Running big drops in a kayak on white water rivers carries a risk and a mistake in judgment or technique can carry heavy consequences, so it’s important to have a good idea of what you’re about to do. ‘Huck it & Hope’ is not a wise course of action. When he’s not out winning freestyle competitions or flying on big waves our man Ed Smith loves to challenge himself on steep whitewater and gnarly drops, so he seemed the ideal candidate to run through the correct techniques for getting the best outcomes from running the big ones. With big, gnarly […]
Guides
Kayaking Terms for River Running A-Z
The Paddler team have decided to put together a jargon buster for whitewater kayaking and canoeing. Here’s an A-Z of some of the phrases you’re most likely to hear whilst on the river. So the next time you’re out kayaking you’ll no longer feel such a cupcake when your peers are talking about; boofing, boulder gardens and free falling. A B C D E F G H I J K L M N P R S T U V W Z A Airbags A bag constructed by a tough durable fabric with a tube enabling the paddler to fill the airbag with […]
Whitewater Tandem Canoe Skills
Gearing Up Before venturing out onto the rapids of the world in your Canadian canoe some basic prerequisites are required. A suitable amount of practice on flat water to ensure a solid basic skill level, forwards, backwards, turning and support strokes should all be quick, easy and reliable. A basic knowledge of what to do when your canoe, or a friend’s canoe, capsizes is also recommended and advantageous to a having a successful and enjoyable day on the river. The whitewater open boat paddler also requires more personal equipment; a correctly fitting buoyancy aid is essential, as is a correctly […]
Why a Folding or Inflatable Canoe or Kayak Might Work For You!
“A modern inflatable boat certainly ticks a lot of boxes for those looking for a compact, easy to store and transport canoe or kayak.” Canoes and kayaks are not always the easiest things to store or transport and unless you live literally on the riverbank or shoreline then you’re probably going to need a vehicle with a roof rack, or a trailer, to get your boat to the water, so difficult if you don’t drive or have access to a car. And not everyone lives in a location with an outdoor, or garage storage space. If you live in a […]
Why All Canoeists & Kayakers Should Learn First Aid
Canoeing & kayaking are adventure sports and as paddlers, we spend lots of time in dynamic outdoor environments, often in remote locations so basic knowledge of first aid is a must-have skill for all of us. Taking a first aid course makes perfect sense. But why not crank it up a few notches and take a more in-depth course. It’s a good feeling knowing that in an emergency you’ve got that little bit more knowledge to help out your canoeing & kayaking buddies in a time of need. What Sort, of Course, Do I Need? A Rescue Emergency Care (REC) […]
How to Stay Warm and Keep Canoeing in Winter
On first examination taking your canoe out in winter can seem like an uninviting, even daunting prospect. Certainly, they’ll be days when it’s wisest to stay indoors, put the kettle on and settle down with a copy of Paddler to read, but with the right gear and a little planning winter really can be the most wonderful time of the year for getting out in a canoe. Just imagine quietly gliding along the surface on a perfect, crisp winter’s day, with no cloud in the sky and the landscape shimmering silver under a dusting of frost or snow in the […]
Finding People to go Kayaking With
We have all been there at some point in our kayaking career and not had someone to be able to go kayaking with, this is more apparent when you are just starting out. I have found a couple of ways to connect with people so that you can get to go kayaking more. If you are a beginner joining a local canoe club would be a great idea to start off with. Here is a list of canoe clubs around Great Britan and Ireland. Canoe clubs in Scotland Canoe clubs in England Canoe clubs in Wales Canoe clubs in Northern Ireland […]