with a rudimentary forward stroke in still water.
5. BACK STROKE: The ability to move your kayak backward with a rudimentary back stroke in still water.

FLAT WATER -- BEGINNER SKILLS

6. FORWARD STROKE: The ability to move your kayak forward in still water with a forward stroke using the Proper Grip and Form.

Proper Grip and Form - Forward Stroke.
Hands are spaced shoulder width apart on paddle shaft. Paddle shaft is held parallel to chest with each stroke while torso rotates. Hand opposite paddle in the water pushes shaft forward with each stroke. This allows back muscles to do work of pushing on the paddle with non- paddling hand. Hand near power blade pulls blade back through water to paddler's hip. Keep arms as straight as possible. No arm paddling. Sit upright.

7. BACK STROKE: The ability to move your kayak backward in still water with a back stroke using the Proper Grip and Form.

Proper Grip and Form - Back Stroke.
Hands are spaced shoulder width apart on paddle shaft. On power side, with paddling arm straight, extend paddle shaft about 45 degrees to the rear of the cockpit, paddle blade angled at 60 degrees into the water with top edge of blade just above water. The non paddling hand is in front of stomach just above spray skirt. Rotate shoulders forward keeping paddle extended in the water to a point where the paddle shaft is angled about 60 degrees back from the bow. Repeat on the opposite side.

8. RUDDER TURN: The ability to use the paddle to turn your kayak to the right and left using the rudder while the kayak has forward momentum.

9. STOP MOTION: The ability to stop your kayak from moving forward or backward in still water using the paddle.

10. RE-ENTER & BAIL: Know how to use both the Side Entry Method and the Paddle Float Method to re-enter your kayak. Then bail the water out of your kayak and re-attach your spray skirt.

Side Entry Method:
Boats are side-by-side facing bow to stern. Assisting paddler braces both kayaks by holding a paddle across the cockpit coaming of the swimmers kayak with both hands also holding the coaming. The swimmer re-enters his kayak from the side opposite assistor with help from the assisting kayaker.
Paddle Float Method:
Attach and inflate a paddle float on your paddle blade. Placing the paddle shaft behind the cockpit coaming and using the paddle float as support, do an unassisted re-entry into your kayak from the leeward side of the kayak.

FLAT WATER -- INTERMEDIATE SKILLS

11. ASSIST RE-ENTRY: The ability to assist another kayaker re-enter their kayak using the Side Entry Method.

12. ASSIST BAIL OUT: The ability to assist another kayaker drain water out of their kayak.

13. SWEEP TURN: The ability to turn your kayak to the left and right without using your rudder.

14. BRACING: The ability to resist capsizing by applying a downward pressure on the face of your paddle against the water surface thus creating an opposite force that prevents the capsize. There are a variety of methods to do this. See References for details.

15. SIDEWAYS MOVE: The ability to move your kayak horizontally to the right and left using the draw, scull and pry strokes.

FLAT WATER -- ADVANCED SKILLS

17. HIGH BRACING

18. KAYAK RACING TECHNIQUES

SECTION II. RIVER SKILLS

RIVER -- NOVICE SKILLS

RIVER -- BEGINNER SKILLS

19. FORWARD STROKE: The ability to move your kayak forward both downstream and upstream in moving water with a forward stroke using the Proper Grip and Form.

20. BACK STROKE: The ability to move your kayak backward both downstream and upstream in moving water with a back stroke using the Proper Grip and Form.

21. STOP MOTION: The ability to stop your kayak from moving forward or backward with respect to the water itself rather than the river shoreline.

22. RIVER LANDING AND LAUNCHING: Landing and launching your kayak from a river bank without capsizing due to the river current. Do so either by back paddling and setting in stern first or turning up river and setting in bow first.

RIVER -- INTERMEDIATE SKILLS

23. EDDY TURN: The ability to move your kayak into a quieter pocket of water (Eddy) behind an obstacle in the river without capsizing when crossing the boundary line that separates the faster current from the eddy.

24. FERRY - Forward Stroke: The ability to use river current to perform an upstream facing ferry moving from one side of the river directly to the opposite bank.

21. SIDEWAYS MOVE: The ability to move your kayak horizontally to the right and left using the draw, scull and pry strokes.

RIVER -- ADVANCED SKILLS

23. FERRY - Backstroke: The ability to use river current to perform a downstream facing ferry from one side of the river directly to the other.

22. OBSTACLE READING SKILLS - Ability to lead a group downriver in Class II water while catching eddies, negotiating river bends, and avoiding shoals, sweepers and keepers.

SECTION III. REFERENCES.

The Essential Sea Kayaker. David Seidman. Ragged Mtn Press. 1992. Expedition Kayaking on Sea and Open Water. Derek Hutchinson. 3rd Ed. Globe Pequot Press. 1995.

Sea Kayaking, The Complete Book, Derek Hutchison 4th edition.

Woman's Guide to Sea Kayaking. Shelley Johnson. Ragged Mtn Press, 1998.

Sea Kayaking, Nigel Foster

Videos.

Performance Sea Kayaking, University of Sea Kayaking. USK.com.

Web Resources

Beginners Guides: one two

Dry Entry From a Dock: one

Forward Paddling Strokes: one two three four five six

Reverse Strokes: one two

Turning Strokes: one two three four five

Draw Strokes:

Ferrying Dynamics: one

Wet Exit & Re-Entry

one two three four

Assisted Rescues & Bailing Techniques: one two

Bracing: one