Paddle power
THERE ARE several different kayaking disciplines: river kayaking on flat water; white-water kayaking on rapids and on faster-flowing waterways; and sea kayaking on the open ocean and along the coastline.
Regardless of which discipline you follow, kayaking involves paddling with a double-bladed paddle, rather than the single-bladed paddle used in canoeing.
The key to getting the most enjoyment out of kayaking is learning correct paddle technique. This begins with ensuring your paddle is facing the right way. The blade is curved, and the concave side should face you to give you optimal power as you take each stroke.
The correct technique involves rotating your body as you reach out, dip the paddle, then pull back with one arm while also ‘pushing’ forward with the opposite arm.
This allows you to harness the power of your shoulders, back and abdominal muscles, ensuring you don’t overload your arm muscles.
Several additional strokes can help you manoeuvre your kayak, all of which you can learn by undertaking some kayaking tuition. Paddle Australia is the national body for canoe/kayak disciplines.
Its website ( paddle.org.au) is a great go-to. You can also find tuition at most kayak and canoe hire/retail outlets, where paddling guides can offer everything from classsized to one-on-one lessons.