Common Kayaking Mistakes – Top 5 Mistakes to Avoid

Gather around all beginner and novice paddlers! Today I'm going to help you dodge or correct what I consider to be the top 6 easily avoidable kayaking mistakes that will leave you sopping wet, or looking like a total noob! – often both. I'm hoping to save you any grief (and potential embarrassment) by giving you a few basic pointers in advance. Watch out for these flubs and you'll be well on your way to looking the part while learning a rewarding craft. 

Beginner kayaking mistake #1: the paddle is upside down

I have to tell you, when I spot someone using their paddle upside down, it's like seeing someone wearing their shoes on the wrong feet. But the problem is more than just aesthetic; the design of a kayak paddle is such that the force of the water is distributed evenly above and below the center line. This, in turn, helps prevent fluttering by providing a nice, steady pull. Using your paddle upside down, or backwards (as it could also be viewed), will cause a noticeable drop in your power/efficiency over time. Plus, it just looks silly to any bystanders who know their way around a kayak.

How do you know if your paddle is backwards?

Thankfully, it's easy to identify if you're in the wrong and make the switch. Take a peek at the logo on the blades of your paddle. If it's upside down, your paddle is upside down! 

Beginner kayaking mistake #2: using the drop rings wrong

The rings on kayak paddles are called drip rings. They prevent the water that comes off the blade from dripping down the shaft and up your arm. This sure gets annoying after a while and can leave you with a case of the shivers.

What are the rings on a kayak paddle for?

I'll see newer paddlers reposition the drop rings to act as a marker for their hand placement but they are meant to stop the water from dripping. They should actually be positioned much closer to the blade. Not so close that the drip rings dip into the water themselves, which will negate the effect. I recommend about a hand-width between your blade and the ring. 

Beginner kayaking mistake #3: not being prepared to flip

Well, that all depends on your preparedness. Some of the best courses of action take place before this ever happens. Even if you think there's a low chance of flipping, you still need to be prepared for this eventuality. When it is great conditions and easy-going paddling it is easy to forget about safety. Stay safe by being prepared to fall into the water. For example, have a lifejacket on and wear it properly.

Wear your lifejacket correctly

A PFD doesn't do anything if it's just sitting in the back of your kayak. A lifejacket could easily slip off if it's too big, worn too loose, or not even buckled up in the first place. This is where paddling-specific life jackets come into play. They are comfortable to wear all day and they allow for a full range-of-motion while you're paddling away. If you're planning to spend time on the water, then this extra investment is a great way to go. 

Wear the right clothing for immersion

The next important pre-prep for possibly flipping is to wear clothing that's suited for the water. You may be perfectly comfortable above the surface in nothing but a t-shirt. When you fall into the cold water that could change awfully quickly. You might even face hypothermia if the water is cool enough. During the shoulder seasons or on a glacial lake the water temperatures can be cold. I'm not saying you need to wear a drysuit and sweat buckets all the time. Dress for the conditions and anticipate the swim.

What happens if you flip over in a kayak? 

In my opinion, you don't necessarily need to be super comfortable if you go for an unexpected swim, you just need to be able to survive it. A thin wetsuit, for instance, will provide some protection, without being suffocating in the hot sun. The colder the water, the more protection you'll need. And unfortunately, the bigger the differential there is between the air temperature and the water temperature, the more difficult it's going to be to dress appropriately/comfortably. 

Secure your valuables in dry bags

Next up, make sure to protect and secure your valuables. Anything that can't get wet or lost, like your phone, wallet, keys, etc., put in a dry bag and make sure to clip the dry bag to the inside of your boat so that it doesn't just drift away if you spill. If you want to have your phone accessible, pop it in a waterproof cellphone case and also make sure to secure it somewhere. Trust me on this one, it will save you some real grief. 

Learn the basics for water safety

If you're a newbie, or if you've been paddling for a while but still haven't heeded my call to do so, be sure to check out the free, online paddling course developed by the American Canoe Association (ACA) and the U.S. Coast Guard. Paddling is generally safe and enjoyable, but when things go wrong, they can go really wrong. Often, a bit of information can make the difference between an inconvenience and a disaster. And did I mention it was free? Go ahead and click this link to take the course. It'll make you that much more of an informed and prepared paddler. 

Beginner kayaking mistake #4: not practicing getting back on the kayak from the water

Once again, the most important thing is to be proactive. Practice this skill before setting out for a full-on paddle session. You don't want to be figuring out how to do this in the middle of a lake while cold, flustered, and maybe a little scared.

Getting back into a kayak in the open water

Getting back into a kayak can be tricky and require some strength. This means that not everyone will be able to do it, which is fine as long as you know this from the get go, as it will impact your decisions after flipping. In either case, I recommend taking a self-rescue course to help develop this technique. 

Stay close to shore while kayaking

If you know you can't get back into your kayak from the water then it's best to stay close to shore so that you can swim it in whenever needed. Ideally, you'll also want to go out with some friends so that they can tow your capsized boat for you.

Once you and your kayak are back on land, you can relaunch and continue the fun. If you have practiced getting back onboard from the water, and are comfortable doing this at random, then you can safely paddle out further into the open water. 

Beginner kayaking mistake #5: wearing flip flops 

When it comes to recreational kayaking (as well as canoeing and stand up paddle boarding), I'm all about a water shoe. The pair I have look almost like a casual sneaker. They have a classic tread and they're pretty styllish, if I do say so myself. But most importantly, they have good drainage for when they inevitably get wet. I find these are great for anything where you don't have to squeeze into a tight boat.

Kayaking booties

When it comes to whitewater kayaks and sea kayaks, I prefer booties. They're much more fitted and flexible, which means they can squeeze into those tighter gaps. Plus, since they're made of neoprene, they're also warmer than water shoes. You can choose from a range of thicknesses, depending on what you need, and you don't have to break the bank either. I picked up a $10 pair from Wal-mart the other day and they totally got the job done – much better than flip-flops, and for around the same price. 

Wearing flip-flops kayaking is a mistake

Wearing flip-flops is a mistake that I see both beginner and experienced kayakers making. I'm even guilty of it from time to time. The big problem with this open-toed, flimsy footwear is that you're going to trash your feet getting to and from the water. Oftentimes the terrain between your car and the shoreline is rough and/or slippery, AND you have to navigate that while carrying your boat. Save yourself the grief and invest in at least a simple pair of paddling-specific shoes. 

Beginner kayaking mistake #6: how to get into a kayak

Watch out that you don't “bridge” the kayak. This happens when launching the kayak head-on (perpendicular) from an angled shoreline. What will happen is that the part of the boat that's on land will feel solid. The end of the kayak in the water will be buoyant and seems solid. Then the entire cockpit will be in the air and super tippy.

If you try to get in like this then you'll inevitably fall back out. Watching someone get soaked right from the get-go is always a fun way to start the day, but if you don't want to be the comic relief for your group, make sure to pull your kayak up parallel to the shore. Once the kayak is parallel to the shore it is easy to step into and sit down. Use the paddle for stability across the bow as you enter and sit down.

Follow me for more tips

So I hope this run down helps you to avoid these common mistakes. Be cognizant of these pit-falls, follow my instructions, and I promise you, you'll avoid looking like a doofus, getting in over your head, and getting wet. If you're interested in more paddling tips, as well as gear reviews and episodes of Paddle Tales, check out PaddlingTV or subscribe to get newsletters from this site!

Other paddling gear I use and recommend

NOTE:  These are affiliate links where I’ll earn a small commission if you make a purchase at no additional cost to you, but it’s a great way to show your support. Thanks!  

	Brand	Product	Our Review	Price	Buy NOW
	Sea Eagle	380x	Sea Eagle 380x Kayak Review: Best All-Around Inflatable Kayak?	$1,049	Buy this Product
	Sea Eagle	393rl	Sea Eagle RazorLite 393rl Inflatable Kayak Review	$949	Buy this Product
	Sea Eagle	385ft	Top 5 Inflatable and Folding Kayaks of 2022 | PaddleTV Award Winners	$999	Buy this Product
	Decathlon	Itiwit	Decathlon Itiwit Inflatable Kayak Review – Walmart Kayak Review	$379	Buy this Product
	Tucktek	Folding Kayak	Top 5 Inflatable and Folding Kayaks of 2022 | PaddleTV Award Winners	$500	Buy this Product
	Pakayak	Bluefin 142	Pakayak Bluefin 142 Review: Best Portable Kayak?	$1,995	Buy this Product
	ORU	Inlet	Oru Kayak Inlet Review	$999	Buy this Product
	AquaGlide	Chelan 120	AquaGlide Chelan 120 Inflatable Kayak Review	$1,099	Buy this Product
	Advanced Elements	Advanced Frame Kayak	Advanced Elements Advanced Frame Kayak Review	$979	Buy this Product
	Star	Revival	STAR Rival Inflatable Kayak Review	$1,195	Buy this Product
	Isle	Switch (SUP/Kayak)	Isle Switch SUP Kayak Review: Is it the Best Kayak/Paddleboard Ever?	$995	Buy this Product

FOOTWEAR  

PADDLING SHIRTS / TOPS  

PFD’S – LIFE JACKETS

OTHER PADDLING GEAR  

SUNGLASSES

WileyX