Kayaking in Windy Conditions
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- Опубликовано: 23 апр 2023
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Wind is one of the most limiting factors for paddlers. In this video, we talk about how to paddle when it's windy.
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It is important to remember that although paddling downwind feels easier than upwind, going downwind creates more situations that may cause a capsize. Not only don’t you see waves coming, but they are likely to give you a bit of a push. While the push may feel welcome it may actually suddenly push your kayak off course and make the kayak unstable. Downwind may be physically less demanding, it is riskier than upwind.
I always wondered why weathercocking causes kayaks to turn INTO the wind... always seemed counterintuitive to me. But Ken explains it very well. It finally makes sense. Thank you.
I'm mainly a solo tourer here in Newfoundland. Here on the island, our winds are unpredictable, as is the weather. One thing that I've learned and try to teach fellow paddlers and customers is, don't be afraid to play the common sense card. Every paddler is different, and that reflects in their gear, boat, skeg/rudder, and for this case, experience. Only you can determine whether you should paddle in certain conditions or not. So don't be afraid to play the common sense card. There have been times when I would have loved to paddle, but because of the conditions, I played that card. It sucks because I didn't paddle, but it's good because I never got into a dangerous situation. It's important to grow as a paddler and push yourself to go further, but you also need to know your limits. Especially like me, if you're a solo paddler.
I would expect one fact to keep in mind is, if you're doing an out and back, you need to think about that reverse, not just the outbound. Might be easy to start out and then be hell getting back.
A lot of useful points from Ken, as always, and a lot of useful comments. Two additions (apologies if I'm repeating what others have said). Closely related to Nick Schade's point about the dicey situation of paddling downwind is a point about when to use skegs or rudders. The video only talks about their importance for broadside winds, but there is a big difference between headwinds and tailwinds. In a tailwind (and/or following seas), you are likely moving faster than usual, so creating an even bigger bow wave, pinning your bow even more than usual. That's why it's so easy for a boat to veer off course; it's kind of like riding a bike downhill and then breaking hard on your front wheel. A skeg/rudder will be a huge help to keep you on course.
Paddling into a headwind, I find it helpful to time strokes so you are only paddling "downhill" on the backside of the wave. You can usually find a rhythm so you are not burying the bow into each oncoming wave. This seems or feels like it helps keep a better speed up with less effort.
How timely. I literally found myself in a situation, yesterday, where my return was chock-full of head, and cross-winds...for miles. Loved every minute of it!
Such a great video, huge thanks for bringing this topic up! I'd like to add. Don't be afraid of the wind, as extra tension causes extra fatigue that breaks the technique, as fear also reduces the physical ability to perform self-rescue, or just be reflexive and intuitive. If it's too windy don't go kayaking trip, just play around at a safe spot, and train on what you have learned from the experts. Wind can be so much fun too!
Thank you Ken. Last year we paddled two ten mile days in a row across reservoirs, against the wind, with large portages at the end of each. The plan was to do the twenty miles in a single day, but that was NOT going to happen. It was not a pleasant experience, and we did learn a lot. We were river paddling and had to get to our car down-river. Good thing we planned for an optional day at the end. We had to cash in and forego that last day. Conversely, two years ago we had a tailwind and fast flow so effectively traveled between 9 and 11 MPH. You have to take the good days with the bad!
Very interesting example of how much the wind can affect your paddling. So far I've only paddled on inland rivers in the UK. However on my last outing I experienced an increase in wind speed at just the wrong time and place in my 7 mile circular trip. Paddling on the Gt Ouse near Huntington UK. Just over half way round and starting to feel wearying, the river curved from a sheltered northerly direction into a wider north easterly course directly into the now 15 to 20 mph head wind. At this point the river is about 80 yds wide, both concrete wall banks are lined with tall buildings, deep with no landing points and passing under two bridges. I was paddling downstream through a wind tunnel on my own! With swirling currents around the bridge parapets and the wind kicking up waves. Only one thing for it, head down, dig deep and keep the bow straight on into the waves, that were breaking over the deck. That was a tense few hundred yards with a number of seat clenching moments, until I got passed the high buildings and the funnel effect was lessened.
One thing I found is it really helps to feather the paddle, maybe 30 or 45 degrees. The wind really pushes against the top paddle the wrong way and can make each stroke almost twice as hard if it's not angled.
Although I have been scuba diving for decades, I'm a relatively inexperienced kayaker. And an older one too. I therefore restrict myself to a max gusting speed of 10 to 12mph winds in my local ocean bay. And I check each hourly forecast before going out in order to see if the wind speed is set to increase or decrease each hour. I also pay attention to tides. I tend to go out 90 minutes before high tide and return within 90 minutes after high tide. This way I get more of a slack tide and less flow to struggle against. I'm avoiding having both a strong tide AND a strong tidal flow against me. Tidal flow is fastest in approximately the 2 hours in the middle between high and low or low and high tide.
Thanks for your time!!
If you are an avid paddler there are other tecniques to compensate for sidewind and headwind. If you lean into the wind and use linked strokes you can do it for a little more.
Great explanation!!! I always asked myself why I am pushed into the direction where the wind comes from. Now this miracle is solved.
I'm relatively limited in my kayaking experience - mostly fishing kayaks on flat water. This year I picked up an inflatable fishing kayak, which I like and enjoy, but I discovered that even the slightest breeze will make it skate across the water. Seems obvious in hindsight that a boat sitting completely on top of the water with a larger cross section area to catch wind is going to be affected more by wind (compared to a hard shell sit on top fishing kayak), but something I didn't think about before I experienced it. Just a word of caution to anyone considering an inflatable that it could be much easier to become windbound.
when stronge wind, 1. more speed for reducing energy loss in whole traveling time, 2. if too hard to go forward directly by stronge wind , oblique angle forward and longer distance.
Excellent video! This will be the 4th year I've been kayaking in the lakes around my area. I installed a rudder after the first year couple of years and it helped immensely, but I'm still very careful if there is a chance for windy conditions.
New Kayaker, had my first taste of sudden weather and wind out on the wrong side of a lake today. A lot of these info was coming back to me on my jaunt… especially the merit of skegs and rudders in that i was powering an AR with neither. Another well done video …
Great video thank you