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Skills

Heather Herbeck stretches her lower back on a yoga mat.

Lower Back Pain From Paddling?

Details: Created: October 10, 2014

Paddling can cause or irritate lower back pain and with days on the water being few and far between, check these tips to keep you…

Heather Herbeck rolling her upper thigh muscles on a white foam roller.

How to Prevent Kayak Injuries: Why I Foam Roll

Details: Created: September 12, 2014

Foam rolling smoothens and lengthens muscles, and breaks up adhesions and scar tissue. It also helps your muscles relax. The result for kayakers is better blood…

How To Pack For Self-Support Kayak Trips

Details: Created: August 21, 2014

Multi–day whitewater kayaking trips are a rewarding way to experience a new river or a remote area of your local watershed. Packing for an expedition…

Backcountry Water Treatment Methods

Details: Created: July 17, 2014

It’s hot, sunny and you are paddling pristine whitewater with friends. Problem is, your water bottle is empty. It’s tempting to fill it up with…

A whitewater kayak instructor stands in the water to help a kayaker practice a kayak roll.

Skill Video: How To Roll A Kayak

Details: Created: June 19, 2014

As I progress as a teacher, my progressions adapt and change to the diversity of my students. It makes me revisit several of my previous…

Screenshot image of a red kayak being tied down to the roof of a car.

Skill Video: How To Tie A Kayak To Your Car

Details: Created: June 12, 2014

Don't let your boat go airborne. Here's a technique to safely secure a kayak to your roof. ...

Skill Video: Freestyle Fundamentals

Details: Created: May 08, 2014

Balance, power and vision are imperative to strong, controlled boating. This video demonstrates and explains a list of warm-ups for freestyle paddlers’ quiver of strength…

Skill Video: Kayak Momentum

Details: Created: April 17, 2014

When a student who has been paddling for a while expresses that they want better boat control, they are specifically referring to their ability…

How To Stay Warm For Spring Surfing

Details: Created: April 10, 2014

The spring thaw is finally underway and that means two things—paddling and cold water. Knowing how to prepare yourself for the inevitable cold that comes…

Stock Your PFD With Rescue Essentials

Details: Created: April 03, 2014

A few small items and a bit of training can go a long way. Check out what Rapid's editor has with her every time…

Skill Video: Kayak Roll Troubleshooting

Details: Created: March 27, 2014

Practicing a kayak roll is an essential skill for experienced paddlers and those that may be the occasional weekend warrior. At the beginning of every…

Sit-Up Stern Stall How-To

Details: Created: March 13, 2014

The Sit-up Stern Stall is an explosive flatwater trick that has recently become my new favorite. Now that boat design has distributed volume in all…

Heather Herbeck demonstrates a lower body stretch.

Training Tips to Paddle Forever

Details: Created: February 03, 2014

Kayaking can easily expose you injuries ranging from joint stiffnesss to blunt-force trauma. It’s almost inevitable to experience some type of trauma in your kayaking career.…