BALANCE
Balance is power! One of the most important parts of paddling efficiently is having good balance.
Paddlers with good stability can apply more power to move the boat forward, rather than using that energy to keep upright. Good technique requires body positions and movements that often challenge balance, meaning good balance and technique go hand in hand.
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Balance and stability is influenced by a few factors - core strength, the craft, boat set up - but can also be improved with time and practice promoting neural adaptation.
Picking the right boat
Picking the right boat for your stage is crucial to developing good balance and technique. Whether you like it or not, you will fall out as you learn to paddle. For your enjoyment, and development, pick a boat thats going to keep you on top of the water more than in it.
There are also things you can do to improve the stability of your kayak, such as adding water to it to increase the weight. You could also select a boat that is built for smaller paddlers. Both will result in the kayak sitting lower in the water, making it more stable.
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PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT
There is no substitute for practice. And nothing quite compares to spending time on the water.
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The more time you can spend in your boat, the better your balance will become. Start paddling in friendly conditions where remounting is easier. For example, around the shore of a sheltered lake.
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If you're lucky enough to have a pool, you can practice just sitting in your kayak, Your boat is ways more stable when it's moving forward. So stationary practice can help improve your balance quickly.
