Kayaking Tips for Beginners
With summer officially here, Southern Californians are heading out into the ocean, in search of adventure. Kayaking is a great way to stay cool in the summer, get a fantastic workout and, in many cases, catch a glimpse of the local sea life. Hold your paddle correctly. It’s important to hold the paddle correctly, with hands shoulder-width apart (or wider), with an overhand grip. Keep arms fully extended away from the body and don’t T-Rex! There are two sides to the paddle–scoop and spine. When paddling forward, keep the scoop side of the paddle facing towards you. When paddling backwards, have the spine facing towards you. Don’t just pull the paddle or you will quickly tire out your shoulders. When pulling the paddle side in the water towards you, focus also on pushing the paddle side out of the water away from your body. This will help ensure you are using multiple muscle groups instead of making your shoulders do all the work. When paddling, remember to twist your torso into the movement. This will help maintain your center of gravity, produce more efficient strokes and utilize more of your body. Getting in and out of the kayak…
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