How to learn sea kayaking | sea kayak foundation skills

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How to learn sea kayaking

"Body Wisdom For Kayaking" : https://www.dancingwiththesea.com/funnel/body-wisdom-club/club/

In this video we’re going to explore the question of what is the most effective way to learn sea kayaking.

And why some people take lessons and practice for 15 years and don’t ever get very competent.

The obvious answer is to take a course on the specific skill you want to master.

If you want a more effective forward stroke, take a forward stroke lesson.

If you want to be comfortable in the waves take a bracing course.

But I say that’s backwards.

Here’s the approach I like to take when I give someone private lessons.

I start with no agenda.

There is nothing to teach until I find out what the client wants to achieve. There are no steps to get there until you know where you’re going.

Let’s say your goal is to go on a multi day trip in a month or so. And you’re worried because you’re not comfortable in the waves. And you know that wind and waves can come up.

Now we have something to work with. You want to be completely comfortable in the waves.

It’s easy. Just do a lesson on bracing right?

But wait.

The question isn’t what knowledge you need to be able to brace.

The question is what needs to be in place
For you to be confident you won’t capsize.

And actually enjoy yourself.

Is it about learning some new information so you know what to do when you lose your balance?

Or are there ways of moving that need to be in place as a foundation.

I start with looking at all that needs to be in place before you feel comfortable in the waves.

There needs to be muscle memory to automatically keep your balance.

What needs to be in place for that to work is the paddle needs to be in a strong position to give you support when you need it.

And your body needs to be in a powerful position.

You won’t feel secure otherwise.

Before your body and paddle can be in a strong position you need to be using your pelvis naturally. Try doing anything with ease without moving your pelvis.

Like throwing a rock.

Before you can move your pelvis naturally you need a special kind of fit with your kayak.

A fit that allows you to use your legs and pelvis to generate the power. And place your body in a strong position.

A good fit also allows you the precise edging control you need to stay in balance in the waves.

Without having to use any force.

What I see in those who spend years learning to kayak without making much progress, is they are focused on adding new knowledge specific to the technique they want to learn.

And they ignore all the foundational skills needed before they can make that new technique work.

It’s like building a skyscraper without a foundation.

The skill is never mastered. You have to keep trying. And the progress is slow.

If you want to create a solid foundation for sea kayaking with ease and agility, there’s a course called “body wisdom for kayaking”. You can click the link in the description below to find out more about it.

Here’s the good news.

Having a solid foundation is not something difficult to do.

Actually it requires you to move in the most natural way. The way you already like to move.

It doesn't take years to learn that.

It’s something that when you do it you realize you were just making it hard on yourself before.

You start to move with ease.

And your agility improves dramatically.

Techniques that you thought were hard to learn are now easy. And it’s because you have a solid foundation.

Thanks for watching.