A double kayak runs straight and without clashes when both paddles go into the water together. Agreeing how takes five minutes on the shore and saves a morning of clashing.
To paddle in time in a double kayak, the person at the front sets the rhythm and the person at the back copies it, watching their paddle, and also steers. Both paddles go into the water together and on the same side, so they do not clash and the kayak runs straight. Before setting off, it is worth agreeing four or five short words for going, stopping and turning.
The split makes sense because of what each person can see. The one at the back has their partner’s paddle in front of them and can follow it; the one at the front cannot see what the back paddler is doing. So if the paddles fall out of time, the front keeps going as before and the back adjusts. Kayaking requires no prior learning, but this shows from the very first stroke.
The back seat goes to whoever is going to steer, usually the more experienced or stronger paddler, because turning and correcting the course are done from the back. If one of you is noticeably heavier than the other, they should also go at the back, so the nose of the kayak does not dip and it moves with less effort.
The front seat goes to whoever sets the pace. It is a good place for the less keen paddler or for a child, because they do not have to think about steering and can see the water with nothing in the way. With a child, the adult always goes at the back: that way they can see the child the whole time and make the return alone if the little one tires.
The back paddler watches the front paddler’s blade and copies it: when the front blade goes in on the right, theirs goes in on the right; when it switches sides, so does theirs. With both blades going in together on the same side, they do not clash and the kayak does not snake about. At first it helps to count out loud, ‘one, two’, until it comes naturally.
The front paddler sets the rhythm, but it has to be one both of you can keep up. Long, calm strokes are better than short, quick ones: rushing throws everything out of time. If the paddles clash, there is no point arguing about whose fault it was: the front carries on as before and the back corrects, since the back is the one who can see what is happening.
Few, short and clear ones, because with the wind and the noise of the water long sentences get lost. For example, ‘go’ to start paddling, ‘stop’ for both to stop, ‘right’ and ‘left’ to turn and ‘back’ to slow down. Agree them on the shore, before getting in, and use only those.
What matters is that one voice is in charge: the one at the back, who steers. If both give orders, the kayak does whatever the last one said. Five minutes of practice close to the shore, paddling a few metres, stopping and turning, saves arguments once you are further out and the wind starts to blow.
To turn, the back paddler takes wide, sweeping strokes on the side opposite the direction they want to go: to turn left, sweep wide on the right. The front paddler can help by doing the same, or simply keep paddling. For small turns, two or three extra strokes on one side from the back are enough.
To stop, both stop paddling and put their blades in the water at the same time, holding them there, or paddle backwards. Stopping in time is what keeps you from getting too close to a buoy, another kayak or the area used by the jet skis, which has its own marker buoys. When in doubt, stop first and think afterwards.
At the shore, with the kayak floating in shallow water and at right angles to the beach. One person holds the kayak by the middle while the other sits down, keeping their weight low and never standing up inside. Then the one already seated keeps it balanced with the paddle resting across, and the second gets in.
To get out, the reverse: come in slowly, stop before hitting the bottom hard, and one gets out while the other stays seated and still. Capsizes when getting in and out tend to come from the same thing: two people moving at once or one standing up suddenly. The life jacket, included for each person, is already on from the sand.
One of the advantages of a double kayak is that one person can rest while the other carries on. Whoever is tired lays the paddle across their legs and the other paddles more gently, without trying to keep the speed up. If the tired one is at the back, the front paddler should know the course will drift a little and correct it with the odd stroke.
What you should not do is wait until you are both exhausted to turn back. The return always takes more out of you than the outward leg, and as a pair you notice when one of you has had enough. A simple rule: as soon as the first of you says they are tired, turn round. If you still have energy afterwards, a paddle board is another way to stay on the water.
As it affects any kayak: a crosswind pushes it off course, and the back paddler has to correct with more strokes on one side. The usual rule applies: paddle into the wind first, parallel to the coast, and come back with it behind you. Below 15 knots you can go out; between 15 and 20 the light kit stays ashore.
The one that calls for most care is the land breeze, the offshore wind from the north or north-west, which pushes you out to sea even when it seems calm at the water’s edge. Before setting off, the sea conditions on the home page of the website show wind and waves off Fuengirola every half hour. The kayaks leave from the beach next to the Puerto Deportivo de Fuengirola.
If it is not here, call us: two minutes on the phone and it is sorted.
The person at the back, who can see their partner’s paddle and corrects the course. The person at the front sets the pace. With a child, the adult always sits at the back.
Because they go in out of time or on different sides. The back paddler should copy the front blade: same stroke, same side. Counting out loud at first helps.
It shares the effort and lets one person rest while the other paddles, but it requires coordination. For two people of different strength it is a good option.
Leave us your number and we will call you. In July and August it is worth booking ahead.
Puerto Deportivo de Fuengirola, local 367. You can drop in and see the boats before you book.
At no charge. Going out to see what happens is never worth it.
Life jackets for everyone on board, included in the price.
