Hey guys
Im doing my coursework for my GCSEs right now and i could do with another opinion.
What do u reckon are the 5 main skills you need to kayak decently??
<3
www.myspace.com/pepperpiper :grin:

Off the top of my head:
1. Wet-Exit
2. Forward/ Back Paddle
3. Read the river
4. Eddy-out
5. Roll

The Boof!

[color=cyan:2fefce47b1]The answer to your question could vary somewhat as to whom it would be targeted to. From a total beginner to an expert, the skills needed would be slightly different. But somewhere in the middle, tending to more advanced paddling, I would say the following in no particular order, are pretty important. And yes, I probably have forgotten some…

1. The boof. (as already stated – and what stops many paddlers from advancing properly)
2. A solid roll in all conditions. From strong, fast currents to shallow rocky stuff. (all different types of rolls, both sides)
3. Proper and efficient use of all the draw strokes.
4. Good physical condition.
5. And an even better mental and emotional condition. (absolutely vital I think)

Well that’s just my view. Use it, don’t use it. Feel free to add on. [/color:2fefce47b1]

ok..i think there's only three things you need for kayaking (and not only for kayaking) ...

1. right speed
2. right angle
3. right leaning (balance)


i think if you got them right for the situation/rapid/falls...everything will be fine..

1. Brace
2. Roll
3. Ferry
4. Catch Eddies
5.Read The River

My .02 on the basic skills needed to kayak decently... at all levels.
1. Mentally strong: Why run the rapid that you are looking at? Identify all possible outcomes and ask yourself if you are willing to live with the consequences?

2. Physically strong: To walk or run? Every individual has to decide what is right for them on any given day. There should be no outside peer pressure. Do not get caught up in the rush. Can I make it?

3. Instinct: Always go with your gut!

4. Fear management: A combination of mental and physical. Your vision needs to be focused on the line you have chosen, and then drive your boat in thqt direction. It is also very important that you have a mental image of yourself doing all the moves necessary to navigate your plan. Do not think about where you do not want to be or where you do not want to go, this is a reactive approach to boating and can be counterproductive.

5. Safety: On and off the river and especially with the beers at the takeout!

I did it for my GCSE coursework too and I put the complete basics such as:
1)Getting in and out. (Launching)
2)Forward/backward padddle
3)Turning on the move and still

You could also add things like body positioning and knowlege of the river. Because mine was for flatwater aswell as moving water so I had to consider that to.

Hope this helps
Scott

you just gotta know where to be and have the skills to put your boat there and be upright at the bottom

[quote:a6d3e08203="420247"]5. Safety: On and off the river and especially with the beers at the takeout! [/quote:a6d3e08203]

and you really gotta watch the beers lol

Shiva got it about right id say but these are the 3 things id say were fundamental for moving water.

1) Paddle forwards
2) Turn the boat
3) Edge, edge, edge

In the long run other skills like boofing, and especially rolling come into their own, but those are the primary building blocks beginners need to get on a river. You could add,

4) Recovery (brace) stroke
5) Safe capsize/wet exit

but theyre not as necessary as the first 3. Good luck with your coursework.

There's plenty of kayaing where you don't need to read rivers. Just to name a few: canoepolo, sea kayaking, flatwater touring.

So, to be able to specify the 5 essential skills one should put the kayaking in context.

If it's general (non descriptive) kayaking:

1/ get in and out of your kayak
2/ be able to brace (and preferably roll)
3/ paddle forward, backward and sideways
4/ be able to help a fellow kayaker who capsized and did not roll up
5/ be able to think beforehand whether it is wise to go paddling in the current circumstances (ie. have some common sense)

Just my 2 cents

These are 5 Skills I believe paddlers should consider:

1) Safety First: Too often I find that peddler are not familiar with basic river safety signals and procedures. As paddlers, we must be able to communicate on and ideally off the river. Paddle signals are critical in managing our own safety and the safety of other's on the river. Know how to communicate hazards, eddying out, and learn basic rescue skills. Also learn to paddle according to your level of competence. Remember, the group is only as competent as its weakest link.

2) Trunk Rotation: I see paddlers of all levels overuse their arms when paddling. Power should primarily come from rotation at the trunk; this helps generate more torque with less effort. Maintain the shape of a box with the paddle and arms out in front and at shoulder level. Do not rock back and forth to generate power. Often paddlers will rock their trunk back and forth while trying to generate a burst of speed, doing this creates turbulence around hull and therefore wastes energy. Torso ROTATION allows a paddler to reach farther forward during the catch phase of the forward stroke. Indirectly, correct paddling form may help prevent shoulder injury such as strains, sprains, dislocations, and subluxation. When the torso is not properly engaged to generate power, the arms do more work and become fatigued at a faster rate. This fatigue (especially of the Rotator Cuff musculature) may contribute to shoulder instability and therfore injury.

3) Boat Lean: Boat lean is important in helping prevent the current from catching a chine and flipping the boat. Boat lean is important when crossing eddy lines, performing freestyle moves, carving, etc... Generally one leans away from the current in the river and into the wave in the ocean surf. This becomes a bit more complicated with moves such as, flatspins, splitwheels, and sidesurfing.

4) High Brace Form: Too often paddlers put their shoulder in danger of dislocating or subluxating (partial dislocation) while High Bracing. The most common position for shoulder dislocations is, elbow bent in the shape of an \"L\" AND behind the shoulder. This ball and socket joint is unstable, as it resembles a golf ball on a tee. When the arm is in the L position AND behind the shoulder, the ligament which helps stabilize the Gleno-Humeral Joint (ball and socket shoulder joint) called the Anterior Gleno-Humeral Ligament, rotates up and around the ball and socket. In this position the Rotator Cuff (muscles attaching around the ball and socket) must literally pick up the slack to contribute to shoulder stability. The Rotator Cuff is made up of the Supra-Spinatus, Infra-Spinatus, Teres Major, and Teres Minor muscles. Fatigue of the Rotator Cuff muscles may inhibit the power and balance needed to stabilize the Humeral Head (ball) in the Glenoid Fossa (socket) and POP!!! OUCH!!!

5) Fear of Failure: I've always felt that if I'm not making mistakes, I'm not pushing myself enough. This philosophy began as a young boy while snowboarding. I'm always trying to learn something new or make something better. If I'm not flippin', I'm trippn'. So, as long as I have my nose plugs I'm good to go.

Peace in the Middle-East,
Whitewaterules (Boe)