Instructors Top Tips
Paddlesport Department
Inland Kayaking
Safety
What you carry in your boat could really help save the day. Consider the following:
- Minumum: Throwline (15 to 25M), Knife, Karabiner, Unsewn sling (3 M), Whistle.
- Additions: Splits, Survival bag, Group shelter, First Aid, Mobile, Map, Headtorch, Duck tape, Tie wraps, Spare bung.
Equipment
Paddle shafts – if you have small hands try smaller shaft diameters.
Paddle blades – again if you are a smaller paddler consider smaller blades that you will find easier to control.
Coaching
On an easy stretch of river challenge your group to use as many water features as possible…working the stretch to its max, crossing eddy lines, surfing, ferry gliding, paddling forwards, backwards sideways. Challenge them to link as many different moves as possible while always maintaining progressive movement of the boat. The benefit of this exercise is that it helps develop linking of paddle strokes (Blade); identification and use of water features (Brain); boat edge (Boat) and trim (Body) control! As they improve move onto more difficult water.
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