How to paddle a kayak in a straight line ?

Question

How to paddle a kayak in a straight line ?

Answer 1

Just to clarify, I'm the owner of a kayak instructional school on the Great Lakes, and a ACA certified Open Water Sea Kayaking instructor.  

Paddling in a straight line (or tracking) is probably one of the greatest challengers for beginners.   The inability to track can result from a few things:  1) Poor balance in the kayak (rocking from side to side) will cause the boat to veer off course,; 2)  Extending your forward stroke too far towards the stern of the boat, which initiates a turn;  3)  Uneven paddle strokes.    

The type of boat  you are paddling can also make a difference.  Whitewater boats aren't meant to go straight...they lack a keel, and have a high degree of rocker (they are almost surfboard shaped) in order to enhance manueverabilty...precisely what you want if  you're heading downriver!    Sea kayaks on the other hand are much longer (16-17') and narrower with a pronounced keel.  They are designed to go straight, but their narrow width makes them feel unstable to beginners, which can result in edging the boat and cause it to veer.  

Similarly, I've often seen new paddlers who use a feathered paddle (one where the blades are offset at different angles) have difficulty.   This is because they get a good catch (the point where the paddle blade enters the water) with  the right blade, but don't change the blade angle when they catch on the left.   In this scenario, the left paddle enters at a slightly diving angle and sheds a lot of the power of the water off.   The result is a stronger right stroke, causing the boat to veer left.

Not knowing you, your boat, or your paddle, I can only offer some advice:  

1)  When you paddle, stay centered (nose over navel).

2)  Use relative short strokes.    If your kayak was a clock, the bow would be 12 o'clock, the stern 6 o'clock, and 3 and 9 o'clock would be an imaginary line heading through your hips.    On the forward stroke, put the paddle blade in the water at 1 o'clock (right) and 11 o'clock (left).   Rotate your torso to drive the paddle along the boat, lifting the blade out of the water when you hit the 3-9 line.   Lift the right forearm to tilt the left blade into position for the left-side stroke and repeat the process.

3)  Pick a target to paddle to, line it up with the bow, and if you start to veer off that target, use a forward sweep stroke to correct the heading of the boat.   A forward sweep is a stroke that starts at 1 o'clock and sweeps out and around to the stern to turn the boat the other direction.   You want to use forward sweeps to correct because these don't kill your forward momentum.

If this seems like a long explanation, it's because paddling skills are best experienced on the water, rather than described.   This of course only describes how to make a boat travel straight in a flatwater environment, without addressing the impact of wind on kayaks (weather- and lee-cocking), waves, current, etc.  

I recommend you consider picking up a book on paddling at minimum, and consider taking a kayaking fundamentals course from an ACA-certified (American Canoe Association) instructor.   You can find out who is in your area by visiting www.americancanoe.org

Answer 2

alternate each stroke with the two sides of the kayak

Answer 3

Don't rock your body side-to-side.  This will tip your craft a little with each stroke and cause slight veering.  

Don't "dig in" a lot.  The more water you move, the more your craft will veer to that side.  Shallow, even steady strokes are best if you are on stable water and just want to go straight.

If you see a safe "haystack", head right for the middle.  Keep your boat stable and paddle as you enter and exit.  If there are no obstacles, your boat should stay straight.

Answer 4

That's why your kayak paddle has two blades, so you do one stroke on either side. Big secret to avoid going down the water in a series of parenthesis is to have a deep, short stroke. Don't drag the paddle at the end of the stroke -- rotate, pull, and come out between the knee and hip.

Answer 5

paddle on alternate sides of the boat with the same power on each side and don't rock your torso from side to side as you do...also, the current of the water affects your direction...also,a long kayak is easier to keep straight than a short one.

Answer 6

Paddle using both sides of the boat.  Smooth strokes, almost like you are "digging" the water.

Answer 7

to paddle in a straight line well, you can go forward almost straight but it wont be perfect. you just have to switch the paddle over to the other side of the boat every other stroke.