Kayak Merit Badge; Water Rescue, strokes, basic knowledge
Channel: Scout Eric Adventures
Date: 29/07/2020

Kayak-Over-Kayak Rescue
The paddler being rescued swims to the far end of the capsized boat. The paddler being rescued and the rescuer align the capsized boat perpendicular to the rescue boat, making a “T.”  This maneuver is sometimes called a “T-rescue” because of this configuration.
Step 1—The rescuer pulls and the paddler in the water pushes the capsized kayak across the deck of the rescue boat so both ends are out of the water. By rocking the capsized boat like a teeter-totter on top of the rescue kayak, most of the water can be quickly drained. The paddler in the water should hold on to the end of the rescue boat or hold on to the end of the capsized kayak.
Step 2—Once the boat is empty, the rescuer flips it away from himself and turns the kayak upright. The rescue paddler returns the kayak to the water by holding on to the end. The rescuer then assists the paddler’s re-entry using the heel hook entry

Covered in this video:
Good Posture
Good Balance
-Turning Strokes
You will need to learn how to turn effectively in order to maintain
control of your kayak.
-Forward Sweep
Kayaks turn easily, so the first stroke taught to new kayakers is often one that helps them turn while maintaining control. The forward sweep can make a kayak spin in place or, once the boat is moving ahead, turn and continue moving forward with speed.  The forward sweep also helps a new kayaker learn how to generate power from his torso instead of his arms, leading to stronger and safer strokes. A forward sweep on the right side will make the bow of the boat turn to the left, away from the paddle.
-Reverse Sweep
The reverse sweep also spins the boat or turns it while underway. In addition, it can help slow or stop the boat. As its name suggests, the reverse sweep looks like the opposite of a forward sweep. To begin the stroke, rotate the torso so the right blade is behind you. Make sure to maintain a strong shoulder position when doing this. The catch (1) begins when the blade drops in the water, with the right elbow tucked close to the paddler’s back and the left hand raised to about shoulder height.
The blade should be roughly parallel with the midline of the kayak.
To apply power (2), rotate the torso so the back of the blade moves toward
the nose of the bow. As with the forward sweep, make sure the blade is completely in the water. Once the back face of the blade is almost touching the kayak near the feet, the release phase (3) happens when the right shoulder lifts the blade out of the water.
-Forward Stroke
The forward power stroke (or “forward stroke”) is the boat’s engine, the strokethat moves the boat forward. It is the most commonly used stroke in kayaking. It can be used to go in a straight line or to paddle on a curving path. The forward stroke’s starting catch position is similar
to a forward sweep’s catch position. The torso rotates forward and the right blade enters the water near the right ankle.  However, the top hand is higher than in a sweep, allowing the blade to turn so it will move the boat forward rather than sideways. The blade should be roughly perpendicular to the midline of the kayak.  To apply power, unwind the torso and keep the top hand at the same height, so the blade stays close to the boat. The top hand should move toward the center of the boat. Release power by slicing the
blade sideways out of the water once the blade reaches the thighs. This will set the left blade up to take a stroke on the left side of the boat.
-Stern Draw
The stern draw is a powerful turning stroke that most often is used to help keep a kayak going straight. It can be done alone, at the end of a forward stroke, or at the end of a forward sweep. Advanced kayakers use stern draws to help with surfing and other fun maneuvers.  To start a stern draw, place the blade in the water away from your boat, so the blade looks like it is near the middle of a forward sweep. If the boat were sitting on a clock, the paddle would go in between 3 o’clock and 4 o’clock. The left hand should be fairly low. From the catch, apply power by bringing the right elbow in toward the small of the back and the blade toward the stern. At
the end of the stroke, the paddle should be nearly parallel to the length of the kayak. Release power when the blade is close to the stern by slicing the blade out of the water. After the blade comes out of the water, rotate the torso to set up for the next stroke. 

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