I am interested in learning how to whitewater kayak. As such I have done a lot of reading about paddling, boats, etc.

One thing I am wondering about is which school/philosophy/style of paddling should I learn first? See, I know from reading that paddling has gone through different stages. In the past the boats were longer and had more displacement style hulls where as today extremely short boats with planning hulls are what is common. Both require different styles and methods of paddling.

So what I am wondering is if one of those styles/methods of paddling is better to learn first than the other? Is it better to learn the old school method/style of paddling first or is it better to learn the new school method/style of paddling first?



By old school style, I mean the methods and techniques needed to paddle long displacement hull boats. And by new school style, I mean the methods and techniques needed to paddle new short planning hull boats that need to be carved and you need to be able to engage and release the edges.

Senorpepe,

I think that I would try & find a club that coaches in more than one discipline of paddling, i.e. whitewater, open canoe, sea kayaking, ect.

Some of the techniques do cross over with each other & I personally feel that to experience other types of paddling can help you decide which style or preference you feel suits you best.

Ask around in kayak shops, speak to the staff, speak to other boaters; who are usually more than happy to help with advice.

I think that good coaches can use a combination of old school & new methods which will help you keep an open mind. The club that I belong to does all types of kayaking. One week we may be practicing white water manouvers on the weir, the next it may be an open boat trip up the river or a sea kayak trip. We also had a go at C1 & paddling K1's; I didn't personally enjoy this one to much. However, it did make me appreciate things from other paddlers perspectives.

I guess that what I'm saying is that there isn't always a right or wrong way to coach, but that a good coach can maybe see that what they teach might work with one pupil but not another. If they're good they should be flexible enough to try another teaching style/ method that works.

Apologies in advance if they're any coaches out there who differ with this opinion.

Pete46:think:

Really I think that the boats we use now are better than older boats. With each new generation of design we have learned a bit more. Yes there is a dud in each generation but we have to overlook that.

Learning to paddle lots of different things, canoes, sea kayaks, ww kayaks, will improve your skill greatly. There are things that cross over from each discipline but most of all they are each fun.

Find a local club that can help you learn. Take a course or two. Find out what you enjoy because at the end of the day you are doing this for fun.

You are lucky to be coming into the kayak seen where you are as we have come so far with technolidgy. There realy are some great entry level boats out there that dont break the bank and with some good training will teach you skills that can transfer to all types of craft. i am not going to be a fence sitter on this topic and i hope i don't get any one off side. i would say look at something of a all rounder like a Dagger Mamba, Wavesport Diesel, liquid logic Hoss or Riot Thunder 65 these are all good entry level boats with plaining hulls. the reason i would say go for something with a plaining hull is that they require a little more skill to roll so if you can learn to do it with them you can do it with most old skool boats. a plaining hull will also alow you make your entry onto waves from there you are able to experiance most things and make up your mind from there what you want to persue. the sad fact is that although we have come far we still dont have the perfict boat and i am afraid that like most kayakers you will probabley end up with at least two. one to play in and one to run in. but don't hold me to that just get something and get out there>