Updated Articles and Resources
- Kayak Rudder - How to Use a Kayak RudderCreated: 2009-12-16 @ 23:34:50 EST
Most people assume that kayak rudders are used to turn the kayak. While they will aid in turning the boat, that is not their main function. The rudders on kayaks are primarily used to keep the ka… - Kayak Rudder - Kayak Rudder TipsCreated: 2009-12-16 @ 23:22:32 EST Updated: 2009-12-16 @ 23:35:41 EST
When properly used, kayak rudders can be a huge benefit in the paddling of kayaks. Here are some tips that will help alleviate unnecessary frustration when it comes to your kayak rudder when tran… - Inflatable PFD - United States Coast Guard InflatableI PFD DefinitionCreated: 2009-11-30 @ 20:58:43 EST
Inflatable PFDs are made for use in recreational kayaking and kayak fishing. They come in Type I, Type II, and Type III PFD specifications and are intended for use following the same guidelines. I… - Type V PFD - United States Coast Guard Type V PFD DefinitionCreated: 2009-11-30 @ 20:46:21 EST
Type V PFD refers to the 5th level of the United States Coast Guard's (USCG) classfication for personal flotation devices. Type V PFDs are intended for specific activities and must be used in acco… - Type IV PFD - United States Coast Guard Type IV PFD DefinitionCreated: 2009-11-30 @ 20:40:10 EST
Type IV PFD refers to the 4th level of the United States Coast Guard's (USCG) classfication for personal flotation devices. Type IV PFDs are carried on boats as a device that can be thrown to a dro… - Type III PFD - United States Coast Guard Type III PFD DefinitionCreated: 2009-11-30 @ 20:34:22 EST
Type III PFD refers to the 3rd level of the United States Coast Guard's (USCG) classfication for personal flotation devices. A Type III PFD has traditionally been used to designate a PFD that is d… - Type II PFD - United States Coast Guard Type II PFD DefinitionCreated: 2009-11-30 @ 20:30:41 EST Updated: 2009-11-30 @ 20:48:02 EST
Type II PFD refers to the 2nd level of the United States Coast Guard's (USCG) classfication for personal flotation devices. Type II PFDs are intended for use in inland waters where there is a reaso… - Type I Kayak PFD - United States Coast Guard Type I PFD DefinitionCreated: 2009-11-30 @ 20:19:07 EST Updated: 2009-11-30 @ 20:47:28 EST
Type I PFD refers to the 1st level of the United States Coast Guard's (USCG) classfication for personal flotation devices. Type I PFDs provide the most buoyancy, are designed for offshore and roug… - Put on Canoe or Kayak PFD - Properly Size and Put on a Kayak PFD, Pe…Created: 2009-11-28 @ 14:51:13 EST
At first it may seem silly to write an article on how to put on a canoe or kayak pfd. While properly wearing a kayaking or canoeing PFD would seem like a remedial task, you’d be surprised how… - PFD Specifications - The United States Coast Guard (USCG)PFD Specifi…Created: 2009-11-28 @ 00:35:04 EST
The United States Coast Guard (USCG) has developed their specifications and criteria for approved personal flotation devices or PFDs as they are known. Every PFD will have a label or printing dire… - PFD Tips - 5 Tips on Wearing a PFD While Kayaking and CanoeingCreated: 2009-11-16 @ 10:28:20 EST
One of the most important things paddlers of canoes and kayaks can do is wear their PFDs. PFD stands for personal flotation device. It is a life jacket. While it may be “cool” to not w… - Cockpit Combing - Definition of Cockpit Combing on a KayakCreated: 2009-11-12 @ 00:29:40 EST
A cockpit combing is the rim or lip of the kayak cockpit on which aspray skirt attaches to… - Half-Cut Whitewater Kayak Helmet - How to Put on a Half-Cut Whitewat…Created: 2009-10-31 @ 21:21:02 EDT
While there are many stylistic and functionally different options in kayak helmets today, the “half-cut” variety have become the most popular. It is true that “half-cut” helmet… - Full-Cut Whitewater Helmet - How to Put on a Full-Cut Whitewater Kay…Created: 2009-10-31 @ 21:15:00 EDT
While there are many helmet options for the paddler, “full-cut” whitewater kayak helmets offer the most protection for your head. Of course anyone can get a “full-cut” helmet o… - Kayak Helmets ? How to Choose and Buy a Whitewater Kayak HelmetCreated: 2009-10-22 @ 22:25:04 EDT
This guide will help you navigate your way through the world of setting out to choose and buy a whitewater kayak helmet. Nowadays kayak helmets are made of a variety of different materials and the… - Kayak Helmet - The Anatomy of a Kayak HelmetCreated: 2009-10-18 @ 22:47:30 EDT
One of the most important articles of kayak gear a whitewater kayaker will buy is a whitewater kayaking helmet. While most kayak helmets are purchased based on price or on style, very few are boug… - River Ledge - Definition of a Ledge found in a RiverCreated: 2009-10-13 @ 13:44:18 EDT
A ledge is a feature of a river that creates a small drop on the downstream side of it. In low water ledges can be fully exposed. In higher water ledges are submerged with water pouring over them… - Pour-Over - Definition of a Pour Over on a RiverCreated: 2009-10-13 @ 13:38:46 EDT
A pour-over is a feature on a river where the water flows or pours over a rock, ledge, or other submerged feature on a river. Pour-overs generally form a hole behind them… - Whitewater Safety - When Not to Stay With Your Kayak, Canoe, or Raft…Created: 2009-09-28 @ 17:53:06 EDT
Whitewater safety can be a tricky thing. While it is generally better to stay with your kayak, canoe, or raft while floating or swimming in whitewater, there are times when it can be dangerous. Be… - Whitewater Swimming - How to Stay with Your Kayak, Canoe, or Raft Wh…Created: 2009-09-28 @ 17:44:07 EDT
Every whitewater kayaker, whitewater canoeist, and most rafters will end up swimming if they spend any kind of significant time paddling in whitewater. A paddler then has an important decision to … - Self Rescue Whitewater- Know How to Float, Swim, and Self Rescue Whi…Created: 2009-09-28 @ 17:32:10 EDT
Know what to do when You fall out of your kayak, canoe or raft. At some point or other, everyone who spends any kind of time whitewater kayaking, canoeing, or rafting will end up out of their boat… - Drain Plug - Defintion of a Kayak Drain PlugCreated: 2009-09-28 @ 17:06:01 EDT
A kayak drain plug is a threaded plug that screws into the stern of a kayak and enables water to be drain from the boat upon removal… - Kayak Cockpit - Definition of Kayak CockpitCreated: 2009-09-28 @ 16:53:52 EDT
The cockpit of a kayak refers to the large hole in the kayak where the kayaker steps into and sits. Kayak cockpits differ from kayak to kayak and are made to accomodate different size paddlers… - Grab Loop - Definition of Grab LoopCreated: 2009-09-28 @ 16:47:35 EDT
A grab loop refers to the handle, strap, or loop that is on the stern and bow of a kayak and some canoes. The grab loops are used to carry the kayak and to aid in rescuing other boaters… - Kayak Roof Rack- How to Strap Your Canoe or Kayak to a Roof RackCreated: 2009-08-31 @ 21:32:07 EDT
Anyone who paddles a kayak or canoe must have a way to transport them to and from the water. Serious paddlers have this fact in mind whenever they make an automobile purchase. While canoe and kay… - Roof Rack Cross Bars- Definition of Roof Rack Cross BarsCreated: 2009-08-31 @ 21:02:38 EDT
Roof rack cross bars are the bars on the roof rack that run perpendicular to the direction of the car. They are the bars of the roof rack that actually do the carrying of items… - Roof Rack Attachments- Definition of Roof Rack AttachmentsCreated: 2009-08-31 @ 21:01:13 EDT
Roof rack attachments are fixtures that bolt or clamp to roof racks to better carry specific items on the roof rack. There are roof rack attachments that will hold skis, snowboards, kayaks, and ca… - Aftermarket Roof Rack- Definition of Aftermarket Roof RackCreated: 2009-08-31 @ 20:58:56 EDT
An aftermarket roof rack is a rack that fits on the roof of the car that is not made or installed by the manufacturer of the vehicle. Aftermarket roof racks can be removed and reinstalled at any t… - Factory Installed Roof Rack- Definition of a Factory Installed Roof …Created: 2009-08-31 @ 20:56:55 EDT
A factory installed roof rack is a rack that fits on the roof of the car that is made by and installed by the manufacturer of the vehicle. Factory installed roof racks generally consist of two cro… - Breakdown Paddle- Definition of Breakdown PaddleCreated: 2009-08-31 @ 20:54:44 EDT
A break down paddle is a kayak paddle that comes in two or more pieces. There is a button on one end of each piece of the breakdown paddle that when pushed allows one side of the paddle to slide i… - Kayak Strap- Definition of a Kayak StrapCreated: 2009-08-31 @ 20:51:20 EDT
A kayak strap is a high strength strap that is used to strap a kayak, canoe, or other boat to the roof of a car. Kayak straps have a buckle at one end with a lever style button. The strap is plac… - Two Kayaks Roof Rack: How to Strap Two Kayak to a Roof RackCreated: 2009-08-31 @ 20:48:16 EDT Updated: 2009-08-31 @ 21:28:51 EDT
Trying to strap two kayaks to a factory installed or aftermarket roof rack without roof rack attachments can be a challenge. Most roof racks will easily support and carry two kayaks at a time if t… - Kayak Roof Rack: How to Strap a Kayak and Paddle to a Roof RackCreated: 2009-08-31 @ 20:35:16 EDT Updated: 2009-08-31 @ 21:27:45 EDT
While attempting to strap a kayak to a roof rack can present its own problems, figuring out what to do with a kayak paddle poses its own set of obstacles. Most people try to fit the kayak paddle i… - Teaching a Child to Kayak- Teaching Your Child to KayakCreated: 2009-08-23 @ 13:55:06 EDT
Every parent who kayaks wants to teach their kids to kayak as soon as their little ones are crawling. While this may be jumping the gun just a bit, it is true that we’ll look for every excuse… - Kayaking and Canoeing Safety- Water Safety for Kayaking and CanoeingCreated: 2009-08-17 @ 09:59:58 EDT
Learning kayaking and canoeing safety is an absolutely essential component of learning how to paddle. Too many people decide to kayak or canoe with little more water safety knowledge than knowing … - Portage- Definition of PortageCreated: 2009-08-12 @ 11:18:15 EDT
The word portage as it refers to paddling is the act of carrying a boat, raft, canoe, or kayak around an obstacle in the water… - Canoe- How to Canoe- Learn Your Canoe StrokesCreated: 2009-08-05 @ 11:46:51 EDT
It should be surprising that most canoe owners don't know how to canoe. All too often these people only employ one type of canoe stroke and switch the side they are paddling on way too frequently… - Tandem- Definition of Paddling in TandemCreated: 2009-07-31 @ 22:52:32 EDT Updated: 2009-07-31 @ 22:55:09 EDT
Definition of Paddling in Tandem. Tandem refers to a canoe or kayak that is paddled by two people. Paddling in tandem refers to the ability of the bow and stern padders to coordinate their paddli… - Bow- Definition of the Part of a Boat Known as the BowCreated: 2009-07-31 @ 22:46:11 EDT
Definition of the Part of a Boat Known as the Bow. The word bow refers to the front of a canoe, kayak, or other boat… - Stern- The Definition of the Part of a Boat Known as the SternCreated: 2009-07-31 @ 22:43:43 EDT
The Definition of the Part of a Boat Known as the Stern. The word stern refers to the rear or back of a canoe, kayak, or any boat… - Tracking- Canoe and Kayak TrackingCreated: 2009-07-31 @ 22:31:40 EDT
Definition of the canoe and kayak term known as tracking. Tracking refers to a canoe or kayak's ability to move forward in a straight line… - Paddle Stroke- The Anatomy of a Paddle StrokeCreated: 2009-07-27 @ 22:25:22 EDT Updated: 2009-07-27 @ 22:28:27 EDT
The Anatomy of a Paddle Stroke. Paddlers have a wide variety of choices to employ in their arsenal of paddle strokes. There's the forward stroke, the draw stroke, and the j-stroke to name just a … - Recovery Phase- Definition of the Recovery Phase of a Paddle StrokeCreated: 2009-07-27 @ 21:47:57 EDT
The Definition of the Recovery Phase of a Paddle Stroke. The recovery phase is one of three parts to a paddle stroke which include the catch phase, the power phase, and the recovery phase. The re… - Power Phase- Definition of The Power Phase of a Paddle StrokeCreated: 2009-07-27 @ 21:42:45 EDT
The Definition of the Power Phase of a Paddle Stroke. The power phase is one of three parts to a paddle stroke which include the catch phase, the power phase, and the recovery phase. The power ph… - Catch Phase- Definition of The Catch Phase of a Paddle StrokeCreated: 2009-07-27 @ 21:38:12 EDT Updated: 2009-07-27 @ 21:43:19 EDT
Definition of the Catch Phase. The catch phase is one of three parts to a paddle stroke which include the catch phase, the power phase, and the recovery phase. The catch phase is the part of the … - Canoe J-Stroke- How to Do the Canoe J-StrokeCreated: 2009-07-14 @ 23:29:23 EDT
This how-to explains the steps involved in the canoeing manuever known as the j-stroke. The canoe J-Stroke is probably the most important canoe stroke to learn. Every person who has ever sat in a … - Canoe Draw Stroke- How to Do the Canoe Draw StrokeCreated: 2009-07-14 @ 23:27:08 EDT Updated: 2009-07-14 @ 23:29:48 EDT
This how-to explains the steps involved in the canoeing manuever known as the draw stroke. The canoe draw stroke, along with the j-stroke, is one of the most important canoe strokes to learn yet … - Cheat River Festival - Cheat River Festival Photo Gallery…Updated: 2009-11-17 @ 10:01:58 EST
The Cheat River Festival, otherwise known as Cheat Fest, is put on by the Friends of the Cheat, FOC, each year in May each year. The Cheat River Canyon is a West Virginia whitewater kayaking, a W… - Kayak Paddling- Kayak Paddling BasicsUpdated: 2009-11-17 @ 09:55:38 EST
This page will guide you through all of the basics of paddling a kayak and about the sport of kayaking… - Paddling- Getting Started in PaddlingUpdated: 2009-11-17 @ 09:54:15 EST
Getting started in paddling can be a confusing task. This page will make it a bit easier and help you on your way to getting into a kayak or canoe and into the water… - Paddling and Whitewater Festival Calendar- A Calendar of Paddling an…Updated: 2009-10-21 @ 11:20:43 EDT
This document contains a calendar of paddling and whitewater festivals around the United States. Start filling up your weekend schedule from now… - River Wave: Definition of a Wave on a RiverUpdated: 2009-10-13 @ 13:34:17 EDT
The definition of a wave on a river. A wave on a whitewater river is a term that describes a place where the water rises up due to underwater obstructions and features…