If you are serious about wanting to do the Coast to Coast Race within the next few years (or months) then you’ll want to get your Grade 2 Kayak Course booked as soon as possible. All competitors are required to have a grade 2 kayaking skills certificate to enter the race, so the sooner you can gain your certificate, the better. When Should You Start Taking Kayaking Lessons if You’re Training for the Coast to Coast Race? As a kayak coach myself, you might expect me to suggest taking lessons from the very first time you sit in a kayak. But, I actually don’t think this is the best time to in ..read more

Do you want to improve your boat handling skills? Want to ensure you have full control over your multisport kayak on your next river run? In this article, you’ll learn essential boat-handling skills that you can practice during your next flatwater training session. Why You Should Practice Your Boat-Handling Skills When it comes to improving your kayaking skills, dedicating time to flatwater drills is key, especially in the early stages of your kayaking journey. While fitness and endurance are important, focusing on boat handling skills during your flatwater sessions can make a significant diff ..read more

Do you want to learn the multisport forward stroke technique? Want to feel confident you are focussing on the right things? In this article, you’ll learn the details of a good multisport forward stroke technique with a wing paddle. Blade Angle When it comes to the forward stroke technique, one crucial element to pay attention to is the angle of your blade. The power face of your paddle refers to the side you pull through the water, which has a scoop shape to it. It's essential to ensure that the power face is pointing directly backward from your line of travel. This alignment allows for a ..read more

Are you a beginner multi-sport kayaker looking to take your skills to the next level? Joining a kayaking club can be the key to unlocking a world of opportunities for growth and enjoyment in your paddling journey. In this guide, we'll explore the advantages of joining a kayaking club and provide valuable tips to help you make the most out of your club membership. Whether you're a beginner multi-sport kayaker training for the Coast to Coast race or simply seeking a supportive community to enhance your kayaking experience, this guide is for you. Benefits of Joining a Kayaking Club When it comes ..read more

Here are the 5 basic skills that every multisport kayaker should learn first.   To hear my in-depth discussion around this topic, including detailed instructions on how to practice these skills effectively, then listen to the audio episode. You can click play above, or you can follow The Canterbury Kayaking Podcast and listen on your smartphone.   Why Getting the Basics Right Is So Important I know you're excited to start kayaking, but you need to get the basics right first in order to experience long-term success with paddling. The "disaster session" Image trying to  ..read more

In this guide you will learn how to set up and adjust your multisport kayak and wing paddle.   To hear my in-depth discussion around this topic, including detailed instructions on how to set your kayak up correctly, then listen to the audio episode. You can click play above, or you can follow The Canterbury Kayaking Podcast and listen on your smartphone.   Why Getting a Good Kayak and Paddle Fit Is So Important If you don’t set your boat set up correctly, you are not going to be able to balance your kayak effectively and you may not be able to steer away from river-obstacles in ..read more

This is my guide to choosing the best paddle to start with if you are a beginner multisport paddler training for the Coast to Coast Race.   To hear my in-depth discussion around this topic, including my thoughts on shaft flex, then listen to the audio episode. You can click play above, or you can follow The Canterbury Kayaking Podcast and listen on your smartphone.   Why Is Choosing the Right Paddle So Important? There are only 2 pieces of kayaking equipment that have a direct impact on your overall performance. Those 2 items are the kayak, and your paddle. While choosing ..read more

How to Set Your Paddle Length for Multisport Kayaking The last time I made a video on setting paddle length was back in 2012. A lot has changed since then and I feel this video has been long overdue. In this new video, I share my thoughts on why you should no longer trust the traditional method for adjusting your paddle length. I go into detail on how to set your paddle length using the new system I've developed for Coast to Coast multisport athletes. I hope you enjoy the video and consider giving it a try yourself! Products Featured in Video Paddles: Gara ..read more

Your Skill Level / Category One of the most difficult decisions you’ll need to make in your Coast to Coast preparations is your choice of kayak. There are a lot of different makes and models out there, and each design aims to strike a balance between speed and stability. If you go for a boat that is too advanced for you, you’ll be out of control and potentially upside-down a lot of the time. We call this scenario being “over-boated”. You’ll have a terrible experience, be less safe on the river, and will spend more time emptying your kayak than paddling it. You really want to avoid this. On th ..read more

The river was around 55 cumecs when I recorded my footage over the weekend before this year's event. But, there is some rain of the way! In this video I'll show you my recommended lines plus discuss the predicted rainfall and what this might mean for your upcoming race. My Boat: Flow Aspire HD My Paddle: Gara Odin-S Learn to Kayak with me: Grade 2 Course ..read more