Hello
I got given 2 kayaks at the same time so me and my brother are learning to kayak
I have a old town rush
he has a riot glide
currently we are only doing flat water on a local lake till we get more gear and better at rolling
my big question for now is..
when in the riot glide on flat water it randomly goes into a turn, you can't really stop it just flat spins.
I am wondering if it is the flat bottom that does this and if there is anything I can do to help with this while on the lake?
thanks for any help

It's called spin momentum. Even if you're paddling a creek boat with a fully round (displacement) hull, it will also turn. Paddle in a straight line, stop paddling, and the boat will turn. That's the way they work. You'll get used to it, keep practising paddling in a straight line etc. And another tip, always keep a blade actively in the water when paddling down rapids. It will help you so, SO much. You'll be more in control and the water will be less likely to toss you around. Have fun..

Thanks, we were starting to think up a rudder for it, now we will just learn.
I'm going out again in a hour so I will have fun

got back from the lake, getting a better feel for it thanks

Great stuff!

Your stroke angle could be a little low... here.

if you have a standard whitewater/touring blade it looks like this


If you have a low angle paddle blade it looks like this


Angle of stroke refers to the degree of angle at which the paddle shaft and blade are from the water using the acute angle measurement (inside to you and the kayak)
subtle differences you may think but with "high angle blade" you must paddle with a high angled stroke, naturally, and low angle stroke with the low angle blade. Why would this make a difference? if your angle isn't high enough with your "high angle blade" you spin and spend half your time correcting your strokes. A good forward stroke is high angle, in at the bow and the blade is out of the water by the time it gets to your hips, any further and you spin. Good Luck

This is what I'm talking about high angle stroke. he's at about 50 degrees or so.

Thank you we will try this next time we go out hopefully today

also try just keeping your head directly above your spray deck.
This should help reduce the ammount of spinning you do...

one tip... DON'T lean away from the way you are spinning, thinking that you will stay straight. Odds are that if you do this you will flip because your kayak will become unstable. Lean into the turn or do a correctional stroke to counter the spinning.