Kayak Instruction – Reading the River
Kayak Instruction – Reading the River
Learn how to kayak! In this installation of the River Guide Series I break down and detail the ins and outs of learning how to read the river. I introduce several concepts and terms to include Finding the V, Boat Angle and Boat Speed. One of the best ways to get kayaking instruction is to be on the water with an experienced instructor. Since that is not always possible, here are a few tips and techniques that will make you a better kayaker. Come along as we paddle down the Union Bridge to Chicken Bridge section of the Haw River at 2.5′ on the gauge. I am joined by the Wondering Electrician, Yakkelberry and Rubber Duck Producktions…and the River Prince.
Find us at http://www.riverkingpete.com
Music by Joakim Karud http://youtube.com/joakimkarud
Super helpful thanks Pete.
Good stuff. Thank you.
Bro, your videos have taught me so much about this sport. The way you explain things is phenomenal. This is seriously one of my favorite channels on here! Thanks for all the work you do, Pete!
Thanks for uploading.
I just bought a kayak (a crossover) and this video will help me a lot to restart after many years not paddling!
Subscribed.
anyone know what PFD he’s wearing?
I go back and re-watch this every year or so, and send it to friends who want to move from sea kayaking and try river paddlling
Many thanks for this. New to the sport as off this summer, still in the stage of observing and studying rapids. The breakdown and visuals were so helpful! Cheers!
What class was this river videoed? Class I?
We just did an Alaska class one that turned into class 2+ as water was a 7 instead of the normal 4.
We got dumped (individual lake kayaks) two turns into the class change and had to abort the float. Boast are still on the riverbank awaiting extraction.
Now im watching what I should have before the trip!
1 thing you not mentioned is not wearing a helmet when near rocks is not a good idea 🙁
love that you mentioned the eyes focusing on the prize…not the piton! always look to where you want your craft to be/go. Same applies to cycling…don’t look at the gutter, because that’s where you’ll end up. thx
Thanks!
Very well done video!
Thanks
That’s too many lines at once.Get rid of the red after you show us what is red.Then get rid of some of the colors.
Maybe you stated this but I really don’t think this river in this video is class 1. Maybe class 2-3? I’ve done a lot of class 1 in Southeast Missouri on the Current River, Meremac etc and there are nowhere near this many rock hazards.
Mastery
thank you
Great video! Thanks for sharing. I’ve been running low level rapids and accidentily ended up in a bigger one yesterday. Your video helps me understand where I could have done better. Thank you!
This has soooo much good info! Thank you!
I took my recfishing kayak on class 2 rapids with absolutely no experience on rivers and after several errors figured these tips out the hard way.
Wish I watched this first but I think my mistakes are what made it fun and hooked me.
Hi, great video! Thanks! Im just about to buy my first river kayak… could you please recommend one for me,,, I would really appreciate it, thanks
Great video for a newbie like me. I’ve done motorcycle enduro for decades, and it actually reminded me a lot of how I pick the right line through gnarly terrain, but of course it’s more difficult to do so with water, and the potential downsides are generally greater. I learned a lot from this video, thanks.
Thank you for posting
You’re an excellent instructor
Do you need a special kayak for this type of kayaking or is it ok with a normal seakayak?
Seriously awesome V tutorial. I can even see them in my dreams now!
Great tips pete, doing my first white water trip in a kayak in the new year. I will keep this in mind.
Great stuff
Thanks, guys! That’s a really useful video, I’ve learrned a lot.
08:00 – Perpendicular, not parallel. Nice video!
Wow, I haven’t seen things presented like this and I feel like I watched quite a bit of videos about canoeing in general. Nothing specific on reading the water yet though. I really appreciate the style of teaching you use! Very informative!! Thank you!
Just went kayaking yesterday for the first time and I’m just glad I didn’t get turned upside down or go down rapids backwards!
Really love your channel,just subscribed.Any tips please for a new youtuber ,how to get more subscribers please
Great analysis. Ty for posting and educating all of us interested in this. ✌️
Yak Mafia sent me here what’s up !!
Went kayaking for my very first time today, and they were small rapids that I encountered at a state park, but I love it!
And I learned the first few rocks really quick, to watch the water and guided myself to the smooth water.
When I was coming up on rocks I had missed, I knew I had to go straight on rather than be sideways if I were to hit.
Have much to learn! But I taught myself some basics today.
Never rolled or fell into the water so that was a plus, but I know that’s not the norm for real kayaking.
I had a blast! Tired after a 10 mile trip I’m not used to doing, but hooked now. So much fun and I want to learn and get better.
Thanks for the video
Good informative video. We go through class 1 rapids on the river in PA. Never had an issue but they are fun. We all use sit on top kayaks tho for fishing. I like them better than the sit inside ones
This was so well done. Thank-you.
This was very informative, thank you!
Y’all have like 12 people and they are all in yellow boats 😂 awesome video though! 💪🏻
Excellent video, I had no idea how to control entries!
Awesome job explaining, I learned a lot from this video!
I was able to go up the Weechee wachee river in florida a lot further than the younger people because I learned paddling techniques and water flow. I still have a long way to go. I have a vanderhunk blufin tandem and I did not flip it and felt more confident. Thank You!
awesome instruction, thank you!!❤
Thank you so much for the simple and straightforward explanation!
I’d like more information about paddling upriver against the current. The rivers I kayak on don’t have currents as strong as in this video, so I spend most of my time battling upriver. I’ve made some dicoveries on my own, like staying near the edge where the current is less strong. Any videos about skills and techniques involved going upriver?
Amazing thank you
Learned a lot good to know I have good instincts
Great job, thank you!!🎉
20+ years ago I was told never to stop paddling in a situation when you can loose balance – like going down a rapid! Why? Because a paddle in water gives you an extra support point in case of trouble. I use this advice ever since – keep the bloody blade in water! I just can’t watch when you flow through rapids with paddle up – what if there is a rock in the middle of a rapid you did not notice?
This is brilliant, thanks so much for posting!
Went on my first kayaking trip. No preparation or practice. Did 10 miles in a day (snow around us and everything) and fell in the water 4 times. Good times good times.