Trip Videos
Instructional Videos
Funny Paddling Videos
Paddling 101:
You've just taken a sea kayak class and are all pumped up about learning more? Hopefully the videos below will help you out. These are some of the best instructional videos I've come across on Youtube.| Video: | !!! Cold Water Boot Camp !!! |
| Description: | "Volunteers experience the 3 effects of cold water immersion - cold shock, cold incapacitation and hypothermia. Learn how to survive a fall into cold water. "
Awesome cold water immersion video showing participants suffering from cold shock and how a PFD will save your life in cold water!!! All paddlers need to watch this one! |
| Author: | NASBLASafeBoating |
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Instructional Videos:
Educational Paddling Links/References:
Wetsuit vs. Drysuit for Paddling
Excellent article covering how to dress and layer for cold water along with some startling facts.
http://playak.com/news.php?idd=1358581398725
Off-season Boating, Cold Shock and Hypothermia
Brochure and website describing the dangers of hypothermia and how to prevent it. If you are at all questioning learning more, here is a shocking quote from the website which will likely change your mind:
"On March 6th, 1968, nine elite marines, trained as water survival instructors at the Marine Corps Physical Fitness Academy, capsized while paddling a war canoe across the Potomac River. They wore sweat suits. They had seat cushions but no life jackets. The water temperature was 36 degrees F. None of these men were able to swim the 100 yards to shore. This is the bluntest of messages for all of us."
Coldwater website.
Brochure is available below:
http://www.enter.net/~skimmer/openboat.pdf
Cold Water Safety - for kayakers
Atlantic Kayak Tours discusses the effects of cold water on a kayaker. The two main problems are drowning due to initial shock in cold water and the better known hypothermia. Some lesser known problems such as difficulty re-attaching a skirt due to numb fingers is also disccussed. A must read for kayakers!
http://www.atlantickayaktours.com/Pages/ExpertCenter/Coldwater/Coldwater-1.shtml#
Wetsuits and Drysuits
In-depth article at kayakacademy.com going over wetsuit and drysuit purchases, the materials to look for and more.
http://www.kayakacademy.com/drysuitfaq.html
Dam Safety Video
Learn to recognize dangerous low head dams and learn why they have been labeled "drowning machines".
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-6846124409391034920&q=low+head+lindblade
The Dangers of Paddling High Water
Inform yourself about the dangers of paddling in high water conditions.
http://dnr.wi.gov/org/land/parks/safety/flood.html
Staying safe on rivers.
Safety tips for paddlers. From the Illinois Paddling Council.
http://www.illinoispaddling.org/safety.html
Kayaking Safety
Brief and to the point safety guidelines and tips that kayakers on Lake Michigan absolutely must know.
http://caskaorg.typepad.com/caska/kayaking-safety-center.html
Sweep, Roll, and Bracing
Learn how to perform proper sweep strokes, rolls, low and high braces. This article has annotated photos showing both good technique and bad.
http://nocpaddlingschool.blogspot.com/2008/06/shoulder-safety.html
Swimming Whitewater
A must read for new whitewater boaters. This article discusses what to do in various situations once you've become separated from your boat.
Techniques for dealing with eddy lines, strainers, holes, drops, and big water are discussed.
http://www.performancevideo.com/swim_whitewater
Bombproofing Your Roll
Paddling.net member discusses rolling exercises to be performed in flatwater that can help prepare you for unplanned/combat rolls in rougher conditions.
http://www.paddling.net/message/showThread.html?fid=advice&tid=920959#921028
Waiting to Inhale: Breath-Holding Drills for Kayakers
Sea Kayaker magazine article discussing techniques to help you relax and hold your breath longer with the goal of attempting a second or third roll should your first attempt(s) fail.
http://www.seakayakermag.com/2003/03Oct/breath1.htm
Paddling Lake Michigan
"Safety tips for paddling Lake Michigan," from the Illinois Paddling Council.
http://www.illinoispaddling.org/safety2.html
Rip Currents
"Over 100 drownings due to rip currents occur every year in the United States. More than 80% of water rescues on surf beaches are due to rip currents.
Rip currents can occur at any surf beach with breaking waves, including the Great Lakes."
Follow the link below for some easy steps to successfully avoid a rip current induced fatality.
http://www.ripcurrents.noaa.gov/overview.shtml
How Waves are Generated
Article discussing wave formation. Also be sure to take a look around the rest of the site (http://magicseaweed.com) as they have a compilation of other wave/surf related articles.
http://magicseaweed.com/How-Waves-are-Generated-Article/327/
Paddle Float Rescue
Nigel Foster discusses the story of a sea kayaker that had to leave his kayak at sea after failing a self-rescue with a paddle float in rough conditions. He goes on to discuss the practicalities of using a float, preparing it for use, and techniques that can be used in rough conditions. He also notes that competent paddlers in calm water took about 2 minutes to complete a paddle float rescue whereas a re-entry and roll took only 15 seconds!
http://www.seakayakermag.com/1997/feb97/foster1.htm
Streamline Your Paddle Float Rescue
Learn how to optimize your paddle float rescue. Step by step images are presented accompanied by detailed instructions. One of the keys to to reduce your recovery time is to use a non-inflatable paddle float which is ready to go on your back deck.
http://kayakfit.tripod.com/Paddle%20Float.htm
Canoe vs Kayak?
Some tips on helping you choose a boat that is right for you.
http://rookscreek.home.mchsi.com/buyingaboat.html
14 Tips on Kayak Forward Stroke Dynamics by Mark Zollitsch
Some great tips to improve your forward stroke.
http://race.fit2paddle.com/C1450826492/E20070523095813/index.html
Forward Stroke Podcast
British olympic coach Shaun Caven and instructor Jim Kennedy of AtlanticSeakayaking.com discuss proper kayaking forward stroke technique at the Scottish Sea Kayak Symposium.
http://homepage.mac.com/simon.willis/PodcastLibrary/Forward.mp3
Extended Paddle Forward Sweep Stroke
Discusses how to improve turning in your kayak. This fast and energy efficient technique will also give you more stability while doing edge turns.
http://www.paddling.net/guidelines/showArticle.html?338
weatherhelm, lee helm?
Great post on paddling.net discussing how wind and waves affects your boat and how to get your boat going in the direction you want.
http://www.paddling.net/message/showThread.html?fid=advice&tid=817914#818022
Picking the Right Paddle (Kayak)
Low angle, high angle? Join Simon Willis as he discusses picking the right paddle with Danny Mongno from Werner paddles.
http://web.mac.com/simon.willis/SeaKayakRoutes/Podcasts/Entries/2008/4/1_Entry_1.html
Paddle Design 101
How does a whitewater paddle differ from a touring sea kayak paddle? Read on as paddling.net member describes the differences.
http://www.paddling.net/message/showThread.html?fid=advice&tid=810115#811118
Illinois Water Related Maps
Watershed maps, rivers, and more...
http://www.sws.uiuc.edu/docs/maps.asp
Custom Fitting your Kayak
An in-depth article detailing how to custom fit your kayak for maximum control and performance. Details making a custom foam seat, hip braces and knee braces.
Also, kayaker Brian Norstrom has some detailed photos on mods he's made to his own boats on webshots.com
And here is another link showing how to use power tools to speed up the process http://outdoors.webshots.com/album/551103741WbWdUH
http://kayakfit.tripod.com/instructions.htm
Paddling Knots
This article describes the various knots a paddler might need to know.
http://www.netknots.com/html/paddling_knots.html
Kayaking FAQ
Great comprehensive kayaking reference. Discussses what to look for in a new kayak, the trade-offs in kayaks, types of kayaks, safety and much, much, more.
http://www.faqs.org/faqs/boats-faq/sea-kayaking/