Category Archives: Technique

How to Pack Camera Gear For Kayaking and Canoeing

waterproof camera cases

For issue 28 of Ocean Paddler, I wrote an article about my approach to kayak expedition photography. In it I touched on the subject of how to pack camera gear for kayaking. I use a similar approach for canoeing. Essentially, my approach is based on the idea that if you can’t get to the camera, [...]

Also posted in Articles, Equipment, Photography | 3 Comments

8 Lunch Ideas for Your Next Canoe or Kayak Trip

lunch served on the deck of a kayak

On kayak and canoe trips, I like to carry simple meals that require little prep and take up little room in the portage pack or hatches. Usually that means that I pack one or two types of lunches for a 10-day trip. By day 10 that can get a little old. Recently, I posted on [...]

Also posted in Articles, Menu Planning | Tagged , , , | 8 Comments

Canoe and Kayak Navigation Articles

Chart used for navigation

Over the past few years, I’ve written articles about both canoe navigation and kayak navigation. I based the articles on the navigation classes I teach with the premise that navigation shouldn’t be confusing, and it isn’t confusing once you understand the basics. To help people learn during my classes, I concentrate on the results instead [...]

Also posted in Articles | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Organizing Camping Gear for Canoe Camping and Kayak Camping

Organzing camping gear by laying everything out.

Many checklists that help with organizing camping gear are broken down into categories that don’t necessarily reflect how we live our lives in our homes. For example, a checklist might break the list into paddling clothing, camp clothing, personal gear, group gear and personal items. At a glance, you can’t really tell what you’re bringing. [...]

Also posted in Articles, Tutorial | Tagged , , , | 6 Comments

Learning the Greenland-style Storm Roll Part 2: The Kayak Roll

Continuous Storm Roll

This is part two of Learning the Greenland-style Storm Roll. Before reading this start with part one of Learning the Greenland-style Roll. The Storm Roll Now let’s bring all of the pieces of the puzzle together. This time we’re going to capsize and bring the paddle around under the boat with us. The set up [...]

Also posted in Articles | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Learning the Greenland-style Storm Roll Part 1: The Foundations

kayak storm roll

Being a Greenland-style kayaker I take great pride in my ability to roll. I’ve spent many hours practicing and honing tiny details to make my rolls smooth, graceful, and quiet. And I am not alone. There are tons of us out there. We are a bit of an odd bunch, even amongst kayakers, because we’ll [...]

Also posted in Articles | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

Shoulder Exercises for Kayaking and Canoeing

Overview of shoulder exercises for kayaking

I don’t have empirical data to prove it, but I would place a bet, that shoulder injuries are one of the top 5 injuries for kayak paddlers. Probably the primary cause of shoulder injuries is the obvious problem with incorrect arm position during a brace. This places the shoulder in a vulnerable position. Using poor [...]

Also posted in Articles | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Kayak Weathercocking vs. Tracking

Kayaker paddling without kayak weathercocking on Lake Superior.

Kayak weathercocking is the tendency of a moving kayak to turn into the wind. It’s caused by a difference in pressure between the bow and stern of your kayak, and it can feel frustrating if you don’t know how to correct for it. Luckily, there are tools and techniques that can keep you on course [...]

Also posted in Articles, Equipment | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

The Risks of Cold Water Paddling

Wearing the right gear for the risks of cold water paddling.

Even during the summer when Lake Superior’s surface temperature warms to 50 degrees Fahrenheit, capsizing in it can kill you. The most obvious form of death comes from drowning, but other not so obvious dangers, such as cold shock, cold incapacitation and hypothermia, are just as deadly, and can occur anytime the water drops below [...]

Also posted in Articles | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Winter Kayaking Tips and Resources

Winter kayaking near ice.

As the northern hemisphere shifts into winter and the water turns solid, many kayakers will hang up the paddling gear and store their kayaks until spring. It doesn’t need to be that way; winter kayaking can be enjoyable, albeit more dangerous than the other three seasons. PaddlingLight features multiple articles that give you great winter [...]

Also posted in Articles, News | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

How to Pack a Sea Kayak Part 2: Packing Your Kayak

Getting ready to pack a sea kayak

Learning how to pack a sea kayak for camping isn’t a mystical black art reserved for expert expeditionary paddles who spend most of their life at sea. Instead, it just takes planning and knowledge of boat trim and balance. In How to Pack a Sea Kayak Part 1: Selecting and Packing Dry Bags, you learned [...]

Also posted in Articles, Equipment, Kayaks | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

How to Pack a Sea Kayak Part 1: Selecting and Packing Dry Bags

Packing a sea kayak with dry bags.

Despite their small size, most sea kayaks can carry enough camping gear and food for a multi-week kayak camping trip, which is one of the main draws of paddling a sea kayak. You can travel far away from the car and camp in comfort. How to pack a sea kayak is the tricky part. You [...]

Also posted in Articles | Tagged , , | 11 Comments

High Angle Vs. Low Angle Paddling

high angle vs low angle strokes

Typically, the difference between high angle vs low angle paddling styles is explained as the height of the upper hand during the forward stroke, because the height of the upper hand changes the angle of the paddle’s shaft when referenced from the water. For example, if the hand is shoulder high or above, it’s consider [...]

Also posted in Articles | Tagged , , , | 19 Comments

More Kayaking Accessories for Beginners

kayaking accessories on the beach

A first-time kayaker may not realize what kayaking accessories he or she may want or need when getting into kayaking. In the first part of this article, Kayaking Accessories for Beginners, I listed items that I think are necessary for beginners. In this list, I’ll highlight items that an entry-level kayaker may want to buy [...]

Also posted in Articles, Equipment, Kayaks | Tagged , | 1 Comment

22 Ways to Improve Your Kayaking Skills Forever

Practice rolling to improve your kayaking skills

We paddle because it’s fun and relaxing and sometimes challenging and risky. When it isn’t fun, it’s usually because our skills aren’t up to the challenge. In those circumstances, we can either grit our teeth and deal with it, or we can try to improve our skills so that next time we can smile and [...]

Also posted in Articles, Tent Bound | Tagged , , | 8 Comments