Drills to Improve Edge Control and Awareness for Moving Water 🚣‍♂️💪

Mastering kayak control on moving water is a key skill for any paddler. One of the most effective ways to develop awareness, control, and confidence in using your kayak’s edges is through targeted practice drills. A 360-degree turn is just one example, but the main goal of this drill is to improve your edge control and awareness for when you take your kayak onto the river. These drills will help you develop the skills you need to maintain control, navigate currents, and carve with precision when you're in more challenging conditions. Here are 9 key strategies to improve your edging technique and overall kayak handling:

1. Find Your Balance Points ⚖️

Before you can truly edge your kayak, it’s essential to find and maintain your kayak’s balance points. On flat water, practise holding your kayak on its edge and getting comfortable with how the boat reacts. This will help you develop a strong connection to the boat’s dynamics and prepare you for more advanced techniques in moving water.

2. Knee Pressure 🦵

Knee pressure is a subtle but powerful way to influence your kayak’s edge. By applying pressure with your knees against the inside of the boat, you can maintain the kayak’s tilt and keep control. Practising this on flat water allows you to refine your balance and edge control, which will be critical for handling currents and making precise moves on the river.

3. Activate Your Obliques 💪

Engaging your core muscles, particularly your obliques, is vital when it comes to tilting and rotating your kayak. This core strength helps you initiate a smooth and controlled edge. Building your fitness with exercises targeting the core will significantly improve your ability to edge effectively in moving water, where quick adjustments and control are essential.

4. Maintain Momentum 🌀

Momentum is key to all paddling manoeuvres, and especially when it comes to edge control. By keeping the kayak moving during drills like the 360-degree turn, you build the skill of maintaining forward movement through changes in boat position. This drill will help you sustain momentum on the river, where stalling can lead to losing control in currents.

5. Look Into the Centre of the Turn 👀

Where you look directly impacts how your kayak moves. When practising your 360-degree turn, focus on the centre of the turn to keep your kayak moving smoothly. This visual focus will also help you stay aligned in moving water, allowing you to track your boat’s position and anticipate the path ahead as you use your edges to navigate the river.

6. Paddle Forward on the Inside of the Turn 🚣‍♀️

Incorporating forward strokes on the inside of the turn helps you maintain your momentum and carve through the water with precision. This technique, when practised on flat water, helps improve edge control and teaches you how to sharpen your turns. The more you practise this, the more naturally it will come when you need it in moving water to navigate currents and eddies.

7. High Angle Forward Stroke 🏞️

Using a high-angle forward stroke helps increase the power and precision of your paddling, which is essential when edging your kayak. Practising this on flat water will build your ability to carve sharply and maintain control, skills you’ll need when handling more dynamic water features like waves, eddies, and strong currents.

8. Move Your Head and Shoulders 🧑‍🦯

Your head and shoulders play a crucial role in initiating the rotation of your kayak. When practising edge control, make sure to turn your head and shoulders in the direction you want to go. This movement not only helps you initiate the turn but also helps you stay balanced and focused on your path, whether on flat water or on the river.

9. Focus on Your Final Destination 🎯

As you work through these drills, always visualise where you want to go. Keeping your eyes focused on the final destination ensures that your movements are deliberate and controlled. This applies to moving water as well—knowing where you want to land or how you want to approach a rapid helps you maintain control and navigate efficiently.

This is a sample lesson from our "Flat Water Practice Course".

www.onlinewhitewater.com/flatwater-practice