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FORWARD PADDLING & RAFTING UP

Forward paddeling

1. Start each stroke as far forward as possible.

2. Put the paddle in the water perpendicular to the kayak.

3. ​Follow your bow wave. Let the paddle move away from the boat, following its natural course through the water.

4. ​Before you set the paddle in the water, rotate your torso forcefully so that the stroke starts as far forward as you can.

5. During the stroke, you should extend the leg on the paddle side, pushing off it to transfer power to the kayak.

6.​ Finish the stroke next to your hip.

7. If you pause between strokes, do it when the kayak is moving fastest, holding the paddle at eye level

8. During the stroke itself, your top arm should also move at eye level.

​Rafting up

1. To signal to other paddlers that you want to form a raft, hold your paddle vertically.

2. ​The other paddlers will gather around you. 
To raft up, you simply hold onto each other’s kayak. If there are waves, turn the boats to face them.