12 ORU KAYAK | BEACH KAYAK OWNER’S MANUAL
SITTING IN A KAYAK
The proper sitting position will keep you comfortable for hours
of paddling and also will help you better control the boat.
1. Sit in the kayak upright, with your back against the seat
back.
2. Adjust the footrest so that your feet rest on it, with
your ankles in a neutral position. Your knees should be
comfortably bent, and your legs should be splayed apart.
PADDLING A KAYAK
Paddling a kayak is fairly intuitive, but a few tips will make
your experience more efficient, fun, and relaxing.
How to choose a paddle
Recommended paddle sizes may vary based on the paddle
shape and type, as well as your personal preference. This table
offers rules of thumb:
YOUR HEIGHT
RECOMMENDED PADDLE LENGTH
5’0” – 5’5”
215 – 220 cm
5’5” – 6’2”
220 – 230 cm
6’2”+
225 – 240 cm
On some kayak paddles the blades are in the same plane. On
others, the blades are offset, to cut more efficiently through
wind and water; these are called feathered paddles. Many pad-
dles, including the Oru Paddle, can be set in either a feathered
or unfeathered position.
How to hold a paddle
1. Hold the paddle securely in front of you with your hands on
the shaft about elbow-width apart.
2. Raise the paddle above your head and balance the paddle
shaft on your head. Re-position your hands so that your
your elbows are at right angles.
3. Keep your hands in this position and rotate the paddle to
just below shoulder height.
4. This position will allow you to rotate your torso while you
paddle. This will let you paddle faster, longer and more
efficiently. It will also protect you from shoulder fatigue or
injury.
5. If you’re using an unfeathered paddle, your knuckles
should be aligned with the paddle blades.
6. If you’re using a feathered paddle, the knuckles of your
dominant hand should align with the corresponding pad-
dle blade. With each stroke, you’ll rotate the paddle so
that the blade enters the water at a right angle.
8/ Kayaking 101
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