Kevin
Ways to help you get started with inflatable kayaks. 

Helpful Hints

Kevin

Welcome to Your Kayaking Essentials Guide

Embarking on a kayaking adventure is a fantastic way to connect with nature and enjoy the water. To make your experience safe, enjoyable, and hassle-free, it’s essential to prepare properly and care for your equipment.

Before You go Paddling

Before setting out on your first paddle, it’s essential to ensure your paddling and safety equipment is suitable for the location and water conditions. Here are some important guidelines to keep in mind:

  1. Check the Weather and Water Conditions
    • Always review the weather forecast and water conditions before heading out.
    • Strong winds or tides can make paddling challenging; adjust your plans if necessary.
  2. Paddle Within Your Capability
    • Maintain control of your kayak at all times and stick to conditions that match your skill level.
  3. Wear a Life Jacket
    • A life jacket is non-negotiable, especially if you’re paddling alone, at night, far from shore, or if you’re a less confident swimmer.
    • Stay updated on the latest requirements through the Department of Transport:
  4. Protect Your Hands
    • Wear gloves during long paddling sessions to prevent soreness or blisters.
  5. Secure Your Paddle
    • Use a paddle leash, especially if paddling solo, to ensure your paddle stays within reach.
  6. Safeguard Your Valuables
    • Store essentials, such as electronic keys, in a dry bag. Double-fold the bag’s seal and secure it to your kayak for extra protection.
  7. Stay Hydrated and Sun-Safe
    • Carry adequate drinking water and apply sunscreen to protect yourself from dehydration and sunburn.

By following these steps, you’ll enjoy a safer and more enjoyable paddling experience!

Paddling Tips

Kayaking is enjoyable and relatively easy to pick up, but refining your technique can make your outings more efficient and rewarding. Here are some tips and tricks for an optimal paddling experience:

General Awareness

  • Understand Your Environment: Stay aware of your position on the water and account for waves, tides, currents, and wind.
  • Be Mindful of Other Vessels: Watch for larger boats and their bow waves. Always approach waves head-on with the bow (front) of your kayak, rather than side-on.
  • Follow Waterway Rules: When passing other craft, keep to the starboard (right-hand) side.

Proper Posture and Position

  • Sit Upright: Maintain a straight posture—avoid slouching or hunching forward. Engage your core muscles to support your movements.
  • Knee and Foot Placement: Your knees should be slightly bent and pressing outward against the kayak. Many paddlers find additional support by bracing their feet against a footrest.

Paddle Techniques

  • Feather Your Paddle: The feather refers to the angle at which the paddle blades are offset. Feathered blades are especially helpful in windy conditions, as the blade in the air slices through the wind instead of resisting it.
  • Top-Hand Dominance: When paddling, push with your top hand rather than pulling with your bottom hand for better efficiency.
  • Stroke Technique: Insert the paddle into the water near your toes and pull it out at your hips. Aim for long, smooth strokes rather than quick, choppy ones.

Turning Your Kayak

  • Turning Left: Place the paddle blade into the water behind you on the left side at an angle of about 30 degrees, with half the blade submerged. Gently push down to turn. Avoid submerging the blade entirely.
  • Turning Right: Repeat the same motion on the right side.

Tandem Kayaking

  • Front Paddler Role: The person in the front sets the pace, maintaining a steady left-right rhythm.
  • Rear Paddler Role: The rear paddler matches the front paddler’s rhythm while also steering the kayak.

Mastering these tips will make your paddling experience smoother, safer, and more enjoyable!

Setup Tips

To ensure your Advanced Elements kayak tracks properly in the water, it’s important to set up the aluminium ribs in the bow and stern correctly. These ribs provide improved stability and direction but can occasionally twist or come out of their pockets, especially after washing the kayak in a deflated state. Inflating the kayak with misaligned ribs can affect its performance. Follow these tips to ensure proper alignment:

  1. Partially Inflate Chamber #1
    • Pump approximately 15 strokes of air into Chamber #1. This provides enough structure to check the rib alignment without overinflating.
  2. Check Rib Alignment
    • Inspect the bow and stern ribs to ensure they are straight and properly seated. Use the kayak’s handle as a visual guide to check their alignment.
  3. Reposition Misaligned Ribs
    • If a rib is twisted or out of position:
      • Reach into the kayak and gently pull the air bladder toward the cockpit.
      • Insert the rib back into its top and bottom slots (pockets).
      • Pinching the metal and the bladder together, push the bladder forward gently to ensure the rib is firmly and securely seated.

By checking the ribs before fully inflating your kayak, you’ll ensure it tracks straight and performs as intended on the water.

RibFrame Design

AF Tips

Paddling in Extreme Weather

Air pressure in your inflatable kayak is affected by changes in temperature, similar to how car tires respond. Warm air expands, increasing pressure, while cold air contracts, reducing pressure. Managing these changes is key to maintaining your kayak’s performance and preventing damage.

Hot Weather and Sunlight

  • Even in the hottest summer months, river water is typically cool enough to keep your kayak’s temperature regulated while paddling.
  • However, leaving a fully inflated kayak on land in direct sunlight or on a hot day can cause the air inside the tubes to expand excessively.
    • Prevent Damage: Release some air from the inflation chambers (including the floor) to allow for expansion without overinflating.
    • Before Resuming: Once back in the water, check the air pressure and top up as needed.

Cold Water Conditions

  • If the water is colder than the air, the kayak’s air pressure may drop once it adjusts to the cooler water temperature.
    • Allow Adjustment: Inflate the kayak and let it sit in the water for about 10 minutes.
    • Check and Top Up: Reattach your pump, check the air pressure, and add air if necessary.

General Tip

  • In extreme temperature conditions, whether hot or cold, it’s always a good idea to carry your pump with you. This allows you to easily adjust the air pressure as needed during your trip.

By monitoring and managing air pressure in response to temperature changes, you’ll protect your kayak and enjoy a smoother paddling experience.

Cleaning Tips
  • Routine Washing
    • While it’s not necessary to wash your kayak after every use, regular cleaning will help prolong its life.
    • When you do wash the entire kayak, inflate it fully. This makes it easier to clean without accidentally dislodging the aluminium ribs in the bow and stern. An inflated kayak also dries faster.
  • Removing Stains
    • For stubborn stains on the underside of the kayak, use a soft cloth with a mild abrasive cleaner like JIFF.
    • Using cleaners on the top fabric of your kayak can strip away its waterproof coating. If this occurs, simply reapply a waterproofing spray to restore the water resistance of the fabric on the upper side of the kayak. Be sure to choose a spray specifically designed for outdoor gear or marine fabrics to ensure optimal performance and durability.
  • Extended Storage
    • Store the kayak deflated in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight to prevent material degradation.

With these simple care steps, your kayak will remain in top condition, ready for your next adventure!

Care and Maintenance

Advanced Elements kayaks are built from heavy-duty, multi-layer materials designed for durability and long-term use. With proper care and maintenance, your kayak will deliver many years of reliable performance. Here’s how to take care of it after use:

After Each Use

  1. Clean the Exterior
    • Use an old towel to wipe down the kayak, removing water, mud, sand, and marine debris.
  2. Inspect and Maintain Valves
    • Check the air inflation valves and clear away any sand or debris to ensure a proper seal.
  3. Care for the Floor
    • Remove the floor, deflate it, clean off any dirt, and dry it thoroughly. If the floor is dirty, wash it with fresh water.
  4. Clean Paddles and Gear
    • Dismantle the paddles and rinse the shaft and blades with fresh water—this is recommended after every paddle session.
    • Wash personal flotation devices (PFDs) and gloves with fresh water to remove salt and grime.
Double Action Hand Pump Cleaning

Advanced Elements pumps may occasionally experience issues with the pressure gauge. To ensure proper functionality, follow these steps:

Test the Gauge: Before use, close the end of the pump hose, give a few pumps, and check if the gauge needle moves freely and registers pressure.

If the Gauge Fails: If the needle does not move or register correctly, discontinue use immediately and contact us for assistance.

Regularly checking your pump ensures accurate inflation and helps protect your kayak from over-inflation damage.

HandPumpGaugeAE2011.main min scaled

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