Freestyle kayaking is an exciting and dynamic paddling discipline that's all about performing tricks and stunts on the water. Think of it as the skateboarding or snowboarding of the kayaking world - it's all about creativity, skill, and pushing the boundaries of what's possible in a boat.

The great thing about freestyle kayaking is that it's accessible to paddlers of all skill levels. Whether you're a beginner just looking to enjoy a smooth ride on a wave, or an experienced paddler aiming to nail complex aerial moves, there's something for everyone in freestyle.

Freestyle Kayaking Basics

In freestyle kayaking, paddlers perform tricks on stationary water features like standing waves, holes, or eddy lines. These features act like nature's playground, allowing kayakers to surf, spin, flip, and perform a variety of exciting moves.

Freestyle Kayaking Equipment Freestyle kayakers use specialized boats designed for performing tricks. These include kayaks (K1), decked canoes (C1), open canoes (OC), and squirt boats. Each type of boat allows for different styles of freestyle paddling.

Skills You'll Learn with Freestyle

You can develop a wide range of paddling related skills by taking part in Freestyle kayaking. These include:

1. Boat Control: Freestyle kayaking requires precise maneuvering in tight spaces and on dynamic water features. You'll learn to control your kayak's edge, make quick turns and adjustments, and maintain balance in unstable conditions.
2. Paddling Technique: You'll develop a wide range of paddling techniques, including forward and reverse strokes, sweep strokes for turning, draw strokes for lateral movement, bracing for stability on the water.
3. Water Reading: Freestyle kayaking teaches you to understand how water moves and behaves, identify and use different water features (waves, holes, eddies), and anticipate changes in water dynamics.

It can also improve your overall fitness. Regular practice will improve your core strength and stability, upper body strength, cardiovascular endurance, and flexibility and agility.

Types of Freestyle Kayaking

Playboating

This is the most common form of freestyle kayaking. Paddlers use short, specialised boats to perform tricks on stationary river features.

Downriver Freestyle

This involves performing tricks while moving downstream, using various river features. It can be done in most types of whitewater kayaks.

Squirt Boating

A unique form of freestyle that uses specialized low-volume boats. It often involves completely submerging both the kayak and paddler in a move called a "mystery move".

Competitive Freestyle Kayaking

Freestyle kayaking isn't just a recreational activity - it's also a competitive sport. In competitions, athletes perform a series of tricks within a set time limit, scoring points for difficulty and style.

It has been growing in popularity since the late 1960s. It gained official recognition from the International Canoe Federation in 2006, with the first World Championships held in 2007.

Interested? If so, hit the Get Involved button above and enter your postcode to find your nearest club, or simply ask PaddleBot below for a club near your area.