The reclining position is best while drinking beer and fishing and let's not forget a fine cigar as well.  Never kayak for exercise or sport, it's purely a recreational floating device. The paddles are to swat critters or other nefarious individuals.

Now show a nice unloading onto a dock.

I have kayaked for around 20 years and this is great and clear advice. If I could add anything it would be to find a safe and shallow area close to shore and deliberately capsize yourself. Then figure out ways to get back into your kayak. It's awkward and takes some time but once you have the ability you'll be so much safer out on the water.

Concise  ,specific , no BS to have to wade through. I gotta say one of the best tutorial videos I've seen . Well done !

This is my very first comment on any YouTube video. As a kayak instructor with around 20 years of whitewater and flat water experience, I really appreciate this video. It is simple, humble, and accurate.  Kayaking can be challenging.  It is also physically, mentally, and spiritually rewarding.  The examples and advice in this video are spot on and nearly anyone getting started with paddling will have a much more enjoyable experience with these pointers.

My first time Kayaking and this Kayak held strong. https://www.youtube.com/post/Ugkx4k5UrhC3v_Y4hIEaXLGvHcN5a5aBmZNB  The water got pretty rough as a speed boat zipped by me, and the Kayak withstood it (I expected to be capsized). The Ores are very easy to put together, the pump worked beautifully. the seats are a bit hard to sit in after a while (I recommend sitting on the floor). after reading the reviews I was very scared it'd get a hole in it, the material is very strong and durable. The Air valve may need a small Phillips head screwdriver to adjust, other than that, it's well worth the money!(update)I've gone Kayaking in 3 Lakes and 2 rivers totaling about 40 miles. the kayak had two holes and they patched easily and no other problems can't wait for kayaking season this year!

Do poke fun at us!  This is is mistake number 0: treating oneself too seriously. I am a beginner, and although i started well prepared, I made lots of mistakes. It was funny. I was funny. I had fun. I had a ton of fun while the river had some fun with me.  I highly recommend this.  😂

My personal best kayak exit was in a sea kayak, I did a super slick paddle lean stabilizer move and looked super cool, took one step towards the front of the boat to move it to shore, realized both my legs had fallen asleep and immediately fell on my face in the Pacific Ocean.

I started kayaking a couple of years ago. Too old and not interested in whitewater, I am fortunate to have a very long river in my area that is not too wild. I have 2 angler (sit on) kayaks (lifetime tamaracks) that I have run 40 miles on of that river. There was some white caps that got us pretty wet in a couple of places and rushing areas that scraped us against some rocks on the bank, but it was all in good fun. One lesson I learned quickly is once you have committed to the current there is no turning back. Paddle on ! I don't skimp on safety. I cover my skin from the sun (brimmed hat, long shirt and river pants that zip off and on at the knees) and have an Onyx vest with pockets for whistle, firestarter, emergency blanket, knife, and maybe some small thing I might want to take (camera, headlight or head bug net). I got the longer paddles, which work really good and also keep me dry on cooler days. I will not take any person with me that will not put on a life vest. I have had so much fun on that river. Islands to stop on, wildlife all over, watched deer swim across, most people on the river are fairly friendly, everything looks so different from the water. I had to give up dirt bike riding because of old and broken body syndrome and this is what I turned to for adventure. I would recommend kayaking to anyone looking for some adventure, but I would also say, if you are going on a river KNOW it first. Drive and explore every place you can see the river from, walk some of the bank and wade in the current so you know what to expect. Talk to others on the river or who have kayaked it. Also (hard learned lesson for me), if there is an upriver dam, find out what the flow rates are for each day of the week. Go to the dams flowrate page to see this, nothing else has that info. Check the day you are going also, you will want to know how fast and high that river is running that day, believe this, it makes a difference. Do not find out like I did. I have also paddled lakes, big and small. Some of the big ones on a windy day can have very large waves. It has been an absolute blast. I never leave my safety gear behind, my kayak is set up to take camping gear and a small cooler if I want, my friends know my rule about vests ahead of time so there is never an argument, I know my weight limit on my kayak and I know the flow rate of the river or weather conditions of any lake I go on before I go. It is so much fun. I wish everyone could have this experience. Play hard everyone, but play safe.

There are so many mistakes newbies make as we all have. One I try to instill in people is to lightly grip the paddle in your hands. Most new kayakers have a death grip on it as if their life depended on it. This will wear you out in short order. They go home after paddling less than two hours and feel like they just got done doing a PX90 work out . Most beginners will start on flat water so there is no need for a tight grip. My grips will change slightly depending on water and weather condition but my techniques will stay the same. I have kayaked for 30 yrs now and most of my paddling is long distance touring. I have never suffered any injury in my wrist or arms from paddling. Like others have said kayaking should be enjoyable not a chore . As you increase in skills you can push yourself to more advanced waters if you wish. I really enjoyed your video. You mentioned pulling on the blade that's in the water while pushing on the opposite end and rotating at the waist at the same time. Keep your eyes  focused on the direction you are heading. Great advise. I always try to help people if I see these common mistakes. I don't want someone giving up before they have a chance to truly experience the joys of paddling. Thanks again.

Thanks to you my first experience kayaking was a success. I didn't make an ass of myself, so thank you.

Normally, I wear thick soled water sandals when I go kayaking.  This weekend, I decided to go running before going kayaking and, as fate would have it, I realized I only had my running shoes when I went to jump in the kayak. I did not want to get my running shoes soaking wet but I figured no problem, I'll just go barefoot.  I took off my shoes and socks, hopped in my kayak, and had a nice ride around the river.  When I finished, I pulled up to the ramp and hopped out with my bare feet.   I felt something under my big toe and lifted my foot to see that it was a really nasty fishing hook that someone had left laying on the ramp.  I was very lucky that the hook did not pierce my foot but it was totally just luck....that could have gone very badly.  For the record, I did pick up the fishing hook and discarded it.

I see you are going barefoot in this video and wanted to warn you that people thoughtlessly discard all kinds of stuff on the ground.  It's probably best to wear some kind of foot protection.

I’ve been both flat water and white water kayaking for many years, and everything talked about is spot on. Even though I’m experienced, I am a complete klutz in getting into and out of the kayak. He showed me just what I was doing wrong (I had to laugh at myself) and what to do right. Great video and thanks for posting it.

This is one of the best intro’s to Kayaking I have seen on the web.  Clear concise and to the point.

I might go kayaking for the first time this week. This video made me more comfortable. Thank you!

I can't tell you what a blessing this video has been to me tonight! I went on my first kayaking trip and it was a night trip and I actually did really well on the water! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

I have been a "newbie" kayaker for several years.  But, recently retired and really want to move past the point of feeling like a beginner.  As I watched this video, I saw so many mistakes that I personally make.  I am excited to get out over the next few months and apply what I have just learned.  Thanks sooooo much!

Day 1: Tried kayaking with no research.

Day 2: Watched this video. Let's try this again!

I’ve been paddling for about four years now and I love it!  I wasn’t able to get out on the water all of last year due to injury and taking care of my 91 year old father as he transitioned.  I decided to pickup up an Oru Inlet this Christmas as a gift to myself after a trying year.  I watched this video as a refresher and while I was aware of most of those mistakes, the most help today was getting out of the boat with bad knees.  THANK YOU.  THANK YOU.  THANK YOU.

Near the end Dan showed how not to exit at the ramp. He tilted and and put his hand in the water to get his balance. I did the same thing as a beginner only in salt water. The water was cold and I didn’t know that my hand hit an oyster shell until I saw the blood running down my arm. So, keep a small towel in the dry bag Dan mentioned. You might need it for more than getting wet. I carry a small first kit in it also.