Kayaking in How to Scull and Brace

Kayaking in How to Scull and Brace
Advanced Strategies in Kayaking

Kayaking is a dangerous water sport that requires accuracy while maneuvering in the waters. Kayakers often learn a variety of strokes before venturing off on whitewater, wild water, or competition sports. Various stroke methods include the skull, which moves forward, and reverse, or the brace stroke.

How is the skull stroke in kayaking work?
First, you should learn to brace stroke and then move to skull strokes. In the brace stroke usually two passengers are in the kayak. One passenger leans over the body of the ship (Hull) while the other passenger braces the kayak in an effort to prevent the kayak from capsizing. (Flipping) Brace strokes require that the paddle remain in the waters. (Learn more about recovery strokes to before trying the brace stroke)

Kayakers must remain constant. In other words, the kayak must remain constantly in control, rather than the paddles.

How do I balance the kayak?
First, it is important that the feet, knees, thighs, buttocks, hips, are the essential areas of the body you want to focus on while learning to balance a kayak. The upper body also helps to support kayak balance, yet the lower part of the body bears the most weight.

What type of paddles do kayakers use?
Kayakers use left and right hand paddles. Most kayakers prefer the double bladed paddles, yet few will choose to use the two section paddles. If you intend to use the two sectional paddles, on the side you are using the paddles, the blade should be the first (always) to come up from the water. The hollow side of the paddle should be closest to you. Most kayak paddles of this style are feathered. The feathered paddles help to cut back resistance of wind. As well, the feathered paddles tend to allow the body to have more power.

How does the forward stroke work then?
With one hand you will lean forward as far as you can stretch. The body should slightly lean forward as well. With the blade facing you, dip it into the waters. Simultaneously, pull the blade back and push forward. The hand stretching should pull back the blade while the other hand will push the blade forward, which should balance with the eyes. (Human eyes) the arm should be fully extended at this point while the body is straight. Next, perform the same action on the other side, which you will follow the same basic steps.

The forward stroke is the basic steps, which I prefer to inform you about before taking you to the full brace and skull strokes.

When should I use the brace stroke?
Generally, brace strokes is employed in unpredictable waters. Kayakers often keep the blades submerged under water at all times, which prepares them to use the stroke at any given moment. Kayakers tend to use the brace stroke as an anchor, which the kayakers tug the blades toward the kayak, while using their knees and thighs to balance the boat.




Tip:
When leaning in your kayak, try to avoid panicking. IF you are new at kayaking, avoid waters at first where boulders, rocks, wild, or whitewaters present risks.

How does the skull stroke work?
This stroke is ideal for single passengers. The object of this stroke is to maneuver the kayak forward toward the paddle, and then reverse toward the second stroke. In other words, the kayak will turn sideways with this turn, moving along with each stroke you take. The skull strokes forces the paddles to propel and each blade should be around 1-foot away from the kayak.
See you on the water, Greg

Pend Oreille Lake

Pend Oreille Lake
Canoe/Kayaking
Location: South of Sandpoint, Idaho
Duration: 2 Day
Season: Summer
Distance: 5 miles, round trip
Difficulty: Easy

Located in North Idaho, a land of dense forests and giant cedars, lies the state's largest lake, Lake Pend Oreille. Once the second largest U.S. naval training center in the world, with a surface area of 94,600 acres and numerous forested coves, it's a flat-water paddlers dream.
　
Starting at the put-in, paddle past the boat docks on your left (there is usually a little head wind as you pull out of Garfield Bay). As you round your first point heading East, on your left is the cave you can paddle into and explore, depending on the water level.
　
As you round each point heading North-East, there are many areas to camp along the shoreline, many of which are accessible by road.
　
The further you go, the better your chances of solitude. For a variation, some paddlers head South, where more camping spots can be found. It's a big lake, so explore, but be cautious of wind and waves. In the afternoon the waves usually get pretty big and then die down by the evening, so depending on what you like paddle early, mid-day or late.
　
Directions: From Coeur D'Alene drive 38 miles North on Highway 95 to Sagle. Watch for the sign on the right pointing to Garfield Bay (right after the flea market). Stay on Garfield Bay road as it winds East for another 7.5 miles, until you reach the lake. Pay attention some people go the wrong way at the "Y" in the road, about a mile before the lake. As you reach the lake, go a little bit past the large state run campgrounds. Park your car off the South side of the road, giving you easy access to the beach.

For a map, pictures and more info click on Pend Oreille Lake

See you on the water,

Greg

Ross Lake

Ross Lake
Canoe/Kayaking
Location: North Cascades NP, Washington
Duration: 6 Day
Season: Summer - Fall
Distance: 50+ miles, round trip
Difficulty: Moderate

Located in the North Cascades this is an incredible setting for a canoe trip. Surrounded by towering mountains and waterfalls this makes for a great week multi-day trip for the more experienced paddler.
　
From the Colonial Creek Boat Launch, paddle north on Diablo Lake hugging the right shore. As you reach the larger part of the lake at about the 2 mile mark, remember to stay against the right shore and you will turn east into the canal leading to the Ross Lake Dam.

As you paddle toward the dam, be very cautious of the power boats moving quickly around the blind corners, we nearly got ran over.
　
At the 4 mile mark you will see a glimpse of the dam and some buildings owned by Seattle City Lights, the Portage landing is on your right 100 yards before you reach the buildings. Be careful not to park your boats on the large concrete slab, that is for the barge they use to ferry vehicles with. Instead just around the floating dock is a nice gravel landing spot.
　
From here you need to hike up the road to the power building and use the phone to call and have them bring down the trucks to portage you up to the lake.
　
Be prepared to wait a while. Also, check the More Info Link for details on the portage fees. Once you portaged up onto Ross Lake, the rest of your trip depends on what you have pre-determined and your trip permit.
　
The authors trip is laid out on the map. There's plenty of campsites and lots of water for however long you want to stay.
　
Directions: From Diablo Washington follow North Cascades Highway #20 east about 4 miles till you reach the right turn for Colonial Creek Campground & boat launch (mile mark 130). The turn is directly before you reach the bridge that crosses Diablo Lake.

For a map, pictures and more info click on Ross Lake

See you on the water,
Greg