If you are looking for a way to improve your kayaking, then this is the article you want to read. Though, I am not an expert, but I love the courses that teach how to do kayaking. In the past few years, I have learned kayaking, and I have also taught a few students.

In order to paddle a kayak, you’d require a blade. The term used for paddling is called shoveling, and it is important for kayakers to learn how to shovel. It is important to make a contact with the medium and then, transmit the forces. People should not get attracted towards the techniques in the first attempt, but they should start with the most basic one and then, move onto the other.

The blade will not just push you forward, but it is also going to help you turn sideways in the minimum space and provide support, so that the kayak doesn’t flip over or allow to Eskimo. We are not going to discuss that today, as we are more into the discussion of bringing the kayak in a straight line and that too, at a decent speed.

The first question is certainly regarding the length of the blade. We stretched our arms to the fullest and we still fell short, about 4-5 centimeters to touch the edge of the paddle blade. The next issue that we come across is the asymmetrical nature of the blade i.e. the two leaves of the blade are in the different place. I would like to give you an example, i.e., move the blade to 45 degrees then, it can be adjusted because of the detachable feature of the blade. In the fixed blade, doing this thing is certainly not possible. If we look ahead, then we’ll find that the leaves are not symmetrical. In order to know if we have taken the good shovel, we need to close the blade angle in the upward direction. Many people like to row in summer, but it is important to shovel the paddle in the right way to imply an efficient paddling. We have a shovel and all other things to start. Sometimes, the shovel gets tied to something, which could be our kayak or even our wrist. It is important to use a leash through a gum, which can be easily rolled on the paddle shaft. It is vital to bring the shovel close otherwise you are going to lose it in the rollover. Without bringing the shovel close, it can be screwed. If the shovels are tied, then their use becomes limited, thus making it inconvenient for the Eskimos, maneuvers and those who love sculling. It is better to use other parts than tying the shovel.

If you are a right-handed guy, then you should hold the blade with your right hand. With the left hand, you can easily maneuver the angle at which the blade enters in the water. You can do a small trick by putting a duct tape on the ride side of the pole because by doing so, the right hand never skids, plus you have a reference to place it. Now, you can come where we have to put the hands, as it is important for the paddling to stay balanced and hold the kayak straight. You can put arms at the right angle and in the upward direction, just like if we want to make a trident from the body. You can see it more clearly in the image, as the blades with ergonomic pole shows where you need to place your hands.

Now, it’s time to row. Just assume that you’ve used the left paddle blade. Your left arm will hit the paddle in the water, but make sure that the basic arm is only a toehold. The pressure will be exerted on the opposite arm. You will feel as if you’re paddling like sticking punches. You have to do well with each and every shovel, despite knowing the end, which is natural and pre-determined. When you hold the paddle tightly with the right hand, the left pane will travel more easily into the water. Then, you have to take that particular side of the rowing water and hold the right-handed side of the blade in the right hand to move more naturally in the water. Then, you have to repeat the process, but with your left hand. Rowing is a process of tantric movements, which are quite exciting.

Now, we come to a part that they don’t mention in the manuals. The following recommendations will help you do kayaking in a much better way without tearing your body apart. While advancing into the sea, the main motive is not to fall into the water. You will have to bring changes in your techniques because of the waves and the wind. The blade has to fetch water in the sea because the liquid element is not something that you can rely upon. It will be better if you could make an imaginary rectangle in which the movement of your hands never goes beyond your vision.

The rectangle that you’ll make should not go beyond 8-12 cm from the kayak’s edge. If you do it right, then the blade forms an arc in the water, which you can see in the pic as well. How the character has made an imaginary rectangle with that high paddling style. This technique is great for competitions, but not when long distances are to be covered.

Now that you are in a good position and your kayak is also moving at a great velocity. If you put the shovel slowly into the water, then the boat will be stopped. The movements of the blade should match with the design of the boat. It’ll be great to ensure that the shovel is as quiet as possible. You must have heard about the metes splash or leaf bags bad water, so these things happen when the pressure starts to release.

Kayaking is not a difficult sport if you know how to acquire the details about it. Spend a few hours of paddling without getting stressed out. Try to relax and keep control over your breaths. Also, note the flow of the water kayaking. The best time is when the shovel in the water, as that ensures support for the body. Also, you are in a better position to apply full force. You will feel like as if you are moving the kayak in the sand. Your body is going to become stronger by moving the kayak and rotating the trunk. While kayaking, you need to add all the necessary elements in the kayak. Shim, which is an important element, should be present in the kayak. It will help you get greater control over the kayak. Moreover, the kayak will be better maneuvered as well.

Finally, you need to clean the deck of the kayak to avoid the accumulation of junk and the restriction of the arm movement. There is no need to put anything in the water pole vault. That’s not going to give you any momentum. These tips are going to help you do better in kayaking. You have to understand the use of blade and the movements of your arms. Try putting the shovel after sometime to get more speed. You can use GPS to further ameliorate your kayaking technique, surfing, travelling or even walking. 

People start paddling with the European shovel, but then move onto the Greenland paddle. The latter ones have become more vogues in the world. I too am not much oblivious to that particular style, but I just feel that there is a lot of customization done in that type of paddles. To be straight and simple, Eskimo paddling technique needs to have some variations. In that, the blade’s leaves are symmetrical which does not force you to twist your wrist. You need to slide a bit forward the shovel to insert it in the water. If you are not able to do so, then you will hear a vibratory sound. So, do it in the right way in order to avoid any trouble later on.