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  • Billy Ivy
    Billy Ivy    Premium Member   Group moderator   Ambassador
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    Beginner Basics For Whitewater Kayaking
    Beginner Basics For Whitewater Kayaking

    Follow these tips during a whitewater kayaking class.

    Stay centered. Your upper and lower body work in sync to keep you balanced. Relax your abs and torso and keep your shoulders and hips in line to better control your boat.

    Get a knee up. Inside the kayak, your bent knees point outward and touch the interior wall of the kayak. This helps you balance the boat. Push with your knees to help direct your kayak and to transmit power to your stroke.

    Flip out. You'll cover a variety of ways to exit your boat safely. My instructor had me intentionally swivel my hips until I flipped over. Under water, I leaned forward, released my spray skirt and somersaulted out.
    Gear Up

    You need to be prepared to get wet. Most kayak schools provide the kayak, spray skirt, paddle, life jacket, helmet and wetsuit. In cooler temperatures, layer with an insulated top such as the Icebreaker Quantum Hood ($160, https://www.icebreaker.com) and CW-X Pro Tights ($95, https://www.cw-x.com).

    For warm days, wear the Outdoor Research Via Long Sleeve Tee ($40, https://www.outdoorresearch.com) and Patagonia Wavefarer Board Shorts ($55, patagonia.com). Protect your feet with neoprene booties like the Teva P1 Water Shoe ($50, https://www.teva.com) and your eyes with polarized sunglasses like the Kaenon Hard Kore ($209, https://www.kaenon.com).


    Where to Play
    Whitewater parks feature beginner-friendly pools and turbulent waves and holes for experts. The parks are free to use and serve as a classroom for local kayak schools. Here are a few places to get wet.

    Charlotte, North Carolina
    During the week, your companions will likely be hawks, osprey and even wild turkey on the Catawba River. Learn at the U.S. National Whitewater Center (https://www.usnwc.org), an official U.S. Olympic training site. Packages start at $250 for four classes.

    Durango, Colorado
    The 4 Corners Riversports school (https://www.riversports.com) offers myriad options to explore the area and learn the sport, including a roll class in a local swimming pool. Classes start at $185 for a four-session course.

    Hood River, Oregon
    You can admire the Northwest's towering volcanoes in the distance along the massive Hood River. Columbia Gorge Kayak School (https://www.gorgekayaker.com) offers group lessons, private instruction and customized trips. Two-day weekender courses cost $225.


    Rachel Odell Walker covers outdoor sports and gear as a freelance writer in Boulder, Colorado.
    • 10 Sep 2009, 4:44 pm
  • Jane Feng
    Jane Feng
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    Re: Beginner Basics For Whitewater Kayaking
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    Winner kayak- Top kayak brand in China
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    • 10 Jun 2011, 08:39 am