This list of kayaking technique resources was compiled by BASK Safety & Education Content Curator Rich Luibrand for the benefit of all paddlers. Although watching a video is not a substitute for taking a class with an instructor, it can inspire you to learn a new skill, give you a mental image of what good technique looks like, help you troubleshoot techniques that you're working on, or brush up on existing knowledge! If you have suggestions for additions to the list, please contact Rich.
The Basics—Safer Paddling
(8 short videos by Paul and Kate Kuthe)
- Lifejackets
- What to Wear
- Gear Essentials
- Basic Strokes
- Plan Your Trip
- Traffic Rules for Paddlers
- What If I Flip?
- Calling for Help
How to Dress
- How to Dress for Your Paddle/FRIGOR Index—Margot Otway
- The Complete Guide: What To Wear Kayaking—Brian Day (See article after the video)
General Kayaking and Strokes
- Wet Exit
- Foot Brace Positioning and Edging—Nigel Foster
- Edging
- Edging and Leaning—Gordon Brown
- Bracing Strokes
- Low Brace—Mike Aronoff
- High Brace—Mike Aronoff
- Sculling Brace—Mike Aronoff
- Sculling Brace vs. Sculling Draw—Mike Aronoff
- Forward Stroke
- Mike Aronoff
- Gordon Brown
- Power Paddling—Sean Morley
- Draw Stroke—Mike Aronoff
- Sculling Draw Stroke—Mike Aronoff
- Reverse Stroke—Mike Aronoff
- Sweep Strokes
- Stern Rudder—Mike Aronoff
- Roger Schumann on Forward Stroke, Reverse Stroke, Sweep Stroke, Bow Rudder, and more
- Roger Schumann's Key Components of Efficient Strokes, (pointers and photos). Take along in a chart case or ziploc bag.
Rescue and Recovery Techniques
- The Kayak T Rescue in Detail—Margot Otway
- T-Rescue—Heel Hook—Gordon Brown
- T-Rescue—30 second Kayak Rescue—The Power of Water
- Scramble (Cowboy)—Krista Fechner and Nathan Moody
- In Water Draining Methods—Wayne Horodowich
- 30-second Cowboy Scramble in Rough Water—Roger Schumann and Kim Grandfield
- Paddle Float Self Rescue—Ken Whiting
- Paddle Float Self Rescue—Heel Hook
- Re-entry and Roll with and without a Paddle Float—Gordon Brown
- Bow Rescue - Joe Holt
- Re-enter and Roll—Dympna Hayes
- Scoop Rescue
- Swimmer Facing Boat—Leon Somme
- Swimmer Facing Away from Boat—Virginia Marshall
- Hand of God Rescue—Paul Kuthe
- Cleopatra's Needle: Empty a Flooded Kayak Hatch with the Curl Rescue—Leon Somme
- Kayak Back Deck Rescue with Swimmer-Assisted Tow—Bill Vonnegut
Rolling
- Simplifying the Roll DVD—Helen Wilson
- This is the Roll DVD—Turner Wilson and Cheri Perry NEW DVD available: Advanced Rolls
- Balance Brace-Why it is useful for rolling—Kayak Hipster
- What is the Best Kayak Roll?—Ken Whiting
- Extended Paddle Roll—Sean Morley
- How to Roll a Kayak-Sweep Roll Review/Overview—Simon Coward, Aquabatics Calgary
Towing
- Towing—Ken Whiting
- Contact Tows—Gordon Brown
- Contact Tow for Faster Rescues—Leon Somme
- How to Build a Sea Kayak Contact Tow Line—Leon Somme
Paddling in Wind
- How to Deal With Wind While Paddling—Ken Whiting
- Understanding Weather-Cocking and Skegs—Bill Vonnegut
- Wind and Waves Against Current—Moulton Avery of the National Center for Coldwater Safety
Surf Zone
- Paddling Ocean Waves—Nigel Foster
- Launching and Landing a Kayak in a Surf Zone—Ken Whiting
- Side Surfing Control—Wayne Horodowich
- Side Hit in Surf Zone—Wayne Horodowich
- Finding and Interpreting Your Surf Forecast—Kelly Marie Henry
- Understanding Waves for Paddlers—Dale Kerrigan
Greenland Paddling Techniques
- Side Sculling—Christopher Crowhurst
- Balance Brace (Static Brace)—Christopher Crowhurst
- Getting your first roll—Christopher Crowhurst
- Standard Greenland Roll—Christopher Crowhurst
- Butterfly Roll—Christopher Crowhurst
- Chest Sculling—Christopher Crowhurst
- Reverse Sweep Roll—Christopher Crowhurst
- Continuous Roll—Christopher Crowhurst
- Forward Finishing Roll Training Techniques—Christopher Crowhurst
- Storm Roll—Christopher Crowhurst
- Additional Kayak Roll Instruction—Christopher Crowhurst
Advanced Kayaking Techniques
- Launching/Landing from a High Dock—Leon Somme and Shawna Franklin
- Quick Turning using the Haghighi—Leon Somme
- Speed Launch—Leon Somme
- Repair a Kayak on the Water—Leon Somme
Wilderness First Aid
- Cold Water Immersion, Hypothermia—Mario Vittone
- Cold Water Recovery—Mario Vittone
- Cold Water Bootcamp—Ted Rankine
Fear
- Overcoming Fear—Kayak Hipster
Additional Resources
- The Art of Sea Kayaking—a series of articles by Bryant Burkhardt
- Intro to Rock Gardening—a series of articles and Videos in Canoe & Kayak Magazine by Bill Vonnegut
- Incident Management--a webinar discussion between Roger Schumann and Wayne Horodowich
- Paddling.com:
- Technique articles—Wayne Horodowich
- General Technique articles
- Strokes/Braces
- Capsize Recoveries
