Kayak Touring » Skills & Tips

12 Reasons To Start Paddling

A reprint from Canoe & Kayak Magazine on the many reasons for getting on the water.

A Paddler’s Dictionary

A reprint from Canoe & Kayak Magazine on many boating terms.

Balancing Game: Yoga Therapy

River runner and yoga teacher Andria Davis explores the mind-body connection and how it can help us recover from injuries.

Boaters and Dehydration

Body fluid loss can lead to serious consequences. How to recognize it and prevent it.

Help Prevent the Spread of Invasive Aquatic Species

How to prevent the spread of harmful organisms in our waterways.

How to Do a Kayak T-Rescue

The kayak T-Rescue is a great kayaking technique to master. You flip upside down and a buddy brings their boat up to assist you.

How to Do the Kayak Sculling Brace

The sculling brace is an essential kayak technique that will help you advance in your paddling.

How to Do the Kayak Sculling Draw Stroke

Whether youre in a sea kayak, sit-on-top, fishing kayak or whitewater boat, mastering the sculling draw stroke will move your paddling skills up a notch.

How to Fit an Adjustable Bungee Sprayskirt

This video gives tips on how fit an adjustable bungee sprayskirt for a snug fit, while still allowing the skirt to be removed safely in a wet exit.

How to Fold an Inflatable Boat for Storage

Learn the tips and techniques to minimize stress on seams and materials by folding an inflatable boat for storage correctly.

How to Install D-Rings and Footcups

NRS Repairs shows you the best ways to install D-rings and footcups and permanently glue them to Hypalon-, PVC- and urethane-coated materials

How to Install Kayak Hip Pads

Learn to properly install hip pads, an important part of the kayak outfitting that allows you to be one-with-your-boat for maximum control and ease of rolling.

How to Practice the Kayak Wet Exit

How to practice the kayak wet exit, your back-up plan for when your roll doesn't work.

How to Re-Enter a Sit-Inside Kayak

This video shows you several ways to get back inside your kayak when you have another paddler available to lend an assist.

How to Roll a Sea Kayak

Learning to roll a sea kayak is an important safety skill. This three-part video series from veteran kayak instructor Ken Whiting shows you how to roll a sea kayak while by breaking it down into three parts: the setup, the catch and the recovery.

How to Safely Get In and Out of Your Kayak

Getting in and out of your kayak can be tricky, especially for beginners, but there are easy techniques to safely launch and land your boat.

How to Strap a Kayak to the NRS Yak Yak Boat Cart

Securing your kayak or canoe to the NRS Yak Yak Boat Cart is quick and simple. In this video, we show you how to use the two included NRS 6 Loop Straps with Buckle Bumpers to attach your boat to the Yak Yak.

How To Stretch a Sprayskirt

In this video, we show you how to stretch a sprayskirt to prevent water leakage and implosion.

How to Tie a Taut-Line Hitch Knot

There are some knots every boater should know how to tie, and the Taut-Line Hitch is one of them. Watch this video to learn how it's done.

How to Wet Exit a Kayak

This video will show how to wet exit a kayak, helping you to get out smoothly and safely, while hanging on to your paddle and the boat.

Kayak Floatation for Sea Kayaks

If you choose to paddle around rocks and reefs, its a matter of time before you punch a hole in your hull. Learn why float bags are a smart addition.

Kayak Outfitting Tips for Playboating

Proper kayak outfitting is essential to getting the most comfort and performance out of your playboat.

Kayaking for Fitness

If youre looking for a great upper-body workout, kayaking for fitness cant be beat.

Kayaking Fundamentals: Do a Kayak Hand Roll

Kayak instructor Ken whiting demonstrates the three main elements of the hand roll: the setup, the catch and the recovery.

Kayaking Fundamentals: How to Do a High Brace

Expert kayaker Ken Whiting shows you how to execute the high brace in this second Kayaking Fundamentals video.

Kayaking Fundamentals: How to Do the Hip Snap

In Part V of our Kayaking Fundamentals video series, instructor Ken Whiting shows you how to practice the hip snap on your own or with a partner.

Kayaking Fundamentals: Kayaking With Kids

Kayaking with kids can be fun. Please be sure they always wear a life jacket that is sized for their body and properly fitted.

Kayaking Fundamentals: Mastering the Offside Roll

Learning the offside roll and practicing it is important for preventing that unwanted swim

Kayaking Fundamentals: Paddle a Tandem Kayak

Two people can paddle a tandem kayak while enjoying time together. This video gives great tips on how to make paddling the tandem easy and fun.

Kayaking Fundamentals: Rolling a Kayak in Rough Water

This video will teach you the basics on learning to roll a sea kayak in rough water

Keeping in Shape for Paddling

Getting in shape and keeping in shape for paddling will help you become a better boater, have more fun, and prevent activity-ending injury.

Living With Kids on Boating Trips

Tips for making boating trips with kids enjoyable for all.

Loading Kayaks On Your Vehicle

Safely loading kayaks on your vehicle is an important boater skill. NRS paddler Leland Davis shows how to fasten one kayak, or multiples, to your roof rack.

Mastering the C-to-C Kayak Roll

The C-to-C kayak roll is a great technique to have in your kayak roll quiver. This video breaks the roll setup into two distinct steps.

Mastering the Kayak Sweep Roll

Learn how the kayak sweep roll is a very efficient way to roll your sea kayak or whitewater boat. Its smooth, low impact and gives you long-lasting support.

Nutrition: Fueling the Fires Within

Learn the nutrition and hydration dos and donts to help you stay warm and safe as the weather and water get cold.

Overcoming Fear for New Boaters

Suggestions for overcoming the fear produced by a scary swim.

Pawlata: Extended Kayak Paddle Roll

Kayak instructor Ken Whiting shows you how to execute the extended paddle kayak roll so its there when you need it.

Perfecting the Kayak Forward Stroke

The forward stroke is the most used and most important paddle stroke. This video shows how to execute it for more efficient and powerful paddling.

Preventing Shoulder Injuries

Some helpful tips on preventing boater shoulder injuries.

Rescue Film Series: Ep. 10: Foot Entrapment Intro

Swiftwater rescue instructor Jim Coffey introduces techniques for assessing foot entrapment situations and formulating a plan to assist the victim.

Rescue Film Series: Ep. 3: Swiftwater Swimming

Swimming efficiently in whitewater is essential for self-rescue, rescuing others and building your kayaking, rafting and canoeing confidence.

Rescue Film Series: Ep. 4: Throw Bag Techniques

This video covers throw bag techniques including throwing, safely bringing in the swimmer, bracing, and how to catch and hold the rope if you're the swimmer.

Rescue Film Series: Ep. 5: Victim Contact Techniques

This video covers victim contact techniques for safely paddling, swimming and wading out to the victim

Rescue Film Series: Ep. 6: The Rescue Harness

This video shows you how to safely and effectively use the quick-release rescue harness on your life jacket.

Rescue Film Series: Ep. 7: Live Bait Rescue

This video shows several different live bait techniques and describes the best ways to do them safely

Rescue Film Series: Ep. 8: Boat Extractions

This video demonstrates how to retrieve a pinned kayak or canoe using methods ranging from pushing and pulling to setting up a mechanical advantage system.

Rescue Series: Foot Entrapment Strategies

Swiftwater rescue instructor Jim Coffey introduces foot entrapment strategies for making a rescue, assessing risk for the team, and determining tempo.

Restorative Yoga for Boaters

Not all exercise routines make you more tired. You can reduce fatigue from paddling and the daily grind with these yoga techniques from Andria Davis.

Rolling a Kayak

World Champion kayaker, Ken Whiting, gives pointers on learning to roll your kayak.

Stretching Exercises for Paddlers

Stretching is essential for preventing muscle strain as well as healing injuries.

The Kayaker’s Pledge: Improving Your Kayak Roll

NRS ambassador Devon Barker-Hicks shares one of her favorite tools for rolling better the "Kayaker's Pledge."

The Three Golden Rules of Kayaking

Watch as Ken Whiting shows you the golden rules of paddling, three key concepts that apply to every kind of kayaking.

Touring Kayak Safety

Touring kayak safety doesnt have to be hard, and following a few commonsense guidelines will help keep you safe as youre learning kayaking skills.

Using Yoga to Strengthen Your Hips for Kayaking

River runner and yoga instructor Andria Davis shows you some yoga techniques to help improve flexibility and strengthen your hips for paddling.

Why Fish From a Kayak

Read about a few reasons why many people have chosen to embrace the sport of kayak fishing. Far from being a fad, kayak fishing is here to stay.

Winter Paddling at its Warmest

Team NRS kayaker Devon Barker-Hicks gives gear recommendations for staying warm while paddling in icy waters.

Winter Rolling Tune-Up

Your local swimming pool is a great place for perfecting your kayak roll. Team NRS kayaker Devon Barker-Hicks gives valuable tips for getting it dialed in.

Yoga for Boaters' Back Pain

Core strength is a paddler's key to relief from back pain. Andria Davis shows you how to use yoga to strengthen your body's core to help prevent back pain.

Yoga for Boaters' Shoulder Pain

Don't let shoulder problems keep you from boating. With good technique and some guidance from Andria Davis, yoga can help you reduce pain and prevent injuries.

Yoga for Off-Season Paddling Fitness

Cold or dry times can be a bummer for paddlers. But as author Andria Davis reminds us, the off-season gives you an opportunity to rejuvenate your body and mind.